Ari checked her phone immediately, and that was when she saw the mail. She went to the group and read through, her heart beating fast. Everyone was asking who she was, and those who knew quickly told everyone she was a newbie in the Accountancy Department.

First, she was a newbie, and second, what does her work field have to do with company expansion?!

Now she understood why everyone was staring at her weirdly. They must have thought, what would have made the CEO want a newbie as part of the crew if he did not know her personally?

Ari lowered her head as she covered her forehead with her hands. She had thought Xavier had let her go, but it did not seem that way at all.

The rest of the work hours were grueling; Ari had to pretend everything was fine under the watchful eyes of her colleagues. Ari did not know what to do. She could not turn down the offer. She could not even dare unless she was asking to be sacked.

.

She thought they were over, but it seemed Xavier was not at all. Was he trying to make work harder for her?

Now her colleagues would think she got the job through underhanded means… wait, did she really get the job or did Xavier award her the job?

Now Ari thought about it. Most companies had rejected her. Why would Greenfield accept her? Maybe Xavier saw her CV and awarded her the job.

Things were getting really complicated now. Ari was furious, but she could do nothing about it. She had no choice but to prepare for the trip.

After work, Ari picked her bag and stepped out of the company. She entered the elevator, but before it could close, her senior, a woman in her forties, joined her. Ari’s heart sunk into her stomach as she smiled at the woman and she smiled at her.

The ride down was quiet. It was as though Ari knew what the woman was thinking. Anyone that saw her that day would think the same thing at least.

”You are an exquisite woman, you know that, right?” The woman asked and Ari turned to her in surprise; then she nodded;

”Getting involved with someone like Xavier Howells will do you more harm than it can ever do you any good, Maria. ”

Ari bit her inner cheek; anger brewing inside of her. She knew that more than anyone but Xavier would not let her be! Ari smiled at the woman;

”I have nothing to do with him. ” She said;

”I highly doubt he had recommended the job be given to you specifically when we submitted your files to him. ”

Shit!

So he had a hand in her getting the job. She had thought as much. Ari was speechless now. She could not say anything in reply.

”The CEO is a ladies’ man. He has a pretty face, and he is wealthy too, but trust me, all that would mean nothing when you’ll be battling with your mental health. I would advise you to avoid him the best you can. Have a great day. ” The woman concluded and walked out of the elevator when it opened, leaving Ari standing dumbfounded at a spot.

The doors almost closed on her before Ari got herself and walked out of the elevator. She had driven mindlessly back home. In her entire life, she had not thought that a mere one-night stand could tumble her entire life.

When she got home, she showered and opened the mail and read it again; the trip was on Friday, and they were to stay for three days.

Ari went to the group chat and read the comments slowly. That was when she saw that only five people were going on the trip, the others were top employees, and she was the only newbie. Ari sighed. A few workers were making side comments, but they talked little because it was the company group, but she was sure they had dissected her in their various gossip groups, which she was not part of.

Ari closed her eyes. Should she resign?

That was not even an option unless she wanted to starve. What would she do? Should she just give him what he asked for, so he would get off her back?

She was not the only woman for crying out loud. Why was he so bent on her?!

Ari was furious, but also helpless. She could not even scream or shout at him. It was a work trip, and on the face, he did nothing wrong.

The next day, the stares had died down, but Ari was still very self-conscious. She usually joined them for lunch breaks, but she did not dare do that again unless she was ready to answer a thousand questions and hear a million scenarios of what did not happen.

Close of work came, and Ari hurried to leave, but Paula, who was waiting for her to stand up, quickly joined her;

”Are you leaving now?” she asked, and Ari forced a smile.

”Ye..s, I am.”

”Great, I was leaving too, let’s go together. ” Paula said with a wide smile, and Ari did not reply. She just walked to the elevator.

”Xavier goes for really pretty girls. ” Paula started once they entered the elevator and Ari mentally rolled her eyes; she knew that was what she had followed her out for.

”I think he likes you. ” she continued, even though Ari was not saying anything.

”Although he is dating Melissa, people say he still has affairs with other girls; obviously, which man who looks like that would be faithful, I don’t think Melissa has a problem with it because they are still dating even with all the rumors of his affairs. Rumors say no matter what he does, he always goes back to her like she is his first love.” Paula said, chuckling.

Ari looked at her irritatingly; she was not sure what that information was for; was she trying to tell her that no matter what she did with him, he was still going to be with Melissa?

”First of, being handsome doesn’t give you the right to sleep your way through every skirt you come across and disrespect your partner, and second, I do not know what you have heard but I have nothing to do with the CEO, so please do not approach me with this manner of talks again, I don’t appreciate it, have a nice day. ”

Ari said and walked out of the elevator. Paula scoffed as she watched her walk away. Did she think because she was pretty and the CEO was granting her favors, it meant something?

She laughed, let’s see if she would still have that smug look on her face when Xavier had gotten what he wanted.