Chapter 7

Julian clearly hadn't expected this. But they were both adults. Some needs didn't have to be spoken aloud. Besides, he already knew about Athena's addiction.

"Mr... Mr. Sterling..." Athena froze, her mind going completely blank.

The voice on the other end sounded exactly like the company's newly appointed CEO. For a fleeting moment, she snapped back to reality, only to be overwhelmed by the relentless sensations all over again.

Julian's refined, handsome face darkened. "You skipped work today just to stay home and do that?"

Athena's cheeks flamed. She wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. She had never imagined that while taking care of herself, she'd accidentally answer the CEO's call and that he'd hear everything. But she truly couldn't help it. Whenever her addiction flared up, she lost all control.

"I... I already resigned..." Athena managed between ragged breaths.

Julian frowned. "Resigned? Why wasn't I informed? Employees are required to submit their resignation at least one month in advance and complete the legal and departmental handover process. Otherwise, it's considered a breach of contract, and you'll owe the company damages equal to two years' salary."

Athena nearly spat blood. If that was true, resigning now meant she'd worked the past two years for nothing. Every dollar she'd earned would go toward the penalty.

"Mr. Sterling, could you please make an exception? I'm sick. I really can't keep working..."

Julian's gaze darkened. "What illness?"

Athena caught herself mid-sentence. What illness? He knew better than anyone. He'd been the one who examined her that day.

"My addiction." Throwing caution to the wind, she blurted out, "When it acts up, all I can think about is sex. I can't focus on work at all."

Silence stretched across the line for more than a minute.

Athena wondered if she'd been too blunt and offended Julian. She could clearly hear his breathing grow heavier. Swallowing nervously, she waited with her heart pounding. He hadn't hung up, and she didn't dare end the call first.

"You have 30 minutes to get to work. I'll treat you myself."

Athena stared in disbelief. She thought she'd misheard. Julian was personally going to treat her? How exactly? Was he planning to sleep with her himself?

The thought sent another wave of heat rushing through her. Even the tips of her ears turned crimson.

She instantly lost all interest in the toy in her hand.

If she could be with Julian, her condition would probably disappear without medicine. After all, she'd developed this addiction because her husband had never touched her after they got married.

She'd been too lonely, too empty, too starved for intimacy. If she could have a man, especially someone like Julian, tall, broad-shouldered, and impossibly handsome from every angle, satisfy her...

A dreamy look flickered across Athena's face.

The shrill beep from her phone quickly snapped her back to reality.

'Damn it. What am I thinking?' Athena wanted to slap herself.

She was actually fantasizing about the CEO.

Still, Julian had personally called and ordered her back to work. She couldn't refuse. The last thing she wanted was to pay the company's breach-of-contract penalty.

She'd have to follow the proper procedure. She would submit her resignation and leave after serving the required one-month notice.

...

By the time Athena arrived at the office, she was already late.

She had fully expected Eon to seize the opportunity to give her a dressing-down, especially after she'd openly refused his overtime assignment the night before.

But to her surprise, he didn't make things difficult for her. Even her coworkers were looking at her strangely.

Athena turned to her friend, Zoey. "What's going on? Did something happen?"

Zoey had just opened her mouth when Eon strode over.

"Congratulations, Athena. I didn't know you were so capable." His voice dripped with unconcealed sarcasm and jealousy.

Athena blinked. "What do you mean, Mr. Holt?"

Eon let out a cold snort. "Still pretending? HR just announced you're being transferred to the Executive Office as the CEO's personal assistant."

Surprise flashed across Athena's face. "What?"

She hadn't expected the CEO to actually go through with it. Yesterday, he'd said he was promoting her. Today, HR had already made it official. By now, everyone in the department, probably the entire company, knew.

"Most people work their asses off and maybe climb one or two positions," Eon said bitterly. "You, on the other hand, shot straight to the boss's side like a rocket. Who knows what tricks you used."

His bitter accusation made Athena frown. He made it sound as though she hadn't worked hard, when she had been the hardest-working person in the entire department. Half the team's workload usually landed on her desk, not to mention the endless overtime and working through holidays.

"I have to thank you for your excellent guidance, Mr. Holt. If you hadn't given me so much 'special attention,' the CEO might never have noticed me. Now that I'm working directly for him, I certainly won't forget everything you've done for me over the past two years."

Her pointed reply made Eon's face turn from dark to white.

"You..."

If she'd spoken to him like that before, he would've exploded and cursed her out on the spot. But now he only glared at her for a long moment without saying a word.

Athena was now the CEO's handpicked employee. Scolding her would be the same as disrespecting the CEO himself. Besides, with her sudden promotion, she'd technically become one of his superiors. Picking a fight with her now wasn't a wise move.

"Since the CEO thinks so highly of you, do your job well. The faster you rise, the harder you'll fall." After delivering his warning through gritted teeth, Eon stormed away.

Zoey walked over and gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't mind Mr. Holt. He's just petty. He's afraid you'll report everything he's done to the CEO. Hurry and pack your things. You should report to the Executive Office upstairs."

Athena forced a smile, but inwardly, she felt miserable. Honestly, she'd rather stay downstairs and let Eon work her to the bone than become the CEO's assistant.

Who knew whether seeing Julian every single day, close enough to look but never touch, would only make her addiction worse?

Reluctantly, she knocked on the CEO's office door an hour later.

The man's deep, commanding voice came from inside.

"Come in."

Athena steadied herself, pushed open the door, and walked to the desk.

"Mr. Sterling..."

Julian reviewed documents without looking up.

"Miss Kingsley, you're late today." His low voice carried unmistakable authority.

Athena started to explain. "I..."

Julian cut her off without mercy. "Your attendance bonus for this month is forfeited."

Athena was speechless. She'd only been late once, and her entire attendance bonus was gone? He was even stricter than Eon.

Before she could protest, Julian spoke again. "Your main task today is to clean the executive lounge."