***
Ace's POV:
I entered my office, angry as ever. I walked to my table and kicked it angrily.
I was going to lose Heather with this revenge of mine. I had to be fast.
She had to discover what Kevin was doing!
I thought of sending her the screenshots of the messages between Sawyer and Kevin.
But I did not do it. It was better if she had to find out herself.
I sat down, feeling tears well up my eyes. I winked them away. This wasn't the time to sadden up. I had to concentrate on my main objective. And I would.
***
Two weeks passed and Monday of the fourth week finally arrived.
We were all called to the conference room.
After waiting for three minutes, the three bosses came in.
"Good morning to everyone," Christina said.
"Good morning," we replied.
"You're all here to get the name of the employee of the month. The one who'd be at the head of the production department," Heather said.
There was fidgeting along with excitement. I focused on what they were about to say.
Heather's POV:
I noticed most employees looked nervous apart from a few. I waited for my mother to announce the employee of the month. I'd given the name of the person I'd chosen, to her. I didn't know who Sawyer had voted for, neither did I know whom my mother had voted for. I was anxious to know too.
"The new head of that department is-"
Suspense. Everyone paid attention.
"Ace Stonewall."
Yes!
Just who I'd voted for. He had all the necessary qualifications and he was very experienced. He didn't deserve to be a simple secretary.
He was highly applauded. I looked at him to see his reaction.
He smiled. He had a beautiful smile, and I felt goosebumps take over my skin.
People clapped and cheered for him. He was liked by all and I knew they'd all guessed he was the person most likely to get the post.
"He was voted by all three of us. Congratulations, Ace. This calls for celebration. I ordered champaign and pizza in the lobby for everyone. Have fun," Mom said and everyone cheered and applauded.
*
Ace's POV:
Everything I'd done had not gone in vain! I was a boss myself now. I took a sip of my champaign and watched the other employees have fun.
I smiled to myself. Christina's nightmare had just begun. But that, she didn't know.
I would slowly destroy her. I would slowly ruin her. I would rob her of everything, that in reality, belonged to me.
*
As head of production, I visited and was shown all the industries that produced our dairy products. I was informed about the prices of the raw materials we used, of the farms we collaborated with, the investors we had and much more.
Perfect. Almost perfect.
***
Heather's POV:
One day, at work, I entered the elevator to reach Sawyer's floor. I had some documents to give her.
I was alone in the elevator until it stopped at a particular floor.
When the door opened, I saw Ace.
I swallowed, feeling my face reddening.
We had been avoiding each other in some sort of way since that day we'd talked in my office. I didn't know if he was offended by me or something and I was too nervous to ask.
I'd told Shirley about it and she'd mentioned the fact that he might have feelings for me. It'd gotten me a little confused. I didn't know if it was true.
The fact that it might be true got me really nervous and I'd started avoiding him again just like at the start.
When he saw me, he smiled and without a word, he came and stood by me.
I wanted to walk out but I thought that I would probably fall again. Oh no, I preferred to stay. I prayed silently for him not to say anything embarrassing. We still had some floors to go and so we had some time to spend in that elevator.
"Good morning, Heather," he said in a smooth voice.
Gosh.
I didn't know why I felt goosebumps take over my skin. Lately he'd been having that effect on me.
"Good morning, Ace," I said, without facing him. He turned to me and I felt his eyes on me.
Oh gosh...
"Do we have a problem?" he asked in a low voice. I gulped. That was exactly what I was avoiding.
I had gotten used to Ace but why did I feel nervous and shy around him, all of a sudden? Was it because I'd been having odd dreams about him for the past nights? Or was it because of what Shirley had said?
"N- no, Ace. We don't have one."
I still didn't look at him but I could see from the side that he kept his eyes on me.
"That's not what I think," he took a step towards me.
I felt my knees begin to weaken. What was happening to me? For the past weeks now, since he'd gotten the post, I began to see him differently. He was ten times attractive.
He got closer and I felt his hand on my arm. I froze. I was so nervous I was close to sweating.
"Heather, I-" he was about to speak but luckily, the elevator door opened at the floor I was heading for.
I got out of his grip and walked out of that elevator as fast as possible, my knees shaky. What was going on with me? I couldn't look at Ace in the eyes anymore.
Ace's POV:
Heather's reaction had surprised me. A few weeks ago, we would smile and joke but now acted really odd with me. Ever since she'd gotten close to that idiot.
Maybe she saw it necessary to avoid contact with people like me, who had feelings for her. She clearly knew.
If knowing I had feelings for her would make her uncomfortable, I preferred to stop being evident. I had never intended to scare her away.
***
Christina's POV:
Two weeks had passed now since Ace had gotten the post. He still hadn't made love to me. I Was really annoyed.
Was he trying to play me? I hoped not.
I picked up my office phone and called his office.
"Hello?"
"Yes. Ace?"
"Yes, boss?"
"Come here now," I hung up. I wasn't going to let him play me.