Chapter 3 THE NEW CEO

NATALIA'S POV

The next morning, I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of my crisp white blouse. My black pencil skirt hugged my waist, and my heels added just enough height to make me feel in control. I needed every ounce of confidence for what lay ahead. Clutching my file-a polished resume and the official letter stamped with my father's seal, I took a deep breath.

Today was the day.

As I readied myself to step out of the house, I heard a familiar voice call out to me. It was the family chef, Mrs. Theresa. She walked up to me and crashed her weight upon me in a tight hug.

"I didn't hear you come in last night," She frowned.

"You taught me how to sneak out as a child, remember?" I chuckled.

We laughed as the memories of my childhood with a much younger Mrs. Theresa played in my mind. She had been much more than our chef. She was a part of the family as far as I was concerned.

"I heard about Robert," She muttered.

My face got clouded at the mention of his name and I sighed.

"I don't want to talk about him."

"I understand," She nodded. "I made mistakes when I was younger too. It's part of life."

"I guess so," I said with a shrug. "I'm a bit late for work now so - "

"Natalia," She cut in.

I stared at her, expectantly.

"You'll find love again. Don't let it slip past you because of one bad experience."

I chuckled inwardly but merely smiled at her. After my experience with Robert, I was definitely not going to trust any guy again.

"Thank you, Mrs. Theresa," I said and hugged her again, before making my way out.

The ride to the company was nerve-wracking. This wasn't just about reclaiming my life; it was about reclaiming my dignity. Robert and Ciara thought they had taken everything from me, but they had no idea what was coming.

When the cab pulled up to the towering glass building, I paid the driver and stepped out. The lobby of the building was simply breathtaking. The ceiling's gold details sparkled in the soft light, and marble walls provided an elegant backdrop for beautiful jewelry displays. A golden chandelier hanging from above filled the room with color, and fresh flowers made the air smell sweet. I was instantly captivated by the beauty on display and I wondered how such a magnificent company was my father's smallest.

I walked up to the reception desk, where a young woman with a headset was typing away on her keyboard.

"Good morning," I said, offering a polite smile.

The woman glanced up, her fingers still flying across the keys.

"Good morning. How can I help you?"

"I'd like to meet the acting CEO," I replied, sliding my file onto the desk.

The receptionist paused, her brows furrowing as she studied me.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Not exactly," I admitted, "but I have something she might like to see - "

"Can't see Ciara without an appointment," She muttered. "Sorry."

She went back to her typing and I heaved a sigh. If she wasn't going to help me, then I was going to find my way.

I spun around and saw a younger lady walking briskly towards an elevator. She seemed to be in a hurry and I figured she was an employee.

"Hello," I flashed her a smile. "I'm kind of new around here and I need directions."

"And where are you headed?" She asked.

"The CEO's office," I replied. "I have some important documents that she needs to review."

She didn't seem convinced by my words but she shrugged and urged me to follow her. Together, we made our way to the elevator and once we were out, she pointed in the direction of the office.

"Try to knock before entering," She advised. "She seems to be very busy in there these days."

I could sense the sarcasm in her words and I realized what she meant. Of course, Robert had been cheating on me for a long time in that very office.

I walked up to the door and knocked twice. When there was no response, I turned the handle and pushed the door open.

My ex husband, Robert was perched on the edge of the massive oak desk, his shirt unbuttoned, while Ciara straddled him, her hands tangled in his hair. Their laughter filled the room, oblivious to my presence.

For a moment, I froze, my mind struggling to process the scene before me. Then, I cleared my throat noisily to announce my presence.

The sound startled them. Ciara gasped, scrambling off Robert and nearly toppling over in the process. Robert turned to face me, his expression switching from surprise to rage in an instant.

"You," he spat, his voice dripping with venom.

"Hello, Robert," I said coolly, though my insides churned. "I see you've been keeping busy."

"What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded, storming toward me.

I stood my ground, meeting his glare head-on. "I'm here on business."

He grabbed my arm roughly and I winced in pain.

"You're stalking me, aren't you? You can't handle the fact that it's over, so now you're following me around like some pathetic-"

"Let go of me," I snapped.

But he wasn't listening. Instead, he began dragging me towards the door. "I'm done with you, Natalia. We're divorced. Move on with your life and stop trying to ruin mine."

"Robert, stop it!" I protested, struggling against his grip.

"Let her be," Ciara laughed. "I'll call the security right away."

"I think it would be more fun if I get rid of her myself," Robert responded.

He turned his attention back to me and dragged me out of the office. I was still struggling to free myself from his grip, when the sharp baritone of a man's voice cut through the air.

"Let her go."

We both turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man standing in the hallway. His ink black suit accentuated his strong build, and his piercing sea-green eyes rested on my face for a second.

Robert stiffened at the sight of the stranger and his grip on my arm loosened.

"Here to beg for scraps again, brother?" He chuckled.

Brother? But Robert had told me that he was the only child.

I stared at the stranger, my mind racing. He looked vaguely familiar, like we had met before but I couldn't quite put a finger on it.

The man stepped forward, his presence commanding. "I said, let her go."

Robert reluctantly let go of me, and turned his attention to the man.

"This has nothing to do with you," he snapped.

"It does if you're harassing a harmless lady in my presence," The man replied.

The tension between them was evident, and I couldn't help but notice the contrast between the two. Robert was fuming, his usual smugness replaced with irritation, while the man remained composed.

"She's all yours," Robert said finally. "Just get the fuck out of here, and remember to take her with you."

Wesley turned to me, his expression softening. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," I smiled. "Thank you for stepping in."

He nodded, his gaze lingering on me for a moment.

"I must apologize for my brother's behavior. He can be irrational at times."

"All the time actually," I muttered, earning a small chuckle from him.

"Hey. How about I help you find another job," he offered. "You shouldn't have to deal with this kind of treatment."

His kindness caught me off guard for a moment, but then I remembered why I was here.

"Actually," I said, straightening up. "I'm not here for a job interview."

Wesley raised an eyebrow. "You're not?"

"No," I smiled. "I've come to resume as the CEO of Diamond."