The CEO's Affair

Chapter 1: #1 Hottest CEO.

Lucia’s POV

“What!!! You are crazy.”

Haaahh—!

I sighed recalling how shocked Derek, the secretary or whatever that guy was. Anyway, it would have sounded too abrupt. After all, at this age and time, who would marry just anyway because they said I would get what I asked for!

He is… 29 or something? We have an age gap of 10 years. Definitely I would have come across as another woman trying to ride his coattails to enjoy the riches.

Annoyed, I tossed on my rough couch and flipped through the TV channels.

“For the fifth time straight, Noah Dawson had successfully retained his position as the Number 1 hottest CEO.”

I blushed as his different photos covered the screen. To be honest, he was even more handsome in person. His back was broad too, irresistible, and so were his lips—

Dammit! Stawp.

It was Saturday and I had nothing better to do. Unlike my friend who was focusing on building networks, I was here lazing around fawning over the hottest CEO.

Suddenly, the ping of my phone got my attention. I slowly clicked on it and—

What!!!

I sat straight, unsure if I was seeing things or was it the truth.

The very essence of an unknown message portraying Derek was indeed strange. But the message was even more unexpected.

Unknown number: XX Hotel, 7PM—Derek Clark, Secretary, E.E.

That’s it!

After staring at it multiple times, and after searching for the owner of the number for the third time, I concluded that it was indeed the Encore employee. The security is the best there, hence no matter how many times I tried to look it up on the internet, it showed no results.

But my concern was why did he want to meet me?

Nonetheless, I got ready and headed towards the said hotel but was relieved when I found a charming young man in a black suit, frowning at me.

He clearly hated seeing me, so why would he even ask me to come here?

Hmph!

The guard at the hotel received a signal from Derek and he immediately guided me inside. I had no intention of talking to Derek. Weirdly, he didn’t say a word either and just maintained his distance as if I wasn’t there to see him.

The way the guy was behaving ticked me off.

When we were inside the presidential elevator, the guard left, and I snapped at Derek.

“What’s the meaning of all this?”

Derek just gave me a disappointed look and huffed.

“I do not want to make headlines with you. Understand?”

The hell with him?

“Do you think I want that?” I questioned, to which he just gave me a side glance and muttered something to him.

He infuriates me. How could a man who was acting childishly even worked as a secretary for the legend Noah Dawson?

It was unfair to all the other mature applicants who would have applied for the same position.

Angered, I crossed my arms over my chest and pouted, not looking at him anymore.

While I fumed, I wondered if I should just leave.

Ding*

“Here.”

With one word, Derek exited the elevator, and something told me that I should just follow. So, I did. The hallway was very big but only had one door. It took me a second to realize that this was a private elevator and right now we were headed inside the penthouse. My heart picked its pace, wondering if Noah was here too.

Derek stood at the door, punched in a few keys while ensuring that I couldn’t have gotten a glimpse of a single digit.

As if!

After a tingling sound, the door unlocked and, as a gentleman, he gestured to me to go in. I gladly did, but not before throwing him an ‘are-you-crazy’ look.

“Miss Walker, glad you could make it today.”

I stilled hearing a deep chilling voice. My eyes landed on the man who emerged from one of the rooms and had to struggle to keep my jaw intact.

Sobered up, and in a charcoal suit, Noah looked handsome-st!

If we can use that word…

His dark eyes studied my face before gesturing to the couch in the living area.

“Please, sit. Derek…?”

Immediately, he gestured something at Derek, and I took this opportunity to sit decently.

“How are you doing?”

What? What’s happening? Shouldn’t he be angry considering my last proposal for me, or is some way to bribe me to stay quiet?

Who knows, but as long as it’s Derek, I’m good.

With a silly smile on my face, unaware to me, I answered—

“Good. How are you?”

And instantly regretted it as my voice cracked and I sounded like a toad. Embarrassed, I cleared my throat while stealing a glance at him. Noah’s eyes were wide, for a fraction of a second, but it was!

Arg! How embarrassing! So it really sounded like a toad.

Noah, too, cleared his throat and luckily saved me an awkward moment when Derek pushed a stack of papers in a brown envelope in front of me.

“This is my household profile. Please have a look and memorize whenever you have time.”

My head snapped in Noah’s direction as his words confused me. He leaned back in his seat and raised an eyebrow at my reaction.

“I hope Miss Walker hasn’t forgotten about last weekend’s incident. It was because of your interference that I was saved from a trap. The lady who served me drinks that night was instilled by another company. She was loyal once, but unfortunately was forced to betray me. So, in order to thank Miss Walker for her quick help, I am going to honor my promise.”

“Wait, wait, wait! I—I don’t think I’m following whatever you are saying. Could you please be direct?”

Even though this guy is handsome, he was way too formal. All this formality was making me nervous. Moreover, what’s with ‘honor the promise’?

What promise?

“I cannot believe it. Are you really trying to make my boss repe—”

“Derek!”

“Sorry, boss.”

For the first time, I was thankful Derek was loyal to Noah. Otherwise, his anger would have blasted me off. But who does he think he is? I was genuinely confused. It’s Noah we are talking about! What if I misunderstand his words? I will be removed from this land…

Or at least that’s what the rumors say.

“I do not blame you if you’d forgotten considering this happened a week before. But Miss Walker expressed her interest in marrying me.”

Ah! Is he going to get revenge or make fun of me?

I closed my eyes shut, wondering how to make a good excuse. It’s not good that I ran away last time without giving them any explanation.

‘Boss, I was just thinking to myself, but it came out loud.’

He.he…

But will he even believe this?

“Uh, about that—”

I started but was stopped by a glare from Derek.

“I understand if you have suddenly decided to change your mind. In that case…”

While I fidgeted with my thumb, not confident to look at Noah, I heard his words attentively.

“Derek, please ask the lawyer to cancel the marriage registration and also cancel all the wedding preparations.”

WHAT?

“Whose wedding—”

“Boss, your grandmother and father! They would be furious—”

Derek expressed his concern, to which Noah waved his hand in dismissal.

“Let it be. I cannot force the lady.”

My eyes were wide as I sat on the edge of the couch and stared at their faces. Noah was calm, but Derek was utterly displeased. He was shooting arrows with his glance in my direction while I clutched tightly the fabric of my dress.

Did I hear them correctly?

Lady… Am I really the lady Noah mentioned?

If that’s all true, then could it be—

“Eh, excuse me Mr. Dawson but I’m a bit confused. I heard you say something about weddings, and promise. Is it because of the last time? Were you really planning to marry… me? I am sorry if I got ahead of myself, but it’s too confusing and overwhelming for me. Could you please…?”

As I struggled to grasp the entire situation, Noah’s lips turned in a slight smirk. He put one leg over another and brought a hand under his chin.

I relaxed when his facial features softened.

“Miss Walker, what I was saying was—”

I gulped as he intently looked straight into my eyes.

“Let’s get married.”