All Novel XO
My CEO 411
411 Making Sense (Jayden)
The morning light filters through the curtains of my hotel suite, glaring and unrelenting. My head throbs with the hangover from last night's scotch-fueled spiral. Everything is a blur, yet the anger and pain from the fight remains vivid, slicing into me.
I'm sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to gather the pieces of myself, when there's a knock at the door. It's firm and authoritative. Only one person knocks like that. "Come in," I mutter, my voice rough and strained.
The door opens, and Viktor steps inside. His gaze is steely, assessing me with that infuriating calm of his. He's dressed sharply, not a hair out of place, but there's a tension in his eyes. He looks at me as if he's deciding whether I'm capable of doing my job.
"Mr. Brennan," he says, voice cool and even. "You look unwell."
I let out a harsh, humorless laugh. "I feel worse than unwell," I admit, grabbing a glass of water from the bedside table. It does little to soothe my parched throat. "What is it, Viktor?"
He steps forward, his eyes drilling into me. "We have a full day at London Global. Meetings. Damage control. Can you get it together?"
The thought of facing anyone makes my stomach chum
"I need to go back over yesterday step by step." Clearly, he's not here to baby me.
"Fine," I say, setting the glass down. "I'll be ready in a minute."
He doesn't move. Instead, he studies me, his gaze sharp and probing. "We need to talk about the photos," he says, his voice lowering.
I bristle, the anger flaring back up. "There's nothing to talk about," I snap. "I saw what I saw."
His body is tense. Viktor doesn't get irritated often, but I can see it now. "How did that envelope get onto your desk, Jayden?" he asks, his tone hard. "Think. Someone breached security. Someone had access. Do you realize what that means?" The question punches through the fog in my head. I've been so consumed by betrayal that I never considered the logistics. Who delivered the envelope? When? How?
"Well, we know Judy is the main instigator." But Viktor is right. It means more than that.NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
"This type of breach at this level is unacceptable. I will find the person and deal with them."
"Do we have video footage?"
"I'm checking into that. The integrity of the investigation means confidentiality. I'm not sure what areas are still covered. But I will be finding out."
"She knew she'd never get past you, but she still won."
00000
411 Making Sense
"Only if you let her."
"She's done what she wanted to do. Get between Winona and I."
Viktor doesn't say anything. Just stands stoically. But what he isn't saying speaks volumes.
"What? No sage advice about how stupid I am?"
"I have no advice other than what I've already offered you. People only hear what they want to hear. I need to get this breach fixed." "Where do we start?"
"Judy was setting the stage, but someone put that envelope on your desk. Someone close enough to get past every layer of security we have." The gravity of it hits me. "Someone in the investigation team," I say slowly, the pieces starting to form a clearer picture. "Someone on the inside."
Viktor gives a sharp nod. "Exactly. And I need you to think back, remember any details about when that envelope appeared."
press my fingers to my temples, trying to focus through the pounding headache. It's a blur-endless meetings, reports, the constant whirlwind of Nexus. That yellow envelope is one of many... How can I know when did I first saw it? My memories are too tangled, but I have to try.
"I'm not sure. Those envelopes were constant yesterday."
"We need to try and pinpoint who went through your door when Judy was keeping me occupied. I'm not letting her get away with this."
"She already has." I stand and pull on some trousers. "I said some awful things to her. I was so angry when I saw Lance there. I just clicked over to madman."
"You did exactly what Judy wanted you to do."
"I did. But what choice did I have? My best friend and my wife, I mean... that's unforgivable."
"Has this been ongoing?"
"No. I mean, I don't think so. Before we got married Winona was drunk and she asked for a hall pass week."
"What is this? Hall pass week?"
"Ah.., basically, I agreed that she could see other men the week before our marriage. It's a long, complicated story. But Winona has only ever been with me and I've been with other women." "I see. So you made a deal?"
"Yes. That she'd get that week and I'd never hold it against her."
"But now? You are angry?"
"Yes, because she was with my best friend Lance and her ex-fiancé who I hate. I mean it cuts deep."
2/3
411 Making Sense
"So, a stranger would be better?"
"Maybe." I shrug.
"You made her feel safe about her choice and now you attack her."
"So much for not giving advice."
""Do you love her?"
"Of course."
"Then why make Judy happy? Unless you want to make things better with her?"
I hesitate. Do I?
No. There's nothing about my mother that I want to invite back into my life.
"I want my mother out of my life."
"Then think very carefully about what you do from here. I'm leaving for the office in ten minutes." He
strides back out the door.
"Okay then."
Am I playing into Judy's hands? Have I done exactly what she wanted? The rage I've clung to feels less justified, and that makes the ache in my chest worse.
I run a hand through my hair, frustration boiling over. "I hate this," I admit, my voice cracking. "I hate feeling like a goddamn pawn in her game."
Maybe it's not all about Winona and Lance. Maybe it's bigger, more calculated. And maybe, just maybe, my mother's influence has poisoned more than I realized.
It's time to take control of this. Even if Judy thinks Winona and I are apart, it doesn't mean we have to be.
Maybe we give Mother exactly what she wants and catch her in her own web.
I remember not long ago Viktor said that maybe one day I could afford Winona the same forgiveness she'd given me.
Now I understand. This is that time. But I have some work to do after what I said and did.
But this is my marriage.
For better or for worse.