Safe with My CEO

Nicole

Nicole set the last of the folders on the table, glancing around the room. She’d managed to finish everything on Mr. Jackson's to-do list.

She was just about to give herself a mental high-five when he walked in. “Is everything ready?” he asked.

“Yes, Mr. Jackson.”

“Did you prepare enough proposals for everyone in the room?” he asked, his gaze sweeping the conference room.

“Yes. I even made a few extras just in case,” she said, gesturing to the cabinet behind him.

“Good, good. You’re not a disappointment, Ms. Winters. I’ll need you to sit in on the meeting and take notes.”

She knew that was about as close to a compliment as she’d get from him.

“Yes, sir,” she said, her smile small but genuine, as she headed back to her desk for a legal pad and a pen.

As she walked towards the conference room, a familiar, expensive cologne scent hit her. Panic surged through her. She scanned the room, her heart pounding.

She bolted into the women’s restroom and locked herself in a stall. She tried to slow her breathing, but it was no use. She could feel herself starting to hyperventilate.

She closed her eyes, trying to quell her panic. She managed to regain some control, but there was no way she was going back out there.

***

She stayed in the bathroom stall for two hours. Hoping the meeting had ended and the visiting firm had left, she cautiously peeked out the bathroom door before stepping out.

She glanced behind her, and as she turned forward, she bumped into someone. “I’m sorry, I─” She looked up to see Mr. Jackson, his face a mask of anger.

“My office,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Now.” Once inside, he turned to her. “Where the hell were you?”

Nicole lowered her gaze. “I'm sorry. I suddenly wasn’t feeling well.”

He gave her a once-over. “You look fine. Don't lie to me.”

“I─”

He moved closer to her. “Don’t lie to me, Ms. Winters.”

She remained silent, and he moved even closer, leaning down until his face was inches from hers. “Where. ~Were~. ~You~?” he demanded.

Nicole flinched. Her instinct to flee was kicking in. She took a step back. “I told you I wasn’t feeling well. I spent the whole time in the restroom.”

He straightened up. “You were needed in that meeting.”

“I'm sorry I couldn’t be there.” She looked down, feeling the sting of tears behind her eyes.

“Well, you should have been, it's your damned job!” he roared. “You made me look like a damned fool. Get out!”

Nicole turned quickly and walked out of his office. She grabbed her things and rushed out of the building, heading home.

She couldn’t stay at work. Suddenly, she remembered the scent that had triggered her panic.

“I can’t go home…” she whispered to herself.

She changed her plans and headed to the diner.

As she walked in, she saw Maggie and tears welled up in her eyes. Maggie looked up at her and sighed. “Oh, my girl…” She wrapped Nicole in a tight hug.

***

The diner was quiet now. Nicole had spent the lunch rush in a corner booth, and Maggie finally had a chance to come over.

“Okay.” She sat down. “Talk.”

Nicole looked at her friend. Maggie was the only one who knew Nicole’s secret. “I panicked today.”

“You’re allowed to do that, sweetheart. What happened?”

“I had just finished setting up the conference room. I was heading back to my desk to grab my notebook for the meeting.

“As I walked down the hall, I smelled him. His expensive cologne. I thought he had found me. I couldn’t breathe.

“I hid in the bathroom for hours…” Nicole shook her head.

Maggie took her hand, her face filled with concern. “I can’t imagine how scared you were, hon.” She gave a warm smile. “But he's not going to find you.”

“It’s not just that,” Nicole continued. “Yes, I’m terrified he’ll find me. But Mr. Jackson…when he found me, he was furious.

“He said I made him look like a fool. He yelled at me. It all came back.”

Maggie let out a small sigh. “Nicole, it’s going to take a long time to get over what that awful man did to you.

“Now, were you actually scared of Mr. Jackson, or was it your reaction to the past?”

Nicole thought for a moment. “Both, I think.” She was quiet for a minute. “But I flinched. I haven’t done that in months. I didn't like the feeling.”

“Well then, you have to decide if you want to continue, hon. If this job takes you back to where you were a year ago, then is it really better for you?”

Nicole nodded. Maggie had a point, and Nicole had some thinking to do.

When she felt better, she took the bus home. Waiting outside her apartment was a sleek black sports car, far too fancy for this neighborhood.

She eyed it skeptically before heading inside.

Once inside, she kicked off her heels and headed for the shower, hoping to wash away the day. She wondered if she still had a job, or if she even wanted it anymore.