Mr. CEO Sassy Bride

As they drove, Herbert couldn’t help but frequently steal glances at his boss’s face through the rearview mirror. His expression was almost unreadable, making it difficult for Herbert to gauge when it would be appropriate to speak up.

Feeling the weight of his assistant’s piercing gaze, Nelson spoke up in a nonchalant tone without even sparing a glance at his assistant. “You should have stayed behind and quelled your curiosity, Herbert.”

Summoning up his courage, Herbert ventured to ask, “Mr. Carter, do you happen to know the lady from somewhere?”

Nelson shut his eyes, trying to recall the name of the bird again. “Arch-aeo-pter-yx,” he muttered, struggling to pronounce it correctly.

“Archaeopteryx,” Herbert corrected him, looking at his boss through the rearview mirror.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Repeating the name to himself, Nelson’s nose flared in irritation. “Yeah, that’s the one. She called me that this morning,” he gritted out.

Unable to contain his amusement, Herbert burst out laughing, hitting the steering wheel. “That’s quite funny, Mr. Carter. And you believed her?”

Nelson’s glower showed just how little he appreciated Herbert’s laughter. Instantly, Herbert’s laughter turned into a serious expression once again.

“It’s a common habit of some women to compliment men in a strange way, sir,” Herbert explained confidently.

Looking out the window, Nelson gave Herbert a stern look. “And what about her calling me a bastard? She threw all sorts of insults my way this morning, Herbert. So it’s best you stay out of this,” he warned.

Feeling utterly speechless, Herbert pursed his lips and continued driving.

Finally arriving at their destination, Herbert parked the car in the garage and went to open his boss’s door. But Nelson remained motionless, lost in his thoughts.

“Mr. Carter,” Herbert beckoned in a hushed tone, pulling him out of his reverie.

Nelson raised his gaze, let out a small sigh, and stepped out of the vehicle, but he didn’t move any further. Now that he was back home, he couldn’t help but be upset with himself for losing his temper with his mother this morning. He didn’t even know how to face her yet.

“Is something troubling you, sir?” Herbert asked, concern etched on his forehead as he still held onto the door handle.

Nelson met his assistant’s gaze and a relieved smile almost formed on his lips. He didn’t know where he would be without Herbert in his life.

Despite enduring years of ridicule and abuse from Nelson, he never once considered resigning. He stood by him and supported him tirelessly. He was truly a dedicated and resilient man.

“You can go back now. I’m fine,” Nelson replied simply and headed towards the grand entrance of the villa.

But as soon as he entered the opulent living room, Nelson’s nerves were on edge when he didn’t see his mother sitting and knitting on her favorite recliner.

“Where is my mother?” he barked in agitation at the maid who appeared in his line of sight.

His muscles tensed and relaxed as he tried not to think of the worst possible scenarios.

The maid curtsied respectfully, “Madam is sleeping in her room, sir.”

Nelson didn’t wait for her to finish her sentence before sprinting towards the stairs, taking them two at a time. His mother’s bedroom was to the left, opposite his.

“Mother?” He froze when he saw Susan lying on the bed, her head tilted to one side, and her eyes closed.

“Mother!” Nelson gasped, practically flying across the bedroom to reach his unconscious mother.

Firmly grasping her, he uttered with urgency, “It is me, Mother. Open your eyes,”

Susan’s eyes flew open, taken aback by the suddenness of his sharp words. Confused, she glanced around before her gaze settled on Nelson’s worried expression.

“What’s going on, son?” she inquired in a hushed tone, attempting to sit up.

Nelson swiftly helped her up and propped her with a cushion behind her back. “You frightened me with your weird sleeping posture, Mother. Why were you asleep? Are you unwell? Should I summon the doctor?”

Despite her advanced age, Susan was not accustomed to napping in the middle of the day, which is why Nelson found it odd to see her sleeping.

With a smile and gripping both of Nelson’s hands in her own, Susan responded, “I am well, son. You need not fret needlessly.”

“Why must I refrain from worrying? You are the only elderly woman I know who shuns sleeping in the afternoon. And yet, here you are, slumbering, and telling me not to worry?” Nelson exclaimed, taken aback.

He then placed his hand on Susan’s forehead, gauging her temperature. “Speak the truth, Mother. Are you experiencing pain anywhere? When is your next medical examination?”

As he spoke, he scrutinized every inch of her body, as if searching for any visible injury.

With tears brimming in her eyes, Susan lovingly caressed Nelson’s face and confessed, “Is it selfish of me to admit that I never want to depart from your side, son?”

Overwhelmed with concern, Nelson grasped the hand that was touching his face and declared firmly, “What are you saying, Mother? You shall never leave my side,” suppressing the emotion threatening to consume him.

“You are still very young, Mother. Only sixty-five while I, your son, am thirty-five. Do not even consider it yet, alright? I cannot bear for you to depart like my own parents,” His breathing came fast and nervous as he made his plea.

Susan bowed her head, casting a longing gaze at her son’s face. She wanted to speak, but Nelson interrupted, imploring, “You can’t leave me, Mother. I’m doing everything to make you happy.”

A pause, followed by a downcast expression. “Sorry for yelling at you this morning. You don’t have to worry anymore, as I promised. I’ve found a woman today, and she’ll be here whenever you need her.”

At Nelson’s words, Susan’s eyes widened in surprise. “Already, son? Tell me, was it love at first sight?” Her previous melancholic mood vanished, replaced by a more optimistic one.

Nelson averted his gaze, suppressing a scoff. ‘It was hatred at first sight,’ he thought to himself.

“Please, stop saying the word ‘love.’ You know I can’t bear to hear it, Mother,” his tone softened, but he still sounded hoarse.

Susan nodded in understanding. “Of course, I know, son. But my sincere wish is for you to learn to love again. You deserve it.” Her voice cracked, and tears began to flow once more as she pleaded with her son.

Without hesitation, Nelson stood up and tucked the blanket around Susan. “I need to freshen up now. I’ll see you later.”

As soon as he was out of sight, Nelson couldn’t shake off the raw, agonizing feeling that consumed him like an unhealed wound.

Fury coursing through his veins, he clenched his fists and punched the wall with a frustrated grunt.

“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Shit!”

His knuckles cracked and bled, but he didn’t feel the pain. The tears in his mother’s eyes haunted him, tearing his heart apart. The thought that he was the cause of her suffering was unbearable.

***

At night, Leilani prepared to leave her home, ensuring that Ethan was sound asleep before departing for her best friend’s neighborhood.

As she approached the entrance gate, she spotted a familiar figure beneath the dimly lit street lamps.

“Hannah,” she greeted with gratitude, embracing her friend and instantly succumbing to tears.

Hannah, a blonde and towering figure next to Leilani, held her close as she wept.

“I’m finished, Hannah. Completely finished. I can’t possibly continue in this one-sided deal and survive. My brother needs to walk again…” Leilani’s suppressed agony resurfaced as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Even Hannah, who was meant to be her source of comfort, couldn’t hold back her own tears. She knew Leilani’s stubbornness was unmatched, but she was also aware of her soft-hearted nature.

After their tears had subsided, they moved to the quarters and sat side by side on the modest staircase.

A silent stillness enveloped them as they gazed at the starry night sky above.

“What should I do, Hannah? Should I just flee?” Leilani broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper.

Upon hearing Leilani’s words, Hannah’s fear immediately took hold. “You can’t do that, Lani. Someone as wealthy and influential as your groom will always find you, even if you’re hiding in a rat hole.”

“Don’t call him my groom, Hannah,” Leilani sternly warned.

Hannah let out a giggle and wrapped her arms around Leilani. “You’ve told me everything, Lani, but you didn’t mention his looks. Is he really handsome?”

Leilani grunted and stifled her words. “He’s nothing but a beast of a man with his devilish smile.”

“What did you say?” Hannah asked, not catching her words.

“Hannah, instead of asking irrelevant questions about that man, shouldn’t you be helping me find a way out of this mess I’m in?” Leilani barked, standing up.

“How am I going to survive without getting paid for three months? My helpless brother and even Madam Bassey will soon kick me out, as the rent is overdue,” Leilani lamented.

Pain pierced her heart; she had never felt so helpless in her life.

Hannah also stood up, looking at her best friend’s devastated face for a moment before finally speaking up. “Make him fall in love with you, Lani.”