Page 18 of Bossalicious Bad Boy

"Alright, team," I begin, laying out our strategy for the upcoming quarter. "We need to ensure that our messaging aligns with our target demographics. Any suggestions?"

"Perhaps we could run some focus groups to get direct feedback from potential customers?" suggests Mark, our marketing director.

"Great idea, let's set that up," I reply, completely in control. It's easier to maintain my composure when Clara isn't in the room, and I find solace in these moments. But even then, the memory of her lingers, a constant reminder of the turmoil within.

"Excuse me, Alexander," says Julie, entering the room with a stack of papers in her hands. "Clara just emailed over the latest reports you requested."

"Thank you, Julie," I say, accepting the documents and forcing a smile. My heart skips a beat at the mention of Clara's name, and I struggle to keep my hand steady as I flip through the pages.

"Everything looks good here," I remark, trying to focus on the numbers and figures in front of me. But my mind continues to drift back to Clara – the way her eyes light up when she's passionate about an idea, or how her laughter fills the room with warmth.

"Alexander?" Julie prompts, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Sorry, just reviewing the data," I lie, attempting to regain my footing. "Alright, team, let's wrap this up and get back to work."

As the meeting concludes, I can't help but feel a sense of dread creeping in, knowing that I must face the source of my turmoil once more. The office suddenly feels like a battlefield, with every interaction fraught with danger and uncertainty. And yet, despite it all, I find myself drawn to Clara, unable to shake the undeniable connection between us.

"See you later, Alexander," Mark says, patting me on the shoulder as we exit the conference room. I force a smile, nodding in response.

"Later, Mark," I reply, steeling myself for what lies ahead. For I know that no matter how hard I try, I cannot escape the pull of my feelings for Clara – nor the battle within me to maintain my professionalism in the face of such overwhelming emotion.

I step out of the conference room, my heart pounding in my chest. It's like a caged animal trying to break free, and I can't ignore it any longer – this constant distraction, this exhausting battle within myself.

"Hey Alex, got a minute?" Sarah, one of our social media project managers, approaches me with a stack of papers in her hands. My pulse quickens for all the wrong reasons as Clara walks by, her gaze briefly meeting mine before she ducks into her office.

"Sure, Sarah, what's up?" I ask, struggling to focus on the conversation at hand while my thoughts are consumed by Clara.

"Could you review these projections?" She hands me the papers, and I force my mind back to the present moment. I nod, scanning the documents as she talks through the details. It's a simple request, but each word feels like it's passing through a foggy haze, my attention constantly drawn back to Clara's office door.

"Alexander, did you catch that?" Sarah asks, concern etched across her face.

"Sorry, just a bit preoccupied today," I admit, rubbing a hand over my face. "Can you give me the rundown again?"

"Of course," she replies, patiently going through the information once more. This time, I manage to absorb most of it, my fingers tapping against the folder in an attempt to channel my anxiety into something productive.

"Thanks, Sarah. I'll review this and get back to you," I say, hoping that my voice sounds steadier than I feel. She nods, giving me a small smile before walking away.

I retreat to my office, shutting the door behind me and leaning against it, attempting to steady my racing heart. The feeling of suffocation grows stronger, as if the walls are closing in on me, and I know I can't keep going like this. I shouldn't be this affected by Clara, and yet, every fiber of my being is drawn to her.

"Get a grip, Alex," I mutter under my breath, shutting my eyes and taking several deep breaths. I need to figure out how to handle this situation, because the way things are going isn't sustainable. I can't allow my feelings for her to interfere with my work, my relationships with my colleagues, or my ability to lead this company effectively.

I open my eyes, determination settling in my chest. One way or another, I need to find a solution. My professional life depends on it, but more importantly, so does my sanity.

9

CLARA

I sit across from Ruby, my fingers fidgeting with the edge of my latest reports. The woman's warm smile usually puts me at ease, but today I feel like a nervous wreck. My secret threatens to leap out of my mouth, and I know I can't keep it to myself any longer.

"Ruby," I begin, my voice barely audible. "There's something I need to talk to you about."

Her eyebrows rise in concern, eyes focusing on me intently. "What's going on, Clara?"

"Promise you won't judge me," I plead, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Of course not," she reassures me, reaching across the table to give my hand a comforting squeeze. "You can tell me anything."

Taking a deep breath, I gather my courage. "I think I'm falling for Alexander." The words sound foreign even to my own ears.

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