Married To The CEO I Hate

Isabella

The plan was simple, work my way to the top, pay mom's hospital bill, pay my mortgage, and save some money.

The plan worked, I was at the top. But it wasn't so great. Working at Dominic groups. It had been one heck of a huddle, the CEO, Mr. Tristan was getting on my last nerve.

This man was just the devil himself, he was rude, arrogant, and bluntly wicked.

I looked at the glass of his office and took a deep breath. I was his assistant and as much as I hated his gut, I loved my pay way too much. But it would have gone a long way if he was nicer. Just a bit, nicer, maybe I could maybe love this dreadful place.

I sighed recalling last night's event. I was done for the day at 4 pm which was way early considering my schedule and how busy the company was.

But the devil decided it was a good time to be day drinking with his friends in the office. Those buddies of his who clearly are one ticket away from being a man whore if not for their parent's money. They decided to turn the office into their private bar. It seems exaggerated at this point but I was cursing at them throughout the evening.

I had to serve them beer, turn to their glances, and smile like I enjoyed their company.

I broke out of my dreadful thoughts immediately after my desk phone rang, I shook my head shaking the thoughts away, and grabbed the phone after clearing my throat.

"This is Isabella, " I said over the phone

"My office now, "I heard and was immediately cut off.

"Speak of the devil himself" I scoffed and looked at him from the glass, glaring as he could see me, but same time scared about going to meet him. I slowly got on my feet and pulled my skirt down, then slowly started to take calculated steps to his office like it wasn't just right in front of me.

"Sir? " I said immediately I walked into his office and shut the door. I stood by the door staring at him and the moment he raised his head I immediately walked and stood in front of him, my head staring at my shoes while waiting for what he had to say.

"Any response from Mr. Darnell?" He asked

"Nothing yet, "

"But I could reach out to him," I rushed, my eyes meeting his cold stare.

"No. We don't want to sound desperate," He used his finger to rub his jaw while looking like he was in a deep thought.

But the truth is, we were desperate. I know how much he wanted to be buddies with them, to get a deal with them. But the Darnell brothers were just as tough as one could think of. They were the best in the restaurant business, and the best in the country. It was a huge deal to have the company working with them. But also wasn't just an easy deal to get.

"Anything else," I said calmly interrupting his thoughts, he raised his head and waved his hands at me, while I took it as my queue to leave.

"He must be worked up about this deal, " I muttered lowly and walked back to my desk.

The rest of the day went on its course and I was glad when it was 8 pm I immediately cleared my table and grabbed my bag to leave.

"Isabella" I heard my name, from a familiar voice, and I dreaded it.

"Please don't need me for anything," I did a quick prayer as I trembled turning around to face him. He was standing close to his door, with his briefcase in his hands and damn I wanted to slap the smug of his handsome face.

"Sir," I said through gritted teeth.

"You're coming with me to an event, "he said and threw his car keys to me, while I did my best to catch it but failed at it, as it landed on the floor.

"What?"

"An event? What event?" I asked picking you the key from the floor.

"No question Isabella, hurry up, and let's get you something to wear, "

"You can't be looking like a mouse beside me, " He added even more confusing to me.

"What?"

"A mouse," I repeated, rushing towards him before the elevator closed.

I ran into the elevator just in time, and stood next to him, while trying to glance at him from over my shoulders but he had his cold face on giving me the shivers.

I drove to the boutique and immediately got down and rushed behind him. We got in and the people there were quick to attend to us, as if waiting for our presence.

"Good evening ma'am, " One of the ladies greeted me with a smile offering me a drink.

"No, thank you," I said lightly when I noticed him staring at me.

"I'll have that," He grabbed the glass and took his eyes away from mine the moment they locked.

"This way, "the lady directed and I looked confused staring at him.

"Go get dressed Isabella, we don't have all night," He furrowed his brows at me and I took that as my queue to leave. I walked with the lady and was directed to a dressing room.

"The red, black, and blue, " The lady with me said holding the three dresses close to my face.

"What's going on? "

"Try the blue first, " She shoved the dark blue dress to me, it had a silk texture and felt cool as it brushed my skin and I looked at them hesitating cause I wasn't going to change in front of them.

"Privacy," I said the moment I realized they didn't get my hint.

"Sure, thing, "They closed the curtains and left.

I had now tried on the red dress and the expression on their face was the same as earlier with the blue dress.

"Not impressed at all, "I grabbed the black dress from the girl's hand grumbling to myself and angry.

"This man is getting on my nerves," I said to myself and quickly started to change into the dress. I got out and they helped me zip up. The moment I turned around they all gasped in uniform, their hands covering their mouth while they stared at me eyes widened.

"Dramatic," I said to their hearing, while I rolled my eyes.

"Not if you see yourself, ma'am," the lady said and helped me turn around facing the mirror behind me.

"Wow," I said not dramatically covering my hands like they did. My hands traced the curves I didn't know I had as I looked into the mirror.

"This is the one, " I heard behind me and immediately I turned to face her.

"You think?" I asked

"Absolutely certain," She said and undid my zip.

"Let's get your hair done and do your makeup,"

They pushed me back to the chair and gave me a sweater to put on.

I sat there confused while they hurried around like it was a beauty emergency but it wasn't.

"All done," They said moving away from my face and I looked at the mirror staring at my now curled-up hair.

"I look so pretty," I said to myself and stood up. I got dressed and walked out to the mirror. I looked at myself and I did look like a princess.

"Mr. Tristan is waiting," I nodded my head and walked out giving them a light smile.

"Sir, " I said staring at his back. He had also changed his outfit too.

"Right on..., "his mouth was hanged up staring at me. I felt small in his eyes and I became nervous. I looked at his face, his tuxedo, and the aura he carried around him.

"This man was handsome," I regretted thinking that.

"Turn around," He said, and slowly I did nervously.

"Fuck," I heard him curse, and immediately I turned around to find him staring at my ass.

"Pervert," I said and immediately closed my mouth with my hands, shocked by how loud that was. I could swear I thought I said that in my head.

"Let's go," He chuckled. A small smile. It left me astonished, this man had a beautiful smile but he walked around with that cold glare on his face.

"Damn, he was handsome, "I thought to myself yet again, going to his car.

His driver was standing there surprisingly. He opened the door for us and I got in while Mr Tristan followed.

"So what event is this? " I asked trying to kill the silence as we moved, but no response.

"Why do you need me? What am I supposed to do?" I threw the question, waiting for his response nervously as I played with my fingers.

"Be a good girlfriend," he said bluntly...

"What!" I looked at him confused

Isabella

" Girlfriend?" Those words rang in my head like some jingle bells. He still had his cold expression on as I stared at him.

His eyes did not leave his phone even though what he said came as a shock to me.

I expected a response, at least some explanation as to what I was getting myself into but got none.

"We're here," He turned to face me. His eyes narrowed from my chest to my lips, then slowly to my eyes. It was like some calculated move and it made my heart raced

"So play along," His hands slowly brushed my hair, making me shift in shock. His face got closer to mine, and my heart pounded, loud enough that I felt he could hear them.

"What's happening? What's going on?" I kept asking myself subconsciously while he stared at me briefly. His eyes navigated my whole face, conflicted like he fought his thoughts when he pulled back and touched my nose instead

"Let's go," I released my long-held breath, confused for a second, but took his hands the moment he offered them to me.

We stepped out of the car, and he held my hands as we walked to the entrance. There were people and a few cameras at the entrance.

"Smile," I heard him whisper and I did immediately.

"Just play along," he repeated before his hand went around my waist and pulled me to himself, while my eyes widened and my body shifted uncomfortably to his touch.

I turned my head away from the flashes and looked at him, and he turned to me smiling when he placed a kiss on my forehead, causing me to freeze at that moment, unaware of what to do, while the cameras kept clicking

"Let's go," He pulled me as we made our way to the doors of the event while he ignored questions thrown at him.

"How much longer do I have to do these?" I asked him

"As long as I need you, Isabella," he said and I scoffed.

"You've got to pay for the extra hours sir," I had no idea where I got the gut to say that or how those words flew out of my mouth. But I just did and I hope I don't regret it.

"Pay for extra hours?" He turned to me, after grabbing a glass of champagne from the waiter.

"Yes," I said shakily, he chuckled again.

Was that a good sign or a bad sign? I couldn't tell, but that small smile made me worry less.

"Okay," he finally said after taking a sip. I turned to him, out of words, and just nodded my head confidently at him, as we found a place to sit.

The event went on and I noticed it was the elite of the elites in the country that attended. They talk about funding, new trends, and charity events. It was eye-opening and beyond-educative for me, but the headache I was having wasn't letting me enjoy the event to the fullest.

"Are you okay?" I heard his voice, it was soothing and one who didn't know him would mistake it for him caring.

"I'm fine," I lied. This headache has been going on for weeks and I thought painkillers would help but it seems not to be working.

The event had come to an end and everyone around was saying their Goodbyes and having their final interaction with one another.

An older couple walked up to us and immediately Mr. Tristan rose to his feet and I did the same.

"How lovely for you to attend Tristan," The lady said, while Tristan wrapped his hands around my waist.

"And this must be your date," The older man said.

"Girlfriend actually," he was quick to respond and I forced a smile on my lips,

"Well she is a beauty," The man said, and I slowly placed my hands on his chest grinning, as I appreciated their compliments, while the conversation continued.

...

"I'll send my regards to grandfather," He responded and waved to them before slowly pulling away.

After a few more greetings, we were now in his car and he was dropping me home.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said immediately I got off and I nodded my head walking into my apartment.

"What a long night," I yawned and grabbed the painkiller pills from my vanity desk immediately shoved them into my mouth, and grabbed a bottle of water.

"I need some sleep," I said in a tired tone, and immediately fell on the bed slowly drifting off to sleep.

.. The next morning.

I rolled to the other side of the bed almost falling off, when I started to rub my eyes yawning loudly.

"Ouch," I cried out feeling the sharp pains on my head. I slowly got up confused about what side to hold when I cried out in pain.

"What is happening to me?" I said to my hearing alone as tears poured out of my eyes. I raised my head staring at the clock on the wall and it was already 9 am.

"I need to go to work?" The words flung out of my mouth even with the excruciating pains I felt right now.

"It hurts," I cried out, reality hitting hard. I was all alone, I could die here, I was all alone.

"Please stop," I grabbed the bottle of water clenching it when I fell on the ground losing consciousness.

A few minutes later. I woke up to find myself lying on the floor. Confused at first, when the memories came rushing back.

"I'm not dead," I breathe out in relief helping myself up. It was now 9:30 am and it scared the hell out of me missing work but I needed to go see the doctor.

I immediately rushed to the bathroom to have my bath, trying not to panic over the fact that I fainted in my apartment and nobody knew.

I dressed up quickly and had a little to eat, while I hailed a cab rushing to the hospital.

"Everything is fine," I whisper to myself in the cab, rubbing my palms as I try not to think of the worst possible occurrence.

"I hope this was just stress," I thought and took in a deep breath, as I walked into the doctor's office to run some tests.

Tristan

Being summoned by the two powerful people made me uncomfortable. I was already having a bad day. One, Isabella wasn't in the office today, and it was unlike her to not show up and it made me think.

I walked out of my office, staring at her empty desk. A sigh escaped my lips, while I headed to the elevator. I was pissed. Anger was the word I needed to define how I felt. I couldn't tell if it was because of this impromptu meeting or the fact that my assistant wasn't in the office.

"Let's go," I said to the driver going through my phone and trying to respond to a few emails as he drove. It was better I find a way to distract my thoughts, than I keep making scenarios in my head.

A few minutes later we arrived at the mansion. I got out of the car on my own and stared at the building briefly before walking into the mansion.

"They are waiting in the garden," the butler informed me immediately after I got into the mansion. I nodded in response and made my way to the garden.

"It's good to see you, son," I heard grandfather's voice, calm and delightful as always.

"Oh you don't mean that father," Mr. George responded and immediately I made myself notice the whole place became quiet.

"Grandfather," I said cheerfully, and kissed him on his forehead, making myself comfortable on the last seat beside him.

"Mr. George," I turned to my father, staring at him. We had a sour relationship and this is as good as it could get.

"So, why am I being summoned?" I turned to my grandfather who laughed at my question.

"I guess this old man can't spend some time with his grandson again?" I knew the card he was playing but I chuckled lightly, staring at the expressionless face of Mr. George. I guess I got that from him.

"Of course you can. But seeing how you involved fa... Mr. George, it must be important," I couldn't look into his eyes, neither could I steal glances. Maybe I was quick to stop myself from saying the word, but I sure knew he heard it and I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of being vulnerable.

"Can we just get down to it Father," He said, that word. The one I couldn't say out loud.

"Dominic," He rarely calls me that. Even if it was my grandfather's favorite name to call me, he rarely did call me by it.

"It's time to get married," His voice was calm as always.

"Lily seems like a good fit, " He added again. I didn't know what to do, or say. Lily was the girl who arranged for me. The woman I'm supposed to get married to, to keep the family's powerful legacy. I couldn't run away from this subject all my life. I knew one day I'd be asked to marry her like I was expected to. Not because it benefited me, but because it benefited the family and the company.

"We don't share any chemistry. It's bland," I said trying not to grumble when I heard him scoff.

"You can always form chemistry over time," Grandpa said in defense.

"I tried. I asked her to be my girlfriend and made her my fiancé because you asked me to, but still, we are completely different people. How am I supposed to spend the rest of my life with her if we have nothing in common," I complained.

"But you are friends, you care about her?" He asked

Of course, I did. I had a little thing for her a long time ago, we even kissed at that moment but I didn't get that feeling.

"We are good to each other," I said it like it answered any of his questions.

"Oh forget it. I told you he couldn't do it. He couldn't keep the legacy going, cause all he's good at is just being an embarrassment," Mr. George said and left the garden angry.

"Great," I thought angrily.

"Call her to the office tomorrow, and talk to her about marriage plans. I won't press on it and I hope you give it some thought and call her, " His voice was calm again.

"Not a promise, but I could try, " I said sweetly and stood up to leave.

I walked out of the garden, going through the hallways to find him bringing out a cigarette.

"You know for someone who needs my approval, you are playing weak to me. I don't know how having anything in common or sharing chemistry would be of use to the company," He stated.

"Didn't you share one before?" I said turning to stare at him.

"Pardon"

"Chemistry, haven't you had that with someone?" I looked at him in the eye, searching for emotions I know damn well I wouldn't find.

"What are you talking about?" He asked holding the cigarette between two fingers.

"With mom, didn't you.."

"Don't you dare bring her up again," He yelled. I was cut off by his pitched tone.

"This has nothing to do with her, she's different," the last words came out calm and his eyes shifted like he recalled some memories.

"If you truly are a Dominic. If you want my approval, Tristan, then you should make this marriage a thing as soon as possible," He paused and lit the cigarette.

"Maybe then we could get along like father and son," He got closer to me, staring into my eyes

"And probably ride the Ferris wheel since we never got to do that" I looked at him, feeling vulnerable. Feeling like a child who is about to receive the care that they have craved for all their existence.

"So do the right thing," he patted my shoulder and left me standing there unable to move for a moment.

"Maybe marriage isn't such a bad thing after all," I thought.

"Lily is a good woman, she was pretty, educated, well-spoken, and familiar with the family business," I thought taking a step as I began to move.

"Maybe I can do this after all," I said suddenly getting a new wave of motivation after all, or was this because i needed my father approval?