The CEO’ s second choice novel Chapter 41

　　Elena

　　I walk up to Elijah at the end of the lecture with Anabelle in tow and shake my head. “Very sneaky, Mr Somersett. Why didn’t you tell me you were the alumni delivering the lecture this morning?” I ask, and he tries to hide his smile. “I guess I wanted to surprise you. Did it work?”

　　Did it work? More than.

　　“Well, I was certainly surprised, yes. Your lecture was very well thought out and spoken, I think I might just take this course after all.” I say and I see him turn serious at this. “It’s not easy though, Elena. Exeter will test you proficiently, and if you fail, it takes quite a while to come back from it.” He says, and I am taken back at the honesty of his words. Surely it wasn’t that difficult?

　　“Are you speaking from experience, or are you only trying to scare me from applying?” I ask him, crossing my arms in front of me, “Anabelle has enrolled, and she is extremely happy here.”

　　“Miss Thompson is a prodigy from what I have heard,” He says and turns to Anabelle. He holds out his hand for her to take and kisses the back of it. “Lovely to finally meet the beautiful Anabelle that has the lecturers here in a flat spin. I have read your manuscripts and essays and I must say, you have a brilliant mind. Following in the footsteps of your grandfather?” He asks, completely ignoring me and focusing his attention on Anabelle.

　　She nods shyly. “Yes, or trying to. He has always been my inspiration growing up and is the reason I chose Classic Lit as my major.” She says and Elijah nods. “Ah, I see, perfect choice. I wrote my dissertation on his works when I finished my degree here. He truly had a brilliant mind, very much like you,” He says, complimenting her again and I feel an unknown burning in my chest.

　　What was wrong with me? Was I feeling jealous of this exchange???

　　“Thank you for the compliment, Mr Somersett, but I am quite the novice at this,” Anabelle says honestly and I turn to look at her. I shouldn’t be feeling the way I do. Anabelle deserves this so much. She was trying to get out from her grandfather’s shadow and thought this would be the best place to apply, but everyone was always comparing her to him.

　　“I could be your mentor if you wish? There are still a few good years left in me and I wouldn't mind offering my time to you.” Elijah offers and my heart drops at this; I was going to ask him to be my mentor, and I think he knew. Was he doing this on purpose?

　　Anabelle perks up at this, “Oh, truly? I would love that!” She exclaims as she tries to contain her excitement. This actually made me smile and realise that I was being silly for feeling jealous. Anabelle deserves the attention, and so much more than I. Elijah smiles and takes a card out of his breast pocket. “These are my details. Please do not hesitate to contact me whenever you would like to pour over your work or need a helping hand. I will always be available.” He says, and Anabelle nods with a smile. It was then that I thought maybe he could fall in love with Anabelle and forget about me. This would make our relationship so much better, and I would stop feeling awkward around him.

　　If only Anabelle weren’t gay.

　　My heart feels lighter somehow as I took their exchange in with a smile; Anabelle looked so happy this was the first time in weeks that I have known her. Elijah’s attention seemed to renew something in her spirit, and for that I was thankful.

　　During their conversation, Anabelle’s phone rings and she excuses herself as it was her mother on the line. When she walks away, Elijah leans into me and whispers in my ear, “That feeling in your chest is just a snippet of how I feel every time I see you with Sebastian.” He then walks away from me, leaving me pissed off and confused.

　　I turn around and walk out of the lecture hall, not wanting to be close to this man any longer. I don’t want Elijah, not at all! But I couldn’t help but feel intrigued by him and his charm. Would I ruin what I have with Sebastian for him? Definitely not. Sebastian was my home, my love and my future. Elijah was an unwanted distraction who has hurt my husband at every turn. Just being intrigued by him felt like a betrayal.

　　“Elena, wait!” I hear Anabelle call behind me as she trots in her heels to get to me. “What was that back there?” She asks me with a frown, and I shrug. “Elijah Somersett wants to mentor you and I think you deserve it so much,” I told her, but she shook her head, a bit upset. “Not that, Elena,” she starts. “You know exactly what I am talking about; there’s a sexual tension between the two of you and everyone can feel it.”

　　“Uh, no, I think you misread that; Elijah screwed Sebastian over in the past. There is no way I would be attracted to someone like him.” I say and she scoffs, “I said nothing about an attraction, but I think you have just admitted it to yourself.” She says and places her hands on her hips. “Are you sure you want to go down that road, Elena? Think about what you have to lose if this keeps up between you and Elijah.”

　　“I don’t feel anything for Elijah, Belle! I love Sebastian, he is my home and husband, I would never even think of betraying him like that, especially not with Elijah!” I exclaim and walk away from her.