Mr. CEO Sassy Bride

As Leilani and Jones lounged on the terrace of a quaint bistro, they couldn’t help but steal glances at each other while they waited for their orders. Their gaze eventually led to a shared laugh, bursting from their lips.

“You haven’t lost your beauty, Lani,” Jones confessed, his eyes filled with admiration as they continued to study her.

Flustered, Leilani tried to hide her blush but couldn’t help the warmth that spread through her. Jones was her first and only boyfriend, and even though she wasn’t the type to outwardly express her love in public, she knew deep down that she cared for him deeply.

He wasn’t out of her league. Jones was a kind and hardworking man, always giving her his undivided attention whenever she needed it.

Unfortunately, they were opposites in every sense of the word. He was laid-back while she was always ready to fight anyone who crossed her.

“How’s work been treating you?” Leilani asked, a slight smile on her lips as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Jones was about to reply when their orders arrived, expertly placed in the center of the table by a barista.

“It’s been amazing, Lani. I’ve made so many new connections all over the city. And guess who noticed my art? Gray Brandon!” Jones exclaimed, his face beaming with excitement.

“Gray Brandon? The CEO of Gray Tech?” Leilani questioned, her eyes widening in surprise.

“Yes, that’s the one! He saw my work and wants me to create art for his office and other companies,” Jones announced, a wide smile on his face.

“Wow, Jones! That’s a huge contract,” Leilani clapped her hands in delight. “Congratulations!”

“Thank you,” Jones replied, his cheeks turning slightly pink as he took a sip of his coffee.

Leilani couldn’t stop smiling at him, feeling nothing but adoration for the man in front of her. She couldn’t help but think that he deserved every bit of success that came his way. He had come so far.

Jones inquired with a raised question, “So tell me, how is Ethan doing?” while clumsily dropping his coffee cup.

Leilani’s smile grew wider as she leaned forward, placing her hands on the table.

“Ethan is scheduled for surgery soon,” she replied.

Jones’ eyes widened in disbelief as he exclaimed, “Oh my God, what! Have you managed to gather all the necessary funds?”

“Well, not exactly. Ethan received a sponsorship,” Leilani revealed.

Jones was clearly perplexed, prompting Leilani to recount the entire story to him, except for her hidden arranged marriage to Nelson.

“That’s great news, Lani. Ethan is one lucky guy,” Jones exclaimed, his happiness evident.

Leilani nodded eagerly, taking a sip of her coffee.

“But, Lani?” Jones suddenly interrupted.

Leilani lowered her cup and raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“What’s the name of the hospital? I haven’t heard of any hospital in San Francisco that provides support for disabled individuals every year,” Jones expressed, his forehead creased with skepticism.

Leilani pursed her lips, contemplating Jones’ words.

In truth, when Hannah had shared the news with her, she was too elated to think about the legitimacy of the hospital.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the shrill ringtone of her phone. She flinched, quickly retrieving her phone from her handbag.

Upon seeing the caller ID, she rolled her eyes before answering the call.

“Where are you, Leilani Hernandez?” came Nelson’s gruff voice over the phone.

“At Exchange Street Cafe, why?” Leilani responded with disinterest, but the call abruptly disconnected.

She raised an eyebrow, throwing her phone back into her handbag.

“Who was that?” Jones inquired.

“Not important,” Leilani dismissed with a smile, signaling for Jones to resume their conversation.

“Right. So, what’s the name of the hospital?” Jones persisted.

Leilani scratched her forehead, trying to recall the name of the hospital, but she couldn’t.

In haste, she retrieved her mobile device and dialed Hannah’s number.

As she rose to cross to the other end in order to converse with Hannah and inquire about the hospital’s name, an SUV abruptly screeched to a halt beside her.

In no time, she recognized the vehicle to belong to Nelson.

Swiftly ending the call, she attempted to approach the car, only to find Nelson already getting out of it with a pair of icy, oppressive eyes fixed on her.

A quiver ran down Leilani’s spine, but she was not willing to back down. She needed to know why he had suddenly appeared there.

“What are you doing here?” they both inquired simultaneously, though Nelson’s tone was severe while Leilani lacked confidence in her voice.

Casting a glance toward Jones, she noticed he was already on his feet, observing them from a distance.

Releasing a sigh, Leilani closed her eyes and when she opened them again, she was taken aback to see Nelson making his way over to where Jones stood.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Why do you keep hanging out with him?” Leilani was about to move when she heard Herbert’s voice behind her.

“He’s my boyfriend and I simply cannot comprehend why your boss believes he has the right to stalk me,” Leilani snapped at Herbert before hurrying to Nelson.

Herbert merely smiled and followed her at a leisurely pace until they both reached the spot where Nelson stood facing Jones.

“It’s you again?”

In just three words, Jones could sense the authority of someone like Nelson from his tone.

However, he managed to maintain his composure. After all, he hadn’t done anything wrong and Leilani had clarified they were not married.

“What did I tell you the last time, dude?” he asked gravely, his hands slipping into his suit pants pockets.

Jones was about to respond when Leilani beat him to it.

“Why are you here, Mr. Carter?” she asked in the same stern tone as Nelson, staring up at him.

But Nelson didn’t even spare her a glance. His entire focus was on Jones, causing Jones to shudder under the intensity of his gaze.

“I warned you, did I not?” Nelson continued in a calmly deceitful tone, “I warned you never to see you with my wife again. Answer me, did I not?”

Gulping, Jones vigorously nodded twice, sneaking a defiant peek at Leilani from the corner of his eyes.

“Mr. Carter!” Leilani raised her voice and stomped her feet in evident annoyance.

“Good. Now you cannot blame me for my actions,” Nelson stated simply, still not glancing in Leilani’s direction. He then walked back to the SUV while Herbert quickly rushed behind the wheel.

With his eyes closed, Nelson rested his head against the headrest and perpetually rubbed the space between his eyebrows.

“Run a background check on that boy, Herbert,” he instructed without opening his eyes.

Herbert pursed his lips and continued driving, saying nothing.

“Do you understand?” Nelson asked in a deep voice when he did not hear Herbert concede to his instruction.

“Yes, I do, Mr. Carter,” Herbert quickly responded, and a silence descended upon them thereafter.

“But Mr. Carter, Miss Hernandez informed me that the young man is her boyfriend. It would not be just to mistreat him,” Herbert cautiously voiced his thoughts.

Upon hearing his words, Nelson suddenly opened his eyes and gazed at Herbert through the front mirror.

“Do you mean Leilani admitted to you that the young man is her boyfriend?” Nelson wanted to believe he misheard.

Herbert nodded and continued, “And you know once the deal is over, she will return to her normal life. If she and her boyfriend fight now because of you, do you think it will be easy to reconcile?”

“Shut up and keep quiet, you ignorant assistant,” Nelson barked at Herbert, who immediately silenced himself.

“Believe me, I will truly fire you one of these days, and I mean it,” he scowled harder at Herbert. “Tell me, between me and Lani, whose side should you take?”

“Yours, Mr. Carter,” Herbert responded in a low voice, avoiding meeting Nelson’s gaze through the mirror.

“Then why the hell do I have a feeling that you’re always backing Lani up?” he demanded, barely holding back his rage.

Herbert remained silent as he drove in silence. After a moment, he stole a glance at the mirror and noticed how sore his boss looked, bringing a slight smile to his face.

It was clear why Nelson was unnecessarily angry. He was resentful that Leilani had confessed to having a boyfriend.

His heart had been affected, he just hadn’t fully realized it yet.

“I want all the intel on that kid. His job, parents, and interests. Everything, by tomorrow. Understood?” Nelson suddenly spoke up, almost causing Herbert to jump in surprise.

“Consider it done, sir.”