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.

Take deep breaths in …

… In … Out. Calmer,

tidal wave subsides slowly, and the blackness fades out. My lungs

Out … In …

Like a chant.

I’m not a child anymore. Ray is

… Out …

safe and still. No one can hurt me anymore. I’m stronger now. I’m

In … Out …

fully, and I sniff back

In.

Out.

used to be. I’m better at it and it takes less time now

leave it this

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

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

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

I lean across impulsively, sliding it over and pull it onto my lap. Opening the screen with a tentative slide, I click on the email

has sent you

my heart retracts a little in pain. Remorse hitting me hard,

has gifted

Forgive Me” by

tears, only this time they’re not in anger 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

Well, maybe I am.

it quickly. Like ripping off

body tense and stiff and he’s looking at the floor lost in thought. It’s his thinking pose,

stressed. I

in the space by the door pulling on her shoes

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