Chapter 119

119 Trust in Me

“When I figured out that Elizabeth, Kyle’s wife, is in fact Elizabeth Chase of Chase Creatives, I realized that the leak must have been from me. You see...while you were away on your recent business trip, Kyle came to see me at my apartment. I didn’t want him to be there but when I got home, he was already there right in front of my door waiting for me...” I confessed truthfully.

“And?” Ace prompted for me to go on.

“And...he told me that he was just there to pick up his stuff. I didn’t think much of it at the time. Honesty, I was just too worried about being in the same room as him, so I just let him go in to grab the things that I’ve packed for him. He wasn’t in there for that long, but I guess during that time...he probably stole the idea that I had for the storyboard...” I continued with my speculation.

“I see...” I muttered sternly.

“It is my fault. I’m not here to make any excuses for myself. It’s my fault for leaving papers with confidential information laying around like that. I should have been more careful, but I never thought that it would lead to something like this...” I said as guilt and regret flooded my chest.

Ace looked at me with cold and emotionless eyes. The Devil CEO was back, and I couldn’t read him at all. He was sitting so close to me, but he felt like he was so far away. Somewhere that I could no longer reach. It was then that I fully realized that I didn’t quite care what other people thought of me as long as Ace would just believe me. I wanted him to believe that I didn’t have any bad intentions and that I would never betray him or the company that I work for.

“We’re having this conversation because I am your direct supervisor right now; however, as per protocols, this will go to the disciplinary board of the company. They’ll decide how to handle this...” Ace stated matter-of-factly.

I knew well that this issue was no small matter and so this piece of news did not surprise me at all. At first, I thought that I would be more scared of facing the disciplinary board. Among the staff and based on historical cases that were handled there, no one emerged without a job termination. Some even emerged with a few lawsuits attached to their name.

I guess getting off with just losing my job is going to be the bare minimum...

.....

“I’m fine with that. I know the procedure quite well so I think I know what to expect in this case...” I said.

“Good then,” Ace replied with a tight smile.

“Ace...” I called his name softly to get his attention.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I...I’m very sorry. I just want you to believe me that I really didn’t intend for something like this to happen. I’m sorry that I kept Kyle’s visit from you. I honestly just didn’t want you to get mad at me and nothing happened between Kyle and me. I’m extremely sorry for disappointing you...” I apologize as my voice shook with intense emotions.

Ace was silent for a moment, but he kept his eyes on me. His intense gaze made me feel extremely exposed and vulnerable; however, I tried my best to hold his gaze to show him that I was being honest. I had never felt this guilty before in my life. I had never been this scared of disappointing someone and letting someone down. Ace gave me a once in a lifetime opportunity in my dream career, but I ruined it all and caused so much trouble for him, the team, and the company.

“I believe you,” Ace said as he looked straight at me.

I blinked my eyes rapidly as I failed to process his direct words. Of course, I heard what he had just said but...wasn’t this a little too easy?

“...Really?” I asked in unfeigned surprised when I had recovered from my initial shock.

Ace just nodded at me before he offered me a little smile. It might have just been me or the dire situation that I was in that made his little smile feel like it was filled with so much trust and so much warmth. I bit on my lower lip as tears stung the back of my eyes.

Emotions so intense that it was hard to describe rushed into my chest as I felt extremely thankful for his kind words and the unshaken belief that he seemed to still have in me. It was beyond what I could have dared to hope for to still have him believe in me and that I didn’t have a hand in selling out our secret.

I didn’t betray him or anyone. I never will.

“Thank you...for believing in me...” I said as my voice shook with emotion.

I made the fatal mistaking of blinking my eyes which led to large drops of tears to roll down my cheeks. Ace just watched me in silence as I openly began to sob and cry right in front of him. I was thankful that he did not make an effort to comfort me because that would have just made me feel even guiltier than I already felt. Instead, Ace gave me some time to cry and let it all out as he waited for me patiently to collect myself.

When it seemed like I was emotionally stable enough, Ace smiled at me before he went on to tell me what was going to happen next. I had already braced myself for what was to come and so I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of extremity of the changes that would be put in place for the time being.

'

“I have no other choice but to take you off Project Alpha for now. Unless things change, you should consider this change permanent. That being said, until the disciplinary board completes their investigation on your case and a decision is made, you will continue to work as my secretary. That would be all. Any questions?” Ace explained formally.

“No. None at all. Thank you very much and I am extremely sorry for all the inconveniences and damage that I have caused,” I said politely.

–To be continued...