6. Mr CEO

Selene breathed a sigh of relief—a breath she hadn't realized she was holding the minute she stepped into the new apartment Sandy had helped source for them; a sense of calm washed over her.

Looking around the fully furnished space, she noted how comfortable it seemed. She and Sandra had ensured the movers did their job a few days before their arrival.

As she stepped further inside, Selene felt a mixture of relief and anxiety—relief because she had finally given her son a safe place to call home and anxiety because she was beginning to adjust to life in her home country after five years of running away, trying to bury her past.

Her thoughts were briefly interrupted by the sound of Cyrus's footsteps as he ran around the living room, bringing her a fleeting moment of peace.

Picking up a few boxes containing their personal belongings, she couldn't help but sink into worry about what the future held for her and her son. But she knew she was more prepared than ever for whatever came next.

After the airport incident, she was determined never to let something like that happen again. She texted Sandra, who had only been able to drop them off before heading out to complete an errand their father had sent her on.

The buzzing of her phone interrupted her thoughts. Fishing the device from her jeans pocket, she frowned when she saw the caller ID. 

She wasn't supposed to resume work until the following week to give herself and her son time to settle in and adjust to their new environment.

Curious to know if something had gone wrong at work, she tapped the green button on the screen and answered.

"Hello, Mr. Musk," Selene greeted anxiously.

"Hello, Selene. There's been a change of plans. Your resumption date has been moved up to Monday—orders from above," he said apologetically.

"What? Why? What orders? I requested a one-week leave so my son and I could settle in, and management approved it weeks ago. So what orders are you talking about?" Selene exclaimed, her brows furrowing in confusion.

"The CEO," Musk responded regretfully.

"The CEO…" Selene stuttered, wondering why the CEO was concerned with her leave.

"Yes. He arrived in the country earlier than expected, asked for your file, and demanded that you resume on Monday."

"Well, didn't you tell him about the approval? It was approved, for God's sake! Why would he change everything now?" Selene asked, frustration lacing her voice. 

She had just arrived, and everything was already spiraling out of control. She needed time to get her son settled before shifting into work mode.

"I'm sorry, Selene. He was adamant about meeting you this Monday. He said that part of your responsibility as his manager is to be at his beck and call. He also stated that he had better things to do than wait for his employees to use company time to fix their personal lives."

Selene scoffed at the nerve of the man. "Fine. I'll be at the office," she replied angrily, eager to end the call.

"Oh, and one more thing—don't be late. He hates waiting. First impressions matter a lot to him. Your promotion depends on this, Selene. Make us proud. Good luck," Musk added encouragingly, ending the call.

The anger Selene felt was overwhelming. First, they had dragged her back to this country, and now they wouldn't even stick to the arrangements she had with them before leaving—all because some arrogant CEO didn't care about his employees.

Later that night, after settling in and putting Cyrus to sleep, Selene texted her sister, informing her of the change in plans and asking if she could babysit Cyrus for a while since they had yet to hire a new babysitter. 

Sandra agreed without thinking twice and encouraged her not to overthink it—she needed to do this for her son.

Settling into bed next to Cyrus, she didn't feel like sleeping in her room that night, not after what had happened at the airport. Closing her eyes, she prayed for smooth sailing at work on Monday.

Sunday passed quickly, with Selene and Sandy setting up the apartment. Before she knew it, Monday arrived in a flash.

Dressed in a matching wine-colored pantsuit with black heels, Selene looked ready to take on anything.

Taking the private elevator designated for executives like herself, she was grateful for the solitude. She wasn't in the mood for small talk with employees.

Riding up to the top floor where the CEO's office was, she adjusted the files in her hands, checking to ensure all her documents were complete and ready for her presentation—one she hoped would impress her boss.

Stepping out of the elevator and heading straight to the office, she flashed her ID card at the secretary at the front desk, who let her in immediately.

As she walked in, she found the CEO standing with his back to her, speaking on the phone.

Clearing her throat to announce her presence, she figured it wouldn't be wise to let her first impression be an eavesdropper on her boss's conversation.

The sound did the trick. He ended the call, turned to face her, and gave her his full attention.

"Good morning, sir. My name is Selene King, and I am the new manager on promotion posted to Tova," Selene introduced herself proudly as she walked up to him, extending her hand for a handshake.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Selene," he responded, taking her hand in his for a firm handshake.

Dismissing the odd tingle in her palm as their hands touched, she focused on making a good first impression.

Selene frowned, her brows furrowing as a strange familiarity tugged at her memory.

She had only returned to the country yesterday after five years away, so where did she know him from?

His voice sounded familiar.

Tilting her head slightly as he spoke, she peeled through her memory, trying to pinpoint where she had met him before.

His cheekbones, hair, and those hazel-green eyes ; just one glance left her mouth hanging open.

Blinking multiple times, she prayed for a different outcome. Maybe she was imagining things, but nothing changed.

What the fuck!

Selene's heart slammed into her chest, beating frantically out of rhythm.

She suddenly felt lightheaded and dizzy.

What the fuck is going on here?

She could recognize those piercing green eyes anywhere,she had seen his face before leaving that morning,she wasn't sure she would recognize him but she does.

The air in her lungs was suddenly sucked out of her as realization dawned on her....

It's him,her son's father.