The CEO's Secret Affair-Chapter 20: How Long It Will Take

~Anne’s POV~

The last week felt like hell. Riccardo kept everything strictly formal. Every conversation, every reply, he made sure they were strictly professional. And even when I tried to joke around or ease up the tension between us, he would dismiss it quickly, or give me a look that suggested that I was being a nuisance.

I had thought I would get used to it after the first few days, but a week had passed now, and it seemed like I was getting worse day by day. I couldn’t sleep without thinking of him, without feeling like I should open up and tell him what I wanted.

Sure, having him back in my bed would make me happy. But deep down I know I wanted more than that, and Riccardo had made it clear he might not be able to meet those requirements. I wanted to be more than just the woman in his bed, I wanted him to love and kiss me in the morning, out in public, I wanted everything he had to offer. However, it was clear Riccardo wouldn’t be able to do that.

If we made up now, would I really be content with being his girlfriend behind closed doors? Would I be able to cope with that—

"Anne!" A familiar voice called out to me, promptly jolting me back to reality. I lifted my face from the papers I was barely working on to see James standing at the front of my desk. He had likely stood there for a minute now, and had probably seen me completely lost in thought.

"James!! You’re back!" I exclaimed, startled yet excited. James was probably the only person I considered a friend in this entire workspace. He had been gone for a month now, on a business trip that had lasted far longer than it should.

"You didn’t tell me about your promotion, I spent a lifetime trying to find you here." He lamented, but I was far too lost in happiness to listen to his complaints. My arms were already wrapped around him, my face buried in his chest as I held onto him far longer than I should. Now it wasn’t just the joy of seeing him, I was holding onto him for comfort too.

James didn’t complain, he just stood still, his arms equally wrapped around me in a warm embrace.

When I finally lifted my face from his chest, I was immediately caught by eyes that I wasn’t expecting. Riccardo had just finished his meeting—earlier than he should have, and he had caught me and James locked in each other’s

Panicked, I pulled back abruptly. James blinked in confusion, his hands lingering mid-air for a second before dropping to his sides.

"Whoa," he said lightly, brows lifting. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, no..." I rushed out, forcing a smile that felt too tight on my face. "I just...Riccardo...Mr Antonelli—"

I didn’t need to finish the sentence. James followed my gaze.

Riccardo stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable. He didn’t look particularly pleased, but it was impossible to tell since he barely wore anything besides a serious look while at the office.

For a brief, awful moment, no one spoke.

"Mr. Antonelli," James said first, professional as ever, extending a hand. "Good to see you again. It’s been a while."

Riccardo glanced at the hand, then at James’s face. After a second, he shook it firmly. Too firmly.

"James," he replied coolly. "Back earlier than expected."

"Yeah," James chuckled. "The trip ran long. But it’s good to be back."

James’s eyes flicked to me for just a fraction of a second, curious but kind, like he was asking a question without words.

"I should get back to my desk," I said quickly, my voice betraying none of the chaos inside me. "There’s... a lot to catch up on."

Riccardo’s gaze finally shifted to me then. It lingered, sharp and assessing, as if he were trying to read something written beneath my skin.

"Anne," he said, my name sounding different when it left his mouth. Controlled. Careful. "I need you in my office. Now."

"Is this urgent? I was just—"

"Yes," Riccardo cut in, not unkindly, but with finality. "It is."

I nodded, already gathering the papers I didn’t need, my hands slightly unsteady. I flashed James a quick smile, assuring him with a gaze that I’ll definitely make this up to him. Then I raced after Riccardo who had reached his office door in seconds.

The room felt hot even though the air condition was working on full throttle. I was just nervous, unsure of what he would think about James and I.

I turned to face him, my heart pounding. "That was James. He’s—"

"I know who he is," Riccardo said, loosening his tie slowly. He settled down on his chair, and immediately buried his face in paperwork.

"Right..." I answered calmly. James was his employee after all.

"How was the meeting...?" I asked in a desperate attempt to change the subject and reduce the growing tension.

"Reschedule another one, we encountered some issues that I won’t discuss with you now. Check my schedule, then know the best time to fix another meeting."

"Is that all?"

Riccardo lifted his face from the pile of files before him, raised a brow, then asked. "Is there something else you were expecting?"

"It’s...it’s just that..." I stopped, uncertain if I should take this bold step or not. After giving it a second thought, I mustered up a smile and finalised that it was best to keep my mouth shut and focus on work instead. "It’s nothing, I’ll get to it immediately."

"One more thing, Anne. Tell James I’d like to have a word with him later today, okay?"

"Of course," I replied, keeping my tone even. Professional. Exactly the way he liked it now. "I’ll let him know."

Riccardo nodded once, already looking back down at his papers, effectively dismissing me. No lingering glance. No second thought. Just business.

That was it.

I turned toward the door, my fingers brushing the handle before I hesitated. For a brief moment, I considered saying something—anything. But pride won. I didn’t know how long it would take me to get over Riccardo Antonelli, but I was certain that I would one day.