A night with Mr CEO

"Ella, you're doing it tonight, or you'll hate yourself forever! trust me"

Ava shouted over the loud music, her voice barely rising above the heavy bass shaking the floor.

Ella sat at the high table, her slender fingers wrapped tightly around a cocktail glass. Her nails were painted a soft pink, chipped at the edges. She stared down at the ice cubes floating in her drink, her hazel eyes wide and unsure. Her cheeks were already a little flushed, the dim neon lights painting them with flickers of red and blue.

"I don't know, Ava," she murmured, the words catching in her throat. "What if he laughs?"

Ava rolled her eyes dramatically and leaned back in her seat, flipping her golden curls over her shoulder like a movie star. She looked confident, in her sparkly silver top and red lipstick that glistened under the bar's lighting.

"He won't. Just do it. Go tell Nate how you feel."

The bar was alive with noise and laughter, glass clinks, people dancing with wild energy.

Ella felt swallowed by it all. Her chestnut-brown hair clung to the back of her neck, damp with sweat, and her black dress stuck to her legs every time she shifted.

She leaned closer to Ava, whispering, "But what if I throw up or say something dumb?"

Ava gave her a look. "You'll be fine. You just need one more drink."

"Ava..."

"Come on! You've had a crush on Nate since college. Either do it tonight or let him go."

Ella let out a shaky sigh and took a big gulp of her drink. The sharp tang of alcohol burned its way down, making her cough a little.

"Okay. Okay, I'll do it," she said, standing up slowly, her heels wobbling beneath her.

"Go, girl! Goo..." Ava cheered, giving her a playful push on the back.

Ella scanned the bar. Her heart thudded hard in her chest as she spotted him...tall, dark hair, broad shoulders, standing with his back to her near the counter. Nate. It had to be him.

She pushed through the crowd, weaving between sweaty dancers and laughing couples. Every step made her more nervous. Her palms were slippery with sweat, and her heart felt like it was crawling up her throat.

She stopped right behind him and tapped his arm, her hand shaking. He turned slowly.

"I've been too scared to say this," Ella blurted out, her voice high-pitched with panic. "I love you, okay? I've always loved you, I can't think of spending the rest of my life without you"

And then,without thinking she leaned in and kissed him, while spanking his buttocks softly.

It was fast and Messy. Her lips touched his, but not like in her daydreams. Not soft or romantic. Just clumsy and full of nerves.

He froze under her touch.

Ella opened her eyes.

His scent hit her first...not the woodsy pine she remembered from Nate, but something totally different,rich and sharp. Clean and expensive.

Then she looked up.

And everything inside her dropped.

He wasn't Nate.

His eyes were a cool gray-blue, piercing like cold steel. His jawline was sharp and defined, his black hair neatly styled. His face was unreadable, except for the tiny smirk pulling at the corner of his lips.

Ella's stomach twisted.

"Oh my God,!" she whispered. "You're not..."

"No," the man said, his voice smooth, deep, and disturbingly calm. "I'm not."

She gasped, stepping back like she'd touched fire.

"I...I thought you were someone else. I'm so sorry ,really, I didn't mean..."

He didn't look angry. Not even annoyed. Just... amused.

"That was... unexpected," he said, his tone unreadable.

Ella wanted to scream. She turned and practically ran back into the crowd, her face burning.

Ava was laughing so hard she was wiping tears from her eyes when Ella reached her.

"You did it! Wait...what happened?"

"It wasn't Nate," Ella whispered, grabbing her friend's arm.

"What?"

"I kissed the wrong guy."

Ava gasped, then burst out laughing again. "You what?!"

Ella groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Kill me now."

***

The next morning, a loud knock sounded on her bedroom door.

"Ella! Wake up!" her mom's voice called out. "You're going to miss your interview!"

Ella groaned, rolling over in bed and squinting at the morning light seeping through the curtains. Her head throbbed. "What time is it?"

"Almost nine!" her mom shouted again.

Ella sat up straight, panic flaring in her chest.

"Nine?! Oh no!"

She jumped out of bed and stumbled to her mirror. Her hair was a mess, half up, half falling down in loose, wild waves. Her eyes were puffy. Mascara was smudged under one of them like a black bruise.

"Great," she muttered. "I look like a zombie."

Her bedroom was small, barely enough for a bed and a desk. Clothes were thrown across the chair, and her alarm clock was blinking. She hadn't even set it.

Her mom pushed the door open, arms crossed. "Did you go out drinking again?"

"No," Ella lied. "I mean... yes. But it was Ava's idea."

Her mom gave her a look. "You have an interview at a big company today. Westwood something, right?"

"Westwood Enterprises," Ella replied as she pulled on her skirt, wrinkled from being stuffed in her drawer. "It's my dream job."

"Then don't mess it up."

"I won't! Mom"

She rushed to the bathroom, splashed water on her face, brushed her teeth in thirty seconds, and scraped her chestnut hair into a tight bun.

"Okay, okay," she whispered to herself in the mirror. "You can do this!."

She grabbed her worn brown bag, slipped on her black heels, and ran out the door.

On the way, she stopped at a coffee shop near the office building. The line was long. She bounced on her feet, checking the time every few seconds. Finally, she got her cup and turned...

..

and walked straight into someone.

Hot coffee splashed across the front of a white shirt.

"Oh my God!" Ella cried. "I'm so sorry!"

The man stepped back quickly, dabbing his shirt with a napkin. His face was sharp, handsome. His watch looked expensive. His whole vibe screamed money and power.

He looked at her with cold, narrowed eyes. "Watch where you're going," he said, his voice clipped.

Ella bowed her head. "I'm really sorry. I wasn't looking..."

But he was already walking away.

Her heart sank.

"Great start to the day, huh" she muttered.

When she arrived at Westwood Enterprises, she was five minutes late. The building was tall and intimidating. All glass, reflecting the city skyline like a mirror.

Inside, the lobby was massive. Marble floors. Tall ceilings. People in suits walked quickly, eyes glued to their phones.

She walked up to the receptionist, panting. "Ella Carter."

The woman smiled. "Right this way. The CEO is ready to see you."

Ella blinked. "CEO? I thought... isn't there a hiring manager?"

"No. Mr. Westwood will be conducting the interview himself."

Her stomach twisted. That wasn't normal. CEOs didn't interview random applicants.

She followed the woman down a long hallway. Her heels clicked with every step. The walls were lined with modern art and tall plants in silver pots.

Then the door opened.

And Ella froze.

Sitting behind a huge glass desk was the man from the bar.

The one she kissed.

The one who wasn't Nate.

His gray-blue eyes lifted to meet hers, calm and unreadable.

"Miss Carter," he said smoothly, leaning back in his leather chair. "We've met before... haven't we?"

Ella felt like the air was sucked out of the room.

Her heart pounded and the door closed behind her with a soft click.