Married To My Bully by Sakshi C (rosie project TXT) 📖

CRYSTAL

Make no assumptions. My heart was going crazy inside my chest when I uttered those words. Oddly enough, releasing those words made me feel liberated. I didn't know what was his reaction as I didn't turn around. I was pretty sure though that my confession had met with a scoff but I needed him to know this. I needed him to know that people care about him. That I care about him. 

People who knew regarded me with a gentle smile and those who didn't know eyed me cluelessly. I smiled at them too which they returned with their own. The office certainly had a positive vibe. I liked it. 

When I came back, I saw Alex was engaged in a conversation with his secretary. 

"Good Morning, ma'am," she smiled and greeted me when she caught my sight. I smiled and wished her back while placing his black coffee on the table in front of him. Unlike his secretary, he didn't look pleased to see me here. Quite the opposite. Ignoring his scowl, I made myself comfortable on the couch whereas his secretary told him about his today's schedule. I utilized my time by studying his cabin.

My nose crinkled in displeasure as I found his room rather bland. America's most sought-after business tycoon's office consisted of Some motivational quotes from world leaders, a few abstract paintings hanging on the plain grey wall, and some antiques. I had never seen an office as plain as his. My hands were itching to give a makeover to his cabin. Too bad he would never let me. 

"Call Shirley to my office," he commanded his secretary who nodded and strode out. 

"Nice office you got here," I commented. Sarcasm dripping from my voice. He didn't take note of that just like he didn't take note of my comment altogether. 

A minute later, A bespectacled woman probably in her early thirties came in.

"You asked for me, sir,"  Alex raised his head and nodded towards the chair. The woman got the message and slipped into a chair across from him. 

Alex cleared his throat before speaking as if something was stuck in there. I knew what was that. His ego. I rolled my eyes.

"Umm, Shirley she is Crystal, My wife. Crystal, she is Shirley, the head of our design business," My heart blossomed when I heard my name from his mouth. This was the first time I had heard him saying my name.  It sounded so special and precious. I had never loved my name this much before. 

"Crystal?" I snapped out of my euphoria when he called my name again.

I got up from the couch and walked up to Shirley who already had her green eyes on me. 

"Nice to meet you," I smiled and held out my hand. 

"Nice to meet you too," she stood up and shook my hand. 

"Take a seat," Alex abrupted our conversation. Never mind. We were going to have a lot of conversations in the future. And maybe gossips too. I already knew who was going to be the main subject of our gossips. Anyway. I settled myself over in a chair. 

" Crystal holds years of experience in interior designing with a leading design company. So, she'll be heading our design branch from now on. You'll be reporting to her. I want you to acquaint her with every small and big detail of our business," the strain in his voice told me how much he was struggling from inside to let those words out. It was fun.  

"Crystal, go with her," he told me without looking my way. I nodded and left with Shirley. 

She told me that the name of his interior designing business was Di Classe Decor. Shirley introduced me to the team that sat on a different floor. They all welcomed me with a warm smile and open heart that made me a little less nervous. I had been told by my former boss that I would make a good leader now it was time to put that theory to test.  

Shirley walked me to my new office that was next to her. I got on the work right off the bat. We discussed the current deals and the previous ones at great lengths. I was enjoying myself to no end. She had some great ideas and I did too. I was sure we were going to make a great team. 

I Iearned that Alex came up with the idea of dabbling in the business of interior designing about a couple years ago. The business was still in its infancy. She also revealed that unlike his other business ventures this particular one was miserably failing to bear any fruit. They were still struggling to grasp clients, let alone win over one. And the cause was still unclear to them. 

Di Classe Decor was like a half-sunk ship and being its captain it was my job now to mend the cracks and bring it back into shape. I asked Shirley to get me the portfolio of all the assignments they had done along with the demands of feedback of clients. I was going to give my everything to get it back on track. I would do everything to make Alex realize that he is a lucky bastard to have me. 

I was so lost in studying the portfolios that I couldn't keep track of time. The designs were not very attractive. What more, most of them were of the same design and some of them looked very cluttered. I had begun to understand the reason why no one was willing to get their home designed by them. Itis then someone knocked on my door. 

"Come in,"

"Ma'am, it's already 9. I think you should head home now. We can do the rest tomorrow," Shirley said

My head snapped at my watch and my eyes widened a little when I saw it was indeed saying 9. I gave her a smile and nodded. She left.

I picked up my bag and the portfolio and got into the elevator to head towards Alex's room. Was he still working? He hardly stayed this long at work. My stomach was rumbling with hunger as I had skipped my lunch too in the haste of surveying the portfolio. 

My heart missed a beat when the elevator door dinged open. The lights were off. There was no one on the floor. I turned on my phone's flashlight and walked further towards his room. 

Guess what, his room was locked. He had left. Without telling or asking me. My heart broke again. Did he not care about me at all? He never missed a chance to make me feel unwanted. Forced. A stray tear left my right eyes as I strolled back towards the elevator. I booked a cab on my phone and waited for it to come on the side of the road.