Mr. CEO Sassy Bride

Golden sunbeams filtered through the drawn drapes, casting a brilliant beam of light across the bed where Leilani rested. Her eyelids flickered before she was able to peel them open.

With a soft groan, she perched atop her new bedding, a double cover and an additional layer draped over her form.

Eventually, Nelson took pity on her and offered some blankets to sleep on last night after she adamantly refused to slumber on the couch.

However, Leilani’s sleep was fleeting as she scoured through job listings on the internet, desperately seeking any available position. Thankfully, she secured a job and was due to start this morning.

As she began to arrange the covers, the stoic man emerged from what Leilani presumed to be the dressing room.

She glanced at him, dressed in a sleek black suit. His jet-black hair was styled in his own unique way, and his piercing blue eyes shone like the moon. His face was chiseled to perfection, giving him an otherworldly handsomeness.

Leilani’s heart fluttered and she quickly averted her gaze.

“Uhmm… Good morning,” she greeted softly, but received no response as he continued with his task.

“I just wanted to let you know that I have plans this morning and may return late,” she spoke up.

Nelson paused in adjusting his tie and directed a cold, stern look at her. “Remember, this is a fake marriage between us. You may do as you please, but if my mother objects, then it’s final,” his deep, authoritative voice rumbled.

Leilani swallowed and nervously bit her lip, wondering what excuse she could give Susan.

Long after Nelson had left the room, Leilani stood in front of the full-length mirror in the dressing room, admiring herself.

Truly, Susan was a remarkable mother. She had purchased countless dresses and accessories for Leilani just yesterday, all perfectly suited to her taste.

After a final glance, Leilani grabbed her black purse and left the room.

“Good morning, Mother,” Leilani greeted as she spotted Susan emerging from the dining hall.

“Well, well, it’s my lovely daughter-in-law,” Susan beamed, patiently waiting for Leilani to descend the rest of the stairs. As soon as she did, she warmly embraced her.

“Have you had any time to rest?” Susan asked with a playful wink, causing Leilani to chuckle and remain silent.

“Come now, you can trust me, dear. Has my son touched you already?” Susan asked, hope glimmering in her eyes.

Leilani simply sealed her lips shut, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of crimson.

She wondered how Susan would react when she discovered that they were not truly married, let alone engaging in the activities of a married couple.

Grinning, Leilani expressed her gratitude, “Thank you for the dresses, Mother. I adore every single one of them, they are incredibly precise and exquisite.” She deftly changed the subject.

“Truly?” Susan smiled as well, “I knew you would love them. I took great care in selecting each piece.”

With her words, she took Leilani’s hand and led her to the dining table, saying, “Let’s converse while enjoying our breakfast, dear.”

“No, Mother. I cannot eat breakfast,” Leilani softly interrupted.

Shocked, Susan looked at her and inquired, “Why, dear? Is something amiss?”

“Not particularly, Mother. There’s just someone I must see urgently,” Leilani replied.

A frown appeared on Susan’s face, “Who are you planning to meet, Leilani?”

She couldn’t help but ask, curious since Leilani had revealed to her during their first encounter that she had no living relatives.

“I promise to provide you with details upon my return, Mother. For now, I must go,” with that, she hastened towards the entrance hall.

Susan was bewildered, “At least have something to eat before you leave, my dear!” she called after her.

“I will do so when I return, Mother. Bye!”

Susan stood there, uncertain of what to do. She couldn’t recall Nelson mentioning that Leilani would be heading out today, the day after their marriage.

**********Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“We are here, ma’am,” the cab man’s abrupt declaration snapped Leilani out of her reverie.

She peered out the window, a smile spreading across her face as she realized they had reached the correct destination.

But her moment of contentment was abruptly halted when her gaze fell upon the wedding ring encircling her finger. With a scowl, she hurriedly stashed it back into her purse, paying the cab driver before stepping out of the vehicle.

Upon entering the grand cafe, Leilani was promptly greeted by the manager. It seemed that her punctual submission of the application the previous night had caught the manager’s attention.

“I hope you are as diligent as you claimed to be, Leilani Hernandez,” the manager, a woman in her fifties, inquired skeptically.

In the manager’s eyes, Leilani’s attire did not exude the demeanor of someone fit for the job.

However, Leilani was well aware of the manager’s preconceived notions and couldn’t help but curse Nelson under her breath.

He had explicitly instructed her not to bring a change of clothes. And now, because she was dressed in an expensive dress, the manger was doubting her capabilities.

With a bright smile, she placed a hand over her heart and reassured, “You can trust me, Mrs. Barbara,” she emphasized the manager’s name upon glancing at her name tag. “I will surpass your expectations, if you just trust me.”

A small smile graced Mrs. Barbara’s lips as she nodded in approval.

Before long, Leilani was geared up for work. She adorned the staff uniform consisting of a black short-sleeved shirt, skirt, a brown hat, and a waist apron.

She had been performing exceptionally well, much to the manager’s surprise.

However, on the flip side, Nelson seemed far from pleased as he received a report from his assistant.

The client he had been eagerly anticipating had requested to meet him at a cafe instead of the office.

“The bistro is conveniently situated right across from the company, Mr. Carter. It shouldn’t be too much of a hassle,” Herbert tried to persuade his boss, but a deathly glare from Nelson caused him to promptly retract his words.

Nelson then rose to his feet and made his way out of the office, reminding Herbert to stay behind.

Passing through the elevator and exiting the reception, he left the company and crossed the street to where his client was waiting at the cafe.

The guard at the entrance saluted him as he entered, to which he merely nodded in response.

It didn’t take long for him to spot his client, devouring his meal. A rotund man in a business suit, bald and dressed in gray. As he raised his head, Nelson also caught his attention and the man gestured for him to come over.

“Good day, Mr. Lucas,” Nelson greeted humbly, bowing his head slightly.

Lucas returned the greeting with a nod as he continued to chew on his meal without pause.

“I hope I haven’t disturbed you too much, Mr. Carter,” Lucas said between bites of his salad, causing Nelson to nearly grimace in disgust.

What an uncouth man.

“Not at all, sir. Please, enjoy the rest of your meal. I’ll just order something for myself,” Nelson replied, giving Lucas a polite smile.

Without hesitation, Nelson looked up to call for a server and saw Leilani serving coffee to another customer, a radiant smile gracing her face.

He was surprised and at that moment, Leilani finished with the customer and their eyes met directly.

The shock was evident on both of their faces and Leilani had to blink several times to make sure she wasn’t imagining things.

Is this where she said she was going and that she might be a bit late? Nelson wondered to himself.

Meanwhile, Leilani still hadn’t quite composed herself when Lucas signaled for her to approach.

“Damn,” she muttered before taking a deep breath to calm her nerves.

She had served Lucas before, but she had no idea when Nelson had joined him.

“Can I assist you, sir?” she politely asked, flashing a smile and pretending not to notice Nelson’s gaze on her.

Lucas bestowed a loving smile upon Leilani before casting a glance at Nelson. “She possesses natural kindness and excels in her role, Mr. Carter. I believe she would be an excellent fit for you,” he stated.

Nelson let out a disbelieving huff under his breath. “Natural kindness, my foot,” he muttered.

His gaze descended upon Leilani’s hands, noting the absence of the ring as expected.

Well played.

All the while, Leilani desperately prayed to God that Nelson wouldn’t blow her cover and ruin everything.

“Just fetch me a glass of water,” Nelson ordered with a grim expression.

“Right away, sir,” Leilani responded with a respectful bow, secretly thrilled to see that he was playing along.

A few seconds later, Leilani approached their table with a tray holding a glass of water.

However, she stumbled over Nelson’s feet and the contents of the glass spilled all over Lucas.

Oops.