Chapter Eleven

THE EX-FACTOR

…I made you my personal assistant, and I was… yeah."

Julian's words hung in the air, and Alex's eyes locked onto his, searching for answers. Mia, sensing the tension, quietly got up and slipped into the bedroom, giving the two some space.

Alex was still finding it hard to understand or relax her mind on what she just heard from Julian.

"I know you find it hard to settle after what you just heard. Don't worry, take your time. I'd like you to come back to work tomorrow. Your space is still reserved for you until you return," Julian said with a calm and reassuring voice.

Alex was dumbfounded, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to form words. Just as Julian was about to leave, she called out to him.

"Boss!"

He turned to face her.

"Why?" Alex asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why me? Why me out of all the girls?"

Julian's expression softened.

"I don't know," he admitted. "I'm still trying to figure that out myself. Why I chose you."

Alex was even more stunned, unable to utter another word. Julian got into his car and drove away, leaving the neighborhood. Alex remained standing, lost in thought.

Just then, Mia emerged from the room, calling out to Alex.

"Alex, come! Come and tell me what happened! What's going on? Gist me, girl!"

Alex was still frozen in shock, so Mia had to come and drag her from the door to the couch. She stared into space for some minutes before she came back to reality.

"Did you hear what he just said to me?" She asked, wanting Mia to confirm what she had just heard.

"I heard that, girl," she replied. "That's why I gave you people privacy and went to the bedroom, but when I heard his car ignition, I had to come out to hear the full gist. So tell me, girl, what happened?"

"He just told me that he's in love with me," she said.

"I still can't believe this. My boss is rude, arrogant, he's not even romantic, and he's a womanizer, for crying out loud! Then why… why me? Why did he choose me? I think he wants to add me to the list of girls that he sleeps with."

"But the way he looked at you and the way he said it, I think his intentions are pure. But I think you should just follow your heart. I'm not the best person to give advice when it comes to love matters."

As they were still discussing, Alexi's phone beeped, and a text message flashed on the screen. She picked up her phone to check who had sent the message and what it was about. To her greatest surprise, it was from her boss. The text read:

"Hey Alex, I'm sorry for revealing my intentions or feelings to you in such a way. I couldn't help myself. I fired you from work because I felt jealous seeing you smile with your ex-fiancé at the bar the other day. But not seeing you here every day has been one of the worst things I've ever had to imagine doing to myself. So, please accept my offer to come back to work. Thank you."

As Mia read the text message with her, she said mildly, "Alex, I think your boss is truly in love with you. He can't be making such moves if he isn't."

Alex waved off the idea, knowing her boss too well.

"Mia, I don't think you know who he is. He's a playboy, arrogant, rude, and talks to me anyhow. Would someone who loves you speak to you in such a manner? He fired me for smiling at my ex-fiancé – that's just ridiculous and disgusting!"

"I don't even know why I had to think about it a second time. I could have just rejected his offer the first time he said it at the door. I could have also shown him my rude side, so he would know he isn't the only one who can be rude."

Mia burst out laughing at Alex's words, amused by the comical expression on her face. "Haha, you're so funny!" she said, still chuckling.

They decided to put the contract applications on hold, now that Alex had gotten her previous job back. Mia gave Alex a warm hug, offering her support and encouragement.

"I'm glad everything worked out, Alex. You deserve it!"

Alex returned the hug.

The next morning, Alex prepared for work while Mia was there to help her choose a formal outfit. As Alex dressed, Mia also got ready to leave for her own house and work. Alex put on a stunning red gown, paired with black heels and a matching black handbag. She left her silky hair loose, cascading down her body.

As she arrived at the office, she opened the door and her colleagues stared at her with curiosity, whispering among themselves. Alex confidently walked to the boss's office. Her boss was overjoyed to see her and tried to hug her, but Alex held him back.

He invited her to take a seat, and as she sat down, they began to discuss the recent events.

"I'm so sorry, Alex, for the other day. I don't know what came over me, and I promise it won't happen again," he said.

Alex accepted his apology, "Okay, sir. But I'd like to get back to work and check your schedule to see what business plans you have for today."

As she left the office, the boss stayed behind, watching her with a lingering gaze. Alex walked to her workstation, sat down, and felt a sense of familiarity and comfort as she settled into her chair. She had missed her desk and the routine of her job .As she turned on the computer, she began to review her boss's schedule for the day. She scrolled through his appointments, meetings, and tasks, and started to prioritize her own work. With a sense of normalcy returning, Alex dove into her daily routine, feeling more focused and productive with each passing minute.

As she was reviewing her boss's schedule, a voice interrupted her.

"Good day, a man is here to see you," the security guard announced.

Alex looked up, slightly distracted. "Which man?" she asked.

From his office, her boss could see the security guard talking to Alex, and he was curious to know who the visitor was.

"Okay, I'll be right there in a minute," Alex said, concluding her task on the computer.

She stood up from her desk and began to walk away, but her boss called out to her.

"Alexandra Thompson, where are you headed to?" he asked in a calm voice.

"I have a visitor, and I need to know who that is," Alex replied.

Her boss nodded, showing acceptance for her to leave. As she arrived at the reception area, she was surprised to see Billy waiting for her. Her thoughts immediately raised questions. "Why was he here?"

As she approached Billy, he stood up from his seat, smiling broadly, like someone who had just received a gift.

"Billy, what are you doing here?" Alex asked, trying to hide her annoyance.

"I told you before not to come to my workplace. I thought we already settled matters at the bar the other day. What are you still doing here?"

As Alex continued to question Billy, he reached out and gently held her hand, his eyes pleading with her.

"Please, Alex, let's talk about this. This isn't what life holds for us," he said, his voice filled with emotion.

Alex pulled her hand away, her expression firm. "

What does life hold for us, Billy? You made your choice, and I made mine. Please, don't come to my workplace again. I'm begging you. I don't want to lose my job again. I just got it back, and you're putting me in a situation where I could lose it a second time. Please, I beg you." Her voice was laced with desperation, her eyes welling up with tears as she pleaded with Billy to leave her alone.

As Alex continued to plead with Billy to leave her workplace, Julian stepped in, his voice firm and authoritative.

"Young man, I thought I warned you not to show your face in this resort unless you are here as a client," he said, his eyes narrowing at Billy.

Billy stood his ground, looking defiant. "I'm not here to see you, but to see Alex, my fiancée. Please don't add to my injuries," he said, his voice laced with emotion.

Julian's expression turned cold. "You're the one who should leave my girlfriend alone," he said, his voice firm, making it clear that Alex was now in a relationship with him.