A week later I found myself sitting in the office, working on the projects and trying to avoid the unpleasant feeling in the pit of my stomach whenever Mr. Rhodes didn't bother giving me a second glance.

Oh what was I even hanging on to?

As I stepped out of the elevator, I made my way towards my cabin. Lunch break was over and whether we liked it or not, it was time to get back to work.

"Earth to, Belle," Alex snapped his fingers in front of me and I came out of my trance.

"Oh yeah sorry," I lightly shook my head and cleared my thoughts.

Wait when did Alex get here?

Alex shook his head with a knowing look on his face as he walked beside me towards my office.

"You're not coming with me to my cabin, are you?" I cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Why, yes I am," he sweetly smiled at me while sipping on whatever was in his cup and I tried not to groan.

As we entered the cabin, I made my way to my chair and Alex sat on the one opposite to me and pulled out his phone.

Recently, most of the times when Alex was in the office, he spent most of his time either in Mr. Rhodes' office or mine.

"Don't you have work to do?" I groaned as he started laughing at whatever he was seeing on his phone.

"I am the CEO, baby, I don't work. Plus I'm bored" he winked at me and continued doing what he was best at while I tried concentrating on my work that I was supposed to show Mr. Rhodes in less than an hour.

This continued for a while and Alex tried to distract me from work while I ignored him and gave him a subtle reply like 'hm' or 'yes' whenever he asked me something.

"Hey have to heard about this event being held the day after tomorrow by Kevin Grace himself?"

"No?" I replied, still typing on my laptop.

"One of us has to attend it because our company is making a huge amount of donation. And as Ace despises Kevin, I would have to go. Not that I mind anyway," Alex ranted and I paid no heed to whatsoever he was talking out.

He looked at his phone and cursed at something and I still did no effort to lift my head up and talk to him. He fell silence for a short while.

"Oh yes problem solved, you're my date for the night Jellybelly," he proudly exclaimed and I still didn't bothe-

Wait what?

Now that was something interesting.

"What—

"No she isn't," as I was about to ask him what was he talking about, Mr. Rhodes entered my cabin from the joint door and I choked on my saliva.

"Miss Reinhart I believe you were asked to show me the statistics of our new project yet you're busy chit chatting with Mr. Kingston here. I am sure I made myself very clear when I said that I didn't want any personal affairs in this office," he spoke, his voice cold and distant as anger surged through my veins.

"Woah cool down Ace, Isabelle and I are just friends and she is working on whatever crap you gave her," Alex pointed at my laptop and I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

"Well than she is supposed to work harder than that and try to concentrate on work rather than chit chatting with you," Mr. Rhodes stated clear and cut and I blinked away the tears of frustaton.

I worked my ass of for this guy and yet this was all I got.

"The file is ready Mr. Rhodes, I'll be in your office in five," I stated, my voice was cold and devoid of any emotion.

Without saying another word, Mr. Rhodes left the cabin and I relaxed back on the chair rubbing my temples.

"I'm so sorry Belle, he snapped because I was here," Alex said and took a sympathetic look at me.

"No Alex, it's not you. He just hates me for no reason. I'm still trying to get used to his behaviour," I sadly smiled at him and that was when I saw something flicker in Alex's eyes.

"You're not going to his office Belle, just e-mail him whatever crap he was talking about and go home. You've done enough for the day," Alex said and stood up from the chair.

"What the hell Alex I still have—"

"As being the CEO, I too, have the right to order you. So go home and let me handle this asshat," he said and left my office, leaving me all confused and sort of relieved.

After getting myself insulted by Mr. Rhodes, I didn't expect my mouth to remain shut and not say anything to him.

I mean I knew I was under his orders but nobody said that I would have to put my self respect aside.

***************

"What the hell, man?" Alex barged into my office with a pissed look on his face.

I already knew what was coming.

"What now?" I said and lifted my head from the laptop.

"What was that about? Are you out of your mind?" he came and stood right in front of my desk.

"What? I was just spitting facts. She's a employee and she needs to act like one," I shrugged and pulled off a face no one saw through.

"Dude she works her ass off all day and hell sometimes after her shift for you and this is how she gets repaid?"

"Stop acting immature Alexander, I didn't say anything wrong."

"Yeah except you accused her of having an affair with me," Alex rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Well was I wrong? Every time I see you two are together. I told you Alex, she's not the one for you to fuck and leave afterwards," I stood up from my chair and folded my arms across my chest.

"Damn it Ace. She's my friend and I know her worth. I don't know what is your deal but it's time you stop treating her like trash before I fire her and get her a job somewhere else where she gets what she deserves," he slammed his hand on the desk, gave me one last murderous look and left.

I sat back on the chair and rubbed my temples. Alex was right. I knew he was the second I came back into my office but my ego was way too big to admit that.

Isabelle was a perfect secretary and the fault wasn't in her, it was in me and yet all I did was take my anger out on her.

I felt guilty each time I acted harsh around her and although she was good at hiding it, I saw it hurt her yet it was the only way I thought I'd get myself to stay away from her.

**********