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

I walk up the hall toward my desk glancing at the clock. I’ve been gone almost two hours, but something tells me Wilma won’t mind. I’ve worked like crazy since coming here and she seems to trust my skills. I’ve returned a lot calmer and happier. I’ll happily put in the hours at the end of the day to make sure she knows I’m not abusing my second chance at being here. She’ll be happy with that. Plus, now I have some sort of plan about what I’m going to do, I feel better. I’ve always liked plans and control, knowing where I’m going and what I’m doing. Despite it not being exactly what I want in life, it’s a step forward with a new focus. Determined to move on I have a notebook full of jobs to look at later tonight, resolving to apply for at least one of them.

I beam at her as I pass her glass walled office and she grins back, phone to her ear and animated hand gestures. I’ll miss her, even though my time in her department has been brief. I’m comfortable working with her, there’s something about her that makes me like her; she instantly puts you at ease with a feeling that you can trust her.

The files on my desk are full of guest list suggestions from this morning. She wants me to research some new additions, some big names, and big money to satisfy the media attention. People who sum up what the Carrero name stands for, elegance, opulence, and grandeur.

My cell rings as I’m reading through the list, picking up the receiver I put it to my ear, lost in the words before my eyes.

“Emma Anderson, speaking,” I answer distractedly, holding it between my chin and shoulder as I flick over a page.

“You’re going nowhere, Emma.” Jake’s harsh voice halts me, my breath catches in my lungs. My stomach receives a sudden punch reaction to his deep familiar tone. He sounds pissed, his voice is deep and growling, terrifyingly close to my ear. I pull my cell away, scowling, as though it’s offended me in some way before returning it, angrily.

“I’ll go where I damn well please … It has nothing to do with you!” I spit, his domineering behavior has never been a hit with me, nor do I fancy his chances now. His reaction bringing out the fight in me impulsively.

“It’s got everything to do with me … You’re still under contract. I’ll make it impossible for you to leave until your contract ends … To the fucking second it ends.” He’s yelling at me now. Like a psycho bull in rage mode. Ughhhhh.

What the actual hell? Why is he being like this? How is me leaving anything to do with him? Absolutely fucking nothing!

My rage seers dramatically, triggered by his.

“Why do you care?! You don’t want me around, but you don’t want me to leave either? That makes no sense … You can’t dictate my life to me anymore, Jacob!” I snap, taking the wind out of his sails slightly.

moment I realize it, his voice changes back again, “Don’t call me fucking Jacob!” His temper matches mine. Fire meeting fire. If there was ever hope in my mind of an emotional reunion with Jake, this

pig-headed, domineering, stubborn, asshole!

you with. Suits you when you’re being an idiot. I’ll leave New York if I want to. Hell, if I want to leave the goddamn country then you don’t have a say. Back off, Carrero. I’m not your PA anymore.” I let it all out in a gust of emotion, anger, and bravado. Steeling the internal tremors of having him finally contacting me, finally talking to me,

so hard and come so far in this company, don’t throw it all away to spite me.” His anger is wavering, he sounds more like he’s pleading yet

to Margo and Margo, of course, has told Jake. I groan, inwardly, there’s only one way to deal with commanding Carrero when he’s like this.

on him. I turn my cell off, my hands shaking violently. I know what he’s like, he’ll call back and I won’t have the

steadying myself against my chair and smooth a hair from my face in a bid to regain control. Taking a moment to still the absolute chaos of a train wreck inside me, looking around seeing no one has raised eyes toward me. No one heard anything. I’m visibly shaking

… No scene …

laptops and papers, there’s a man

desk phone rings, and I automatically

again.” Jake snaps down the line, my body sagging into my chair in deflation. I clutch my temple, a headache coming on at his grumpy asshole mood. I know this side of him only too well and I’ve no energy for it. All I’ve done is make him

is all I need. Well done, Emma,

tearful. I’m exhausted, he exhausts me, this whole thing is exhausting. Last thing I need is this, him on the line giving me

what?” He sounds genuinely confused and I roll

It’s better for both of us that way. Please stop calling me, I have work to do … Goodbye.” I don’t give him a chance to talk but hang up again. I've barely cradled it before it starts ringing again, a light on my phone indicates it’s an inside

Jake … Stop doing this.

their interruption at work, but they quickly look back down when met with my angry glare. I’m glad in such a brief time they’ve learned not to mess with me; at least I still have that part of PA Emma somewhere inside of me. I walk to the water cooler and get a cup of water

keep ignoring calls. What if they’re from clients? Actual work?