Chapter 2 Who's the CEO

Annette's pov

Today's a big day at work, it would be the first time I'd be joining the Executive meeting. According to the higher-ups, the board of directors, stakeholders, and CEO would all be in attendance, and that made me extremely tense.

While I'm glad to have the opportunity to be a part of today's meeting, I'm also very nervous concerned about my presentation.

The junior team, my team, was assigned a chance to present our ideas for the company's growth, and I was the one honored to carry out the presentation.

I scrutinized myself in the full-length mirror. The white blazer I chose complimented my blue knee-length gown, showing my perky curves. I tied my honey-blonde hair into a slick ponytail and added a little lipgloss to my lips. I was satisfied with my looks, simple at the same time, smashing

I walked downstairs from my room and flagged down a cab. It's just seven in the morning, but I wanted to get there as early as possible so I could organize my thoughts.

I checked my purse to make sure I had everything I needed. The ID card I had found on Saturday night was still in there. That night, after I saw it, I was confused, especially as the stranger I'd almost slept with and the actual CEO, Mr. Nathan Anderson, happened to be namesakes. I later on learned that the club belonged to Nathan Anderson, and he must have misplaced his ID card, coincidentally, I found it in the room of a man who happened to answer his first name. How Ironic.

I will return it to him after today's meeting. The CEO I know isn't some drop-dead gorgeous guy with killer dance moves, he's an average-height man in his early thirties with bushy brows.

I've only ever seen him once, but that's enough to know that's him- the CEO of Anderson's Empire, isn't the guy I nearly slept with, the one I still craved for.

I shrugged off the thought of the other Nathan as the taxi pulled at the complaints front. I walked inside, greeting a couple of employees who were already there.

-

Three hours later, I'm outside with my team, waiting to be ushered into the meeting, where every important figure that makes up this prestigious company is. I worked on my confidence as I've rehearsed. Today is not the day to let fear overwhelm me.

One wrong move, I'm done for.

If I make a mistake or stutter, I can kiss my promotion goodbye.

Once we're inside, my colleague, Sebastian, gives me an encouraging smile, I nod in return as I start. I present everything I've worked on for the past five months with a surprising ease.

"...... and if put into immediate effect, my team and I are most certain that we would not just flourish, but top the charts as the biggest brewery in the whole of Seattle. "

The room erupted in applause. I looked over the faces of the twenty-four men and two women seated there, and most of them nodded in approval. My teammates were smiling behind the projector we used. Everything went well. I did it. I almost fist bumped in the air with happiness. Just as I heaved a sigh of relief, Mr Blake, My senior boss, stood up.

" That was very impressive of you Miss Brown. " He complimented and I gave a small smile in return.

" Now there's something more important to do, the real purpose of this meeting. "

My lips formed into a thin line. What was left to be done for today? I thought this meeting would end after my team's presentation. I looked over to where my colleagues stood, they were as confused as I was.

Mr Blake cleared his throat before continuing.

" Today, Mr Thompson here..." He gestured to the CEO, why did he refer to him as Mr Thompson? I thought the company was named after his family... the Andersons.

"....... would be handing over power back to the rightful person, after his ten months-long business tour, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome back our CEO, Mr Nathan Anderson. "

Everyone stood in unison and a thunderous applause followed. The door swung open and...no way, that's not possible.

" Nathan? " The word had left my tongue before I could collect myself, every head turned in my direction. It couldn't be......the man at the club two nights ago, the one whom I..........oh God.

.He's Nathan Anderson, as in the CEO?

He looked at me with his head slightly tilted as if trying to figure out who I am.

" I haven't seen you here before, you're new? " He asked in the awkward silence as the people resumed their seats.

" She is one of our new and brightest staff. A junior administrator. She started barely three months ago, but she by far, is our best employee sir. Such a bright young mind. " Mr Blake chipped in.

I couldn't return his smile this time, not when I was still dumbfounded by this insane coincidence. So, I almost slept with my boss's boss's boss. The CEO!

It's him, even though our time on Saturday night was short lived, I could recognize him, same light grey eyes, and silky hair, this time, it's brushed backwards, and if I thought he was stunning that night, that's an understatement, or under thinking, because right now, with his dapper tailored suit, I doubt if there's any man that could compete with him in looks. And for some crazy reason, I stared getting that heady feeling like when he was kissing me. I can still remember the taste of his lips on mine. soft, full and manly.

Damm me.

He nodded towards Mr Blake and sat in the chair Mr Thompson just vacated. He didn't even spare me more than a two-second glance. Seems like he's forgotten about me. Good, thank heavens. I hope he never remembers our small escapade at his club.

" Thank you all for being here today, and thank you for overseeing the company in my absence, especially you, Thompson. you did a perfect job. Now, I know some of you are surprised, only a few of you know me. The day my father handed this empire over to me, I wasn't ready for the stress and fame that comes with being the CEO and so I appointed my cousin here......" he gestured at Thompson. "....to be the acting CEO while I operated from the shadows, now I'm finally ready to do so. "

Another round of applause followed as he finished addressing us. The meeting came to an end, and one by one, everyone left. My team was the last to walk out the door as we had to carry out our paperwork and projectors.

I could finally breathe now. He doesn't know me, he didn't remember. I could only imagine the kind of shame I'd go through if he did.

I walk out of the meeting room last, and just as I'm about to turn left and head for the elevator, I'm yanked by a strong pair of hands and backed against the wall.

I gasp for air at the sudden pull, looking left and right to see that there's no one in sight, it's just me and........

"Mr Anderson? " I blurted.

He was standing in front of me in the empty foyer. His firm and muscular hands pinned me to the wall behind me, my heart suddenly started to race.

He locked his eyes on mine as the corner of his lip quirked into a wicked smile.

" I don't remember introducing myself to you as Anderson, I like it better when you call me Nathan, especially when you're moaning to it. " He used his thumb to brush my lower lip, causing a gasp to escape from me.

Oh my God, he remembers, he knows it's me.

" And like I said Annette, there'll be plenty more for us. "

He tucked a loose strand of my hair back and brushed his lips with mine.