Contract Go Wrong: The CEO’s Tempting Bride

Gina bit her lips and finally gave up trying, making a mental note to ask the Butler.

She put back the contract inside its folder, then dropped it on the bedside table.

After laying on the bed, Gina stared blankly at the ceiling, many thoughts running through her head.

If she had gone through the contract before signing it, would that be a different story? But what difference does it makes? It would still be the same, as she would have to marry him anyway to save her father’s business.

Her lips crept up into a sad smile and she sniffed back her tears.

For so long, marriage was the only thing she had yearned for a very long time to find solace in.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Her unspoken fears, nightmares, and heartbreaks were finally going to be wiped away, after finding someone to find comfort in.

Rejecting so many men in the past, Gina held her standards so high and only vowed to marry someone who loves her and she would love in return.

Among them was Greg whom she had harbored such feelings for. She shut her eyes and heaved another deep breath, not wanting to have recollections of such memories.

Her eyes remained shut, thoughts still running through her head, and a long time passed by before she found herself drifting into dreamland.

***

Downstairs, the Night had fallen and Butler Donald paced the living room.

He had a phone in his hand which he kept glancing down at. His face held a worried expression and even beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.

Then, suddenly, the phone rang again, and he almost dropped it to the floor, at the sight of the caller’s name.

“Y… Yes Master,” he greeted the person at the other end.

“Yes, she’s here already,” he added respectfully.

“No, the—the Young Master has not returned” The Butler replied once more, then cringed as the person thundered from the other end.

“I—I am very sure it is work, he might be held back at the office,” he replied quickly, then glanced down at his wristwatch.

It was still 9 PM and he hopes his master would stop pestering him of the Young Master’s whereabouts. However, he couldn’t blame the old man, knowing that the newlywed couples should logically be together by now.

“N… No, there’s nothing wrong with them, they’re both happy and the Young Miss seems to like him a lot,” He lied through his teeth and sighed.

“Good!” Exclaimed the person at the other end. He let out a throaty laugh, his voice laced with excitement, then said, “Great Job Donald, you may now return.”

Butler Donald’s eyes widened and he stammered, “You mean I can go back.” He had to confirm that he hadn’t heard wrong.

“Yes, Butler… Didn’t you say you missed your wife? And besides, since the children are doing fine, it wouldn’t be fair to be a third wheel, no?,” said the old man from the other end, as he laughed again. “Your flight ticket is booked, you should come back tomorrow.”

“Y… Yes, Master.” Butler Donald quickly nodded and listened to the beeping sound from the other end. He couldn’t wait to go back to his family, and had also missed the calming breeze of nature surrounding the island.

When he thought back to the girl, he couldn’t help but feel guilty. Maybe he should have tell the old man the truth. However, the boy was as ruthless as his grandfather, and he wouldn’t want to get on either’s bad side.

So he only had to do everything to save his own skin. Hopefully, the girl would abide by any rule set for her, then she wouldn’t have to see the violent side of the Young Master.

After shoving the phone back into his pocket, he glanced at his wristwatch again, turned around, and headed to his room which was just downstairs.

He didn’t want to waste time, and started parking. Knowing that every refurbishment and furniture for this ancient mansion has all been taken care of and no more supervision was needed from his side, the Butler’s mind was at ease.

And he also couldn’t wait to see the family’s little princess.

***

When Gina woke up, the sky had turned dark.

Pressing a hand to her forehead, she groaned and sat up on the bed, not believing that she had slept for so long.

Was she depressed? She frowned at the thought, as she had read it somewhere that people with depression symptoms tend to sleep beyond normal.

No, she wouldn’t let her condition escalate to that.

A dull pain pulled her out of her thoughts and she slightly rubbed her forehead, attributing the pain to probably crying too much.

She stood up carefully on wobbly legs and dragged them toward the bathroom.

After turning on the faucet, Gina washed her tear-streaked face, hoping the puffy eye bags would disappear soon.

She decided to take a bath as it was already nighttime then changed into pajamas, yet bundling herself in a sweater again.

The hunger in her stomach, built up with each second and she had to painstakingly apply a concealer again. She didn’t want to face him, and wouldn’t afford to starve herself either.

Feeling accomplished with her work, Gina gave the folder on the bedside table another glance, sighed, and left the room.

She sauntered down the stairs, clutching tightly to the railing, afraid her legs might give out at any moment, as her vision had started blurring from the intense hunger.

Trying to fasten her pace, it was futile, and she regretted sleeping for so long, still finding it weird.

On reaching the dining area, Gina found the place empty. No food on the table, no Butler in sight, and thankfully, no Adrian.

But that wasn’t her problem at the moment.

Without waiting to ponder, Gina continued in her steps towards the kitchen, opened the fridge, picked out some ingredients, and got to work.

She had a hard time operating the huge stove, which was completely different from the one she had known. And the fact that she hadn’t learned how to use it, due to her dislike for cooking made her regret it now.