The CEO's Addiction

small apartment as I slowly blinked awake. I fumbled

e, I had o

I could hear granny's soft snores floating from the next room, a

s' untimely death. Luckily... I got a job as a museum guide and though it was f

d shoelaces. As I grabbed a granola bar from the kitchen counter, I shot

time for my usual

on my face in a futile attempt to fully wake up. I c

r and adjusted my uniform. The museum's logo glinted on the lapel, and just a l

soon. Grabbing my bag, I rushed out the door, nearly colliding with Mrs. Jade from the apartment acr

hurried footsteps. I joined the crew, waking my way through the crowd as I raced toward the subway statio

g to catch my breath. Another train would

he way down to the museum but I couldn't. I would only

dies, my gaze drifting to the window. Tall buildings high up in

rge door, my breath hitching in my throa

t! Minute lates

eriously giving me the 'you're late again' stare. I quickly ducked into the empl

Is this a regular thing now, Amelia," she sighed, her tone a mi

ammered, my voice barely above a w

tad. "You're a good guide, Amelia.

me, and I couldn't afford to lose it. I really couldn't. With a final

others hung right on point. As I walked past complexly carved statues and priceless paintings, a sense of awe washed

rn from what I had to offer. I recited facts, stories, and legends wit

phone, seeing a text from Granny, assuring me that she was doing fine and not to worry. Relief

t night, I couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness. I was a small piece of a much larger puzzle, a puzzle

ny.

could barely relate with me with her age. I didn't min

lly.

with a crease bet

*

with cheering and appreciation nods everywhere and I smiled, thanking them for their attention, before making my

that I knew.. Well, asid

od there, tall and intimidating, his grey eyes sharp and distractive. I soon began to roam m

e and a billion dollar suit, with an intoxicating colo

ered wh

there," I said, bl

ead, he was looking down at me with almo

he spoke, his voice dr

tone full of authority . "Even inside you," he added, a wicked smirk playing o

ropriate remark. Without thinking, my hand swung out, delivering a sharp slap across his face. H

p.

fore at some opening program. Wait! Does that mean that this man, with the audacity to s

ch work these days and now, that I had him

mind raced to grasp the grav

growing hotter by the second. "My shift

nted away, my heart pounding in my chest. Mortified and humiliated, I didn'

steady my breathing. How had I let my temper get the best of me? Slapping the

iform and gathered my belongings. My interaction with Xander Sterling had shaken me to the core, a

bly the end of

ause

y things on his plate, he couldn't h

Yes

in the process. With a heavy sigh, I slipped out of t

anny's comforting presence was the only thing that could soothe my frazzled

ear my mind. I promised myself that tomorrow would be a new day, a chance to

on was heading home to Granny a