Page 169 of Clashing with the CEO
We lingered for another moment. Then he tore himself away, striding over to collect his suitcase.
As we stepped out into my office, Petra returned holding a new toner cartridge. “Are you going now?” she asked.
“Yes. Winston’s waiting,” Neil said.
“Goodbye, then. Have a good trip. See you in a few days!”
“Goodbye, Petra.” He turned his focus to me. “Amelia.” He favoured us both with a perfunctory nod.
And then he was gone—off to pursue whatever mysterious machinations awaited him on the other side of the world. With my sight still fixed on the empty corridor, I settled behind my desk while Petra fiddled with the printer. As the printer roared back to life, she scooted her chair over to mine, heaving a theatrical sigh. “Whew. The big boss man is gone. I feel like I can stop holding my breath now.”
I swivelled towards her. “Is he really that bad?”
She tilted her head. “Well, now that you mention it, he does seem a bit more… easygoing than he used to be.”
I blinked. “Easygoing? I wouldn’t use that word to describe him.”
“Okay, poor choice of words. I just meant he seems less… harsh than before. Less prone to yell or put people down over tiny mistakes.” She picked at a hangnail, avoiding my gaze. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m imagining things.”
I leaned back in my chair, considering her words. I supposed Neil had been less caustic since… whatever this thing was between us. “You could be right.”
Petra sat up straighter. “Right? It’s like he’s actually happy sometimes. I swear yesterday I spotted him whistling.”
I concealed a snort of laughter behind the act of clearing my throat. The image of Neil wandering the corridors whistling a jaunty tune was too much. Though, come to think of it, I had caught him smiling a lot more than usual, especially when he must have thought no one was looking.
Petra squinted. “Do you think maybe he’s seeing someone?”
I jerked so fast my mug of pens toppled with a clatter, rolling every which way across my desk. “I really doubt that!”
I quickly gathered them all up.
Petra nibbled her lip. “Yeah, no. You’re probably right. I mean, who would ever want to date him?”
I gave an airy laugh, which Petra echoed after a beat.
“True.” I spun my chair towards my computer. “Can you imagine?”
“I’d rather not.”
She rolled away, leaving me stewing. That was a close one. As oblivious as she seemed, Petra had an uncanny knack for stumbling uncomfortably close to the mark. Neil and I would have to watch ourselves once he returned.
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Milly—please make yourself comfortable while I’m away. And yes, you may borrow my clothes if you wish. Yours, Neil. x.
The note was stuck to Neil’s fridge with a magnet. It made me smile every time I looked at it, easing the sting of his departure, the secrecy, and my powerlessness.
Without the privilege of accompanying him on his trip, the most I could do to help was look after his pets to the best of my ability—a role I was more than willing to fulfil.
“Who wants treats?”
I shook the bag, and Bowey and Chichi materialised at my feet, tails swaying in anticipation. I sprinkled their favourite snacks into their bowls. They tucked in while Archie watched on. He gave a breathy whine.
“Not for you, bud.”
Jowls drooping, Archie whimpered again, looking at me with those mournful eyes.
“Okay, okay. How about walkies instead?”
