Episode 17

Ethan's POV

The rumor had been circulating for days in the office, but it was the official announcement that really shook the foundations of our company. A new CEO had been appointed, and her arrival promised significant changes in the business landscape.

Murmuring conversations and restless whispers from employees anxiously waiting in the conference room could be heard, and I inevitably felt restless, wondering who this person who would work side by side with my boss would be.

The door opened, and a tall, slender woman entered; she was beautiful and had an imposing presence that filled the room. I watched her approach Alexander with a warm smile, as if they were old acquaintances.

"What a pleasure to see you again, Alexander," she said directly to Stone, and I couldn't help but feel a bit jealous that she could call him by his first name so casually. I really wished it were me at that moment and that Alexander would look at me with the same closeness.

Soon Elisa introduced herself and began to speak passionately about the plans that she and Stone had for the company. I realized that Alexander had a clear vision of renewal and progress, and he had chosen Elisa as his ally in this ambitious project, and from the smile he showed her, he clearly trusted her and her abilities.

As I watched them interact, I couldn't help but feel a little excluded from their inner circle. I wondered if I would ever reach that level of trust, or if we would just continue to have a strictly professional CEO-secretary relationship.

After the presentation, Elisa turned to me with a friendly smile.

"Ethan, I've heard a lot about your dedication and skills. I'm looking forward to working with you. Even though you are Alexander's assistant, I know you have dedicated a lot to the company. It seems you saved Alex when he was in a bind for not having an assistant," she said amicably, making my cheeks flush slightly at her praise. I was surprised by the closeness she spoke with; she was certainly a charismatic woman.

Seeing her interact not only with Alexander, but with the rest of the team, reminded me of the conversation I had with Jacob when I was just starting to work, about the type of person Stone liked - beta women, and Elisa was one. Not only that, but she was a successful woman and apparently had a nice personality. I wasn't going to deny it, I was jealous, and I felt bad for feeling jealous because Elisa hadn't done anything wrong and it was just me getting worked up in my head.

As we said goodbye, I still felt that mixture of conflicting emotions. On the one hand, I was jealous and insecure, but on the other, I was excited about the opportunities that this new change could bring. I just hoped to stop overthinking and not feel intimidated by the closeness between Alexander and Elisa. So, with a resigned sigh, I prepared to face whatever the many changes happening in my life would throw at me.