The CEO's Entanglement

10 You Need A Slap

Morris POV

My chest aches when I turn to see the empty spot next to me in bed. I haven't gotten a moment of sleep since Elise left me in the kitchen last night. My wife did exactly what she said she would. I begged her to stay, but she pretty much told me this was my opportunity to get my head out of my a** and be the husband that puts her first.

If she couldn't trust me to protect her heart and our marriage, then she would do what she had to protect herself. I know she thinks I feel something for Loreli, but I don't. I love my wife. She is the only woman I love. I pull her pillow into my arms and breathe in her lavender scent. I can't imagine not waking up with Elise every day for the rest of my life.

I will do whatever I have to do to show her that I love her. That I will never be so stupid again. I don't feel anything for Loreli. Elise was right. I should have had someone drive her to the hotel and went straight home. Protecting Loreli and rescuing her from her d*ck boyfriend made me feel needed. Elise is always so independent. She wouldn't have asked me for help. If she was in the same situation, she would probably have kicked that pr*ck in the balls.

I should have thought about my wife instead of myself. I feel nothing for Loreli and today I'll be taking the first steps to prove that to my wife. As much as she thinks Loreli is the problem, she hasn't done anything that warrants termination. I'm the one who hurt my wife. I'm the one who didn't listen to what she needed to feel confident in our marriage.

Moving around our apartment knowing I'm completely alone is sobering. What if Elise decides she can't trust me? What if she decides to end our marriage? I swallow the lump in my throat and fight back the tears that threaten to fall. I can't lose my family. My cell phone dinging breaks me out of my pity party.

I grab my phone hoping it's Elise, but instead it's my sister. "Hey don't forget about the girls' birthday party this weekend." Sh*t I did forget. "We will be there," I say, praying that I can convince Elise to come home by then. I shoot her a quick text just wanting to remind her about the party. "I'll make sure Emmy is ready to go for two." She wouldn't miss Kendall and Kinsley's party. I know my wife. She loves those little girls too much to miss their birthday even if she is angry with me.

As soon as I get to work, I head to the third floor. I knock on Amber Jones door, the head of HR. "Hi, Mr. McNair, please come in and have a seat. What can I do for you?" She is an older woman who has been with the company since my father was in charge. "I would like you to reassign Loreli Patton to one of the other corporate executives." She closes and opens her mouth a couple of times before she finally asks the question I knew would come.

"Has Ms. Patton's work been a problem, sir. If so, maybe we should think about offering her a position in reception instead of pawning her off on another executive if her work is subpar," she says. I usually like Amber's no-nonsense approach, but right now I wish she would just follow my directive. "No, Loreli's work has been great. I would just like to have a different assistant." I know she wants to say more, but thankfully she just nods.

"I'll make the needed changes by the end of the day. Do you want to let Ms. Patton know or should I call her down to my office when I have her new assignment," she asks. "Actually, I would like you to come to my office so we can speak to her together now." Her eyes search mine before she shocks me. "May I speak freely Mr. McNair. Not as HR but as a woman that has known you for a long time." "Yes, Amber, please do."

"Morris, I have known you since you were a teenager working at the reception desk despite the unearned opportunities your father offered you. Your father wasn't a good man, that's no secret, but I had high hopes for you. I hope I wasn't wrong in thinking you would never do the things that he did." I immediately know she is referring to him screwing anything in a skirt.

"I would never do to my wife what that man did to my mother. I promise you that nothing has happened between myself and Ms. Patton. Having said that, I believe we have somewhat blurred the lines between boss and employee." Her eyebrow raises, and I decide it's just better to be honest with Amber. I tell her what's happened over the last two weeks.

"Why are men so stupid," she asks when I'm finished. "Excuse me," I say. "I don't know Loreli, but women aren't always as innocent as they pretend to be, but even if she is innocent, you need a slap in the head" she says.

"I love my wife" I start to say, but she cuts me off. "I have no doubt you love your wife, Morris. I've seen the way you look at her. I even believe that you never wanted to hurt her, but the truth of the matter is you did. You put your own needs and the needs of a woman who isn't your wife first," she says. I run my hand down my face as the rock that has taken up residence in my stomach feels even heavier.

"I wish she had just insisted that I move Loreli after she found us in the office." As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know how stupid I sound. Amber, who I've never so much seen raise her voice, looks at me with murder in her eyes. "Your wife drew a hard line in the sand for you, and you danced all over it. You should have moved her knowing the professional lines were already blurred. No matter what the reason you did the bulls*t you did, it is your fault not hers. Honestly, Morris, I hope she forgives you, but I hope she makes you squirm first."

She's right. I would have been hurt and angry if the roles were reversed. I feel like I did when I was ten years old and my mother found out that my friends and I got into my father's bourbon. I deserved the dressing down then as much as I do now. "Come on, let's get this over with. I just hope for your sake this girl isn't a suit chaser. After you Mr. McNair," her professional demeanor firmly back in place as she points to the door. When we reach my floor, I step off the elevator and Loreli rushes to her feet. She smiles at me until she notices Amber behind me.

"Good morning Mr. McNair, Mrs. Jones" she says. "Good mooring Ms. Patton. Would you follow us into Mr. McNair office for a quick discussion" Amber says and something flashes in Loreli eyes I can't decipher. "Of course, would you like your coffee first Mr. McNair?" "No Loreli but thank you." I turn entering my office and take a seat behind my desk.

Amber and Loreli both take a seat in front of my desk. "Loreli, I've had a discussion with Mrs. Jones this morning and we have decided that you will be reassigned to a different corporate executive who could best benefit from your skills." She looks like she's been slapped, but I keep my face impassive. "Have I done something wrong? Is this because of my screw up with the Lincoln Corp contract," she asks me.

"No, we just feel one of the other executives would benefit from your help more than I can. This will not affect your wages or hours. Mrs. Jones will have your new assignment by the end of today. Thank you for all your help over these last two months." "You're welcome" she says, her voice trembling. I'm grateful when she doesn't cry. "If that's all, I'd like to go make sure everything is situated for your new assistant" she says. When my door closes, I breathe a sigh of relief until I see the look on Amber's face. "Suit chaser," she says, and bile rises in my throat.