Page 19 of My Billionaire Boss Crush

It's as if a chasm has formed between us, fueled by the untamed emotions of last night's kiss. He now seems distant and guarded, even more so than the first time we met, a stark departure from the warmth and camaraderie we shared the night before.

The rest of the day goes by with me stomaching his bluntness and cutting remarks. But I don’t let them affect me. I know last night must have been tough on him, judging by the dark circles under his eyes.

Sooner or later, we’re going to have to talk about last night, but I give him space. I let him avoid it even though there’s evident hope on my face whenever I dare to spare him a glance.

When it becomes clear that Alex has no intention of acknowledging what happened between us, I focus solely on working, and once I’m done, I pack my things and make to leave.

However, when that deep voice penetrates the air, demanding that I wait, hope blossoms within me anew. I turn around, hoping for something, anything from him, but I’m met with guilt and sadness.

“I’m transferring you to another department,” the deep voice says, and my ears ring and ring until everything fades, and I can barely even hear my own breathing.

‘It’s all your fault,’ the tiny voice in my head roars, and I agree with it. It is all my fault.

I never should have invited him into my apartment. I never should have gotten greedy for his attention and company. I never should have opened that second bottle of wine, the one that had gotten me so drunk that I tumbled into his lap. I should never have wondered what his lips would taste like or feel like. I never should have wanted what I couldn’t have.

Now, because of everything I did, he wants to get rid of me.

“You won’t be my personal assistant anymore,” he continues, and my ears stop ringing.

Everything stops, actually, as I stand gaping at him, finally comprehending his words. “What?!” I find myself yelling, demanding. My hands curl into fists beside me as I hold his gaze. “Why?” My question is a dare, a challenge, to see if he will rise to the occasion and finally utter the real reason why he’s doing this.

He knows it, too, because his eyes flare with defiance, refusing to back down from my stare. “I just don’t think you are the right fit for me. Your skills will be needed more at the finance department.”

I let out a short laugh of disbelief, no longer caring that he is my boss. “Why don’t you just get on with it and fire me instead? Save yourself the stress of having to see me in this building again, maybe even forever.”

Alex stumbles back a little, probably shocked at how brazen I sound. “That’s not what this is about,” he insists.

“Oh?” I raise a brow. “So, you’re not doing this because of what happened between us in my apartment last night?”

Alex scowls and tugs his hands out of his pockets. “Nothing happened.” He practically growls out his reply.

I smirk even though there’s a yawning pit of hurt spreading inside me. It's a painful realization, one that weighs heavily on my heart. I never intended for things to become so complicated, for our connection to unravel in this way.

When Alex turns around and goes to stand before his large office window, offering him a view of the magnificent city sprawled beneath us, I exhale.

It would be so easy to obey him, let him win, and push me away in order to avoid last night. But I refuse to let this moment define us, to let it erode the bond we've cultivated over time.

Summoning my courage, I approach Alexander as he stands near the office window, his gaze fixed on the bustling city below. Shadows dance across his face, mirroring the inner turmoil that I know he's experiencing.

I take a deep breath, steadying my voice, and speak softly yet with determination. "Alexander," I say, my voice reaching him through the hushed office space. "We need to talk."

He turns to face me, his expression guarded yet tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "Blair, I..." He falters, his words catching in his throat.

I close the distance between us, searching his eyes for a flicker of understanding. "Last night was intense, I know," I begin, my voice gentle yet resolute. "But we can't let it destroy what we have, our working relationship, and maybe even the budding friendship we have."

Alexander's eyes soften, a flicker of relief crossing his face. "Blair, I didn't mean to act cold or distant," he admits, his voice laced with regret. "I just thought it was the best way to protect us both."

I reach out, placing a hand on his arm, my touch conveying reassurance. "Alexander, we're stronger than this," I assure him, my voice filled with conviction. "We can navigate these complex waters together and find a way to remain friends, to preserve what we've built."

He exhales slowly, the tension in his body gradually dissipating. "You're right, Blair," he concedes, his voice carrying a sense of resignation. "I don't want to lose you as my assistant, not after you’ve come a long way. I value your presence in my life."

A sense of relief washes over me, knowing that we're on the same page and that our newly built connection is strong enough to weather this storm. We may have ventured into uncharted territory, but we can find our way back, even if it means redefining the boundaries that surround us.

"Alexander, I don't regret what happened," I confess, my voice steady. "But I understand the complexities and the need for caution. We can take a step back, reassess our boundaries, and move forward as friends."

He nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Thank you, Blair," he says, gratitude evident in his eyes. "For understanding and for reminding me of what truly matters."

As we stand there, in the quiet depths of the office, the weight of tension slowly eases, replaced by a newfound sense of reassurance. I outstretch my hand to him, tilting my head a little to the side. “Friends?” I offer, waiting.

---