A Close Call with the CEO
Odetta Lawrence has a secret, she is posing as Olivia Reyes, a renowned breakout fashion designer. The world was finally recognizing her for her talents but not as her true self. She falls in love with the distrustful bigshot CEO of Luxe Textiles, Edward Cummings and Edward is falling for Olivia, but what happens if she lets her heart lead? Will she give up her career for love or love for her career? *** I hear she assaulted a local in Delhi, what a racist. _Exes15 Olivia scoffed tossing her phone into her purse and zipped it up clapping her hands together. "If you'd like, I'd put up that outfit," He leaned on the wall. "Maybe buy it off your hands," She spread her arms to keep them apart, Edward just had the best way of endearing her and she stood her ground. "You...you will?" She nearly forgot about the headlines. They walked together on the beach, she held her hands together. "I appreciate that," She bit her lip. He stepped in front of her and she stopped "I could grab my boat_" "Yes, I'd love to sail," Tasha stepped in wearing a green wrap up bikini and fabric around her waist, she rolled her eyes when Dante nudged her and she blushed. "Quit bugging me alright?" She said and bit down a laugh then blinked at Olivia. "Poor dear, I'm so sorry about that guy...," Olivia fidgeted locking her fingers, "Nevermind," Edward held her shoulder and she disliked his advances. "I know, he was really good looking, I guess you never can tell," She ranted holding on to a bunch of keys and sighed. "The boat," "Right," She said and they roamed to the docks. Olivia watched a crab wrestle with a broken shell and she saw another empty one. "Are you gonna give it or live in it?" He cackled unknotting a rope, he had help with the sails and she tossed it in the water. "No thanks, I'm fine, it's a really nice boat," "Thanks, it's just a rental," He said and he stepped inside stretching his hand. "No, thanks I got it," She stepped up and her other leg was stuck in-between. "Help," She crossed over. "It's slippery," He said and made it to the controls after he released the sails. "Are you sure you know how to sail? Because I'm concerned_" "You had to stand and watch me do a safety check. Olivia, there's a lotta things I had to learn," He said and twisted the keys and the jets rumbled spewing a stream of water. "Hang on," He said and she reached around his side. "This is not funny," She said leaning on his shoulder and he was the least ridiculous at the moment. "Here we go," Edward stirred the boat and he was aware of the direction of the wind and set sail across the shores till he was sure they hit the water. The smell of salt lingered in the air and he set his hand above his eyes at the distance. Olivia was wistful and held on, she couldn't think of the last thing to worry her, maybe a sail was what she needed the whole time. The water wobbled and the sky was getting grey and he picked up speed warranting another grip from Olivia. He felt a drip on his skin and she yawned. In a moment, the turbines gradually stopped spinning and her head rose stepping away from him. A smile returned to his face when he was sure they were safe, the island was just a few metres away, he would drive there in a moment but still, they had to enjoy the view. She sat down on a chair wistful about her dad's trips. "It's been a while since I've been on a sail," "Not long enough," He went to retrieve two glasses and handed her one. "Been a while since I've had a drink," She swivelled. She sipped and her eyes popped at the sweetness. "Apple juice?" He laughed. "I figure if we did, then none of us will be leaving this boat," She imagined careening and Edward laying on the edge, wasted and she shook her head. "Better safe than sorry," She crossed her legs
Chapter 13: Butterflies
Brooke smiled again.
"You both took me by surprise," She gestured to her home and David had a nervous look and gave a nervous snicker.
"You always know the right thing to say,"
"Right," Brooke said leaving.
...
There were hands who served them food at the dining table and Edward looked hesitant but flapped a napkin over his lap.
Brooke noticed and cupped his hand under the table, she knew and didn't find it insulting that he didn't want to eat.
He huffed and sat back, it was a habit not wanting to dine and not involve anyone at the table in a conversation unless they wanted to talk.
The couple and Brooke were silent.
Edward pretended to dip his nose into his glass. He noticed Yvonne looking into her compact mirror now and touching her face then David talked, he was glad for a question directed at him and he talked.
"The future of Luxe Textiles is guaranteed and hopefully we won't be having any partnerships in the nearest future," He said, after Mode's successive pitfalls during the last few partnerships, he didn't want to fall into the same pit twice.
David seemed tensed and Yvonne groped his shoulder.
"Is anything wrong, babe?" She asked in concern.
"No, no, nah," He grinned crookedly and patted her hand.
Yvonne's eyes narrowed.
Brooke tossed her napkin aside and she sprung up surprising them. "Excuse me," She mumbled and cleared her throat leaving her seat. She didn't want to intrude on their public display of affection and stopped by the corner to catch her breath. She heard their laughs from the table.
It was like her heart was torn in half and she couldn't hold back a sob then returned.
"I'm sorry Brooke, maybe the news broke all over the internet but I just wanted to tell you, officially, that Yvonne and I are engaged," He held her hand they were sporting matching rings.
Her eyes flickered at them. "Oh, that's wonderful news," She said and Yvonne smiled leaning on his shoulder.
...
"Oh Dave, I'm so glad she approved," Yvonne said in the car touching his chest and David beamed then glanced at Edward and Brooke in the garden.
He held her close and David was dragged down facing forward.
"Yeah...I'm glad she took it well," He said and switched gears riding off the avenue.
***
Brooke sobbed in Edward's arms.
"I'm so sorry, Brooke," He murmured and glanced at Mei by the shadowed archway, her hand lowered from the wall and she turned to leave.
She couldn't imagine it, that was what made it hurt more. "Oh Ed, when did David stop caring?"
His chest grew tighter, he didn't know the right words to say, she was in a vulnerable state.
"I'm gonna be here for you just like you've been there for me," He murmured and her eyes flickered and she rested her head on his chest and then watched the Peugeot drive through the avenue and sniffed.
***
Odetta helped Dinah pack the boxes inside.
She smiled at the improvements in Dinah's Tack Shop and the furry drab blue carpet dirtied with age was replaced with a red carpet with bandana prints.
That was all there is. The old machines were still here. She heaved a sigh and pressed her hand over the carpet. "At least the sweeping gets easier," She said and ran her fingers over it, crouching. She admitted the bone setting was worth the wait too.
Her phone vibrated and she held up her message. "Time to turn in early," She grimaced and her eyebrows pushed up.
The linen rolls were still scattered and she hoisted them up. "Aunt Dinah, I'm getting late!" She yelled grabbing her purse and rushed out the doors. She bumped into Jake and he hugged her to him.
She lingered in his arms for a moment and she felt safe and warm, she heaved a sigh and looked into his eyes, she actually had the impulse to kiss him and then she pushed up her glasses waving her hands and gripping her purse.
Her eyes caught the glimmer in his eyes.
"What do you know? You used the front door," She said in entertainment.
"I came to prove a point,"
Jake's eyes scoured her face and lip then the muscles in his jaw clenched letting her step back.
"Why are you here, it's a little too late for a surprise visit? I told you," She ranted and he looked serious.
"I think the scavenging can wait," He smiled at her and she gave him a slight push with her fingers.
"Jake, it's really important, I gotta go," Her eyes rounded at his kiss on her lip and she stumbled back. She licked her lip and brushed a hand on her cheek.
"I gotta go," She drawled and he stepped back raking his hair like a teenager.
"Yeah, I'll see you later," He waved a hand and she blushed and huffed running.
Oh my god, what just happened?_ She thought and caught a bus and plonked down raking her hair and he was waiting at the pavement. Her heart raced staring at him dumbfounded, he gave a hesitant wave and she pushed back avoiding his eyes and she moaned inwardly.
Her hand clenched on her seat and she thought she felt a shift on the ground before the bus started to move. She fanned herself. "Why are my cheeks burning?" She asked and wanted to ask the bus driver to pull over. She wheezed and looked for a breath mint to munch on.
Odetta reached the office and she stumbled at the front doors and felt an arm come around her waist. She gasped "Mister Cummings,"
She flinched when he led her inside and she shuddered when he looked at her and went weak in the knees when his blue eyes flashed on hers and a dimple to appeared on his face when he steadied her and she gaped on when he passed by.
She bypassed her beating heart and checked her watch; 4:49pm. Running after him.
"Mister Cummings," She called after him and the office workers gave way when he walked through and the elevator opened, she paused at the workers emptying from the elevator.
She actually thought he smiled at her,
"Going up?" His deep voice called from inside.
"Oh, yes," She slid in before the doors locked and bumped into him.
Edward muffled when she fell in awkwardly.
She straightened her blouse and held her purse tightly standing beside him. She gawked at his brown coat and the collars were up with a strap down. She gazed at his hard jawline and his hair sticking out.
The elevator ride was taking much longer and she swallowed. "Looking sharp,"
She scolded herself.
Edward glanced at her and he faced the wall. "Yeah,"
Odetta was flighty at his voice, the 'yeah' was more of a deep sigh than a word. She followed cautiously outside the doors and stopped at the broad wall of his back.
"What was your name again?" He turned around and her back hit the wall to give room for him.
He grimaced at her thick spectacles but the way she licked her lip was somewhat endearing.
"Lawrence," She said and she groaned at his hand on the wall beside her head.