Tempting my CEO

Chapter 3 - Bad idea

Avalyn

I was sitting at my desk, doing some work that Kate asked me to do. I was looking for some venue for the charity event, which to my surprise, Kate said I could attend. Yes, she said she might need me occasionally throughout the night, but she also wants me to enjoy myself.

Well, I was trying my best to work, but I was slightly distracted because Mr Brady was hanging around. I still can’t believe that he was the one from the coffee shop. I am glad I didn’t go and say hello because that could have made things awkward. I don’t need that at work. I know the company has strict policies on dating for staff, especially staff getting involved with someone higher up than them. It isn’t like we would start dating, that would never happen, but still, even the thought of it makes me feel guilty.

I snapped myself out of it, getting back to work. I got lost in work until suddenly I felt someone lean over me. I turn my head to see who it was. I swallow hard when I see it is Mr Brady. He was very close to me, and he smells so good.

“Um, hello, Sir, can I help you with anything?” I stammer out.

“Are you looking at venues?” He asks, and I nod, “Can I sit?” He added.

“Yes, sure,” I smile.

If that means he isn’t so close to me, then that is a good thing. He smiles, grabbing a chair and pulling it up next to me. He was still close, but not as close as he was only moments ago.

“What sort of venues are you looking at?” He asks.

“Ballrooms, hotels, old building and so on,” I smile.

“I think a ballroom in a hotel would be perfect. What do you think?” He asks.

“I think that would be a good choice, Sir,” I reply.

“Can you please stop calling me Sir or Mr Brady? That is what my father gets called,” He chuckles, “Hudson will be fine, Avalyn,” He adds.

He wants me to call him by his first name. Am I allowed to do that?

“Are you sure it is OK for me to call you that?” I whisper.

“Yes, I am sure,” He smiles, “Avalyn, that is a beautiful name, very unique,” He added.

Yes, it isn’t a name I have come across before either. My parents couldn’t decide between Ava and Lyn, so they decided to join them together. I liked that my name was different.

“Thank you. My parents couldn’t choose between the two, so they put them together,” I giggle.

“Well, it is beautiful,” He smiles, “A perfect fit for you,” He adds.

What does that mean? Is he saying that I am beautiful like my name, or am I overthinking? He was looking at me, even after he stopped talking. I found myself looking back at him. I wanted to pull away, but I couldn’t. I was finding myself getting lost in his hazel/green eyes.

“Thank you,” I said, quickly turning away from him.

I hear him sigh from next to me, but then we got back to looking at venues. I had to stop myself from stealing glances at the beautiful man. Though I wasn’t the only one, he seemed to be doing the same to me. I had no clue what is going on.

“I think it is time we take a break and grab a coffee,” Hudson suggests twenty minutes later.

“Um, I am not due my break yet,” I reply.

“I am sure Kate won’t mind,” He shrugs.

I wasn’t due my break until twelve for lunch. It was only ten-thirty. I looked at Hudson nervously. He told me to stay put at my desk and disappeared into Kate’s office. Oh God, what is he doing? I don’t want Kate getting mad at me.

I continue to flick through my computer to keep my mind distracted because I didn’t want to know what was being said in Kate’s office. I hope she doesn’t think that something is going on between Hudson and me. That would be terrible. I wouldn’t want Kate thinking I was like that.

Hudson came back to my desk a few minutes later.

“Let’s go grab a coffee. I told Kate we would be working while we have coffee, but we won’t be, not really,” He chuckles.

I shook my head, snickering. I had a feeling Hudson was the type of man that can get what he wants easily.

“OK,” I smile.

I grab my things, following him. I was expecting us to go for coffee in the building, but we went on the elevator, and he pressed the ground floor. There was no coffee place on the ground floor.

“Where are we going?” I question.

“The coffee shop we were both at this morning,” Hudson states.

I just nod and follow his lead. I hope us hanging outside of the office wouldn’t be weird.

***

Hudson and I had ordered our coffee and found a seat. The place was a little quieter than it was this morning. I was staring into my cup because I wasn’t sure what to say to him.

“Tell me, Avalyn, what is your goals?” He asks.

“I aim to write for the magazine one day,” I reply softly.

“You do? Does Kate know this?” He asks, and I nod.

“She does. She saw on my resume that is what I did my degrees in English lit and journalism,” I smile.

Hudson rested back on the seat, staring at me. He wasn’t saying a word, but you could tell he was thinking about what, I do not know. I let him think without saying a word.

“How would you like a chance to write for the magazine?” He suggests.

“I don’t think Kate is ready to let me do that,” I said.

I don’t know where he was going with this, but I was curious.

“I think she would if you asked. Kate started as an assistant to my mother, and my mother gave her a chance, and look where she is now,” He speaks, “And I think she would give you a chance in the same way,” He added.

I know how Kate got started. Mrs Brady took Kat under her wing, and it went from there. The moment Mrs Brady retired, she handed the reins to Kate as Editor-in-chief. I think it was terrific the chance Mrs Brady was willing to give her.

“I know, it was remarkable what your mother did for Kate, but I have only worked here for three months. I don’t want to ask for anything just yet,” I respond.

“I have concluded that I want you to do my interview for the magazine,” He said brightly.

What? He doesn’t even know me or what I can do. I can’t let him do that.

“No, I am sorry, I can’t do that,” I said, shaking my head, “There are people already hired for these things,” I added. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Hudson reached across the table, resting his hand gently on top of mine. He looked me right in the eye. I had to bite hard on my cheek to stop a pathetic whimper from falling from my lips.

“I don’t want them doing it. I want you to do, and Avalyn, I have a way of getting what I want,” He said confidently.

A cheeky grin was playing on his lips when he said it. I opened my mouth to protest, but he gave me a firm look, and I found myself nodding.

“Kate may not like your suggestion,” I announce.

“Yes, she will. Kate and I have known each other for a long time. She knows me and knows if I am asking for you to do this, that means I see something in you,” He shrugs.

“Thank you,” I smile.

Just because they have known each other for a long time, that doesn’t mean she will be willing to let her assistant do such an important piece of writing. I had a feeling there was no point in arguing with him about it. I will let it be. Kate can make a choice.

I sighed, my attention falling on my coffee. I couldn’t take his eyes burning into me right now. I knew being alone with him wasn’t a good idea. I will head back to the office as soon as I can.