All Chapters of My Billionaire Boss’ Dirty Secret: Chapter 41 - Chapter 49

49 Chapters

41

Charlie suggested that I ask Mum to meet me at the cafe across from our office building. It would be neutral ground and also not draw attention from my co-workers.Stepping inside the cafe, I felt like the walls were closing in on me. I didn't want to fight with my mother but I also didn't want her to push me around to get her own way. I’d kept my relationship with Charlie a secret from my parents out of fear they'd try to destroy this for me. My mother, especially, had always been weird about my wanting to date or even talk to boys. I wasn't allowed to go to parties as a teenager if boys were going to be there. If I had a crush on a boy I would keep it to myself, knowing it could never become anything more than a crush. My parents’ reaction when they met Charlie just proved I was right in keeping him secret from them. Now the truth was out and I don't know if they will ever accept my relationship. Mum was sitting alone at a booth down the back, her head buried in the menu so she d

42

“You and Charlie are dating?” Josh asks while I’m still trying to process what has happened. I can’t even be angry at my mother for exposing our secret relationship to my ex because she had no idea the connection between Charlie and Josh. Secrets always come out, that's what she taught me when I was growing up and my biggest one was exposed by her. “Yes,” I admit, knowing that there’s no way I can hide this anymore, it’s time to come clean. “That night, at the Rochester, you weren't there to see me were you? You were with Charlie,” he asks, piecing the timeline together. “You cheated on this man with that Playboy?” Mum accuses me, yelling so loudly that I'm sure everyone back at the office heard her. “Oh, no, Mrs Middleton, there was no cheating, we broke up over a year ago,” Josh clears my reputation, not that I deserve his help after lying to him. “That was the first night that I met Charlie,” I tell Josh, trying hard to ignore Mum’s look of disgust when she realises why I was

43

Charlie I've never really given a shit about what anyone thinks of me. I run my own race, and I didn't care who I left behind as I ran towards my goals. Then I met my Goddess and now my priorities have shifted. I can pretend that I don't care that her parents hate me but the reality is it's eating me up inside. My relationship with their daughter could be easily destroyed if they don't approve of me. I’d never known love until I met Nortica and the thought of losing her was unsettling. She was the best thing that had ever happened to me and I now live in fear that she could easily be ripped from my life. I also didn't want to be the reason for her own relationship with her parents fracturing. I may have a fucked up, self-absorbed father but even I know that family is important. They could kill what we have but still, I had to encourage her to let them in. After Nortica left to have coffee with her mother, I went down to the kitchen in the basement, just to try and preoccupy

44

I sat in my seat in the boardroom, my stomach churning as I watched my co-workers file in. Each one seemed to be in high spirits, sharing stories and jokes, and I wished I could join them, but I was overcome with fear. After today, their opinion of me would change, be it for better or worse. Once the secret was out, there was no going back. I knew this but still I had to do it, not just for myself but for Charlie too. “You ok?” Josh asked as he took the seat beside me. “Not really but hopefully after this meeting, I will be,” I answer him cryptically, not wanting to give too much away. Charlie and I talked about how we would handle our announcement, deciding to do it during our Monday afternoon meeting. He said this was the best option, instead of just telling everyone individually. Like ripping off a Band-Aid, it will hurt but it's quick. Richard and Charlie were the last to arrive, with Richard taking the seat at the head of the table. Charlie throws him a look of anger but doe

45

Charlie“I’m taking you out tonight, to celebrate,” I told Nortica as we entered the elevator. The day had been stressful for both of us for a multitude of reasons, and I felt we needed to end it on a good note. “We could stay in, order Chinese food,” she suggests as she looks down at her hands like she's nervous. “Baby, talk to me, why don't you want to go out?” I push her, getting worried that she still thinks we need to hide. She hesitates. I put my hand under her chin, lifting her head to force her to look at me because I’m terrified that something's gone wrong. “It’s just that…whenever we eat out somewhere…we end up…fighting,” she eventually admits. I rack my brain, trying to recall a time when we’ve eaten out in public and we haven't had a fight but I soon realise there isn't one. “It won't happen ever again,” I promise her, leaning in and kissing her forehead. I’ve hurt her and I need to fix it.“Alright, I’ll go home, get ready and you can surprise me,” she says, smilin

46

When Charlie kissed me, making sure Francesca saw it, I knew then that all our fighting was behind us. He had learnt from his mistakes and would never lie to me again. I wish I could have seen her face when she saw us lock lips but I was too wrapped up in the moment even to acknowledge her existence. I anticipated that she was going to come marching up to our booth and make a scene but surprisingly she didn't. Instead, she just sat at the bar, chatting to Gwen. I spent the whole time of dinner, cocooned in his arms as we ate our food and shared kisses. “Tell me about the dirty daydream you were having during the meeting this afternoon,” Charlie asked me and he nuzzled against my neck. “What makes you think it was dirty?” I giggle. “I’ve learnt how to read your face baby, it may have been oblivious to everyone else in the boardroom but I know you,” he chuckles. “I can’t make your fantasy a reality unless you tell me,” I look around, afraid of who might be within earshot. “I was

47

CharlieMy employees may have been accepting of my relationship, but I spent the week taking no-so-subtle insults from my father. All aimed at getting inside my head and convincing me that Nortica was just with me for my money. Gwen was right though, Richard was bitter about losing everything and needed to drag me down as well. I just had to rise above it and wait for the right time to fire his arse. The more he tried to turn me against Nortica, the more I wanted to be around her. Every time he threatened my control, my Goddess would restore it. I wanted to thank her for giving me what I needed and show her that I appreciate her. “I’m taking you out for dinner at Piazza tonight,” I announced to her over breakfast. “I’ll book the penthouse at the Rochester too, make it special.” “I can't tonight, I've got plans with Tess and Bailey,” she says, putting a roadblock in my own plan but I don't want to be that boyfriend who stops her from hanging out with her friends. “That’s cool bab

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CharlieI spent all day just obsessing over her going out tonight. I trust her, wholeheartedly but I know what men are like. The fact that she has a boyfriend wouldn't stop some drunk guy from hitting on her, and it would make her seem like a challenge to those competitive dicks. I had to be there but I didn't want her to know that I was watching her. I snuck in the back just after midnight, wearing all black to not draw attention to myself. I stood next to a fire exit and watched the drunken patrons fawn all over each other like it was a conquest to get laid. I used to be them, seeking out someone to end the night with. Looking at them now made me realise I had something missing in my life, her. I weave through the crowds and lift the hatch to the bar. It's the best spot to get a direct view of the dance floor and if she catches me in here I can just say I was doing a stock order.Not that I do stock orders, I have a manager who handles the running of the club but it's the only e

49

Acid, milky liquid burned my throat as it expelled from my mouth into the gutter out the front of Shenanigans. I was aware that Charlie was holding my hair and rubbing his hand over my back. I wanted to scream at him to get the fuck away from me, but every time I tried, my words came out as vomit. “Let it out baby, let it all out,” he consoles me, his voice smooth and comforting but it feels like a razor-sharp knife, slashing at my heart. I had drunk a fair bit tonight but my intoxication didn’t cause my vomit. My lying, cheating, piece of shit boyfriend literally makes me sick. “Get away from me,” I finally managed to scream, once the waterfall stopped flowing. My face is soaked with tears and my hands feel clammy. I turn and look at him, wanting him to see what his deception has done to me. “Let's just go to my office and we can talk about this,” he suggests but I shake my head. He thinks he can charm his way out of the hole he dug himself into but not this time. I look past h

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