Chapter 5 The New CEO

• My grandfather kept talking about the impressive growth numbers of Mr. Tomás and Alex's company, which were actually very good, but listening to him in more detail, I found it strange how my grandfather kept praising them.
• Not that my grandfather was one of those people who didn't recognise the achievements and skills of others, but I had never seen him be so cloying. Finally, I looked up, giving my grandfather my full attention, still wondering if this was a hallucination or a vivid dream.
• Maybe it was a nightmare? I checked that I was wearing clothes, lest it was one of those nightmares in which I appeared naked and where everyone could contemplate my imperfections and then make fun of me.
• Good! I was wearing my clothes just as I had put them on.
• I looked out of the corner of my eye and Alex was still there, very attentive to me. I looked around again, quickly. «What the fuck is going on?!»
• “All this that I just explained, lead me to my next announcement” I turned my full attention back to my grandfather, who was still talking. “I decided it was time for me to retire” I opened my mouth in surprise.
• Well! My grandfather was retiring. Yes, I was a bit surprised, but then I assumed it was normal, it was something we all expected to happen soon, since he was already quite old, it was time for him to rest and take his well-deserved holiday. What I didn't expect was that he would announce it that day.
• I weighed the situation, this was actually good, it meant that I would not have to marry to be the new CEO of the company, since I was his heir and apprentice, it was obvious that I had to take the position, and it also meant that I would not have to confess to my grandfather about my new life decision, without stable relationships or marriages.
• I smiled at the possibility. I was now more encouraged by the idea that this was a reality and not a dream or hallucination.
• “And I have to announce who will take my place as the new CEO of this company” My grandfather's eyes looked a little worried, I noticed that he avoided looking at me. However, I prepared myself to hear my name. “Alex Grand” I shouted, pointing towards the position where the handsome man with the blue eyes was standing.
• I felt as if the world had suddenly turned upside down, my head was spinning, my chest began to tighten and I was sure that these symptoms were not caused by the hangover I was carrying. Did I hear correctly? Did he name Alex Grand as the new CEO and not me? A stranger and not his granddaughter? The same stranger with whom I had a casual intimate encounter the night before?
• My grandfather watched me for a second, as if he was waiting for my reaction, perhaps thinking I would reveal myself, scream or something.
• But no, I didn't say anything, how could I? I was practically frozen, in shock. I didn't look at anyone, I didn't move, I listened to the murmurs of the partners, how they whispered, probably talking about me, I didn't know for sure because there was a ringing in my ears, like an interference.
• A few seconds later, there was applause, which made me react and come out of my reverie, I turned around and Alex was standing there smiling, I couldn't believe it, this was really happening!
• I looked down, trying to focus on the floor and concentrate on the sequence stamped on the tiles, trying to catch my breath, how could I complain about this injustice if I could barely breathe?
• “Of course!” My grandfather raised his voice in an attempt to quieten the background noise and regain the attention of everyone present. “Obviously, Ava will work hand in hand with young Grand, just as she did with me”.
• “What?” I managed to let out with a sigh, looking up again, eyes wide open.
• I turned to where Alex was sitting, he was sitting forward in his seat, staring at me, watching my every move, like a predator waiting for its prey, waiting for my reaction.
• “This will only be a temporary situation” My grandfather clarified, making me turn to him with a gasp, I assumed those words were meant for me. Then he spoke again to the audience. “Until my granddaughter, Ava, marries and both she and her husband take over the company” He cleared his throat. “Which we plan to do, which will be before too long”.
• The murmurs grew louder, I almost fell out of my chair in surprise, I saw my grandfather sidelong glance at my hands and immediately understood, was he looking for an engagement ring?
• My instinct made me hide my hands under the table, «My marriage? What marriage? Will it be soon? My grandfather is talking about a marriage with Mike? But I never told him that he asked me to marry him, did he get all that from his deductions?»
• I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to think, but my brain didn't seem to be working. I pulled one of my hands out from where I was hiding them and slapped my forehead, «Why didn't I tell my grandfather the truth in the first place, how could this all happen because of a simple little lie?!»
• “Is there a problem, Miss Ava?” I heard Alex's hoarse voice from his place at the table.
• “No, none at all” I answered immediately, opening my eyes, actually feeling a little dizzy.
• “It's just that you look a bit pale” Everyone in the room began to look at me intently, making me more nervous.
• “No, it's just that... I...” I started to stammer.
• I had many years working in this company, running it with my grandfather and I had been through countless amounts of meetings, which had made me lose my shyness in front of all these men, however, for the first time in a long time, I felt really intimidated in front of them.
• “Are you all right, Ava?” I heard my grandfather, speaking to me in a slightly sweeter and closer tone.
• “Yes, I'm fine” I mumbled, nodding and holding back the lump that was beginning to form in my throat.
• “Good! Then we can continue” My grandfather picked up the thread as I tried to keep my composure. “So, while the marriage plans are being finalised, we can make the most of this alliance, which will allow both companies to learn from each other and grow together?”
• My grandfather continued to talk about the benefits of all these changes, adding that he would remain at the head of the company for a few more days, finalising the last projects he was leading, giving Alex and I the opportunity to get to know each other better and find a good way of working.
• I listened to him, I was attentive, I understood everything he said and at the same time, my mind was working at a thousand per second going over everything that had just happened.
• Every now and then, a furtive glance would slip in Alex's direction, just like in the club the night before, however, I was no longer met with a sensual smile, but with a frown and a clenched jaw. Was he angry? Why, he looked intimidating when he was angry!