The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO)

Chapter 25

ASSHOLE!!!!

I want to scream it at him through the closed door; I’ve never had this wave of reaction toward Jake before and I can’t control it. I’m beyond livid. I’m reeling, angry, and hysteria isn’t far away. I hate losing control this way, every emotion bubbling to the surface like an angry volcano threatening to explode. I know I need to bring myself down or else my life is over. He’s my BOSS!

I mastered this once I can do it again. I can push it all down and force it back into its black box. Put it all back neatly and close the lid. Bring calm back to the surface and put the mask back on. Salvage something before it’s too late.

But I can’t!

Because he knows!

Because he saw a sliver of my shameful wretched past and I’m devastated. He will see I’m a fraud, that PA Emma, his number two is nothing more than a facade for a broken piece of worthlessness that men liked to knock around and touch.

It makes me feel sick inside and I hurtle myself onto the bed amid a flurry of tears.

I hate crying, I don’t cry! I won’t give them my tears; I won’t let them have that from me. They took everything else.

I roll on my back and take gasping gulps of air, swallowing them down painfully. Knowing I need to control myself.

That’s right, Emma, breathe.

I hear myself telling teen Emma, as she lays on the floor of her Chicago room. That little voice talking her through.

In … Out … In … Out … In ….Out. Slowly, and surely.

I force myself to focus on the light fitting on the ceiling above me and keep going. Knowing it helps.

In … Out … In … Out … In … That’s right, nice and steady.

I’m not in Chicago anymore, it’s okay now. I’m in control of this. I regulate my breathing to match my count, bringing myself down from near hysterics. Drying my eyes.

In … Out … In … Out … Slower, bring it down a notch.

I’ve overcome this a million times, and I can do it again. I can fix this. I’m better than this.

In … Out. Take deep breaths in … It’s

… Out … In … Out. Calmer, smoother

slowly, and the blackness fades out. My lungs move easier, the heaviness

Out … In …

Like a chant.

… I’m not a child anymore. Ray is not

Out

can hurt me anymore. I’m stronger now. I’m more capable. It’s not my

In … Out …

tears disperse fully, and I

In.

Out.

laying so very still. It’s easier than it used to be. I’m better at it and it takes less time now

can’t leave it this way with

boss … my friend … I don’t know if I can face

only get more awkward. I may get fired. I don’t think Jake would fire me,

coffee is his lifeline. A small smile tugs the corner of my mouth as I picture him trying and the inner calm of my regained

indicating I have an email and I catch Jake’s name from my viewpoint. I lean across impulsively, sliding it over and pull it onto my lap. Opening the screen with a

sent you

a song, and my heart retracts a

Carrero has

Me”

or sadness. Jake is trying to make things okay with me and I can’t just ignore him. The swelling of my heart at his attempt and his sweetness has me on the verge of breaking down. I need to claw back some dignity and face him, let him see that I’m still the same Emma I was and maybe ask him to forget this ever happened. That I’m not an insane psycho with a troubled past who

Well, maybe I am.

open it quickly. Like ripping off a band-aid and steadily walk into the sitting room. My emotions churning like

couch, leaning forward with his cell in his hands. His powerful body tense and stiff and he’s looking at the floor lost in thought.

Jake stressed. I

standing in the space by the door pulling on her shoes

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