The CEO’s Second Choice

Elena

Curled up in bed as the day’s events play over in my head. I truly wanted this position at Exeter, but Elijah has put me off going. I refuse to do online courses because I am tired of being stuck in this villa all day. Urgh!

I changed my mind about going out tonight. I’m not interested in being around people right now. Today has been more disappointing than anything else and it all had Elijah’s name written on it. I have grown so tired of his advances. How much longer will he continue to pursue me when he knows that I am Sebastian’s?

A knock on the door sounds and in walks my husband with a worried frown on his face. “Is it safe to enter?” he asks, and I smile as I sit up from the safety of my fluffy blanket. “Only for you, love,” I answer and he walks in after closing the door behind him. He sits down next to me on the bed and takes my hand in his. “What happened after our phone call?” he asks, holding my gaze. I sigh at this question. How do I answer him? Where do I start?

“Elijah happened. He followed me to my coffee shop and continued to harass me there. He seems to think that I feel something other than admiration for him, which is not the truth. As I left, he grasped my upper arm to stop me and it sent me straight into a panic attack.” I said, and I could see the anger rising in his eyes. “It seems I am not quite over the Nicholas ordeal.”

He takes me in his arms and holds me in a tight embrace. “I will handle Elijah, leave that to me. The thing that bothers me the most is that it seems you are heading into a depressive spiral, my love. I have noticed it over the past few weeks and it is something we need to work on before you can’t pull yourself out of it. In the past you would have handled Elijah without being this bundle of self-pity and tears, so now I am stepping in.” He says and before I could get mad at his words, he stood up and pulled me to my feet, then he threw me over his shoulder!

“Sebastian!” I call out, but all he does is give my bottom a smack and walk downstairs with me slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

Oh, my gosh, I am mortified! The staff all cheered us on as we walked through the villa, but all I could do was cover my blazing face. My eyes fall on Ilse and my heart feels full; she had her hand to her chest and unshed tears in her eyes. My mother, for all intents and purposes!

Someone opens the front door and Sebastian leads me to the Phantom. He puts me down before opening the door, climbing in and pulling me on to his lap. “Sebastian, what the heck are you doing?!” I exclaim, but all he does is smile at me before placing a blindfold over my eyes. “Stop being such a brat, Elena and just trust your husband.” He said and then we were off. The worst part was that I couldn’t hear anything except my and Sebastian’s breathing; another perk of this vehicle, so I couldn’t even listen or get a hint as to where we were going.

“You do realise that I am in my pyjamas, right?” I ask him and hear him chuckle. “And you look as beautiful as you do in a ballgown, my love.” He says as he rubs the small of my back in circles and plants a kiss on my shoulder. I sigh at this. Where was he taking me?

About 30 minutes later, the vehicle comes to a stop and Sebastian opens the door to let me out. I still heard nothing but our footsteps as we walked. Then Sebastian led me up a staircase and onto a landing. Curiosity was clawing at my chest, and I was steadily growing annoyed, so I ripped my hand from his. “Sebastian, I’ve had enough of this game. Where am I and where are you taking me?!” I exclaim, then the light blinds my eyes as he takes off the blindfold and kisses my forehead.

“On our honeymoon.” He says, and I am momentarily silenced and dazed before looking at our surroundings; we were on his private jet.

I look at Sebastian with a shocked expression on my face, but all he does is chuckle and lead me over to our seats. “What…how…” I stutter, and he wraps his arms around my waist. “I figured you need some time away from England, so I will be taking you away for a few weeks.” He answers me. My jaw must have hit my chest at lightning speed because he laughed and pulled me into a hug and sighed.

“I love you, Elena, and I want the best for you. But you’re not at your optimal at the moment and I cannot fault you for that. You need a change of scenery and what’s better than our villa in The Cayman Islands?” He says and I frown at this. “Excuse me? Or villa in The Caymans?” I ask, confused. As far as I know, we didn’t have a villa there. Sebastian smiles and hands me a glass of champagne. “Yes. I bought one last week,” he says, “I figured since we didn’t even have a proper honeymoon, we might as well have one now. So I bought this villa for you when you need to get away from everything again. Of course, I will accompany you whenever I am able to.”

He bought me a villa in The Cayman Islands. Of course, he did.

I was so shocked at this that I downed my champagne and walked over to the window. How do I show appreciation at such a romantic gesture? How could I possibly thank him for what he has done? I look over at Sebastian and my lip starts to tremble, “Thank you,” was all I got out, and he wraps me in another embrace. “I would do anything to see you smile, my love. Your light has been dimmed because of something that was not your fault, and we need to get it back. I will always be here for you, no matter what happens.” He says and kisses my forehead lightly.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“I love you too,” I tell him, letting out a sigh and suddenly feeling lighter and a bit guilty at growing annoyed at him. A few months ago, I never would have pictured myself with Sebastian like this. In fact, I loathed being in his presence because of his constant teasing, but now I couldn’t picture my life without him by my side. This makes me feel guilty… guilty for feeling attracted to Elijah when I have everything I could ever want in Sebastian.

What is wrong with me?