Mr. CEO Sassy Bride

“Excuse me?!” Jones exclaimed, abruptly springing to his feet in disbelief.

Leilani lowered her head in shame, remorsefully biting her lower lip.

“Please tell me you’re joking, Lani. Tell me everything you just said was a joke. Are you trying to tell me that you’ve been living with that man for almost a month now? And nothing has happened between the two of you?” Jones ranted, unable to contain himself.

He just couldn’t believe everything Leilani had revealed about her encounter with Nelson, from the beginning and without withholding any details.

“Something has never happened and whatever you’re thinking will never happen. Can’t you see how he acted just now? Do you really think someone like him could ever have feelings for me? He despises me and finds joy in seeing me unhappy,” Leilani retorted, fighting back the tears streaming down her cheeks.

She despised herself more and more every time the contract with Nelson was mentioned. It wasn’t like she willingly chose to live with him, she had no choice and she knew none of this would have happened if she hadn’t gotten involved with Nelson in the first place.

Jones’s next words were caught in his throat as he caught sight of the tears rolling down Leilani’s cheeks.

Sighing heavily, he settled back in his chair and gently took hold of Leilani’s hand.

“This is why I’ve always warned you about how you speak, Lani. If you hadn’t insulted him and talked to him like that, he wouldn’t have even noticed you, let alone choose you as his contract bride,” Jones said in a gentle tone as Leilani silently wept.

Jones then got up from his seat, walked around the table, and embraced Leilani warmly.

In his nightwear, Nelson stepped out of the dressing room and was surprised to find Leilani fast asleep. They had spent the entire dinner ignoring each other, only making Nelson even more irritated. He couldn’t wait for the next day to hear Herbert’s report on Jones.

He let out a sigh as he settled into bed, unable to tear his gaze away from Leilani’s peaceful slumber. She looked so young and innocent, and he couldn’t help but stare just a little bit longer. Eventually, he moved his pillow to the end of the bed so he could continue to admire her in comfort.

The next morning, Nelson left for work earlier than usual, surprising even Leilani when she woke up and couldn’t find any trace of him except for the lingering scent of his cologne. For some reason, she was annoyed that she didn’t get to see how he dressed for work. She loved watching him every morning, almost as if he were a masterpiece.

However, remembering that she was supposed to be mad at him for complicating her life, she shook her head and slapped her face, determined to start the day fresh.

Meanwhile, at Nelson’s office, he dropped his briefcase and immediately headed to Herbert’s office. However, Herbert had yet to arrive. Frustrated, Nelson looked at his watch and realized he still had a few minutes to kill before Herbert’s scheduled arrival.

The office was relatively quiet, with only a few people starting their day. They couldn’t help but be surprised to see their boss there so early, but they assumed he was just doing his monthly rounds.

In an attempt to pass the time, Nelson left the building and aimlessly walked around the company. With his hands in his pockets, all he could see was Leilani and Jones together, which made his heart constrict. He stopped to catch his breath and calm his nerves, feeling like he was slowly losing his mind. With a heavy sigh, he planned to turn around when he suddenly heard a feminine voice rang out.

“What do you want to discuss, Fred?”

The feminine tone resonated from the rear of the establishment and Nelson inched closer, curious to see what was going on. He laid his eyes on a woman and a male staff member, completely unaware of his presence.

The man seemed to be deliberating, wiping the sweat from his brow before rubbing his hands together. He began, “I know this is wrong, Sandra. How can I love you when you are clearly taken?”

“But I can’t control my feelings any longer. I fell for you long before you even met your current boyfriend. But I never had the courage to tell you because we work together and I didn’t want to make things awkward for you,” the man continued.

The woman looked taken aback. “You mean you’ve been in love with me all this time, Fred?”

“I swear to God, Sandra. I love you so much that I become envious when I see you with that idiot, Jason, in your department,” Fred passionately declared.

Sandra smiled shyly, her gaze averted. “I love you too, Fred. But why are you suddenly confessing your love to me now? Don’t you remember that I have a boyfriend?”

“Someone advised me to be honest with my feelings, that it would bring me peace,” Fred explained.

From his hidden vantage point, Nelson observed the exchange with rapt attention, refraining from interrupting them. The two lovers were completely unaware of their boss’s presence.

Sandra continued, “I’ve always loved you, Sandra. But I didn’t have the courage to approach you and express my feelings. I tried to be with someone else, but it never felt right, so I ended things with him.”

“Really? So you don’t have a boyfriend anymore?” Fred asked, his face lit up with joy.

Fred grinned widely as Sandra nodded eagerly. As if pulled by a magnetic force, they leaned in for a kiss, their embrace growing more intense by the second.

Watching in silence, Nelson retreated, taking soundless steps away from the scene. “What is this?” he muttered to himself before spotting his assistant getting out of his car.

As he strode toward the garage, relief flooded over his body, evident in his heavy sigh.

Herbert saw his boss approaching and his instinctive reaction was to flinch in fear.

He immediately recognized Nelson as soon as he drew nearer. Scanning the area, he spotted his boss’s SUV parked nearby, confirming his identity.

“Mr. Carter?” Herbert spoke in surprise.

“Why are you here so early, sir? Is everything alright at home?” Herbert inquired, showing genuine concern.

To his knowledge, there was no urgent matter requiring his boss’s attention this early in the morning. So why was he at work two hours before his usual start time?

“I’m trying to escape the problems at home. Now tell me, what have you found out about that boy?” Nelson’s impatience was palpable.

Herbert nodded uncertainly, moving away from his car before beginning.

“He’s an artist, sir. A very talented one at that. According to my sources, Gray Brandon has taken a liking to his work and wants to offer him a contract.”

“The same Gray Tech we partnered with last year?” Nelson’s face lit up with a smile.

“Indeed, Mr. Carter. I’m surprised you remember him,” Herbert responded with a grin.

Nelson’s triumphant smirk was evident as he nodded in satisfaction for a moment before abruptly stopping.

“Now listen carefully, Herbert. You’re going to reach out to Gray Tech, specifically Gray Brandon himself, and convince him not to give this artist boy any contract that he doesn’t deserve,” Nelson commanded.

Herbert’s eyes widened in disbelief and he had to blink twice to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

“But why, Mr. Carter? He’s just a struggling artist trying to make ends meet–”

“Do I need you to lecture me on how to do my job, Herbert? Or will you get it done as I asked?” Nelson’s voice dropped to a deep, husky tone as he glowered at his assistant.

“How dare I question your methods, sir. I’ll get right on it. Excuse me.” With a quick bow, Herbert hurriedly left Nelson’s presence.

With his hands tucked back into his pockets, Nelson’s initial grin resurfaced on his lips as he peered into the void and uttered in a hushed tone.

“That’s the consequence of provoking me.”