The CEO'S Contracted Wife

Chapter 1: I don't like you

Adele’s Point of View

“Are they not the ones whose parents passed away?”

“Yes, what a tragedy!”

“As they say, when your time comes, it comes.”

As we arrived at our house, the hushed whispers of our neighbours’ chatter reached our ears. My sister attempted to shield me from the conversation, but I had already caught wind of what was being discussed.

Two weeks ago, our parents were involved in a car accident on their way home. According to the news, they were travelling in a taxi that collided with another vehicle. Unfortunately, we were unable to visit the crash site as we were instructed to proceed directly to the funeral.

Social welfare tried to take us in, but my sister, being of working age, stood up against it and fought for our case. Eventually, we emerged victorious, and it was decided that I would be placed under my sister’s care.

My sister’s name was Daisy, and there was a 5-year age difference between us. She was eighteen, while I was thirteen. If she hadn’t taken care of me, she would have already been to college. However, her primary motivation was always to support me in completing my education before anything else — it saddened me because she had sacrificed everything for me.

Although it had been five years since my parents passed away, it felt like just yesterday. I vividly remember the night I spent crying in my room. However, time had passed and things had changed. My sister had become a successful manager at a high-end restaurant, and I had officially become a teenager!

Today was my 18th birthday.

At seven-thirty in the evening, we eagerly waited for my sister’s arrival. The invitation had specified that she would arrive at seven o’clock, but there had been no sign of her yet. The other guests had been getting bored, and Aunt Julia had approached me and whispered to blow out the candle so that everyone could eat. Despite feeling nervous, I had followed her advice and blew out the candle.

As the guests enjoyed themselves, I found myself restless. I couldn’t bring myself to respond to the greetings of the newcomers with a smile. My back-and-forth pacing caused my colored-naked gown to get dirty. There was something troubling me I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

Aunt Julia made me sit and offered me water to soothe my nerves. “Please have a seat. Your sister will be back soon. Maybe she’s visiting someone, which is why she’s late. Don’t worry, she’s just too busy with work,” she comforted me.

I rested my chin on the table, unable to even get dressed. My eyelids slowly drooped until they were shut tight, and I was consumed by sleepiness.

As I opened them for a quick peek, I was met with the sound of a loud conversation. Curiosity got the better of me, and I hurried over to investigate. Upon approaching, I noticed that three police officers had stationed themselves in front of our home. However, something about their presence didn’t sit right with me. Just as I was about to move closer to hear what they were discussing, I overheard something that caused me to gasp and cover my mouth in shock.

Before I could reach them, the words hit me and I began to sob uncontrollably. Everyone turned to me, including Aunt Julia, who rushed over to comfort me.

“That can’t be true, can it? My sister is just playing a prank on me because she’s running late for my birthday. She’s trying to surprise me, right? Please tell me it’s true, Aunt Julia. Where is she?” I chuckled through my tears. “Where is she? Why hasn’t she shown up yet?”

The trio of police officers looked away from me, seemingly pitying my situation. Despite this, I gathered the courage to approach them and reached out to pull the collar of the second officer. “Can you please show her to me? It’s my birthday today, and I don’t want this to be some kind of cruel j-joke,” I attempted to raise my voice, but it faltered in the end.

The officer gave Aunt Julia an ID with red lace and explained, “We found the victim wearing this when we arrived. We came here after checking the address on her ID. Although her belongings were still present, she had been stabbed several times. We have sent her body to the morgue for examination to determine if she was sexually assaulted. Unfortunately, she was found naked, which makes it highly likely that she was raped, with a 99% probability.”

I was as still as a statue, deep in the depths of contemplation. It was like a punch to the gut when I realised my sister had died, leaving me high and dry. I was as mad as a hornet when she left me in the dust. I was feeling down in the dumps because I couldn’t give her a dime in return for all the blood, sweat, and tears she had poured into me. My heart was filled with hatred for the people who took her life away. I was disappointed in her, and at the same time, I was consumed with resentment towards myself.

Aunt Julia gave me Daisy’s ashes, and I laid them on the burn. Instead of burying her, I wanted to keep her remains with me. Fortunately, I found a buyer for the house and decided not to stay. The thought of turning every corner would have been too painful.

“Aunt Julia, I cannot express my gratitude enough for all that you have done for me and my sister during her final moments. We know we have burdened you greatly, and for that, we apologize. With my sister now in heaven, it is my responsibility to earn a living and make ends meet.”

As she hugged me, tears streamed down her face and I couldn’t help but laugh. She had always been like a mother to me, so saying goodbye was bittersweet, but necessary. I gave her half of the money from selling the house and my sister had some savings in the bank, so then I had enough to get started.

As I gazed in front of me, I was met with the sight of a large multinational enterprise. It didn’t take long for me to notice the prominent sign that read “Whitlock Group”. Upon entering, I was met with a queue of applicants patiently waiting for their turn. Despite the long wait, everyone seemed content, as the interior was fully air-conditioned.

As I patiently waited in the queue, my eyes were captivated by the presence of a statuesque gentleman. He exuded an air of elegance and sophistication as he effortlessly glided past, his commanding figure adorned in a meticulously tailored black suit. The sleekness of his attire accentuated his height, making him appear even more distinguished and refined. It was as if he had stepped out of a classic Hollywood film, embodying the timeless allure of a debonair leading man. His strides were so expansive that his secretary found herself challenged to maintain pace with his brisk gait.

As they were about to step into the elevator, I clearly heard the woman say, “Excuse me, sir, I am submitting my resignation letter. I want to leave, but I am having trouble finding a replacement because you refuse to accept all candidates.”

As they prepared to depart, I leaned back and took another glance at them. The Whitlock Group was a renowned company that specialised in dealing with diverse types of medication. They acquired stocks and vended them to different pharmacies. I had pursued a degree in business management, and as such, I was open to taking risks. However, I was uncertain, since I had not completed my college education.

Soon enough, it was my turn to enter the room. I walked in and presented my resume to the impeccably dressed lady. Despite my presence, she took no notice of me and began reading my credentials. Without a word, she leaned back in her rotating chair.

“Tell me about yourself,” she said, surveying me. I wondered if she was going to offer me a seat. Her abrupt request caught me off guard.

“A-Ah! I’m Adele Barrow, and I’m currently eighteen years old. After graduating from high school, I pursued Business Management for a year, but for personal reasons, I had to put a halt to my studies,” I explained in a rush.

“Sorry, but we need a—”

I interrupted the woman before she could finish speaking and hastily pleaded with my palms pressed together. “I’m willing to take any job, even if it means working as a cleaner. Just give me a chance!”

The woman laughed loudly while chewing bubble gum. She nodded her head and grabbed the telephone on her desk to call someone. “Hey Cherry, it’s Wendy. I’ve found a replacement for your position.”

They continued their conversation for a few more minutes, with Wendy confidently stating, “I’m positive about her. She has the patience to deal with our moody boss!”

As soon as Wendy hung up the phone, my eyes lit up at what I heard. Overjoyed, I began to clap happily. Wendy chuckled and said something that I couldn’t quite make out. “Enjoy yourself for now, because eventually, you’ll have to face hell.”

A few minutes later, the lady made an appearance and, to my surprise, I recognised her as the same girl who had passed by earlier with the handsome, sophisticated man. She abruptly pulled my hand and greeted Wendy with a wave. And I was taken aback when we rushed out of the elevator and walked into a spacious room.

“Please! You’re my only hope!” She said, begging after she placed her hands on my shoulders.

As soon as we stepped out of the elevator, a chilling voice sent shivers down my spine. “Who did you bring this time?”

With a sense of purpose, the man meticulously affixed his signature to the stack of paperwork before him. As he completed the final stroke, his hand moved with a practiced grace, a testament to years of experience. We stood there, our anticipation palpable in the air, as the seconds ticked by. Finally, his gaze slowly lifted, meeting the eager eyes of Cherry and me, as if unveiling a hidden treasure.

The mesmerising azure depths of his eyes effortlessly ensnared your gaze, their allure impossible to resist. Meanwhile, his impeccably chiseled nose, possessing a distinct sharpness, and his lips, painted a striking shade of crimson, seemed to exude an air of disdain, as if harboring an intense aversion towards your very existence.

I had the desire to smile, but his words triggered an intense anger within me.

“I don’t like you. Leave.”