Stop! Mr. CEO

9| Mixing business with pleasure?

Alexander was sitting at a round restaurant table. Another man was sitting across from him, his back was to Elizabeth.

Following Alexander’s gaze, the man slowly turned back to see Elizabeth standing before them.

"Sorry sir." She quickly said as she bowed her head.

Before he could reply, she turned on her heels and started walking towards the exit. She was too embarrassed to go ahead with eating in that restaurant.

"Where are you going to?" Alexander asked, causing her to stop in her tracks.

She turned back to look at him. "I think I entered the wrong place." She lied.

"You should say hello to Mr. Andrew McCarthy at least." His gaze darted to the man sitting across from him. "Mr. McCarthy, meet my secretary, Ms. Elizabeth Felix."

"Hello," Andrew said shyly.

Inching closer to them, Elizabeth muttered. "Hi."

"He has a proposal for us; maybe you should also sit down and listen. Then tell me what you think." Alexander said.

Confusion spread across her face. "Wait? Me?"

She had never expected him to ask for her suggestions on something after calling her dense earlier.

"Yes, you." Alexander confirmed. He gestured at the chair that was beside him. "Please sit down."

Slowly, she inched closer to the chair and carefully sat on it.

She was far from being comfortable. How could she be comfortable? She was seated next to Alexander, and her heart was beating fast against her rib cage.

Alexander picked up a donut from his plate. "Mr. McCarthy, you have until I finish eating this donut to tell me why we should consider using your recipe and working with you."

"I think it is going to sell, considering—"

"—You think?" Alexander cut him off, raising his brow. He shook his head. "No, we can’t work with that."

"I mean, it is going to sell well, sir." He muttered; his nervousness was palpable in the way he spoke.

Alexander nodded his head, urging him to go on. He was already halfway through eating the donut.

"To be very honest, I don’t know how to convince you with words, sir. But please give me an opportunity to convince you with the taste."

"I am a very busy man, and I have already given you the opportunity to explain it to me. I can’t waste my time any longer." Alexander said sternly. He shoved the last bit of the donut into his mouth. "Time up. I should get going now."

Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak, but she was too afraid to speak, and her words died on her lips.

But as Alexander leapt to his feet, she summoned the courage to speak.

"Sir, I think we should give him a chance." She spoke quickly.

She bit her bottom lips, perturbed that he was going to flare up and bark at her. But surprisingly, he eased back into his seat and asked. "Why do you think so?"

"I believe he has so much to say. He just has problems articulating his words. Actually, words might not mean anything until we feel the taste."

Alexander placed his finger on his chin, thoughtfully. "You have a point." He said.

"I promise I won’t disappoint you. Please give me a chance." Andrew added quickly. He knew that was his only chance, and he had to join in convincing Alexander.

Alexander turned to look at Elizabeth. "Fix a date and time within this month for it, and communicate it to him."

That was it. Elizabeth was able to convince Alexander to give Andrew a chance to prove himself. Thinking about it made her face light up with impish glee.

"I am extremely grateful for this golden opportunity." Andrew beamed.

"Bye for now, Mr. McCarthy." Alexander said as he stretched his hand for a handshake.

Andrew extended his hand nervously and accepted the handshake. "Bye."

Leaping to his feet, Alexander trudged towards the exit, with Elizabeth trailing behind him.

"You don’t have to follow me; I know you came here for lunch, so go ahead." He said this without bothering to look back.

"Ok, sir." Elizabeth said, as she halted

She stood there and watched him walk out of the restaurant. When he was finally out of sight, she turned on her heels and walked back to the table, where Andrew was still seated. He was still visibly tense.

"Just relax." She said, as she slouched on the seat across from him. "You would be okay."

A ghost of a smile touched his lips. "Thank you. If not for you, it would’ve been a different story."

She smiled. "You are welcome. I hope you won’t disappoint though."

"I promise not to. You could come to my restaurant and have a taste before the fixed date." Andrew offered.

"I really wish I could, but..."

Andrew cut her off.

"Please don’t say no. Please." He begged.

She blew out a sharp breath and acceded to his request. "Okay, fine."

His lips stretched into a smile. "You know where my restaurant is, right?"

"Honestly, I don’t." She said. "I am new here, so I didn’t even know the details of your appointment with him."

"Okay. Can you please give me your contact number? so that I could forward the address to you. If you don’t mind, can you come tonight? Andrew said.

"Sure, let me—" She trailed off and swung her head to the side when she felt a presence beside her.

Alexander was standing there, a frown creasing his forehead, as he glared at them.

"Mixing business with pleasure?" He asked, his face masked with a look of disgust.