Chapter 2 SHE SLAPPED HER NEW CEO

Arianna was still

until max came and tapped her shoulder gently, she turned around with a start.

''Are you okay Ari?''

Max enquired calmly, his voice was as soothing as always.

She forced a smile nervously with aggressive nodding but Max had known her too well to be convinced that she's okay with that impression.

''You can talk to me about it... you know'' he persuaded.

'I am fine. Really I'm good''.

Arianna persisted.

''Alright then, I will meet you in the conference room''.

Arianna nodded absentmindedly and Max left with a disturbed look on his face that made his forehead wrinkled.

Arianna tried as much as possible to overcome the fear impact of this sudden meeting with the CEO had on her it's disturbing effects but for the first time in her life, she felt her body responding in a way that sent a terrifying heat into her cheeks, she felt her face getting wet with sweat.

One thing is certain, this visitor must be some Vip, judging that the present Ceo wanted them to have a meeting together which is very much unusual.

She took a deep breath and stood up, nervously she shut down her desktop and prayed silently then her phone beeped.

She gasped in fear and opened her eyes widely. It was Teddy!

***How are you doing, Unicorn? If you're not busy, can we talk? Love you***

She quickly picked it up and texted him back.

***Sorry can we talk later Teddy, busy with work, love you***

She sent the message with a deep sigh.

Turning around, only to find out that she was the only one left in their department. Quickly she hurried to the elevator that leads to the conference room and thumbed the button of the first floor.

As soon as she opened the door, all eyes were fixed on her, embarrassed, she muttered an apology to no one in particular.

She was able to sight the seat carefully preserved for her by Max and hurriedly walked towards him.

"You're late again'' Max whispered before she could reply,the CEO's voice came.

"So as I was saying....''

Arianna fought with herself not to look at the company's important visitor Mr Andre but it was helpless.

She looked up and found him busy with his phone, he looked really into whatever it is that he was doing with his phone, Arianna thought.

He was undeniably attractive,with an extremely captivating sharp jaw lines and thick brows raised in frustration.

''I could've said, he is the world's most perfect looking man that if I had no idea he is a devil".

She confessed.

Arianna wondered if whatever he's doing with the phone is more important than the ongoing meeting, she didn't realize how much she had been observing him intently until he had raised his face and his eyes met with hers, they were dark and emotionless.

Quickly she forced them off and leaned over to Max.

"The tall guest, please tell me he is not going to be our new CEO "she whispered.

''Why asking?" Max asked amused at her facial expression.

She was about to reply when the Ceo cut in.

"Sir, I assure you that my team is the best. I don't think there's any need for any replacement''Mr Humilton said with a nervous chuckle.

Andre didn't even stand up, his legs still hanging on the table as he continued toying with his phone.

"Sir? Sir....Sir Andre?"Mr Humilton tried calling his attention.

Andre raised his finger and stopped him.

"Alright sir, thanks sir"he replied nervously and took his seat.

It bugs Arianna that Mr Humilton addresses the spoiled brat as sir and even follows his every instruction.

Andre looks like he is in his late twenties while Mr Humilton very much in his fifties. He is the best manager for Arianna, even though he was very strict with his stand and sometimes biased towards his employees yet he never stopped to look out for each of them and always wanted the best for them.

''I have no problem with any of the present employees".

Andre said without looking up, still texting with his phone. Max nudged Arianna, they smiled secretly to each other.

Arianna took a deep breath of relief, the other employees rejoiced too.

''That's great sir, it's good to know you like my team, I can guarantee you that you won't regret this decision of keeping them'' the manager replied.

"Well except for the ugly four eyes that came in late".

The room went cold and quiet all of a sudden.

He raised his face and his fierce eyes met with Arianna's, who looked too speechless processing his last comment but her brain had refused to give her the desired information she needed.

There was mutterings and side talks from the female colleagues, then a mocking chuckle too.They hated Arianna so it's not a surprise.

Mr Humilton decided to step in for her.

"Sir ....she is one of the most hardworking...

"This is a beauty and fashion company, am I right or am I right Mr Humilton?"

He queried roughly and brought out a cigar from his breast's pocket.

"You're right sir".

A finger click from Mr Andre,Mr Humilton dashed and got him a lighter and lit the cigar for him after that he got back to his position and waited patiently for him.

"If I am right as you said then you must think that beauty is a joke, that's why you employed someone like her, take a good look at those four eyes, her type doesn't belong to a beauty company or fashion company because she can't relate to both".

He started and stumped the burnt cigar off his finger.

"Yes sir".

Mr Humilton replied and shifted his glance to Arianna, his eyes were pitiful, he hope she understood.

Max's fingers crushed into a fist as his red eyes fixed on Andre, he couldn't bear to keep calm, he literally felt that and the fact that he was the only that could hear Arianna's quiet sobs was heartbreaking enough and not to talk of how hard she had worked for years.

'Excuse me sir''Max cuts in.

''Hold it Max!" Mr Humilton cautioned, knowing fully well what he was about to say, he knew Max to be a great friend of Arianna.

Max kept mute and cursed angrily in his mind.

Andre finally met Arianna's gaze, there was no atom of remorse in them even as he saw the tears streaming down from... her face, his face remained cold and emotionless like he had no heart.

Arianna's body was shaking uncontrollably, she hadn't blinked since her wet eyes fixed on Andre while he made those awful statements about her, she wondered which she did hated more between him and the terminal illness of her mother.

As soon as Andre stood up, he tucked his right hand into his pants pocket about to leave.

"Excuse me sir!" Arianna snapped and ran towards him.

Andre stopped his solid back facing her, Arianna stopped at a feet apart from him, his intimidating height made Arianna to tilt back her head and literally looked up to him.

"I apologize for any personal prejudice you must have had against me but please sir I have worked hard and contributed my all for this company...please sir at least can you tell me why I am getting this rejection" she pleaded with a bow , taking the chance to let the tear she has been fighting back to freely drop on the tiled floor.

The hall was as silent as a grave yard,even a pin drop could be heard.

Andre turned to her.

''I understand you have sight issues but I think I should question your hearing ability too''.

He raised his right eyebrow in a sly manner then straight up to her face.

"You are ugly and you don't belong here" he stated unapologetically, his eyes intently mocking her.

''I have an aligning mother , please sir can you then extend my stay for some months so I can look for somewhere else I don't want to risk my mother's health searching for a job''.

She replied, still bowing.

Her courage and determination made Max smile sadly.

''Why should I do that, I am not the one who infected her, take your request to the brothel''.

Arianna looked up this time,her wet red eyes screaming out every word in her mind. At first she was too stunned to talk, then she scuffed out a chuckle and roughly dry her face and wet chin.

She looked up bravely at him with a smile.

"At first I thought you are one of those men that are sadists out of certain circumstances but it turned out that you are not just a sadist but a poor pitiful one probably longing for a mother's affection which definitely explains why you speak so bad of another's mom! You will only keep hurting yourself, I mean look at that face of yours (giggles) when was the last time you even laughed?".

Andre smirked and looked at her beneath lowered eyelids.

''You sound hurt smiley, I hate to admit but you have talent Miss Arianna, really you do, maybe it's time you consider your talent and take after your infected mother in blow jo.......

A resounding slap landed on his cheek , a loud gasp filled the room.

Everyone was shocked beyond words.

"Ari......'' Max gasped.