CHAPTER 6 - FLIRTING WITH THE CEO

Liam responded, “Sometimes, but we're fine. Would you like a beer?” He inquired, and when I nodded, he excused himself to get something to drink.
Lance strutted his stuff as he announced his arrival. “At long last, you're on your own.”
“And what about that?” I inquired as to whether or not this would change things.
“Did he tell you about the woman we used to share?” He inquired, and his inquiry roused the lioness within me.
I gave him a stern look for asking such a ridiculous question. “Are you envious of how much time I spend with him compared to you?”
“Yeah, Alexa. I'm envious. You were once mine, but Liam is attempting to snare you away from me!” He replied with such zeal in his voice that even if I weren't angry with him, my heart would be racing.
“I had no idea you were insecure around your brother,” I stated flatly, and he glared back. “You always glared at me; don't your eyes hurt from staring at me so much?” I jokingly said, but Lance couldn't respond because Liam was on his way.
Liam shrugged off his brother and handed me a bottle of icy beer. After he opened the bottle for me, he said, “Cheers.”
I replied, “Thank you.”
“Hmmm, bro, if you want some beers, go get some,” Liam told Lance to get his own beer because there was a lot in the fridge, and I assumed he wouldn't leave.
“Are you available on Saturday and Sunday? When Lance went to get his beer, Liam asked me.
“Why? Are you going to take me on a date?”
When Liam realized I was joking, he chuckled and casually touched my head. On the other hand, Lance arrived just as Liam's hands were about to fall on my head and rushed to my aid. As if I needed to be rescued by a hottie who made me laugh while sailing on his yacht. I managed to keep a safe distance from Liam and Lance while they were at each other's throats.
An hour later, I thanked Liam for the ride and didn't wait for anyone to assist me down when the yacht arrived at our destination. Both of these men were a pain in the neck, and I didn't want to deal with them any longer.
“Hey, Alexa!”
Someone called, and when I turned around, it was Liam Salcedo, so I smiled at him. “What is it?”
“Wanna hang out tonight?”
I used to relax by driving alone late at night, but after my close encounter with Lance, I was unable to do so. How could I say no when they manufactured it clear that he wanted me back in his life at every opportunity?
Whoa, what a knucklehead!
I didn't bother to wake up my mother because she was already asleep when I arrived home. I went straight to my room and made myself ready for bed. When my phone rang and Layla's name appeared on the screen, I applied a moisturizing cream to my face. “Are you some clairvoyant or something? How did you figure out I was at home?” As soon as the call was connected, I asked her.
“Silly,” Layla said as she laughed at the other line. “So, how's it going with the job interview?”
I debated whether or not I should tell her about my previous relationship with Lance Salcedo but decided against it. Even though we had worked together for the past five years, we were not close enough to share our personal lives. “It's finished,” I replied.
“Excellent. So, did you find him attractive?” Layla was the one who initiated the conversation.
“I'm not sure, but it depends on how you look at him; however, he is for me,” I responded, and I overheard Layla laughing on the other end of the line. “He's not my type,” I clarified, just in case she had some doubts.
“Anyway, I sent you an email; please check it before you finish writing the article about Mr Salcedo,” Layla said.
“All right, bye.” I hung up, but Something about Layla's voice made me want to check my mail before going to bed. I immediately clicked on her name because it was at the top of my inbox.
"Oh, my God!" After reading it, I exclaimed and slumped in my chair. Then I shook my head in disbelief because there was no way it could be true; however, I only knew the man for a short time, and the evidence was compelling.
For a moment, I stared at my phone while trying to decide whether to call my colleague or not. In the end, I dialled her number, and when Layla answered, I couldn't open my mouth to speak because my hands trembled in anticipation.
“What’s the matter?” She asked as soon as the call was connected.
I recognized Layla's voice but had no idea what to say to her; however, I was required to double-check everything as a journalist. “Hmmm, where did you get this information?” I asked, taking a deep breath and closing my eyes as I spoke.
At the other end of the line, Layla chuckled nervously, but she managed to say, "I have a reliable source, Alexa. Do you have any doubts about me? I'm not going to put my name on the line for a rumour!”
Despite her defensive demeanour, Layla has always been a top-notch journalist! While listening to her explanation, I arched my brows because I detected a hint of nervousness and uneasiness in her voice that I couldn't place. “Of course, I trust you,” I said and paused for a few seconds to take a deep breath, “but this article has the potential to destroy someone.”
Layla said, “You'll know what to do with it,” and was about to hang up the phone when I intervened.
“Rather than writing the article, why don't you write it yourself?” I offered. "I can send everything I gathered during the interview to your email right now."
“My headache is still bothering me, and I'm finding it difficult to focus.” She reasoned out and continued to explain her side, "I already asked Dimitri to extend my leave," and then thanked me before hanging up the phone.
“W-wait!” I tried to stop her from hanging up on me, but the line was already disconnected, and I heard the busy tone. I tried to call her again, but she couldn’t be reached anymore. Did she just turn off her phone? I arched my brows while shifting my focus towards my laptop. Something was fishy about Layla earlier, and there’s no way I would destroy someone for their benefit.
Hold on, and I said to myself; I narrowed my eyes as if the woman was standing in front of me. I recalled that a few minutes before the call ended, Layla had casually mentioned Dimitri's name. Was there something going on between the two?
I sighed after checking the time. It is way past my bedtime. Unfortunately, I couldn't go to sleep just yet because I had an article to finish. For the nth time, I sighed before focusing on my computer screen.
What’s wrong with me?”
Previously, I had no qualms about writing an article for a questionable personality, but I was a bit hesitant when it comes to Lance Salcedo. Somehow, I didn’t want to write something that’s not true or without a piece of solid evidence that would back up my articles.
However, something felt strange about Layla, and I wondered if she was telling the truth. Or was I having some doubts because of Dimitri? Was I jealous when she mentioned Dimitri’s name casually? Were they going out?
Several questions were running inside my head, and I couldn’t tell if I was only overthinking. Dimitri and I always had a close relationship. We were friends, and occasionally, Dimitri expressed his interest in me. His confession didn’t earn a positive response, but nothing has changed in our relationship, especially in the office.
Should I confirm everything with Lance?
Should I ask Liam for his brother’s phone number?
Wouldn’t it be too forward?
What would Lance think about me if I’ll call him in the middle of the night?
While studying my options, an idea popped up inside my head, and in a flash second, my fingers began to type the words that could make or break him!
A few hours later, I stared at the monitor and read the things I wrote about Lance Salcedo. I was having second thoughts before sending the document to my boss. I delayed sending it for a few minutes, but at exactly two o’clock in the morning, I hit the send button and waited until it was delivered to Dimitri.
After sending it, I turned off the laptop, stood up and stretched my arms. I was so exhausted, and all I wanted was a good night’s sleep. Slowly, I walked towards my bed and quickly switched off all of the lights. I loved sleeping in the dark because it assured me that no one’s watching me.
I was lying in my bed, staring at the ceiling, when I considered calling Lance, but I quickly dismissed the idea because it would make no difference. I was convinced that the public had a right to know what was going on with Lance Salcedo, who was considered as one of the most eligible bachelors in town after his brother Ethan got married to the heiress of Vera Group.
Besides, the public should know everything about the company he’s running especially since it was publicly listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange. I knew it would be a busy morning before I closed my eyes, so I turned off my phone as a precaution to block some unknown callers.
However, in my dream, I was visited by the man with whom I had fallen in love five years before. No, it wasn't a dream; it was a nightmare from which I awoke sweating! I looked at the clock and saw that it was only five o'clock in the morning. My hands went to my eyes and rubbed them, feeling as if there were sands inside, and I squinted as I walked towards the bathroom to wash my face.
Before I went to the bathroom, I turned on my laptop. I sent the article a few hours ago, but knowing my boss, I knew it was already up on the website. My eyes widened at the headlines because it was not what I wrote. Dimitri’s team made it look worse than ever!
I cringed as I read some of the nasty comments about Lance. I'm sorry for him, and I bit the inside of my lower lip while staring at my phone. I debated whether or not to call him several times, but in the end, I decided not to be bothered by his response.
When compared to the scandal surrounding the lobbying and bribery they employed to finish a project, the write-ups about his sexual orientation received the most venomous responses. Someone claimed that she was one of his women in a harem that he kept secretly. When I read about the harem in Layla’s notes, I was suspicious about it, and that’s the reason why I didn’t dwell on the topic.
However, Dimitri probably asked the editor to change some of the words, and the result was not favourable to my ex-boyfriend. He was cursed, and some women claimed he should be held liable for the abuse.
I began to doubt my recollection of him. Is it possible that I didn't notice because I was so enamoured with him? Was this the primary reason for his desire to abort our child because he couldn't be a father? Several questions arose in my mind, and I needed answers right away! Without further ado, I switched on my phone, only to discover that I didn't have his phone number.