SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 323
323 Late-Night Introduction (Winona)
I wake from my sleep and hear my tablet buzzing on my nightstand. The clock says 2 a.m. It can only be one person. I groan, my body exhausted, but I pick it up and connect.
Jayden's face fills the screen, bright and wide awake. He looks perfect, as always. "Hey, babe, did I wake you?" he asks.
"Jayden, it's 2 in the morning here. Of course you woke me." I feel like I've only just gone to sleep.
"Sorry. I want to introduce you to someone really important. Sofla Fernandez. She's head of public relations here at Nexus Global. She suggested I call you while she and I have some spare time."
I blink, trying to shake off the haze of sleep. "Really?" I ask, trying to hide the sharpness in my voice. "How convenient for you both."
"Yeah, and I thought it'd be great for you two to connect before you got here." He sounds so enthusiastic, like this is a business meeting I've been dying to take.
damn
"Sure, Jayden," I say, trying not to sound pissed. I mean his heart is in the right place, but I've barely had any rest with Henry. "Okay." I don't want to dampen his enthusiasm. He's been having a tough time by all accounts.
The screen shifts, and there she is. Sofia Fernandez. Gorgeous. Perfect hair. Creamy cappuccino colored skin. Glowing like she just walked off a red carpet
Sofia looks immaculate, while I sit here in bed, in a T-shirt that's probably seen better days, my mess. My heart sinks a little as I catch sight of myself.
hair a
"Hi, Winona," Sofia says, her Spanish accent rolling smoothly off her tongue, as if she's practiced being this poised her entire life. "Jayden's told me so much about you. It's a pleasure to finally meet the woman behind this stunning man."
Her tone is friendly-too friendly. I'm immediately on edge. There's something about the way she leans slightly into the camera, the plunging neckline of her blouse revealing very ample cleavage.
My chest tightens. What is this, a business introduction or a damn show?
"Nice to meet you too," I force myself to say, swallowing my irritation. I try to focus on her words, but all I can see is the way she flicks her hair over her shoulder, like some kind of goddess.
Sofia smiles, leaning in just a little more, her shining hair brushing against Jayden's arm. spending almost every waking moment together, haven't we, Jayden?"
I'll just bet you are, Sofia.
"We have sure been occupied, yes," Jayden says.
""We've been
She gives a deep sexy laugh. "Well I'm just trying to make sure he's never bored while he's adjusting to things here. Keeping him busy."
My jaw tightens. Never lonely? What the hell is that supposed to mean? I feel my hands gripping the tablet tighter as I glance at Jayden, waiting for him to react
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323 Late Night introduction
But he's just smiling, oblivious. Men are such dumbasses sometimes.
"That's great, Sofia," I say through clenched teeth. "I'm glad Jayden's got... support."
+25 BORS
Jayden jumps in, clearly excited about the whole positive situation he's created. "I thought you two could bounce some ideas off each other later. Sofia's really on top of the public relations game, especially at this level. I think you'll learn a lot from her." Learn a lot? His words are a slap in the face. Learn from her? The man who has always considered me the best at what I do in the world, who has always trusted my expertise, is now telling me I need to learn from Sofia?
I feel heat rising in my chest, a mixture of anger and insecurity bubbling up, but I can't say anything. Not right now. Nausea rises and I choke it back down.
Sofia's smile doesn't fade. If anything, it gets wider. "Of course. I'd love to share some of my insights, Winona. When you're here in Brussels. I'm sure there's plenty I can help with."
"Great," I say flatly.
"If you get time away from being a mom, of course." Her words drip with condescension, as if I'm the amateur in this equation.
"Sure," I force out, keeping my tone as neutral as possible, though my insides are twisting.
I'm trying not to lose my cool, but the way she's leaning over Jayden, flicking her hair, showcasing those perfect natural curves-it's too much.
She'll take his fucking eye out shortly.
Sofia's eyes gleam with amusement, like she knows exactly what she's doing. "Great. That way, you won't have to worry about Jayden being overwhelmed. I'm looking after him, so you don't have to.
I feel my pulse quicken, a mix of anger and jealousy shooting through me. The way she's talking, it's like she's already staked her claim, like I'm the outsider.
And Jayden? He's still clueless and grinning like a fool, completely missing the nuances in her words, in her body language. He doesn't even see the way she's looking at him.
He's too busy thinking this is all just about work, about business. I should probably be grateful he loves me so much he's not looking elsewhere. But that doesn't stop me wanting to throat-punch her.
Jayden looks at me through the screen, his smile warm. "It's all good here, babe. Sofia's been great at showing me the ropes, I'm adjusting faster than I thought."
"Yeah," I manage to say, though my voice feels hollow, "Sounds like you've got everything under control." Jayden doesn't notice the tension in my voice. "I'll let you get back to sleep. Just wanted to make sure you two met. Sorry to wake you. I'm still trying to get used to the time difference."
"Thanks," I say, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice. "Love you."
"Love you too, babe." And then he's gone, leaving me with nothing but the darkness of the room and the pit in my stomach.
+25 BONUS
323 Late-Night Introduction
Oh God. I'm going to be sick. I run to my bathroom and heave. Damn lack of sleep. I wipe my mouth and wash up my hands.
I crawl back into bed and try to settle back to sleep..
Sofia's words echo in my mind, taunting me. I'm keeping him busy... you don't have to worry about him being lonely... Fucking bitch.
Judy's voice creeps into my thoughts, too: Power changes people. Love always takes a back seat. Fucking bitch 2.0
I begin to drift off and Henry's cry comes through the monitor,