Chapter 20

Ava's Pov

'I'm on my way over to yours' a text from Damien. He was on his way to pick me for games night in the office. I was put in charge of organizing everything for the night. Mr. Morgan, Damien and Susan also volunteered to help.

'I'm here' Damien texts again after a while. I looked out my window to see his car in my apartment parking space.

Closing the blinds and grabbing my bag on my way out. All the things we bought were already in the office kitchen all we needed to do was get it all ready and set out. I walked out of my apartment complex, making sure to close the building door behind me.

I walked over to Damien's car, only to see him already smiling at me. He was about to come out of the car when I indicated for him to remain. I opened the car door and got in.

'You look lovely' was the first words he uttered. I looked down at myself wondering what he thought was lovely about my appearance. I had on some leggings on with a cute crop top as well as a blazer on top.

Knowing I still need to keep it professional since it's still my place of work. I applied light make-up to my face, put my hair in a neat bun.

Nothing to extravagant but simple.

'Thank you' I responded with a smile.

'So are you ready for game night' Damien asked while pulling out of the car park.

'Yes, I'm looking forward to being in the office and not having to do much work' I replied nonchalantly.

'I hope you brought your game on, because you're about to get beaten and bad' he continued in a playful manner.

'Oh honey, if you think you're beating me then you must have lost your damn mind' I shot back with a slight attitude, so he knows I'm not planning on losing.

As a teen I didn't go out, for personal reasons. While others my age were having the time of their life being typical teenagers I was at home.

It wasn't entirely horrible; I wasn't much of a social teen, so I didn't feel as though I was missing much. Majority of my time at home was spent by playing card and board games, with my siblings and sometimes my mother.

It was light-hearted fun; it was what truly allowed us to bond as a family especially through the difficult times.

You could say I became somewhat of an expert at these games, I haven't played much of it lately. The last time I recalled playing was my first year of college, but I will still beat Damien even with my eyes closed.

He laughed at my response saying ' we shall see'

The rest of the ride consisted with us asking random questions about ourselves and getting to know each other better.

Once we arrived, we made our way to the building. Mr. Morgan's car was the only car in the parking lot, which isn't much of a surprise since he's always prompted.

When got to the entrance only to realize it was closed and the building security was activated.

I pulled out my phone to call Mr. Morgan, I had finally found his contact when suddenly another car pulled up into the parking lot.

I took a good look to see it was one of the security guards, who works for Mr. Morgan. He parked immediately and made his way over to where we stood.

'How are you doing, sorry for the late arrival' the hefty middle-aged man spoke slightly out of breath.

'It's no bother at all, we just arrived' Damien replied, while moving out of the to let the security man through.

The entrance to the building was open in no time.

'Thank you' I made my way to the elevator. Damien walked along side me, while the security guard stood behind to guard the entrance.

We finally made it the floor I was working in and where games night will be held. We made our way to the kitchen only to see Mr. Morgan standing there with a cup of coffee I presume and some cookies that were meant for the night.

I couldn't help but laugh at the sight and so did Damien. There were cookie crumbs on his shirt as well as around his mouth. Although it was funny it was rather refreshing to see him in such a manner.

For a second, I forgot that this is the same uptight CEO that is always on time and always had to have things done in a professional manner.

He looked down to earth surprisingly.

'Mr. Morgan those are meant for later tonight' I said trying to suppress my laughter.

'And sir you have crumbs all over you' I continued. Upon hearing this Mr. Morgan immediately started wiping his self-down to get rid of the crumbs.

He looked slightly flustered from the realization and from being caught. He continuously tried to get rid of the crumbs but to no avail.

'Sir you still have some over here' I reached out to try and help him. I got closer to wipe the few crumbs that were left of his face. As I did so I couldn't help but stare at his eyes as he stared back at mine, I've always noticed his blue eyes but never had a close up look.

There were blue but they also had specks of green in them. I noticed his pupils dilated slightly as they did so his eyes appeared to be a dark blue.

I was brought out of my trance by Damien clearing his throat. I immediately pulled back and said hastily ' there, it's all cleared up now, it's as if it was never there'

'Thank you' Mr. Morgan replies but looked to be in a daze still.

'Right we don't have much time, things need to be organized before people start coming' I continued to avoid looking towards Damien's direction, but I could feel his piercing gaze on me.

I saw him shake his head slightly through the corner of my eye. It's as if he was trying to remove a thought out of his head or something crossed his mind but thought against it.

Trying not to dwell on it, I walked over to the cupboards l. Removing every item of food we had.

'Damien can you get a few bowls in the other cupboard on the other side' I asked still not looking in his direction.

All I could hear was his shoes smacking on the marble floor as he walked over to the far side of the kitchen.

'What can I do' Mr. Morgan asked still in the same spot I left him.

'Mmm, you can help me take the snacks to the island' I replied as I gave him the treats that were in my hands.

'How many bowls should I bring out' Damien asked from the other side.

'I'm not sure how many we will need but bring them all out for now'

Once we had the treats set out. I looked at the list again to make sure we had everything according to everyone's preference.

'The only thing missing is pizza' I exclaimed, alarmed.

'I ordered pizza when I arrived, it should be here any minute now' Mr. Morgan reassured.

'Okay, once the pizza arrives that will be everything concerning food sorted' I spoke with relief.

'I was thinking for the venue, we should have it in one of the rooms that aren't being used maybe room 32' I suggested while looking at Mr. Morgan for approval.

'That would be a great idea, it's spacious and if anyone wants to watch a movie they can do so since there is also a tv' Mr. Morgan said approvingly.

'My thoughts exactly, sir'

'I bought a few longue pugs, they are in my office'

Mr. Morgan continued.

'Great, they will certainly be needed. It will add to the sofa that is already in the room'

'Pizza delivery' the security guard announced as he walked into the kitchen with serval boxes of pizza in his hands.

'Thank you' I grabbed the boxes from him and placed it on the island where the rest of the food were.

'You are welcomed to join us once everyone has arrived, Solomon' Mr. Morgan suggested

'Yes, the more the merrier' I added

'We need more people to eat all this food' Damien gestured towards the food that covered the huge island.

'I would love to, but I have to go home to the missus. she's expecting me. I'll grab whatever is left when I come back to lock up' was his response.

'Okay I need to get back to my post, there might be someone at the entrance' Solomon spoke as he walked out of the Kitchen.

'Okay we need to get the Longue pugs into the venue' I stated.

We immediately left the room and headed to Mr. Morgan's office.

Everything fell into place afterwards. We organized the room as we thought fit. We moved the large table that was in the center of the room to the corner, so people can freely move around.

The longue pugs was placed around the room. Damien brought speakers, which he went back to his car to get.

We moved in another table where the cards and board games would be set. Susan also showed up and helped us with what we had left to do. She brought a few of her ethic foods with her.

'Instead of waiting until everyone shows up how about we play a game, to warm us up a little' Susan suggested with a smirk while wiggling her eyebrows.

'I'm up for it' Damien was the first to agree

'So am I' I chimed in eagerly. Since everything is set, I can finally let my hair down a bit.

'Aiden aren't you playing' Damien asked quizzically.

'I'm okay, I'll sit this one out' was his reply.

'Sir we came here to have fun, this isn't working hours' Susan spoke, trying to convince Mr. Morgan to join in.

'Alright, but I'll admit it's been awhile since I've played and I'm slightly rusty' Mr. Morgan admitted.

'It's perfectly fine, I will show you how to play' I replied, surprised Susan was able to convince him to play.

'Come over to the games table'

'So basically, I'll hand you all ten white cards' I explained while handing them their cards making sure I don't see anything written on them.

'I will be the card czar for the first round, so I'm going to pick a black card and I'll read it out' I picked up a card from the pile of black cards in the middle of the table.

'Blank, changes everything'

Fill in the blank by placing a card towards me that you think suits the blank.

Susan was the first to place her card, then Damien and eventually Mr. Morgan.

'So, I'm going to shuffle the white cards submitted, then I'll read out the my favorite answer' I explained while shuffling.

The answers were; water, fat and Korean BBQ.

'Korean BBQ changes everything, whose is that'

'Mine' Damien proudly announced.

It really those change everything.

I handed him the black card I read out and he placed it in front of him.

'Since Susan is to my right, she is the next card czar for the next round'

'Okay, I understand the game. Now let's really play' Mr. Morgan exclaimed looking determined.

'Ahaha, okay if you say so sir' Susan laughed.

'Right okay, oh my god Cindy, what happened to your face?' Susan read the black card and even went as far as to add dramatics.

Everyone handed their card over to her.

'Assorted pickles, Cardi B, a donkey shitting on it's, own face' Susan laughed as she read the cards out loud.

'Okay I'll pick, Cardi B'

'Hand over the black card' Mr. Morgan exclaimed looking pleased with himself.

Without thinking, I laughed out loud.

'What's so funny' Mr. Morgan asked looking confused.

'I didn't know you knew who she was' I said between laughs.

'Yeah man, wouldn't think you'd know of her' Damien also looked surprised.

'I once met her at a charity gala, and we talked for a while' he explained nonchalantly.

'Really, wow' Susan chimes in.

'I took a picture with her as well. It's probably on the internet somewhere' he continued

'No way, it really is' Damien spoke looking at his phone in utter shock.

'Let me see' Susan leaned over to Damien, looking into his phone.

'Are you into her music' Susan asked while I took a look at the picture.

Cardi b had on a fancy see through white gown, with her hair pinned to perfection while Mr. Morgan wore a grey suit with his hair gelled back.

They both looked to be in deep conversation with each other. While people behind them were also taking amongst themselves. The whole place looked prestigious, looking closely I could see Jason Momoa posing for the cameras.

'I listened to a few of her songs after she told me she was a rapper, she also told me her favorite song was be 'careful with me' before a guy which I'm assuming is her partner came and took her elsewhere' he answered

'I like it, would be my favorite song from her' he added.

'Sir that's amazing, I would love to meet her in person' Susan expresses.

'I guess you're not as uptight as I thought you were' Damien spoke after a while.

'Sir no offense, but sometimes I forget you're in your mid-twenties. If it wasn't for how young you looked, I would think you were older. Fifties, sixties even' Susan exclaimed, she really saying what was on her mind today, maybe she drank before coming here.

'Are we still playing or not' Mr. Morgan said completely ignoring Damien and Susan's statements.

Judging by his face he didn't look offended but there was a slight bit of embarrassment that could be seen.

'Okay let's play' I added trying to change the topic.

'Mr. Morgan you're the next card czar' Susan said as she placed the black card Mr. Morgan won in front of him.

'Right, blank is the universe's way of telling me that I should blank'

We all placed our cards in the middle, Mr. Morgan picked them up and read.

'Getting trapped in a conversation with Charlemagne, stop hating Jews, my red-hot pecker, your ugly face and bad personality, seek genuine human connection, letting Jeremy touch my boob'

'Winner, getting trapped in a conversation with Charlemagne is the universe's way of telling me that I should stop hating Jews' Mr. Morgan hysterically read out.

'Come on' Susan voiced out raising her hands in the air feeling victorious.

'So far Susan is winning, we need to change that' Damien responded as if he was only taking the game seriously now.

'I would like to see you try to beat me, Damien' Susan challenged before Damien could respond, more people walked into the room.

It was almost everyone from this floors departments, there were many familiar faces but still a few I didn't know but I had their names on the list.

I got up and went to greet them ' thank you for coming, I'm glad you were able to make it'

'I'll just take your name, so I know who is here'

As I called out their names whoever was present, I'd tick their names off. I got through the list and there was only three people who haven't should up yet, one being Miranda.

'Feel free to join in, there is food on the table in the corner as well as games on the other table' I explained in my most welcoming voice.

I looked around to see Damien over at the speaker trying to connect his phone to it.

'Hey, I hope I'm not too late' I turned around to see Mary walking into the room.

'You're not at all, I'm glad you could make it, most people have just arrived so you haven't missed much' I assured her.

'Out of my way. Can you talk elsewhere, you're blocking the entrance' just by her voice alone I knew it was Miranda.

'Can you be careful, you almost knocked Mary down' I spoke in utter rage, I managed to keep my composure.

Miranda was being extremely insensitive, she was willing to knock down an old woman who was nearing her retirement age just because she was in her way, how disrespectful.

'Next time, you observe your surroundings before engaging in a conversation. What do you want me to do wait for the both of you to finish your little catch up, how pathetic' Miranda shot back at me, getting closer to my face to try and intimidate me?

I am not letting this 'barbie' walk all over me, not today, not ever. Just because she has had it her way her whole life doesn't mean I'll let her this time.

'Apologize to Mary right now' I spoke with as much authority in my voice as I could muster.

'Or what, what are you going to do? You can't do anything. Look at you' she spat looking at me from head to toe slowly with her glaring gaze.

'You think you are on my level; you really think I can't have you fired. It's an actual shame I have to be in the same room as the likes of you and even worse to share the same air' she continued looking down at me.

'Miranda, stop right there' I heard Mr. Morgan say.

'You haven't even stepped in the room fully and yet you have already caused chaos'

I turned around and saw that all eyes were on us. 'Great Miranda just had to bring attention to herself and drag me into' I thought

'Aiden are you seriously going to take sides with this thing, I can't even call a human being'

Miranda was not able to finish because Mr. Morgan's voice boomed through the room.

'You are not going to come in here and disrespect my employees, if it bothers you so much to be in the same room as other human beings then leave. You are not forced to be here'

'You cannot be serious, am I in some type of bad dream, is this a nightmare' Miranda replied hysterically. It's as if she was unable to comprehend what was going on.

'Leave or I will call security' Mr. Morgan ordered.

'This is some silly joke; I can't be bothered staying here with all these filthy working class. I have better things to do with my time' you could hear the rage in her voice.

'And as for your filthy self. I am not done with you, you hear me' she directed her attention towards me.

'As I stated before you will not treat my employees with disrespect' Mr. Morgan spoke once more.

Miranda screamed before making her way out of the room, cursing on her way out. All that could be heard was her knocking things down in the hallway, still cursing me out.

'Are you okay?' I heard Damien ask walking over to my side.

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Hello readers, chapter 20 is offically available, sorry for what happened the last time chapter 20 was uploaded. I published it by mistake. This chapter marks half way through 'Mr. CEO&I'. I tried to make it longer than usual. I hope you enjoy it. Please continue to stay safe and as healthy as you can. Thank you all for the support so far. See you in the next one.