Married To The Casanova CEO

~Brittany's POV

My eyes were glued to the gigantic mirror in front of me as I stared at my reflection in a daze.

"My lady, could you please move your head a little to the left?"

"My lady?" The makeup artist called out again, pausing for a moment when I didn't bulge, and I glanced at her through the mirror.

"Leave." I uttered instead.

My gaze was hostile towards her, but I cared less at the moment.

"My lady, we don't have much time........"

"Leave this instant, I want to be left alone." I shut her up immediately, also referring to the workers she came along with.

I heard her sigh beside me. She bowed slightly to me before walking out of the room with her co-workers.

A tiring sigh escaped my lips as I heard the door close behind me. I glanced at myself again in the mirror and a lady looking down in the dumps was staring back at me.

She was dressed in an elegant white sleeveless wedding dress, her face beautified with makeup, but it didn't hide the pain.

Her face lacked emotions even if the makeup was perfectly made, but there were hints of pain in her eyes.

Staring back at the lady in the mirror, I was convinced that she wasn't happy about what today was.

Today being my wedding day gave me all the creeps and I couldn't help but to think of the reason I was not happy when I was supposed to be over the moon.

I heard a knock on the door and I spared a glance to see my mom coming in.

"Oh my goodness!" She shrieked as she halt for a while.

"Your hair is still undone?!" She added in horror.

"Why the hell did you send out the makeup artist when she wasn't finished?" She asked again and walked to where I was.

I didn't answer, and I wasn't ready to give an answer to that.

"Mom?" My voice came out softly as I called her attention.

"Am I really doing this?"

She heaved a low sigh and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Yes, you have to get married and today is the day, so braze up yourself." She let out in another deep sigh and took her hand from my shoulder.

And that was it!

Tears gathered in my eyes that it made it hard to even see my reflection in the mirror.

It seemed like Mom noticed this because in the next second, she turned away from me.

"I will get the makeup artist back into the room. This time, don't send her out. We don't have much time left." With this said, she walked out of the room, leaving me to my tortuous fate.

A drop of tears rolled down my left cheek, then another rolled down my right cheek, and I let the rest fall.

I wasn't concerned about the makeup in the first place, neither was I going to care now.

Maybe, if I cried, all the pain and anger that I felt within would reduce, if not vanish.

The door opened again and this time, it was the makeup artist and her colleagues.

"I'll like to continue from where I stopped, my lady." She uttered and signalled the other girls to probably continue.

I didn't hinder any of them, instead I let them do their job. They probably had their job doubled by now because I could have ruined the makeup on my face with the tears.

Thank goodness none of them complained, else I would have as well lashed out on them this instant.

AT THE ALTAR*

"Do you, Ace Miller, take Brittany Anderson to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love and to cherish, till death do you part?" The priest read out the marital vow, and the hall became dead silence that if a pin were to fall, it would be heard.

"Yes." He replied and I glanced at him.

He was staring directly at me with a smirk that was almost invisible. If not that I've known this man for long, then I would have also been ignorant.

I let out a small scoff.

Such guts! He still had the nerve to smirk to my face?

What the hell am I even putting myself into?

Would I really be happy if I got married to this butt face standing in front of me?

Well, that name wasn't entirely true, but he deserved it after everything he did to me in the past.

"Everything you thought happened between us were all just your imagination and being that you were a fool, you didn't realize that." Those words resounded in my head, almost bringing me to tears, but I held it all in.

There were all still fresh in my head and even the scene, just as if it were yesterday, but unfortunately, it'd been years already.

I couldn't break down again, not in front of him or in a public like this.

I glanced at him again, and he was raising a brow at me.

I wish I could spit on his face right now and see a frown instead of the bright look on his damn face.

He brought his face closer to mine and I took my head back a little, but that didn't stop him.

"Why don't you answer to the vow before you begin to zone off on the altar?" He scoffed out in a smile that I knew was fake.

Wait a minute! It seemed like the priest had read the vow to me already, but I was yet to reply.

I glanced at the congregation to see their gaze fixed on me. The hall was as quiet as a burial ground, with everyone's attention on me and maybe the man in front of me.

I turned to the priest, and he wasn't left out either.

He noticed I was now staring at him and attempted to read out the vow again.

"I heard you the first time." I lied and gulped down nothing.

What was the point of repeating when every words was filled with lies?

Yes, none of the love promised in the vow were true. So, why bother letting him waste his time in the first place?

Without hesitating any further and my face holding a very straight look, I uttered loudly, "No, I don't."

I heard a few murmurs from the congregation, but I couldn't help but feel less concerned.

"I am not ready to accept him as my husband..." I went further to say boldly, staring at the man in front of me.

He was staring back at me with mouth wide agape and I could feel his surging shock within our distance.

That shouldn't be the case already because I was about to give him the shockest news he'd heard today.

"So, I hereby cancel this wedding." I continued in between gritted teeth.

There was an uproar in the congregation.

I saw my parents sprang up from their seats, and I guess there was definitely a shocked look on their faces too.

~~~~~~

I watched my dad pace round the living room. Anger was written all over him, and I made sure to give a lot of space between us.

We were at home already after the huge commotion I had caused in the church. My father was the first to stomp out, followed by mom, and they left even before I got outside.

I didn't know what happened to the other people around, especially the man who was the reason I created this mess in the first place.

No matter how I try to think back to what I did in the church and I wanted to badly regret, a part of me couldn't help but feel proud of myself.

My gaze fell to an empty couch when I could no longer hold mom's harsh gaze. She was sitting on one of the couches while staring at me directly.

I flinched back instantly when I saw a vase flying in my direction. Luckily, it crashed before it got to where I stood, not far from me.

I turned to where the vase was thrown from, and I saw my dad breathing heavily, his dark squinted eyes staring daggers at me.

Goodness! Was dad trying to kill me?

"What was that stupid act you played at the altar?" He roared with his nostrils flaring up.

"I'm sorry, dad, but I had to."

My voice came out quiet and bold.

"You had to?" He repeated and chuckled.

"Yes dad, I did what I felt was right at the moment."

I was standing my ground on this and wouldn't allow his expression or actions intimidate me anymore.

My happiness was all that mattered, even if they didn't matter to him.

"What you felt?" He yelled and tried to march towards me, but mom was quick to hold him back, thankfully.

"How dare you bring in feelings into this?" His voice was louder than earlier.

I had definitely triggered more anger in him.

"Because what I feel matters a lot, dad. I can't live with a man whom I don't even see my happiness within many years to come."

"Do you even know what this marriage is about? This was meant to strengthen our relationship with the Millers, but you ruined it all." The tone behind each of the words was filled with anger and spite which were obviously for me.

But I expected it. I knew he was going to throw tantrums but I wished it would all end soon as I least thought he'd also want to kill me like he attempted earlier.

"I'm sorry." My head fell in a bow immediately.

Even though I was already burning inside with rage, I still apologized, not because I wronged him but to maybe put an end to all this drama.

"Sorry? Well, you would be when I am done with you."

"Dear, please take it easy on her. She will handle this mess, I will make sure of that." My mom butted in.

I lifted my gaze up immediately and mom was staring at me fiercely.

What did she mean?

"Really? Then she better acts fast else she should be ready to pay back every penny I spent on her because I would disown her." He spat out in between gritted teeth then stomped out of the house.

My mom shot me a glare, and she also left to her room upstairs without saying a word to me.

I heard a chuckle and I glanced at the bar to see Lora, my half-sister sitting on one of the stood chairs with a smile, more like a smirk on her face.

She was the least of my problems right now.

But wait, did dad really mean what he just said?

Brittany's POV

I entered into my room as I locked the door behind me.

Goodness, I was so tired!

"Ah!"

A yawn escaped my lips as I dragged my feet along with me to the bed.

I fell flat on the bed, luckily, it was huge enough to contain me, no matter how carelessly I fell.

Today was so hectic for me, and I'm proud I didn't make the terrible mistake of saying yes at the altar, even when I have gotten nothing but negative reviews since then.

My dad might be so mad at the moment, but with time, he would finally adapt to my decision.

Gosh, this gown was really so heavy on me.

Did I really wear something so uncomfortable for a man whom I despise the most?

What was I thinking? I can't believe I agreed to the marriage in the first place.

My door clicked open and l glanced to see my mom coming in. I sat up immediately.

She must have something to say.

Who am I fooling? Definitely, she had something to say, not after the string I pulled at the altar.

Her face was no longer in a frown unlike earlier, and I was so glad. At least, I'm sure she wasn't here to scold me.

She walked up to me on the bed and sat beside me with a heavy sigh.

"Brittany?" She called out softly, glancing at me with a pained eyes.

I gulped down but said nothing.

"I know you must feel so hurt after knowing that the man who hurt you years back is the same person you would be spending the rest of your life with."

"Believe me, I understand. I was there for you at that time, remember?" She was staring keenly at me this time, and I was forced to lower my gaze a little to avoid feeling guilty.

"Yes, Mom. This is the more reason I rejected this marriage, at least, you won't have to suffer in my pain anymore." I chipped in with a stern look on my face.

I would rather not remember those moments, which I was finally able to sweep under the rug. Yes! I shouldn't.

"But this isn't what you should have done." Her voice was coming out in a pained yell.

"Well, I tried to warn dad. I mean, I told him different times that I didn't want this arranged marriage in the first place."

"I'm sorry mom, but I don't regret what happened today."

"Even at the expense of tarnishing our image?" She asked, bringing my gaze back to meet hers.

"And not only did you ruin our reputation, but you also put your rights as his first child at stake." Mom was at the brink of tears and I could see that she was just holding it in.

Was I wrong with my action today?

Mom had been through a lot with me, and seeing her cry would also break me at this moment.

"Mom, I'm sorry."

"Sorry isn't going to solve anything. Your father is at the verge of losing his mind, and we both know how short-tempered your father is."

"Then, I could go to him right now and apologize."

"Like I said earlier, apologizing will do nothing."

Mom stood up with her gaze still fixed on me.

"I really hope you do that which will cause you temporary pain, so you wouldn't lose that which will forever bring you gain." After saying this, she didn't wait for anything else as she walked out of my room, closing the door behind her quietly.

"No, Brittany, you didn't do anything wrong." I assured myself quietly as soon as she left.

I didn't do anything wrong. If fighting for my happiness was wrong, then it's actually the people who are against it, that are wrong.

But thinking back to what mom said, I was slightly convinced that I had done something wrong.

Dad could go to any length to see to this, which makes me wonder what the hell was going through his mind right now?

THE NEXT MORNING*

"People can really be stupid." I mumbled, scrolling on my phone.

The comments I was seeing on social media were really surprising, with lots of people hating on me.

"The bride is so wicked to have done such a thing to the groom." A comment stated and I scoffed.

"What a disgrace to both families!" Another stated with an angry emoji at the end.

I rolled my eyes and exited from the article.

All of a sudden, the car stopped moving, and I glanced up at my driver.

"The reporters are here." He glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

Really? Then I should definitely use this to my advantage.

I rolled down the car window as I brought my face out and waved at them, diverting their attention to me instantly.

They ran to me with their cameras and jotting notes as soon as they saw me. Then my lips curled up in a small smile.

"Ms Brittany, why did you call off the wedding with Mr. Ace yesterday?" A lady among them inquired as a microphone was placed near my mouth area.

"Well, because he is not responsible enough to be a husband!" I almost yapped, but held it in.

If dad watched this and heard me say that, then he would disown me for real.

I gazed at all of them and their attention were fully concentrated on me.

"I did what I did because the marriage was an arranged marriage, and there was no way I can spend the rest of my life with a person I don't even love."

"That kind of marriage won't last, and I definitely don't want to be a divorcee any time soon." I chuckled at the end of my statement.

"I agree with you."

"That's totally right."

"You did the right thing." Different opinions from the reporters filled the air.

"But, how do your parents feel about this decision of yours?"

"As expected, they don't feel good about it, especially my dad, but they will definitely adapt to the situation soon."

Well, I wish.

"I think that's enough for now. I'm kind of late for the office, so we'll talk later." I added, rolling back my car window's glass, and my chauffeur drove away.

"Hold on, Ms, we still have a few questions for you." They ran after the car and almost entered into the company when the gate opened, but thankfully, the security were able to hold them out.

The chauffeur stopped the car and I alighted from the car as my gaze came in contact with the huge and tall building.

He drove the car off, probably to the parking lot, while I stood to take in the fresh air.

I puffed out a huge amount of air from my mouth before walking into the company

"The boss is here." A lady from my left side announced feebly, and I halted to glance at her.

She was standing in the reception.

As soon as she said these words, some people began to burst forth, including her. They were all workers of the company.

But, what were they all doing?

"Good morning ma'am." Different people said as they saunter back to their positions.

There's only one way to find out why they were all gathered.

I made my way towards the receptionist desk, where they were all once gathered.

The receptionist became scared immediately she saw me standing in front of her.

"Good morning ma'am." She stuttered aimlessly.

I didn't hesitate any further, at the same time, turned the monitor to slightly face me that way I could have a better view.

There was a folder she was trying to delete. I clicked on the folder and my brows raised with questions.

"Is this what you do when you're supposed to be working?" I inquired, glancing at her.

"No, ma'am." Her face was lowered as those words came out in a stutter.

There on the computer, was a video of my wedding, and the part where I cancelled the wedding seemed to be where they were watching before I probably barged in on them.

"You watch videos during work hours?"

"No, this was a mistake. I just......"

"A mistake, huh? Meet me in my office right now." I interrupted her with a glare before trying to leave until the company's legal director blocked my path.

"Good morning ma'am. I'm afraid you can't go any further." He stated, and a look of puzzlement crossed my face.

What the hell was he talking about?

"What?"

"Your father made it clear not to let you into the company premises."

"What are you saying right now?" I inquired, my voice sounding frustrated.

My face was looking shocked as well and I didn't know what to think anymore.

"I'm sorry to say this, but this was the direct order from the chairman, your father."

"My job is already at stake here if he ever finds out you're already standing inside the building." He continued with his face looking so stern.

Oh, my heavens!

"You're joking, right?" Behind those words was a hidden nervousness. He had better be joking but on the other hand, he wouldn't dare joke with his job.

"I'm sorry but it is the truth. Please, you have to leave from here this minute."

What!!!

"Please, leave." He added, pointing towards the exit.

Gasps and murmurs filled the lobby, and I turned to see some workers peeking at the scene.

Dad, what have I done to deserve this?

My knuckles folded into a tight fist, and I didn't waste any more time before walking out of the building.

I brought out my phone immediately I got outside and dialed my dad's number. Thankfully, he picked up on the second ring.

"Dad, what did you do?"

"What?" He asked back.

Was he trying to feign ignorance right now?

"Why would you tell the legal director not to let me into the company? He just disregarded me in front of everyone." I cried in a yell.

"Well, I think he did a good job then. I thought he was going to secretly inform you about the new rules I made."

"Dad."

"Don't you dare call me that." He reprimanded immediately.

"You should have thought of the consequences. Have you seen the news? Your stupidity has gone viral."

"You dare put my reputation at stake, and you have the guts to complain? Well, to tell you, this is just the beginning for you." He continued to lash out hurling words at me.

"Is there any way I can make amends?" I was trying not to shed a tear here because at the moment, my emotions were already propelled to the brim.

"You have just today to do that, and you will do only that which I'm pleased with."

"But dad.........."

"I was busy before you called." With this, he hung up, leaving me in misery.

I sniffled, trying not to let the tears fall as I brought down my cellphone from my ear.

What have I done?

Dad wasn't even ready to listen to me.

Oh, goodness!

Ace's POV

"Daughter of the popular business tycoon, Brittany Anderson, leaves groom hanging at the altar." My secretary read out a headline from the tablet and glanced at me.

"What does that say?"

"Here it goes."

"She seemed so brave to have broken ties with the handsome CEO, Ace Miller. This is to show that the beautiful lady, Brittany Anderson, can do anything at all. She has proven......."

"Just get down to the comments." I chipped in before she could finish.

I was beginning to get bored and not ready to hear any damn story.

"Alright. A comment says, 'She didn't prove any bravery, instead showed us how stupid she was.' This was from a guy and he got numerous people who agreed with him."

"Another one says, 'Why do the bad women always get hold of the good men? This could have been me, then I wouldn't be so ungrateful like her.' This is from a lady." She continued to say with a smile on her face.

She grinned from ear to ear as she scrolled on the tablet, chuckling out at some points.

"Is that all?" I inquired when she didn't say anything else.

"I was just checking these comments out and trust me, ninety percent are on your side. Many are criticizing her, while some even wish they were your bride instead."

I scoffed and rested back on my chair.

I didn't know if I should be happy at the comments right now or bust out in anger instead because none of the comments were helping.

For a fact, I had every right to be angry at her for what she did to my family and me. She almost ruined my reputation with just that one move she took at the altar.

Even if we were never in good terms with each other, she shouldn't have still gotten the guts to do that.

Just because of what she did, my father has been so angry towards everyone in the house, especially me. He believed I was the reason she made that decision.

According to him, if I had been so good to her from the start, then she wouldn't have had a reason to break up with me at the altar. He blamed me for it all and wanted me to do something about it immediately.

But unfortunately for him, I was doing nothing and that's because Ace Miller will never beg a lady, instead they come to me and pleaded to be under me. Her case was not any different.

I would make sure she comes to beg me, then I end things myself. That was the only way to pacify the burning rage inside me.

"Oh my gosh!" My secretary suddenly exclaimed and I glanced at her.

"What is it?" I asked icily.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Brittany was interviewed this morning in her car, and what she said earned lots of support from people." She grimaced and pursed her lips.

What the.....

"You've got to see this." She added quickly and placed the tablet in front of me.

I let out a scoff, listening to her speech and watching how she smiled at the camera at intervals.

Doesn't she feel guilty for tainting her family's reputation?

I scrolled past the video to the comment section and the reactions were something else. Even when the video was brief, the engagements were surprising.

I can't believe this.

Just when I thought people were solidly behind me? Then I got this.

"Come on, you shouldn't think about it just yet. You still have people behind you." My secretary intruded my thoughts.

Was it so obvious that I was thinking?

"For example, I am here." She suddenly added.

I glanced up at her, and she was smiling at me.

"I am always here to help you with all the problems, including the ones you feel inside." She was winking and biting her lower lip.

My head lowered with a sigh. She should just stop. We're in the office for crying out loud.

A hand rubbed the back of my head, at the same time, drawing invisible circles on my neck. She was now standing by my side.

I closed my eyes and lowered my head once again.

"I will always be." She took her hand to my suit jacket as she began to unbutton my suit jacket.

No, Ace, you can't do this, not here. What if dad barged in on you?

Adding to his blazing rage towards me, then I'd be totally done for.

I pushed her off from me immediately and fixed back my buttons.

"Not here, Melissa." I grumbled out.

"Then where should it be?" She swiveled my chair to face her.

"Not now either." My face was looking stern as I spoke.

"What do you mean not now? Look, I want you right now and here." She attempted to unbutton my jacket, but I was quick to stop her, pushing her hands off me once again.

I wasn't going to let this daughter of eve get to me.

"What now?"

"I don't do fucks with my office staff, I believe you should know that by now."

That was totally not true though, when I find you alluring, then we're good to go.

"But, you could make me an exception, just like the other night." The last part came in a whisper, and it almost made me forget my promise to dad.

"That night was just a mistake because I was drunk."

"A night that you and I enjoyed." She corrected immediately.

Melissa and I used to be fuck buddies occasionally until when father realized it, and I was almost forced to step down as the CEO.

Ever since, I always tried to avoid the workers sexually until Melissa seduced me at a club one night, but I absolutely didn't regret it that night.

I don't reject sex, especially when it was offered on a platter of gold, but right now, I had a promise to keep.

Next time, I wouldn't spare her.

"We could try that again. You just let me have my way, then I'll ride you to heaven."

"Stop it, Melissa. You should leave."

Some noises outside diverted my attention away from her.

"Check what the noise is about." I glanced at the window and rested back on my seat.

She rolled her eyes before walking to the window.

"The reporters are downstairs." She announced and I glanced at her.

"Are they inside already?"

"No, they are outside the gate because I asked the security not to let them in."

"Alright, still make sure they don't come in no matter what."

I had nothing to say to them and until I figure out a perfect story that wouldn't make me look like a fool, I would try not to see them.

The telephone rang from my desk and I heaved a sigh.

"What is it?" I said immediately I picked it up.

"Sir, there is someone looking for you." My receptionist replied.

"Who?"

"It's a lady you know, sir."

A she?

Who the fuck is here to see me?

"What did she say her name was?"

"Sir, she has forbidden me to say, but she is a business partner of the company."

A business partner?

"Do we have a business meeting today?" I asked Melissa and she raised a brow.

"No, except for the one we have with the board of directors, and that is to take place in two hours time." She replied, walking to my desk as she picked up her tablet.

"Yes, that's all." She added after probably confirming it on her tablet.

"Let her in." I said over to the telephone and dumped it back to its place.

"What meeting are you having?" Melissa asked.

"I don't know."

I was still uncertain on whom it was, even if my mind was trying to go to someone right now, but why would she try to see me when obviously she didn't want to see my face?

Shortly after, we heard a knock and the door open. I peeked up, only for my eyes to widen at the person in front of me.

What was she doing here?

"May I come in?" She was still standing at the door, and when she saw that I didn't say anything, she walked in and made herself comfortable on a seat.

"I will take my leave now, sir." Melissa walked out of the office.

I was so speechless to find her in my company. Was she here to finish what she started?

A quiet sigh left my lips and I rested back on my seat, trying to look unaffected by her unexpected visit.

"Mr Miller, I know you must be wondering why I am here.........." She paused and tapped continually on my desk.

Mr. Miller? Was she kidding?

"Well, it's simple...." She trailed off and halted the tapping on my desk.

"I want to apologize for the way I left you hanging at the altar. Trust me, it was never intentional."

"Why are you saying this?" I asked, even before she could say anything else.

This was so unlike her, so what could be the reason?

"Why? Can't I apologize?" She asked back and I scoffed.

"Well, the Brittany I've known would never apologize." I blurted out.

There was no point in sugar coating things.

"Then you're wrong because I do apologize when I'm wrong." She muttered something else which I wished I heard but didn't.

"Well, it seems like a different thing here." I shrugged out and she rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, back to why I'm here....." She let out a feigned smile.

"I have a proposal for you, and it is something that would interest you quite much." She brought out some files from her bag and tossed it on my desk.

"And how do you know what might interest me?" I scoffed out, glancing at the files on my desk.

"Well, as a business lady, I am so much aware of the offers that are competent in the business world and I believe you're smart enough to know that also."

I peeked at her then at the files before opening it. Immediately, I checked the file, my eyes almost popped in shock.

It was a fvcking contract!

I raised my gaze instantly and she had one of the most unbelievable look on earth.

"Let's get married again." She stated, increasing my shock.