My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 67
The company had booked a large bus to take everyone to a seaside resort, leaving the night before. With three departments combined, there were over forty people—three buses in total. The next morning, when the staff arrived for work, they all brought their clothes, toiletries, and other necessities. As soon as the workday ended, everyone eagerly headed to the buses, chatting excitedly and looking forward to the resort.
By the time I reached the ground floor, some employees had already boarded. I grabbed my bag and walked down the aisle, looking for an empty seat. I found one in the back, in a row with two seats, and settled in. Employees continued to board one by one, and soon, the bus was nearly full.
"Director Vivienne, is it okay if I sit here?" a male voice suddenly asked. I looked up, glanced at the person, then gave a small nod. "Sure, go ahead."
"Thanks."
"You’re welcome."
The man sitting next to me was Leo, an employee from the M&F department. Leo had originally been with the V&R team but had been transferred to M&F. He had also once shown interest in me. I didn’t respond, and that seemed to put an end to things.
Suddenly, someone called out in surprise, "CEO Hawthorne, you’re riding the bus with us?" I looked up and saw Alexander boarding with his suitcase. He gave a brief nod of acknowledgment.
Yesterday, Alexander had offered to drive me to the resort himself, but I’d declined, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention from our colleagues.
"What? CEO Hawthorne wants to relax with us too?" another person teased, laughing.
The atmosphere on the bus immediately lightened, with everyone joking and chatting back and forth. There were still a few empty seats left, either in the front or the back. Alexander continued walking down the aisle until he reached the very last row, where he chose a seat and sat down.
Leo shifted his gaze and casually commented, "I didn’t expect CEO Hawthorne to be coming too. I always thought he was all about work."
It felt like he was speaking to me, but also as if he was just talking to himself. I didn’t respond, leaning back against the window to rest my eyes.
After a while, the bus started moving, heading toward the resort. The noise in the bus grew as the employees let loose, enjoying their rare chance to unwind.
"Director Vivienne, do you have a boyfriend?" Leo’s voice suddenly cut through the chatter. It wasn’t particularly loud, but I could tell he was intentionally lowering his voice, probably not wanting to be teased by the others.
I nodded. "Yes."
"Really? I’ve never heard about this. Director Vivienne, I really like you. I hope you’ll give me a chance to pursue you."
"Pursue me?" I asked, curious. "Haven’t you heard the rumors around the company?"
There had been rumors circulating that I had gotten close to Alexander to secure my position in The Hawthorne Dynasty, and that I was his mistress.
"They’re just nonsense. I know you’re not like that."
"Thanks for believing in me, but I really do have a boyfriend. He’s just busy with work."
"Well, okay then."
"Hey, what’s Leo saying to Director Vivienne? Isn’t he confessing?" A loud, boisterous colleague suddenly turned their attention to us, teasing.
"Is he, Leo?" Other colleagues joined in the teasing.
"Director Vivienne, what do you think of Leo? He’s tall, handsome, and capable. He’s only got eyes for you. If one try doesn’t work, there’s always a second. Maybe you should give him a chance?"
Leo quickly stood up and said, "There’s nothing going on. Don’t make stuff up."
"What’s the matter? Is Leo shy?" someone teased.
"What’s there to be shy about? Leo, you’re a grown man. Tell us, we can help you win over Director Vivienne," another colleague added.
The bus was filled with laughter and teasing.
Alexander, sitting in the back, cleared his throat loudly. His tone wasn’t too heavy, but it was enough to get everyone’s attention.
Jane immediately stood up to smooth things over. "Alright, alright, keep the jokes to yourselves. Don’t say anything inappropriate in front of the ladies."
The teasing finally quieted down. I was just about to close my eyes and relax when the sound of a WhatsApp notification interrupted me. I opened my screen to check and saw a message from Alexander: “My room, 0104.”
The rooms for the staff had been pre-arranged: two girls to a room, and four guys to a room. Alexander, however, had a single room—the presidential suite.
I replied, “It’s fine, no need.”
"I have a private Blue Lagoon pool in my room," he replied.
I paused. The company was paying for the team-building trip, and there was no way they could give everyone their own private pool. The other colleagues had to settle for the large shared pool, but I wasn’t fond of crowded spaces. The private Blue Lagoon pool was very tempting.
The bus pulled into the Blue Lagoon Resort and parked in an open area. My colleagues got off one by one, following Director Penelope to the front desk to collect their room keys.
Director Penelope had sent a message to the group: “Once you’re settled in your rooms, feel free to do as you wish. Tomorrow, we’ll meet for a BBQ lunch on the 2nd floor of the restaurant.” She also sent a map of the resort to the group chat.
I was sharing a room with Violet, an employee from M&F. We both headed to our room to unpack.
Violet sent me a message: "Director Vivienne, I’ve made plans to grab dinner with some of the girls. Want to join us?"
I replied, “You guys go ahead. I’m not hungry yet; I’ll eat later.”
“We’re off then.”
Once Violet left, I stepped out of my room and headed to 0104. I knocked on the door.
Alexander opened it, and upon seeing me, said, “Come in.”
I entered room 0104 and took in the lavish decor—presidential suite, top-notch furnishings and facilities. Everything was perfect. It was far superior to my own room.
Outside, there was a private Blue Lagoon pool.
“You’re staying here tonight?” he asked.
“No,” I replied. “I’ll go back to my room tonight. I’ll come here tomorrow to use the pool.”
“Why not try it tonight and relax?”
I was tempted.
“You go ahead and enjoy it. I’ll have dinner delivered. You can eat while you relax.”
The offer was even more tempting now.
“Wait for me. I’ll grab my pajamas.”
I quickly returned to my room, changed into my pajamas, took a quick shower, and headed back to 0104 to soak in the Blue Lagoon.
It felt amazing!
I sighed with contentment.
The warm spring water wrapped around my body, washing away all my fatigue.
I leaned back against the edge of the pool, closing my eyes to relax. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching. I opened one eye and saw Alexander in a bathrobe coming toward me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, startled.
“I’m here to enjoy the Blue Lagoon, of course. What kind of question is that?”
I froze.
How could I have forgotten about Alexander?
Before I could think further, he had already shed his bathrobe and stepped into the pool.
His body, no matter how many times I saw it, always had a magnetic effect on me.
Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, firm, defined muscles, and well-defined abs—he was the definition of strength.
It was the kind of physique that looked slim in clothes but incredibly fit without them.
I hadn’t noticed him approach, but suddenly, his fingers were waving in front of my face.
“What’s this? You like watching me? Didn’t you see me every day before?”
I felt my cheeks flush and turned my face away. “Who’s watching you? I was just thinking.”
“Oh...” Alexander stretched the word out, a teasing tone in his voice as he sat down next to me. “Are your shoulders tired? Want me to give you a massage?”
“Sure.”
I tilted my head back.
My shoulders and neck had been sore for days, so a massage sounded perfect.
“Turn around.”
His hands gently settled on my delicate shoulders, slowly beginning to knead.
With the warmth of the Blue Lagoon water and his skilled hands, I felt my neck and shoulders relax quickly, the relief almost taking my breath away.
Noticing how relaxed I was, a small, knowing smile tugged at Alexander’s lips. His large hand drifted lower.
By the time I realized what was happening, it was already too late.
