My CEO Boss Is A Masked Internet Sensation-Chapter 170: He Hadn’t Slept

(Arata)

Stella and I slept rather late after I told her about Azul and how things were going with Karsten. But I skipped the part about living with him.

She was still sleeping when I woke up to leave for the office. Grabbing a quick breakfast, I left my apartment to head to the office.

Caysir was waiting for me. He opened the door and I slid inside, strapping myself in.

We began to move and my eyes focused on the huge billboards our company had put up for the Winter Gala.

The red theme mingled with white flashed on huge screens with the company’s logo and I could already sense the event was going to be huge.

Every Media outlet in the city had been invited to the Winter Gala along with prominent celebrities and heads of other companies. The orders would certainly fly in after today.

We arrived at the office and to my surprise, Karsten was waiting for me with both his hands in his pockets.

My chest achingly tightened seeing him appear so dishevelled. His appearance left me slightly aghast as I let myself out of the car and ambled towards him.

He was still wearing yesterday’s clothes; his perfect hair was a mess, and the white of his eyes was lined with red.

The man hadn’t slept a wink the whole night. Some of the seriousness on his face melted away, seeing me approach him but that tired look didn’t fade.

"I am not going to lie but you look like shit," I blurted out as soon as I was in his proximity. He reached with both his hands and grabbed my waist, pulling me into a tight embrace as if he had been starved of my presence.

"I feel like shit too but my coffee is here now."

Not considering that Caysir was still there, Karsten brought down his lips on mine in a silent but sweetly tender kiss.

Like water droplets dancing on petals, his lips danced on mine, taking his time to savour them.

My hands landed on his rugged back, as I gently rubbed it, letting him take his fill. The thrill of being in his arms shot through me like a firework exploding.

Karsten took his time savouring me like he did his black coffee. Finally, his lips parted from mine and he connected his forehead with mine. Closing his eyes he murmured.

"Now, it’s a good morning."

"Good morning to you as well. Why didn’t you sleep, Silly man." My tone was slightly reprimanding.

His eyes slowly opened, the black pools swirling with emotional need.

He replied in a tired voice. "There was so much that needed to be done, and still is."

"Sleep is important, Karsten. Come." I grabbed his hand and began to pull him towards the elevator. He came willingly but paused seeing we had reached the elevator door.

"We can take the steps," he offered, his voice seeming more tired than before.

"No way, you need rest." The door opened, and taking a very deep breath, I entered this death trap box with Karsten.

He clutched my hand tighter and pulled me into his haven. My head rested on his chest, listening to his calm heartbeat.

~Thump~

~Thump~

Closing my eyes, I stayed like that, in his fortress of safety until we arrived on the top floor.

Once the elevator dinged open, Karsten slackened his hold on me and both of us walked out. He took me straight to his office.

His desk was cluttered with different files, papers, invitations to the Winter Gala and empty coffee cups.

He slumped on the sofa, seeming utterly exhausted. I quietly sat beside him and extracted my tablet.

Karsten had already assigned me today’s tasks.

Leaning his head on the sofa, he stared at the ceiling with his hands under his head. The muscles of his arms flexed under his dark shirt and I struggled to keep my eyes focused.

He began speaking.

"There are a few other points I need you to note, Arata. Firstly, under no circumstances should you be alone. Caysir will remain as your shadow, and I will be keeping a watch, too." His concerned eyes flickered to me and I nodded.

"Secondly, avoid taking any questions from the media and press. Our Media Department will handle that. Direct all over-enthusiastic reporters towards them, if they come to find you." Placing his hand in front of his mouth, Karsten stifled a yawn. I had never seen him so tired before.

"Alright, that’s it. You can’t work like that and certainly can’t attend tonight’s event," I announced with a few creases creeping on my forehead.

Gathering my tablet and my bag, I tried to get up from the sofa but his hand instantly snatched my arm. He desperately asked.

"Where are you going?"

"Nowhere, but you should get some sleep. We can resume work, once you are freshened up."

The CEO of this multi-billionaire company demurely blinked at me and requested.

"Can I sleep in your lap?" The innocence on his face at that moment had masked all the hardness his features possessed.

Every instinct in my body wanted to jump in his lap and snuggle with him, to let him rest on my chest, and to kiss those curved lips of his.

The dangers my mind kept raging about getting too close to Karsten Chevalier were again buried by me.

Quietly I plopped down beside him and pointed to my lap.

"No funny business but sleep."

He placed his hand on his heart and said with a straight face.

"I promise."

I opened my arms, and he gently placed his head on my lap sideways. My hands rested on his shoulder and head.

I slowly murmured.

"Sleep."

He promptly closed his eyes.

Only a few seconds elapsed and I could hear his small snores, revealing how tired he must have been.

The idea of telling him about the message I buried deep down.

He had a lot on his plate and I wasn’t going to add to his tensions.

At least, not today.

Whatever that asshole had planned, I could handle it. I promised myself and with determination, I began to snake my fingers through Karsten’s silky strands.