Confined To The Alluring CEO

Penelope

I froze and then I tried to speak but no words formed in my mouth as my stepsister's statement had sent literal shock waves through me, it was as though my heart had been ripped out from my chest. Suddenly the food in my mouth which tasted so delicious earlier on turned so bitter that I had to reach for a glass of water and gulp it down my throat before returning my gaze to Mireya.

"Huh!" I managed to mutter when I eventually found my voice.

"I am in love with Richard and we've decided to get married in a month." Mireya my stepsister repeated, this time with a grim expression playing on her face.

Mireya did have great guts, that I was aware of but never had I imagined that she would announce her wedding to my fiance looking me in the eye.

The room fell silent and you could hear a pin drop, my eyes darted around as I watched the disarray of expression on everyone's faces. My dad had this indifferent look on his face as expected, my Stepmom didn't seem surprised by the news but my half-brother Oliver was the only one who had a different look on his face, he was ashen.

My mouth hung open as I looked over at Richard the one person who had no right to be silent at this point, but his eyes were elsewhere, he was gazing at Mireya lovingly with a smile plastered on his face face making my chest swell with raging jealousy.

"I think you are forgetting something, baby. The best part of the news." He said proudly in a skeezy tone that almost got me puking.

What other disgusting news did they have to share? What could be worse than this?

Mireya returned the smile peeking at him," I'm carrying Richard's child."

A peal of laughter left my lips making everyone turn their attention to me including Mireya and Richard.

"Is this some kind of prank?" I questioned as my laughter died down raising a brow at them but from the look on their visage, I needed no one to tell me that this was no joke, it was the sour truth.

Richard and Mireya glanced at each other and burst out laughing as they turned their gaze to me.

"Baby, I told you she wouldn't believe me if I said it. Maybe she would if you say it to her yourself." Mireya mumbled returning her eyes to Richard after their laughter died down.

Richard nodded and looked at me. Those eyes that once stared at me with love were cold and expressed contempt. Still, deep down in me, I wished he was going to tell me this was all a joke or better still I wake up and realise this was just a bad dream.

"I'm in love with Mireya, she is pregnant with my baby and we'll be getting married in a month."

As he said the words, his voice was laced with so much happiness and I knew for a fact that he didn't care how I was going to feel.

A pang of pain shot through my heart and it was as though my airways were restricted making it difficult for me to breathe.

I shook my head springing up to my feet and sauntered to Richard.

"I beg of you, don't do this to me. I know you love me and I love you....."

I didn't complete the words when Mireya's mocking snicker filled my ears.

"I know you love me and I love you." she mimicked erupting into another wave of laughter.

She huffed and rolled her eyes at me, her eyes blazing with intense dislike. I knew for a fact that Mireya hated me but I never saw this coming.

"You still think Richard gives a damn about you? Well guess who he getting married to and who has his baby?" She mocked but I chose to ignore her not willing to give up, I decided to keep talking to Richard maybe he was going to have a change of mind when I remind him of how long we had been together and the amazing beautiful memories we had shared.

"Richie, we've been together for four years. How can you do this now? Remember the good times, we promised never to let go of each other," I sobbed raising my hand to touch him but he shoved my hand away and glared at me with eyes full of resentment.

"I didn't want to say this to you but I think I should because you are acting really pathetic right now. I never loved you Penelope, I realised that after being with Mireya. All I ever felt for you was pity."

The words echoed in my ears even after he was done saying them and I took a step backward, my limbs weakened and I almost fell to the ground, I gripped the table for support trying to steady my legs.

I have been the biggest fool believing that Richard loved me and that we were meant to be together.

"Didn't you hear him? He has never loved you, I would advise you just leave our presence and stop with your show of shame." Mireya jeered rolling her eyes at me.

I didn't wait to hear another word from anybody else, I turned abruptly and took to my heels running upstairs not looking back or taking a pause until I reached my bedroom. I slammed the door and crashed to the floor in front of my bed.

I screamed facepalming as tears streamed down my cheeks letting the pain out but it didn't make me feel any better. My heart was sore, making me feel like it was pricked with a million thorns.

My body trembled with every sob that left my lips letting my emotions overwhelm me, I was deeply hurt swimming in a sea of heartbreak.

"Can you just stop this? It is making you look more stupid than we all know you are."

I was forced to tilt my head when I heard that voice and even before I did, I knew who the voice belonged to, it was my beloved Stepmother. I figured I was too busy crying to have noticed when she stepped into my room.

"Please if you are here to taunt me, just leave," I stated trying to keep my voice as calm as possible. I was in no mood to listen to her but at the same time, I knew I had to be careful with my choice of words while I spoke with her to avoid incurring the wrath of my father who happens to be her puppet.

My stepmom snickered and then placed a hand on her chest feigning to be hurt by my words.

"Is that what you think of me?" She paused raising a brow at me.

I didn't care to give her an answer, I just scowled at her.

Her lips widened into a sardonic smile," You know me so well my dear, Penelope."

I gave her a knowing look, I had gone past the stage of believing that this woman would ever care about me.

"I've always told you, Mireya is better than you are or will ever be. You must have come to terms with that seeing that even your fiance saw that and chose her," she said proudly making her way to my bed, she sat on it and crossed her legs. Her next words sounded like bad music to my ears and poison to my entire being.

"Anyways that aside. I came to tell you that you have a marriage proposal. It came as a surprise to me that someone in their right senses would want you to be their wife but I guess everyone deserves to be lucky for at least once in their life." She let out and for a second I forgot all about the pain in my chest and began to laugh amidst tears. I saw my stepmom hoist her head and she gawked at me like I was losing my mind.

A marriage proposal? Was this some kind of joke?

NEXT DAY....

If anyone had told me that just a day after my fiance dumped me for my stepsister I would be getting married to a stranger, I would never have believed that but after hearing Avery confess to being responsible for my mother's death and also threaten to kill my grandfather if I turned down the marriage proposal I knew I didn't have a choice.

"It's not too late to change your mind." Oliver sighed coming to sit beside me. He had come into my room minutes ago but he didn't say anything to me, he just kept staring at me while I did my best to avoid his gaze.

Shortly after Avery left my room yesterday, Oliver came in and I told him that I was going to get married today and he laughed really hard thinking it was a joke.

He asked me a lot of questions as to why I wanted to do this, and even asked if his mom was the reason but I simply told him that I was doing it because I wanted to. He said he was going to tell our grandpa about my decision but I pleaded with him not to and he reluctantly agreed.

I opened my mouth to give him an answer but my door flew open revealing Avery.

"Your groom is here." She smiled but her brows creased and her smile was soon replaced with scorn when her eyes roamed my body.

"You didn't wear the wedding dress? That was my gift to you."

Avery had gotten me a dress to wear, but I refused to wear it. I just couldn't give her that satisfaction, so I opted for a black coloured gown, it was a sad day for me and the colour of my gown complimented it.

She took a deep breath and exhaled then she shrugged. " Whatever..."

"Just come downstairs." And with that, she was out of sight.

I walked out of the room leaving Oliver in it after Avery left and headed downstairs.

When I walked into the living room, I looked around hoping to see my dad but he was nowhere. I thought that he was at least going to watch me go away, shoving the thoughts away I reminded myself that I expected too much from a man like him. A man who didn't give a shit about me. I didn't even care about Mireya's absence since I knew she was only going to ridicule me.

"Your Dad is yet to return," Avery muttered faking a smile as if she read my thoughts.

I just gave her a look that said I figured that out already before averting my gaze to the two men who I hadn't taken notice of earlier.

One of the men was seated in a wheelchair and wearing a silver mask, only his sea-blue cold eyes, and pink lips were visible the remaining parts of his face were covered, I needed no confirmation to know that he was the groom. Oliver had looked him up yesterday after I told him about the marriage and we found out that Tyrell was disabled and a scarred face after he got into an accodent, not only that his family were once the wealthiest in the country but they had gone bankrupt.

The other man was standing, both of them were dressed casually but the man in the wheelchair emanated some kind of intimidating aura I couldn't fathom as his sea blue eyes met my green ones and I quickly looked away laughing at myself mentally. How could a man stuck in a wheelchair be intimidating?

The man who was standing didn't waste any time before he started talking after which he took out a file from the bag he was holding, placed it on the table in front of the man in the wheelchair, and then handed him a pen. After the man was done signing, he swirled the file to me and placed the pen in front of me without saying a word. I didn't even bother to read the contract, I just signed it. What was the need to go through it when I was still going to have to marry him anyways?

"Congratulations Penelope Tyrell Achilles." The man mumbled picking up the file and putting it back into the bag. Avery clapped grinning from ear to ear and I decided to ignore her. Fury coursed through my veins as I fixed my eyes on her, I was trying so hard to control my temper l didn't want to do something I was going to regret.

Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself that I had a plan which was to get my revenge but for now, I was going to let her think that she had won. I knew bubbles of joy soared in her chest in victory of getting rid of me but she didn't know that just like my surname had changed, I was going to be a dangerous version of myself like no one had ever seen.

I didn't say a word I shifted my eyes from Avery and stared at the man who was standing, he gave me a small smile before he started to speak again.

"We should get going, everyone would be waiting."

"Pennie." I turned around and saw Oliver with my suitcase. I smiled at him, I almost forgot my suitcase.

I wrapped my arms around him and didn't even realise that I was crying until I felt the warm liquid rolling down my face. We hugged each other none of us willing to let go until I took a step and pulled away.

Avery waved at me as I walked out of the door and I just acted like I didn't see her. Oliver strolled all the way with me to the car. The other man helped Tyrell get into the car and put the wheelchair and my suitcase in before shifting his attention to me.

"We have to go," he uttered opening the back seat car's door, and I nodded. I hugged Oliver for the last time, and said goodbye to him after which I got into the car.

The man got behind the wheels and started the car before zooming off. I glanced backward till I could no longer see Oliver. Letting out a long sigh, I averted my gaze and leaned my head on the headrest and allowed my thoughts take over. This wasn't the way I thought I would get married, It felt like a nightmare. I just got married to a man I was seeing for the first time.

Penelope

Throughout the drive, all I could think of was the tears on Oliver's sad face as we said goodbyes to each other. It ached my heart to be the reason for my brother's tears, but I comforted myself with the fact that he wouldn't be able to bear the loss of our grandpa neither would I so I had no choice but to do what needed to be done.

The drive was silent all through none of us spoke to each other, even though I was glad I was starting to think that aside from the fact that Tyrell was disabled, he was also mute or maybe was he just a man of few words or rather no words at all. I could only hope that it would continue that way at least then I won't have to deal with talking to him.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" The man who was driving asked making me cock my head and I noticed he was looking at me through the rear mirror.

"I'm okay. And please don't call me ma'am, my name is Penelope. What's yours?"

"Luke ma'am. I'm sorry but I'm sure my boss wouldn't like me addressing you by your name."

Boss, that should be Tyrell. I glanced at him hoping he would say something but his eyes were fixed on his phone and he didn't bother to turn his attention to either of us. He just acted like he couldn't even hear us.

That was the last conversation in the car until we reached our destination. The enormous gate opened as soon as we approached it.

My jaw dropped and my eyes widened in surprise when I beheld the huge beautiful mansion in front of me after we drove in. Didn't Oliver say that this man and his family were bankrupt or were we at the wrong address? To be frank, I knew no bankrupt person could afford this kind of house only a super wealthy person could afford this. I drifted out of my thoughts when I realised that Luke had turned off the car and opened the side of the back seat where Tyrell was seated and was now helping him out.

I reached for the door handle opened the car and got out taking a better few of the mansion which was painted in white. It fascinated me even more. Each corner of the walls was beautifully carved, and the designs were fabulous making the place look like a fairyland.

"Let's go, ma'am," Luke spoke up and got a hold of myself jolting out of my reverie. I almost looked away in embarrassment when I realised they had been watching me all this while I was awestruck by the beauty of the mansion, but I ignored it after all it wasn't like I committed a crime but the look in Tyrell's eyes made me feel otherwise. Good thing I couldn't even see his facial expression so I wouldn't be even more embarrassed.

I nodded. Tyrell started to wheel himself while Luke walked behind him and I trailed after them.

When we finally got to the porch, I saw a beautiful young lady standing there her face full of smiles as she saw us. She had black hair that matched her big doe eyes and small lips that complimented her oval face.

"Welcome, back Tyrell. Luke."

Luke answered with a smile but Tyrell yet again said nothing but the girl appeared unbothered by it. Her eyes shifted to me and her smile widened, she took steps toward me and before I knew it, she hugged me. I was taken aback. She noticed my stiffness and pulled away still smiling.

"I'm sorry if you were comfortable with the hug. I've been waiting to meet you and I'm really excited to welcome you to our family." She rushed her words with happiness laced in them without pausing, she finally stopped and tapped herself on the head before she continued.

"I'm Layla, Tyrell's cousin. Nice to meet you." she extended her hand for me to shake but before I could take it, the door in front of us opened and a woman stepped in with an older man by her side.

"What are you doing, Layla? Come here." The woman cautioned with a frown on her face but Layla just smiled.

"I was just welcoming my sister-in-law, Mom."

The woman and Layla had similar facial features the only difference was the woman's brown hair.

Layla withdrew her hand and then went to stand in between her mother and the man.

"Grandfather, can you believe how gorgeous your granddaughter-in-law is in person?" She giggled holding onto the man's hand and he smiled.

"She is very gorgeous."

"Good evening sir. Good evening ma'am." I greeted them when I got closer.

"Sir? Please don't call me that, just call me Grandfather. You are a part of our family now." The man smiled putting a hand on my shoulder.

"OK, sir... Grand...father."

"Don't worry, Penelope. Why don't we just take this slowly? You'll get used to it with time." He chuckled patting my shoulder lightly before taking his hand off.

This man reminded me of my grandpa, and they had one thing in common, both of them loved smiling. I could say it was a thing in Tyrell's family his cousin and grandfather loved to smile but I couldnt say the same for Layla's mom who kept staring at me with frosty eyes but she faked a smile whenever I caught her glaring at me, and I was yet to see Tyrell's face to know if he smiled or not.

"You are welcome." Layla's mom spoke for the first time. Her lips curved into a smile but I knew very well that it was a forced one, the woman didn't seem to like me very much unlike her daughter. Seemed like I had gotten another Avery which I had to deal with, but that was the least of my problems.

"Thank you, ma'am." I smiled back at her.

"Luke, welcome back." Tyrell's grandfather mumbled.

"Good evening grandfather," Luke greeted with a smile.

"Ty," Tyrell's grandfather called moving his gaze to Tyrell.

"Good evening grandfather. For a moment I thought I was invisible," Tyrell answered, his voice deep and thick.

Finally, he spoke!

His grandfather laughed taking his words as a joke.

"I was just so excited welcoming your wife, my granddaughter-in-law, don't blame me."

Tyrell didn't say anything again he just went back to being mute and then he looked at me, there was a look in his eyes that I couldn't decipher, but he moved his gaze from me and that stopped me from thinking about it.

We entered the house and the interior was even more beautiful. One thing I deduced was the part of the information about Tyrell's family being bankrupt was a huge lie. Or did going bankrupt now mean being insanely rich?

Tyrell's grandfather asked a maid to help me take my suitcase which Luke had brought in and then show me to my room. She took the lead while I trailed behind her till she stopped in front of a room and opened it.

"Ma'am, come in. This is your room and your wardrobe. I'll help you unpack." She mumbled placing my suitcase on the bed and started to unzip it.

"Thank you, but I'll do it myself. Also, my name is Penelope and I would like it if you address me by that. What's your name?" I strolled to her and took the suitcase.

I figured it would be best if I got to know names of people around here since this was my new home.

"I'm Marie. I'm sorry but I can't call you by your name, the boss sounded a warning to us before you came." She informed bowing slightly. I nodded since there was nothing else I could say.

The boss! One thing he was good at was giving orders. He was definitely one bossy boss.

"Ma'am, I would like to return to my work now. If you need anything let me know." she bowed again before leaving the room.

I sighed taking some clothes out of the suitcase before walking over to the wardrobe and starting to unpack my things. It was a good thing I didn't have that many clothes so I finished quickly. I was putting my shoes in their place when the door screeched open revealing Tyrell who wheeled himself in and then fixed his eyes on me watching me keenly. I decided to act oblivious of his presence but when the stares got too much I decided to speak up.

"Excuse me. Why are staring at me? And why are you here? Did you miss your way or something?"

He scoffed and his glare intensified.

"This is my room. You are the intruder here but it's all my grandfather's work so now I have to share this room with you." His deep husky voice came, his tone lacking warmth of any kind.

Huh! I scrunched up my face at the thought of living in the same room with this man.

"I'm not going to share a room with you," I stated with finality.

From how big of a house this was, there should be a lot of rooms available, why then did I have to share a room with this man?

He shrugged and nodded his head, "Good. Then you can take your things and go outside the house, I'm sure you will love it out there. And you can set up a tent if you like."

This time his voice held mockery and made my stomach twist in anger.

Giving me one last frosty look, he turned his wheelchair and wheeled himself out of the room.

I watched his retreating figure with annoyance rising from my belly to my chest. From his choice of words, I honestly would prefer the mute version of him.