Page 45 of The CEO Enemy

“I don’t want to ruffle any feathers or cause any trouble, you know,” Emma explains.

Her comment puts me on red alert and my back straightens as I lean forward. “I would never think that’s what you’re doing. I’ve known you long enough, Emma, to know you’re not that kind of person. Now, what’s going on, what’s wrong?”

“Ms. Summers, I do apologize. It’s just that there have been some rumors circulating…”

My heart plummets to my stomach, and my skin suddenly feels warm. There’s no way, absolutely no way anyone at the hotel knows what’s happened between me and Sean, except for Pauline. And she’s not one to gossip, when it comes to stuff we share in confidence.

Have they noticed our glances, or heaven forbid, did some eagle-eyed observer witness our kiss?

“What…sort of rumors?” I ask, hoping my tone sounds as neutral and innocent as I mean it to. I’m sure the redness has already spread across my face.

“People are saying that Mr. Blackwood has a habit of buying up these properties and then replacing the staff with his own people. A lot of us are concerned that with all these changes, our jobs might be for the chop.”

I relax, grateful the rumors have nothing to do with our fake kiss. But I’m deeply troubled that my employees are scared and none of them have come to talk to me about it until now. It’s been almost two weeks, and I highly doubt these are new concerns. “Emma, please believe me when I tell you this: no one’s jobs are on the line.” I give her a reassuring smile. “Nobody is going to get fired without me knowing or without my approval.”

She smiles and seems to relax as well. “I hoped that would be the case, but it’s reassuring to hear you say it.”

“You guys know my door is always open. That hasn’t changed just because Norman isn’t here anymore.”

“Oh, I know that, thank you. It’s just that Mr. Blackwood is usually next door, and it feels a bit awkward coming to talk to you and asking for privacy.”

“Let me worry about that.”

“Thank you, Ms. Summers. Honestly, I feel much better just for having had this chat. How are you managing in all this, by the way? If it’s overwhelming for us, I can’t imagine what it must be like for you.”

I appreciate her concern.

She’s right.

This is a significant undertaking for me, and everyone involved. But I’m not going to let her see how it’s getting to me. “I’m doing what needs to be done. Don’t worry about me, Emma,” I assure her, giving her a warm smile, and a cheeky wink. “I can handle Mr. Blackwood.”

Rising from her chair, Emma shoots me a grin. “Oh, I don’t doubt that at all. You’re one of the nicest bosses I’ve ever had. But I’ve also seen what happens to that pleasant exterior when people cross you… and I’d rather not be in that position. Have a lovely day, Ms. Summers.”

I grin back. “You too, Emma.”

She exits my office and I sit there for a moment, processing what she told me. For once, my usual calm demeanor is difficult to maintain. My staff is worried, not just because of the overhaul and the time to get used to the new adjustments, likely more so because they sense my inner turmoil. People don’t like change, especially if it’s a change that basically turns everything upside down. It’s a lot to take in and, despite what Sean thinks, I’m not going to change the way I work and interact with them.

That’s the one thing I will never compromise on.

I get back to work, wishing Sean was the only man giving me grief. We’re all hands on deck, preparing for the upcoming corporate retreat with Schuster and Flint. The repeated calls from Mr. Grant, the group’s new event coordinator—a rather difficult and hard-to-please character—are also putting me on edge. Oh, how I miss handling everything with the now-retired Mr. Schuster. I try to be friendly, but Mr. Grant certainly has a knack for testing my patience.

Half an hour later, as soon as Sean walks by my office, I spin my chair to look at him.

“Please come in and close the door, Sean,” I tell him, with absolutely no charm in my voice. I’m dead serious. “We need to talk.”

Sean raises his eyebrow, since I prefer to leave the door open (a point we have argued back and forth repeatedly). He does as I say, glancing at me over his shoulder.

“Is this about tomorrow’s charity event?” He closes the door, then turns to face me. “Or about what I can offer for your half of the hotels?”

“You wish. It’s more serious than that.” I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself and not let him see how worked up I am. “There seem to be some misconceptions about the hotel’s future.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

He stands there, in the middle of my office, hands casually in his pockets. “Didn’t we discuss all this at the conference meeting?”

“I was just speaking with one of my employees, and they told me everybody is worried about losing their jobs.” I’m careful not to mention Emma’s name to avoid any retaliation on Sean’s part.

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