Chapter 3 The Sizzling Tension

Xavier Lexington, the redoubtable CEO, looked at me with an intensity that struck my core and sent trembles down my legs. His gaze was sharp, assessing me with a level of scrutiny that made me feel as though he could see right through me.

And even though I was visibly shaking, I knew I had to put on my game face and not let this unwelcome surprise phase me. So with a deep breath that could give life to the dead, I composed myself with calmness of still waters as my eyes wandered to the desk's nameplate that bore the executive's full name and position within the company. I was shocked and instinctively covered my mouth with my hand in incredulity.

I quickly picked up the documents. "H-he is-s the Top Boss-s" I whispered to myself in stupefaction.

"You better have Parkinson's cause it's not possible for someone as clumsy as you to be employed in my company! Who the heck are you anyways? And why are you here?" Xavier asked, pretending not to see the documents in my hand.

"Uhhh-"

The man that was standing in front of me was not just some annoying wealthy stranger but also my boss, the literal owner of the company I work for. This realization sent me to a dumbfounded realm that took me quite some time to return from.

'He looked like the muse from which every single romance novel character was derived.' I thought to myself as I got lost staring at him. 'Was I that blinded by his annoying personality not to have noticed all these alluring features yesterday?' Not like it mattered though.

His gaze was both captivating and chilling. Those eyes, stunning yet frigid, held a fusion of being unaffected and indifference. I could see the coldness Riley was trying so hard to explain in his eyes. I found myself trapped beneath his icy, disdainful stare, unable to escape the intensity of his presence.

"Did you lose your voice?"

"Did you lose your voice?" His questions snapped me out of my trance as I repeated after him.

"What did you say to me?" He asked with a tone that sounded more like "dare me!"

"Nothing, I was asked by Mr. James to bring this document to you."

"Do you not have a name?"

"Livia, Sir. M– my um, my name is Livia Dumont." My voice shook.

"Miss Dumont, I believe we had a brief yet eternally memorable encounter yesterday. I hope you've had a chance to recover from our run-in."

I was taken aback by the unexpected connection, and managed to stammer out a response. "Yes, Mr Lexington. I- I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."

Xavier's lips molded into a faint smile, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Still in need of an apology?"

"No sir, if I knew you were my boss. I would have rather asked for a raise instead of an apology." I replied with a bold tone which arose from an unfounded source. Perhaps it was my urgent need for money that inspired this daring answer.

"That's it. Right there! I was beginning to wonder where it was."

"Wonder where is what, Sir?" Confusion plagued me.

"It is your confidence I admire. Your ability to say exactly what you are thinking without any fear of consequences."

"Thank you, Sir."

"That might not necessarily be a good thing."

"Huh?" I did not expect that sentence.

"The consequences might be too cataclysmic sometimes. What would you do then?"

"I– I uh–" I stammered.

"This must be hard for you." He suddenly interrupted, changing the topic. "You must really hate working here."

"No s-sir," I stuttered. "I'm sorry."

"Didn't you say I lack basic human decency? How could you work for such a person? A hypocrite you defined me, was it not?"

"Did I really say that?" I gently scratched my hair. "I can't remember. I barely have any memory of what happened last night. I must have hit my head."

He tsked his tongue and waved his index finger as he walked toward me, "no, no, no!"

My eyes popped out of my head as he pulled in closer to me. His eyes grew more cold and I was almost trembling. The air in the office seemed to sizzle with tension, leaving me on edge.

He lifted my chin up with his right index finger. At this time, I was already leaning on his office desk. His eyes were locked on mine and my breath ceased, our nose almost colliding. As our lips nearly met, he shifted his gaze and whispered into my ears, "By the time I'm done with you, you will learn the value of treating people with respect or maybe, my love, I'll have the pleasure of learning."

His words ran through me, sending a cold shudder down my body that raised every hair on my skin. I felt like I was drowning in the clouds and the only way I could escape was to hope the wind blew them away.