In the arms of the Ceo

Point

e a fool of myself, and he had been more than gallant. The man caught me red-handed, stealing soap! Yes,

out of soap at home, and a ridiculous idea crossed my mi

e caught me completely off guard. Our hands to

e asked, his deep voice

g to find words that made sense. "

ow, waiting. "You'

ut the evidence was right there in my han

t made my heart race. "Soap is a stra

But then he did something unexpected. He smiled

know next time, okay?" He winked and left, leavin

I melted every time I repl

a whirlwind of emotions-embarrassed that he had caught me, but relieved that we had electricity and food guaranteed f

om as weak as a kitten. There was no one else to help, no other family or friends who could provide the round-the-clock c

ach day but had a long way to go. Until she could stand on her own and work again, I would fight as har

n't tell her how bad our finances were. I took odd jobs over the past two years whenever I could. It helped a lit

Unfortunately, those great job offers had dried up. After two years out of school and the job market, the internship was the best I could find.

fore that happened. When the front door ope

and popped the trunk. My mom

groceries and household items. I hadn't been able to do such a big shopping trip in ages, and the tru

u get all thi

ck sarcasm. But I was smiling. I kissed her cheek. "Why do

filled with tears. Her voice tra

e got everything

er. But right now, that didn't matter. I had

my day. I didn't mention my two encounters with Victor Hale. After we ate, Mom seemed to have used up

ou to bed, M

ut away some stray items that were lying around, I came across a stack of bills I had received some time ago and forgo

ould pay the gas and water bills with the remaining money and manage the minimum payments on

y forehead. It'll be okay,

elf. I knew I was behind on the mortgage, but I hadn't realized it was this serious. We couldn't lose the house-where would we go? We had no other family to turn to. Mom was an only child,

. If we lost the house, everything I was fighting for would crumble. I couldn't let

how I could pay the mortgage. I just didn't make enough money. Maybe I could take on more babysitting jobs. I could work three jobs at once. Or should I focus my efforts on applying for a new marketing job and hope

bed. I closed my eyes tightly,

easier to pretend at the office where almost no one knew me well.

oking for you," sh

s mind about the theft? About the money? Surely he

" Megan asked. "He just said you sho

" I

ed excitedly. She couldn't see how this c

pretty sure I knew what it was about

p the man waiting. It's Anto

Megan a smile that failed miserably before walking o

smile. She had immaculate blonde hair, and her lips w

d. "I think Mr. B

with a smile that seemed genuine

iving room with a bar and a conference room with plush chairs and a large screen, I tried to rehearse what I would say to him. I'd pa

even a glimpse of the ocean in the distance-and large bookshelves filled with serious-looking books and leather-bound journals. Victor leaned against a large mahogan

stepped away from t

tried to gauge his mood. He didn't seem upset. That

and did a

blurted out when he

ghed.

before. Am I in trouble? Is this

y, Lana," he interrupted

," I

ing to one of the two leat

over his hands. They were huge. I quickly averted my gaze, determined to look only at his face. But I couldn't help no

weating in front

d I fought back a blush. Was he just mes

nymore. "Why am I he

erday, let you borrow

And I'm completely

u to return the

to ask, but I

do you

. How the hell was I go

't you m