Wednesdays with the CEO (English) COMPLETED

Chapter 1 - Bad Impression

    Five minutes before her workweek officially ends, Wednesday can't help but throw her hands up high for a stretch. A sigh of relief quickly escaped her mouth knowing that this hectic day was finally coming to an end. She hadn’t felt this good in a long while. 

    Finally. She mumbles to herself while happily putting her belongings inside the bag. 

    Her thoughts were filled with food she wanted to eat once she got home. In the middle of daydreaming, her attention was caught by the beautiful sunset that can be viewed from the office glass window.

    The weary lady was left in awe. It's been a month since she last saw the sun shining that bright. Her team was obliged to work early and render overtime due to a project deadline. Yesterday, she can barely remember if she went home or not. 

    "Wanna go out for a Friday night drink?" Ella pops out of nowhere, blocking her peaceful sunset view. "Let's celebrate. We made it on time." 

    Her childish grin irks her. The nerve of this sly fox to celebrate when she barely did any work? If Wednesday could spit fire right now, she probably would.

    She sighed and faked a smile like she always does. This tranquil state of hers can't be ruined that easily. Especially now that weekend is around the corner and she can catch up with all the sleep she’d lost.

    "Sorry, I have plans." She politely declined and shook her head gently in an effort to look shy. An odd image that kept her away from any office drama for two years.

    "Eh, again? Are you seeing someone these days?" Ella pointed out loudly. As if wanting the whole building to hear her voice.

    "Really? You’re dating again?" 

    Before she could answer, questions like this started to fill the air. All of a sudden, their attention was all fixed on her. Everyone circled around her small office cubicle. They're probably thrilled to hear something new about this mysterious colleague of theirs. She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, there's no way she'll sit still and be their entertainment.  

    "What are you talking about, Ella?" She shrugs off the budding misunderstanding with a burst of awkward laughter and rises from her seat abruptly. "Hold your flamethrowers, ladies. I'm just going to get groceries." 

    "Gosh. Groceries can't wait 'til weekends? What are you, an old lady?" Wednesday's eyes almost twitched at Ella's sarcastic remark. Did she purposely set up this conversation to come at her?  

    "You're no fun."

    Her eyebrow raised at that insolent response. For the record, she's not particularly fond of Ella. But it almost felt like this woman seizes every opportunity she could get to push her into a corner. And for some reason, her distaste towards her was pretty obvious. She's not one to complain, though. After all, the feeling is quite mutual.

    They treat each other casually as they’re of the same age and entered the company at the same time. Everyone was well aware that she's a distant relative of a board member. Hence, no one dared to question the management when Ella got promoted barely three months into the company.

    It’s not that Wednesday needed another reason to hate her, but she loathes those who use connections to get ahead. But then again, she hates everyone here except - 

    "You're going to pick up groceries? Let's go together." The tension was quickly shattered as Denver smiled and walked towards Wednesday's desk. "You have to tell me the ingredients of your chicken curry. I've been craving for it."

    Her inner self jumped in celebration. It's like the heavens pulled out a save card to drag her out of that infuriating situation. She secretly glanced at Ella and gave her a taunting smile before turning back to Denver. 

    "Sure, but I doubt grocery shopping with me would be as fun as going to Ella's night out." She pouted childishly. There's no way she'll let go of the chance to get into that wench's nerve. 

    "It sucks to be an adult. Right, Denver?"

    Denver laughed softly and nodded in agreement. "Well, I don't think I'm in a mood for a drink either. Not after all that paperwork."

    Wednesday commemorates a silent triumph with a laugh. On the other hand, Ella's face turned grim. Winning a conversation with her seems to be a very rare occasion. On a typical day, she would let her have her way.

    Oh, how pleasant it was to see this bully drown in her own toilet water. Especially now that their office manager was innocently taking her side. 

    "Let's do it some other time then." One of them suggested and was quickly nodded into by others. Ella silently dismissed herself from the scene and returned to her desk, noticeably sullen. 

    "Let's go? I'll wait for you in the lobby." Denver said in which she replied with a nod. 

    She was about to pick her bag up when she felt her phone vibrate. Amidst reading the message on the screen, a moderately loud chuckle made the whole office turn their attention back at her. Due to embarrassment, Wednesday covered her mouth - in case another laughter unintentionally emerged from her mouth again. 

    She briefly stopped in front of Ella’s desk on her way to the door. When they locked eyes, she gave her a bright smile. “No, we’re not back together. Don’t worry.”

    Wednesday hops away cheerfully. She did not bother to look back at the defeated woman’s face. She flipped her hair back and boarded the elevator. The immense confidence that she’s feeling right now is indescribable. 

    Her hands can’t help but reach out to her phone again with a grin. She can imagine Ella’s disgust while typing the text message which reads, “Are you and Denver back together?”

    “How childish.” She mumbled to herself in satisfaction. 

    The elevator door opened and she quickly spotted Denver waiting at the lobby near the reception area. At times like these, she can’t help but remember the days when they were still dating. To think that it was just a year ago. It’s no mystery why Ella suspected them and acted all jealous. After all that break-up drama, it's almost a miracle that they remain in good terms. 

    “Do you want to drive there or should we walk like we always do?” Denver asked while they walked out of the building. 

    Wednesday smiled. “The weather’s nice. Walking seems like a good idea.”

    The nearest supermarket is just a couple of blocks away. Driving there would be a waste of time considering the urban traffic. Besides, both of them were accustomed to walking along these busy streets anyway 

    "It's been ages since we last walked together." He said in the middle of crossing the pedestrian lane. 

    Wednesday nodded. "Well, we've been too busy. That project really took a toll on us." She responded, clutching her bag to ease the weird tension building up between them.  

    After that, there was a stillness in the air. The silence between them became longer. She realized that the only thing they can talk about, excluding their past relationship, was work.  

    "So, how are things going with Ella?" She tried to sound as casual as possible, but she’s already regretting that question as soon as she said it.

    "Ella?" His forehead wrinkles at her sudden question. 

    Their conversation briefly paused as they stopped at the entrance of the mart to get their belongings checked by the security. 

    "What about Ella?" Denver continued after they entered.

    Wednesday forced a chuckle while pushing the shopping cart and walking ahead of him. She's silently tormenting herself for bringing that Ella up out of the blue. 

     "Well, she looks cute. And I think she got her eyes on you?" 

    He didn't respond right away, so she started fidgeting. She probably went over the line. Did she sound too nosy considering that they’ve already broken up? 

    She turned to look, only to find him immersed in choosing varieties of fresh milk. "Denver?"

    "Oh," He looks up at her while innocently holding two boxes of milk. "There's nothing going on between us. I don't think she's that interested in me."

    She scoffed at his reply. But knowing how dense Denver was towards his surroundings, she knew it's possible that he hadn't noticed Ella's excessive admiration for him. 

    "You're still the same, Denver," Wednesday said and chuckled while picking up a bottle of orange juice from the shelf. “Poor Ella, though.”

    "Are you.." He paused, making her look at his direction. When their eyes locked, the man had a funny look on his face that she couldn’t even describe. "..by any chance, jealous?"

    If this was a year ago, Wednesday would've felt flustered by that question. Back then, she was always on the lookout for girls making moves on Denver. She can't blame them entirely though. Who wouldn't be attracted to his manly demeanor? With his broad shoulders and ridiculously innocent face, being jealous would be an understatement if they're still together.

    But contrary to how their break-up was a year ago, all she felt was relief that they're finally talking about things like these comfortably. She walked towards him and flicked her finger on his forehead. He was caught off guard that he wasn't able to evade her playful attack. 

    "Stop with your prince charming syndrome, Denny." She said and laughed softly while putting the juice bottle down the shopping cart. “If you keep being like that, girls will turn their backs on you.”

    “I don’t mind. I still have you though.” 

    Wednesday froze as soon as she heard those words. She and Denver have known each other for half of their lives, she could tell if he's kidding or not just by the tone of his voice or the look on his face. He's not. 

    "W-What?" She stuttered, barely managing to maintain eye contact. 

    He stopped in front of her and met her gaze. Denver was about to mouth words but he was upstaged by the loud ringing from her bag. 

    "G-Give me a sec." 

    She quickly pulled out her phone and faced the opposite direction. A perfect excuse to hide her extremely flushed face. 

    “Hello. Good evening. May I speak with Ms. Wednesday Curtis?” A deep voice from the other end of the line asked.

    “Yes, speaking. May I know who’s on the line?” She was able to respond in the middle of her manic.

    “This is from Sign Me Up! Publishing Incorporated.” 

    With that simple introduction, everything that has happened today paled in comparison. The sunset, Ella’s bitchy attitude, and even Denver’s unexpected response - were all outshined by a single phone call. Wednesday continued to listen, but her thoughts were already flying up the clouds. 

    The heavens finally sided with me today! She screamed in her mind. 

    “Ms. Curtis? Are you still there?” The caller asked when she did not respond to a certain question.

    “A-Ah, yes.” 

    “Please be at the SMU office by 11 am tomorrow, the Chairman would like to have a chat with you over lunch before we proceed with the contract signing. We emailed and texted you the exact address.”

    “Yes, thank you. I'll see you, then."

    She remained dazed for a while before she could finally put down the call. Her phone vibrated once more and a message came flashing on the screen. It's real!

    "Wendy?" Denver, who stepped in front of her out of concern, gently tapped her shoulder.

    She came back to her senses and her eyes widened when it finally sank into her. Her gaze went up from her phone's screen to the man standing opposite her. 

    "H-hey. You alright?" He asked, still confused at her gestures. 

    "Denver, I.." She could feel her body shaking out of extreme excitement. "I'm resigning from your team."

    The last sentence she spouted almost sounded like a scream. Her voice went uncontrollably high and her eyes were glistening in glee. Some of the shoppers around couldn't help but give them a weird look. 

    "What?" Denver expressed his surprise in a loud tone too. "I mean, why?"

She squeezed his hand resting on her shoulder and grinned. "What I'm saying is, I don't have to put up with your office fan club always gawking after me. I'm free!"

    The confusion remained apparent in his face. Her response did not give him any hint at all on what's going on. 

    "I have a fan club? What do you mean? What's happening?"

    Wednesday waved her index finger in the air and shook her head with a mischievous smile. "I'll tell you soon. For now, I gotta go. I'll text you my chicken curry recipe. Have fun."

    Without any word next, she fled towards the exit. Denver was left there clueless while watching her from the back, hopping away happily. 

    "If you're still like that, how can I not feel the same way?" He whispered and chuckled softly in amusement of her actions. 

    The following day was a drag. She woke up late because she spent hours excitedly boasting to her best friend about the contract signing. The alarm clock she had set beforehand didn’t go off and it’s already nine o’clock. She’s doomed.

    As soon as she saw that, Wednesday jumped out of her bed and hurriedly ran to the bathroom downstairs. She didn’t have enough time to fix an outfit, so she wore the most decent dress she could find in her damp closet. 

    “It’s Saturday. Where do you think you’re going, young lady?” Her mother sternly asked. With arms crossed, she blocked her way to the door. 

    She sighed while scratching her head. “I’ll be back before the day turns into night. Don’t worry.”

    “That’s not my question.” 

    “Better answer your mother if you want to go.” A complacent voice coming from the living room commented. Her father, seated in a couch with a cup of coffee in one hand and newspaper on the other, looks at them nonchalantly. 

    “Let the single lady go. It might be a date, boomers.” Avery, her older sister, winked at her with a thumbs up. “Is it Denver? Are you back together?”

    Wednesday can’t help but take a deep breath. This is exactly why she needs to wake up early every day, especially on weekends. This house will be in full-blown chaos once her little brothers wake up. If she doesn’t go now, who knows how she can escape those little devils?

    “I’m going to sign a contract with SMU. I need to go. I’m running late.” She gave in and answered.

    “Contract? Aren’t you employed?” Her mother seemed intrigued by her revelation.

    “For my book.” She took advantage of her mother’s drop of defenses and walked past through her towards the door. 

    “What? That crude gay story of yours got signed?” Avery loudly exclaimed as she stood up from the sofa because of shock. "Are you sure it's not a scam?"

    “Gay story? What nonsense were you writing, Wednesday?” Her father added to the commotion.

    “It’s a coming out of the closet kind of story, Avery. It’s not crude.” She angrily corrected and turned her back to leave. They’ve had this discussion multiple times. And if she tried to explain this again, she'll never hear the end of their objections.

    “I’ll go now.”

    She managed to catch a cab a few walks away from their neighborhood. It’s a blessing that it’s Saturday and the traffic’s not that bad. There’s a high probability that she’ll get there with thirty minutes to spare.

    Wednesday clutched her hand in her chest. She sighed while looking out the window with a sad look in her face. Today marks a new chapter of her life but all she could think about was her family’s underwhelming response. No congratulatory gestures, just harsh words questioning her decision. It’s not like she didn’t expect that reaction, maybe her wishful thinking got the best of her. 

    “Ms. Wednesday Curtis?” A man adorned in a black suit approached her in the waiting area.

    “Ah, yes.” She stood up and extended her hand for a handshake. “And you are?”

    “Alexiel Sy, the one who called. Nice to finally meet you.” He smiled before leaning a bit to shake her hand. Her jaw almost dropped when she realized that the man was unbelievably tall, probably the tallest of all the people she encountered. 

    “I-It’s nice to meet you too, Alexiel. Wow, you’re huge.” Wednesday was obviously taken aback. She can’t help but loudly exclaim her thoughts. “I mean, tall.” 

    Unlike his intimidating appearance, Alexiel softly chuckled. Even the way he covers his mouth while laughing seems disoriented from his gutsy look. 

    “I’m sorry. That was a bit rude for a first meeting, isn’t it?” She managed to give off an awkward smile amid her urge to curl up out of embarrassment.

    “No worries, I do hear that a lot.” He quickly responded to put her at ease. “Shall we go?” 

    Alexiel escorted her towards the elevator. A lot of employees go in and out of the building, it was an unusual sight for her since she works for a small company. And even with her credentials, she can only dream about being part of SMU Publishing. 

    “You seem like a cheerful person, Ms. Curtis.” He pointed out while they’re inside the elevator. “But here’s a tip. Unlike me, the Chairman is not a warm person. I thought I should warn you beforehand. He dislikes unnecessary chit-chats.”

    “The Charman, you mean Mr. Lowell Sebstian?” Wednesday asked, secretly relieved that she can use her late-night research resources. “I’ll keep that in mind. I heard he personally handpicks and approves manuscripts. And he’s very strict about that process.”

    “Yes, what you heard was right. And part of that process was getting to know the writer. I sincerely hope you do well at the lunch meeting.” Alexiel explained. She quickly noticed the change in his tone.  

    “About that, are we going to have lunch in his office?” 

    The answer to her question lies to the sight she witnessed as the elevator door opened. An astonishing, luxurious, and fully furnished penthouse! The kind of place you’ll only see on television.

    “This is Mr. Lowell Sebastian’s residence,” Alexiel announced before she could even mouth anything out of surprise. “Before we start on anything, you’ll have to sign a confidentiality agreement for not disclosing this information.”

    “O-Okay, I get that. But I’m going to eat lunch with him at his residence?” 

    “Yes.” He answered swiftly as they walked towards the spacious living room.

    “You’re going to join us, right?”  

    “No.” Alexiel gestured his palm to lead her to the couch. She obediently sat and looked up at him with cow eyes. “As much as I’d like to, he dislikes meeting two people at once.”

    "Well, he sure dislikes a lot of things." She quickly covered her mouth as she did not intend to express that thought loudly. 

    "He sure does. In fact, for me, he's the pickiest person in the entire country." For a moment, he looked irritated just thinking about it. And then he paused and smiled innocently again. "Or maybe in the entire universe?"

    “Um. Are you allowed to badmouth him like that?” 

    “What do you mean, Ms. Curtis?” Alexiel gave her a condescending sneer that almost sent chills up to her spine. It occurred to her that this man is not as kind as he appeared to be.

    “I see. Then, are we going to be left alone?” Wednesday’s expression spelled discomfort because of what she just heard. 

    A confidentiality agreement and lunch alone with a man she never met personally before. An employee that’s visibly bashful towards his boss. What kind of man is she having lunch with? Everything seems a little off for her.

    Her mind was suddenly filled with Avery's imagery mouthing the words 'Are you sure it's not a scam?'. She gulped at that thought.

    "You don't need to worry, the Chairman means no harm. He just - "

    His words were cut by the sudden slamming of the door, which made both of them turn to the direction of the noise. 

    "What kind of awful garbage is this, Alex?" The loud announcement echoed back and forth inside the wide penthouse. 

    There stands the man of the hour, Lowell Sebastian. Wednesday quickly recognized him from the articles she read online. Dressed in a slightly loose bathrobe, bare chest exposed and with hair still slightly dampened by water. She finds it amazing that he looked almost the same as the pictures she'd seen. 

    "Even in that manner, please believe me when I say he means no harm,” Alexiel whispered and smiled at her before turning to look at the furious SMU Chairman.  

    “Mr. Chairman, it’ll be harder for me to defend your image if you keep presenting yourself like that.”Alexiel politely exclaimed with a hint of sarcasm. 

    He eyes his boss from head to toe. "Please get yourself dressed."

    Lowell’s eyebrow raised as he shifted his gaze from his assistant to the dumbfounded woman sitting at the couch. “Cut the crap, Alex. Who’s that?”

    “The writer you invited for lunch, sir. I believe I called you yesterday to remind you about this appointment.” The tall assistant confidently answered while adjusting his eyeglasses upwards. 

    “This is Ms. Wednesday Curtis.” Wednesday was about to rise from her seat for Alexiel’s introduction when Lowell suddenly snickered.

    “Ah,” He raised the pile of paper in his hand before throwing it all down the floor. “You mean the one who wrote this garbage?”