Mr. CEO Sassy Bride

“Remember to invite us for your wedding anniversary, Mr. Carter,” the DPO joked as he led Leilani and Nelson to his parked car.

Nelson nodded, opening the passenger side door for Leilani before joining her at the wheel.

The air in the car became heavy and still, like the calm before a storm.

“So, you were planning to sell my clothes?” His voice was icy and sent shivers down Leilani’s spine, his ocean blue eyes lifeless and cold.

“Do you want to drive me away that badly, or are you simply amused by seeing me in trouble? First it was the clown makeup, and now my clothes,” his tone softened slightly as he let out a heavy sigh.

“I apologize, sir,” Leilani said, avoiding his gaze as she fiddled with the chain of her shoulder bag. “I’m truly sorry for causing you trouble, and I promise it won’t happen again.”

“It won’t happen again because I’m letting you go now,” Nelson announced, surprising Leilani.

She looked up at him, seeing the seriousness in his face.

“Yes, I’m tired of your mischievous tricks. I am truly releasing you from our arrangement, and I’ll transfer the agreed upon payment to your account,” Nelson declared, fixing Leilani with a stern look.

For what felt like an eternity, Leilani couldn’t find the words to respond, her mouth opening and closing in shock.

Finally, Nelson began the car and drove off, while Leilani was still speechless.

An hour later, Nelson parked the car in the garage and turned to Leilani, catching her staring at him.

“I refuse to depart until our deal has reached the three-month mark, sir,” Leilani stated with finality.

Nelson let out an annoyed sigh and inquired, “What plan are you attempting to pull now?”

“Haven’t you always wanted me gone from your life?” he retorted, their gazes locking briefly before they both looked away simultaneously.

“Well,” Leilani began, licking her lower lip nervously. “All I know is that I won’t leave until our deal is completed and as for the payment, I’ll forget about it. It’s my way of repaying you for bailing me out of jail,” as she spoke of the money, but avoided meeting Nelson’s eyes.

As soon as she finished speaking, she opened the door and exited without waiting for Nelson’s reaction.

Leilani let out a deep breath she hadn’t realized she was holding while she was in the car with Nelson.

She continuously patted her face, feeling it heat up intensely.

“Why? Why am I blushing so intensely?” she asked herself, but her face only grew redder, resembling a cooked shrimp.

Goodness!

To distract herself from the thoughts causing her to flush, she quickly retrieved her phone from her bag and called Hannah.

“Best!!!” Hannah’s excited voice rang in Leilani’s ear before she could even say hello.

“Oh, Lani. You remember me and Ethan today after such a long time?” Hannah added.

Leilani rolled her eyes at her words. “We didn’t talk just yesterday and we chat almost every day. So quit exaggerating,” she replied.

“Oh, you caught me,” Hannah laughed before continuing, “What’s up, Best? It’s my day off from work today and Ethan and I are so bored since David went out for a job interview.”

“Can you ask permission from your boss to hang out with us, pretty please?” Hannah pleaded with Leilani over the phone.

“Absolutely, Hannah. I’m rather bored here as well. How about meeting at the ice cream parlor on the corner of your street? I have plenty of news to share with you,” Leilani said jovially before ending the call.

Assuming that Nelson had already left the premises by now, Leilani made her way towards the front door, but was stopped by one of the servants.

“Lunch is ready, ma’am. Will you be going out again?” the maid asked.

She smiled gently and responded calmly, “I have an urgent appointment. I’ll have lunch when I return. Thank you.”

“Okay, ma’am,” the maid nodded.

With that, Leilani hurried out of the house.

*******

Ethan’s face lit up with joy upon seeing his sister again. He was chattering away non-stop, surprising Hannah as he usually didn’t engage much in conversation with her.

As they exited the ice cream parlor, all three of them were holding large cones of their favorite flavor.

“Let me taste yours, Ethan,” Leilani said, leaning down to his wheelchair.

Smiling, Ethan brought his vanilla ice cream towards Leilani’s mouth, but instead of eating it, he playfully smeared it on her nose.

“Ethan!” Leilani exclaimed in annoyance, quickly wiping her nose, but only managing to smudge it more.

Ethan burst into hearty laughter, joined by Hannah who couldn’t resist mocking Leilani.

“Sorry, best,” Hannah chuckled, offering Leilani a handkerchief.

Scowling, Leilani accepted the handkerchief and cleaned her face.

“Are you mad at me, sis?” Ethan grinned up at his sister, his dimples on full display.

Without saying anything, Leilani pretended to dust off her shoes, then swiftly pressed her ice cream to Ethan’s nose, catching him off guard.

Now it was Leilani’s turn to laugh. She laughed hysterically, throwing her head back, overcome with hysteria.

Ethan glared intently at the girls, but their laughter only seemed to grow stronger.

“You two find it amusing to mock a child? Congratulations,” he scowled as he wiped his face clean.

“Oh, I do apologize, honey. But I merely repaid you with your own actions, baby,” Leilani drawled, coming up behind him and taking hold of his chair’s handle.

Ethan knew what she was about to do, yet he remained angry with her. “No, Lani. I have no interest,” he stated firmly.

“But I know you desire it,” Leilani playfully teased, before she began to ride him without warning.

“Lani, I said stop!” Ethan yelled, but Leilani only increased her pace, laughing all the while.

Hannah also joined in the laughter as she chased after them.

It wasn’t long before Ethan found himself caught up in the joyful energy and he couldn’t help but join in. He always loved it whenever Leilani rode him like this.

Meanwhile, Nelson and Herbert watched from their car across the street.

Nelson was captivated by the sound of her infectious laughter. He had never heard her laugh like this before.

It was melodic, genuine, and filled the air, causing his heart to swell in his chest. It was obvious that Leilani cherished moments like these when she could play together with her loved ones.

Leilani’s laughter kept a constant smile on his own face, unbeknownst to him.

However, Herbert noticed and it also made him smile. He couldn’t recall the last time he saw his boss smile to himself so genuinely.

“Herbert, who do you think that boy in the wheelchair is to her?” Nelson inquired, his gaze fixed on the trio disappearing from sight.

“Um, her brother, perhaps?” Herbert guessed, glancing at Nelson in the rearview mirror.

“And the other lady?” Nelson pressed.

“Maybe her sister or friend. I’m not entirely certain,” Herbert replied.

A brief silence fell between them.

“Find out more about them, Herbert. Both the lady and the child she was riding,” Nelson instructed.

Herbert nodded firmly. “Consider it done, sir.”

“Well then, get out and get to work already,” Nelson commanded, meeting Herbert’s eyes in the mirror.

Herbert was taken aback, his lips parting in utter disbelief. “You mean right this instance, sir?” he stuttered, perplexed. “But we’re en route to our scheduled meeting with a client, Mr. Carter. Who will be behind the wheel to take you back?”

In a swift and sudden motion, Nelson emerged from the car, striding towards the driver’s seat. With a hasty push, he opened the door, gesturing for Herbert to vacate the vehicle.

“Get out, Herbert,” Nelson commanded. “You may take the rest of the day off, but I expect profitable feedback from you tomorrow.”

Bowing slightly, Herbert complied with his boss’s orders, stepping out of the car as Nelson took his place behind the wheel.

“I shall do as you have instructed, sir,” Herbert replied respectfully, watching as Nelson drove off.

“Ah, what a self-absorbed boss,” Herbert scoffed, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

Adjusting his suit, he crossed the street, ready to embark on his assigned task.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.