Affair With The Arrogant CEO

Ethan freezes for just a moment, almost imperceptibly, then he nods. She took that as her cue to continue. “What exactly are we going to do?” He heaved a sigh, almost forgetting what just happened between them. “I.... I don’t know. I shouldn’t have put you in such a terrible position.” He sighed again as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Terrible position? Meaning what?” Her heart aches, but she forces herself to say the words, fighting to keep her expression neutral. “You’re still going to marry Madelyn. Even after we...” He nods, not that he wanted to. “Yes I... I have to.”

He exhaled sharply as if he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. But the sound just exasperates her even more. “You don’t have to do anything. You could grow up! Are you ever going to take responsibility for your part in all this?”

“You’re right. I haven’t been stepping up like I should... but I’m trying to change that now. And this engagement. It’s my way of trying to take responsibility, for the company.” She looks at him in awe. “The company? What does it have to do with this?”

“Everything. I don’t know what you’ve heard about me and Madelyn, but the arrangement was our parents’ idea. A way to merge our families and companies.” She scoffed and laughed a bit. “Because it’s the 19th century again?” She murmurs and rolled her eyes.

“Something like that. But I’ve known Madelyn forever. At the time, the engagement seemed like the right move.” He shook his head and sighed. “A way to secure legacy for your career?”

“Exactly. After so many years, it’s high time I settle down. Not that I care what the society says, just that my mother insisted all because my father is no more and I’m the CEO. And I’m under a threat by my mother. Everything was all going well, but then...”

“Then you met me.” She finished his sentence. He hesitated but nodded. She feels her heart sink even further. “If I don’t marry Madelyn, I lose everything. It’d be an easy decision if I only had myself to think about. But if Liam takes the company, I lose everything. Including the company.” Enjoying the story? Read on at novelceo(.)com.

“Oh... Ethan, I... I get it. I can’t ask you to do something that could hurt you or make you lose your assets. So I think we should just... take a step back. You’re engaged. You’re going to marry Madelyn. Until that changes, we cannot keep going the way we have been.”

He nods to her, respecting her decision. “Of course. If that’s what you want. I’ll respect your wish.” Ethan’s eyes roam her face, his gaze soft and sad. “I suppose I should start by sitting over there, huh?” She nodded her. “Yeah, that might be best.”

Ethan retreats to the other side of the plane, and she turns to face the window, watching the clouds float by aimlessly.

She knew she was doing the right thing. But why does it feels so wrong?

Hours later, they finally land in Rome and make the drive to Madelyn’s family villa with Ethan. Even though it feels like six in the morning to her, the noon sun was dazzling. “I’m so tired, I can barely see straight.” Isabella sighed tiredly. “Don’t worry, you’ll be taken to your room soon and you’d rest as much as you want.” She nods, wondering when she was going to see her colleague.

“Is that my love I hear?” Madelyn emerges from the house and greets them all with the same airy side kiss against each cheek. “You’re here, finally! Welcome to our humble adobe.”

Isabella took a deep breath as Madelyn steps back, a stark reminder that Ethan was engaged.

“Come in, come in. It won’t do for the neighbours to see us standing outside all day.” Isabella looked at her, wondering where the neighbours were, because there weren’t any other houses around. “Which neighbours?” Isabella still asked. Madelyn waves her off as she ushers the two of them through the house and to the back patio.

“So, I will give you a brisk tour so you don’t get lost.” She leads them to the back patio with a gorgeous overlook of the surrounding hills. “Wow. I could get used to this.” Isabella mouthed, admiring the view ahead of them. “It’s a stunning view.” Ethan nodded, agreeing with her statement.

Isabella was taken to her room afterwards, and she falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow.

Hours later, after accidentally taking a much longer nap than she intended, she wakes up and shuffle into the kitchen. “I just made a fresh pot of caffe. You want some?” Isabella jumps in horror, she wasn’t expecting anyone to be there. “Madelyn! You scared me!” She breathed out, to calm herself.