The new order of things

All eyes were on Damien Jaeger and I as we strode into the large conference room which was vastly occupied. Who could have thought that Paradox had so many workers? It was the first time I set eyes on some of its staff.

Damien Jaeger mounted himself into the large armchair, at the conference table . He seemed majestic in that chair and in the presence of the curious faces staring at him with immense respect.

"Psss." He called the attention of a man dressed in a suit who was sitting just beside him, "Get up."

The blue suited man looked lost. But a single glare from Damien Jaeger and he jumped on his feet, apologising as he did.

"Mélie, sit." He ordered and I slid into the chair next to me.

The room seemed tense as everyone awaited what Damien Jaeger was going to say. My eyes moved briskly round the conference room once more and they landed on Ken. Quickly, I adjusted in my seat and faced Damien Jaeger.

He cleared his throat, "Paradox will, from now on have a new CEO."

What?! I almost screamed. What was he talking about?

"Mélie is going to be the CEO of Paradox from today henceforth."

Silence.

Lost faces stared at each other questioningly. To be honest, I was completely lost as well. I eyed him keenly, silently pleading for an explanation.

"Mélie Shapman." Someone said and all heads turned towards the owner of the voice. It was Martha, wearing a satisfied look on her face.

She strode to me and stretched out her hand for a handshake, "I'm glad that we will be working together." "Director, Paradox publishing." She added and I shook her hand with a nervous smile. I never knew what post she held here in Paradox. How shameful of me.

"But why suddenly make her a CEO, sir?" Another feminine voice said from behind a couple of suited men and women. Yet again, all heads met its owner.

She showed herself, dressed in a grey fitted skirt and a black turtleneck that desperately held her boobs. Her eyes were sharp and questioning like her voice.

"As far as I know." She continued, "Mélie Shapman started working here barely a week before I did." "So how can you..."

"Put some respect when you talk about my wife, Lizzy...Or you might just walk out of here and never find a job ever again."

Her eyes protruded in shock. Another row of gasps filled the air. She had heard it. They had all heard it. Again, dead silence and then murmurs and whispers followed, filling the conference room.

Damien Jaeger cleared his throat. This simple gesture returned the order in the conference room.

"I'm so sorry, sir." Lizzy Gold said, her long blonde hair moving forward as she bowed, "I am sorry, madam." She added hesitantly.

"Martha."

"Yes." The middle-aged woman answered.

"You'll put Mélie through on everything she needs to know." He said and Martha nodded in reply. Out of all the staff, she seemed to be the only one that was not frightened by Damien Jaeger.

"Leave." He said and the room emptied itself, leaving just Damien Jaeger and I in the conference room.

I puffed a nervous breath that I had been holding since the announcement, "What was all that, Damien?"

He who was brushing his perfect eyebrows with the tips of his nails, stopped and stared at me as if I had spoken jargon.

"I mean, I know I wasn't going to be your assistant anymore, but CEO? That sounds…"

"There's nothing wrong with it, Mélie." He raised and rose from his chair. His butt found rest on the table as he stood in front of me, staring down at me, who remained rooted in my chair, "I think you'll make a great CEO."

"Moreover, I have other companies to run, Mélie." He added.

I heaved another nervous sigh. But this time, my lips curled into a smile, "Thank you."

"There's no need for that, Mélie." He said and lowered his face to meet mine, "I love you."

His lips met mine and what started as a tender kiss suddenly became a desperate urge to feast on each other.

"Ouch!" I cried.

"What happened?" Damien Jaeger whispered into my ears as he ended the kiss.

"You know what you did!"

Damien Jaeger chuckled. He was guilty of biting my lips.
~

My new office! I beamed with excitement as I walked into it, taking my place in the chair that once belonged to Damien Jaeger. The office was dark and still had his demure hanging around.

I swirled happily in my seat. This was surreal. I thought. I have to tell Trish about this, it's just so insane!

A knock on the door interrupted my moment of excitement, "Who is it?" I asked.

The door opened and Lizzy Gold walked into my office.

My lips pulled into a frown, "Next time, you should at least tell me who you are before allowing yourself in." She looked surprised'

"Is that clear?" I asked in a firm tone.

"Yes ma'am."

"What are you here for?" I asked, picking up a bosslady tone which I had to confess, fitted me well.

Lizzy Gold revealed a file she had been working on and briefed me through it, "That will be all, Lizzy." I said when she was finished, "You may leave."

"Yes ma'am." She said and walked away like an obedient little sheep. For some reason, her steps looked less deliberate than it normally did around Damien Jaeger. The fool!

A grin appeared on my face when she shut the door behind her. Her evil plans could never work. I thought. She could never try to steal Damien Jaeger from me. I was her CEO from now on. Me!!!

I picked up my phone on the desk and dialled Trisha's number. Another knock came on the door.

"Come in." I said casually, already getting distracted by the phone ringing, "Ken?"

Ken stood across the room, staring at me with heavy blue eyes that looked betrayed, "When did you and Damien Jaeger get married?"