Married to my ex husband's boss

Elle's POV

I quietly and quickly picked up my clothes scattered on the ground of the hotel room. I felt dirty and ashamed of myself. But I knew that the deed had already been done and there was no going back.

"It's for Richard's sake," I kept chanting in my head to rid myself of the guilt that I just cheated for the first time in my seven years of marriage.

After getting dressed, I glanced once more at the sleeping man on the ruffled bed before stepping out of the hotel room. He was the new manager that joined the company a few months ago, a handsome bachelor who I had to lead on so I could get my hands on the promotion that my husband needed so badly.

Speaking of my husband, Richard must be waiting for me to give him the good news; that I had successfully done what he asked.

I arrived home tired and walked straight to the bedroom assuming that Richard was in there since I couldn't find him anywhere else in the house. I stepped into the room and color drained from my face when I saw him snuggling with another woman on our matrimonial bed.

Their clothes were scattered around the room and the air reeked of sex that they obviously just had.

Still in shock at the scene before me, I staggered weakly and called out distraught "Richard, what is this?" tears began to well up in my eyes as I thought of my dignity that I had sacrificed for him.

Upon hearing my voice, the cuddling pair shook in surprise to see me but they remained on the bed.

"Can't you knock before entering?" Richard hissed at me.

I shuddered, shocked to see him look at me with so much irritation. I was also angry that I had put my dignity on the line for him and I returned to see this. I walked closer to them and handed him the document, perhaps he would understand what I had done for him when he saw it.

He eyed the file and took it before chuckling, "So you really did it?" he asked a question that I didn't know how to answer.

"I don't understand. You told me to get the contract with any means necessary even if it was sleeping with your manager. I did it for you" I tried to keep my voice clear but I couldn't help but quiver from sadness and anger.

He chuckled again and hissed, "This wretch! So you cheat on me and expect me to be happy about it? I never told you to sleep with my manager, you made that decision yourself because you are a slut and a cheat. You did nothing for me, I never put a gun to your head to help me" he spat out.

Every word he said pierced me like a knife, I couldn't believe he was the one saying all this after pushing me to do it. He was the one who told me to keep the fact that we were married couples a secret from the office, we always acted like strangers at work and working in different departments made it easier. When his manager took an interest in me, he encouraged me to keep it up till I could get him to sign his promotion. I never wanted to do it but he kept on pushing, begging and threatening. Why was he pretending to not know anything about it now?

He even threatened to end our marriage if I didn't... so I did it all for him. I made his manager book a hotel and got him very drunk then I had sex with him so he could approve the promotion document. How can he say such a thing now?

I eyed the woman lying nonchalantly beside him and then I remembered seeing her before. Oh yes! She was the chief operating officer directly under the CEO, Melody, people respected her due to her high position in the company. Compared to her, a mere department manager was nothing.

I could finally understand why Richard went for her, she could easily give him a promotion and other benefits.

"You are accusing me of being a cheat but what does that make you? I came in here to see you in bed with another woman, you know I never would have slept with the manager if you didn't threaten to end our marriage" I retorted back, out of frustration and anger.

Richard sighed tiredly and handed me another set of papers along with the one I had given him, "I am not like you because our marriage already ended a while ago in my eyes. You think I didn't notice you staying up at night to flirt with the manager, you became distant and never cared whether I was alive or not. I know I don't measure up to him but I thought our seven years of marriage would mean somethin⁵g to you. It was during my distraught state that I met this goddess and she has been my strength ever since to put up with you. Now you suddenly returned with a promotion document as if I ever asked you to do that for me. I am tired of your games, Elle. Take this and sign quickly, this marriage is over" he poured out.

I couldn't help but burst into laughter as soon as I read the title of the document as divorce papers. Oh how pathetic I looked, I had spent the entire night struggling to get his contract signed and he already found a quicker option. Now he wanted nothing to do with me, I could never give him half of the benefits the COO offered. All the lies he just spewed was to act like a saint in her presence while I took the fall for it.

I could certainly be given the wife of the decade award for cheating for my husband and still getting divorced. My seven years of marriage was one big joke; my husband was leaving for power despite all we had been through together.

I took the documents with shaky hands as I pushed back the urge to bawl my eyes out. I didn't want them to see me heartbroken and weak, I had lost enough dignity today.

"And one more thing, Melody doesn't like you here so turn in those papers and pack your things, I want you out of my house within the hour" I heard him say behind me as I walked out of the room. I could hear their giggles all the way from the living room while I packed my belongings and left my matrimonial home with a heavy heart.

Elle's POV

It took a lot for me to show up at work the next day but I couldn't skip it, it was all I had going for me and I needed the money to begin my new life as a divorcee.

One thing I was grateful for was that no one knew I was married at work and naturally no one knew I was recently divorced too. Plus Richard and his new mistress worked in a different department and we almost wouldn't cross paths except there was a general meeting which rarely happened. I was seated in my cubicle buried in office work and drowning in my sorrows when I began to hear the heated chatter from my colleagues.

"I heard the management of the company is going to change following the passing of the old CEO, his grandson will take over his position"

"Joanna, where did you hear that from? Don't spread false rumors and get yourself in trouble"

"I'm serious, you know my friend is the CEO's Personal assistant, I heard everything from her. I also heard that the new young CEO is ruthless and rebellious so we are going to be in for a ride. He was supposed to take over the company a while ago but he was still too irresponsible. Now that his grandfather is dead, he has to step up naturally"

"Really? That means we are going to be called for a general meeting one of these days to introduce him. I really hope I don't get on his bad side"

***

I listened to their conversation involuntarily and sighed, I was more worried about the general meeting than anything else, I would die if I had to see Richard and his mistress. Although I remembered Richard had mentioned something about the next successor of the company being the opposite of his grandfather, he was fearfully respected by the management of the company even though no one had really seen him before.

The sound of phones pinging from notifications distracted me from my thoughts, everyone brought out their phones to check and I did too. It was a message requesting an urgent general meeting in the front hall...

Today must not be my lucky day...

I contemplated skipping it and hiding in the restroom but I could get a query and I couldn't risk that. Everyone had already begun leaving for the meeting so I reluctantly stood up and followed too. We got to the hall that was already crowded with other employees and I hid myself in their midst with the hope that I wouldn't see Richard.

"My apologies for calling for a meeting on such short notice but I was appointed to as the matter at hand is of great urgency" Melody had stepped up to speak once everyone gathered and quieted down.

"We are all aware of the CEO's passing a month ago and now it is time to introduce the new CEO of the company, his name is Mr Raymond. A round of applause as he comes in..." she urged and everyone began clapping and cheering.

To the shock of everyone, I included, the supposed new CEO walked in and it was none other than the manager that I had slept with yesterday. Yes! The same one I took advantage of to get my husband's promotion signed.

My jaw was hanging wide open for god knows how long, I was too in shock and I struggled to process my thoughts. Other coworkers, especially the department he was manager of, were also left stunned. I unconsciously searched for Richard and I could see that color had drained from his face like he was seeing a ghost.

But how was he the new CEO? That meant he was the late CEO's grandson. His name was supposed to boring Ben with a common personality, all the time we talked he never gave anything away. Come to think of it, I had flirted so absent mindedly and didn't notice he never really told me much about himself. Even to the point where we had sex, I didn't care enough to get to know him better. To think I treated the CEO like that, it was worse than I thought.

I was so ashamed and worried at that point. What if he had figured I was using him? That automatically meant the end of my employment and I might even get arrested. Was he angry at me? We haven't spoken since yesterday. I had planned to break up with him politely when I saw him but now I didn't know what to do.

"Hello everyone. I'm Raymond Jefferson and most of you already know me as the manager of the accounting department. I had to take an alias and join the company to get more direct experience with its workers. You have nothing to fear, nothing is changing so please go on as you were. I am a simple minded person and I will only be difficult when you cross me. Trust me, you don't want to see the other side of me, you will not like it. With that said, let's work better together from now on" he addressed us with a loud firm voice. While he was technically the same person, I felt his countenance had become more refined, assertive and firm. He truly gave the air of a CEO, calm but dangerous when crossed and I'm sure I wasn't the only one who felt it.

I gulped unconsciously because that meant I was in more trouble. Sadly, the man who I did it for didn't even appreciate it.

Everyone clapped, shook hands with him and muttered their welcome, he was just about to get off the stage when he returned and his eyes fell on me, then he said "Miss Elle from the tech department, please see me in my office"

He had a blank look on his face so I couldn't gauge his reaction, but publicly mentioning me brought everyone's attention to me. Our relationship wasn't really a secret before, I was the one who always shunned him from seeing me during work hours but he still adamantly brought me lunch most times. I could tell from my co-worker that they were questioning with their eyes if I had known who he really was.

The crowd was soon dismissed and I made my way to his office, the CEO's office, with my mind prepared for the worse. I was going to end it with him with a lie that I just wasn't interested anymore, I didn't want to lead him on anymore especially with his new standing.

As soon as I entered, I was engulfed into a passionate hug to my surprise. I didn't even have the time to process it or speak when he spoke up and said, "I'm so sorry, Elle. For lying to you about my identity and not reaching out after yesterday. I shouldn't have stood you up like that and I know you must be angry. I promise you that nothing has changed, I am still interested in you and in fact I would like to take it a step further by asking you to marry me"

ELLE's POV

"What?" I blurted out in shock. Everything was taking a really sharp turn and I couldn't help but wonder if I was dreaming.

"I know this is a lot and I'm sorry for adding that last part in but I can't hold it in anymore, Elle. I'm in love with you and I want nothing more than to have you for the rest of my life. You can take as long as you want to process everything, I'll be right here waiting for you no matter how long" He assured with a genuine smile.

How was this happening? I was expecting everything else but this... a marriage proposal?!

To think that I got divorced yesterday to be asked for marriage today. How ironic!

"Last night..." I was beginning to say when he cut me off.

"Yes, last night was all my fault. I was so sad about my grandfather's passing that I drank too much and we got intimate. It was not my intention but I don't regret it either, Elle. I had the best night except I was too drunk to remember much about it" he chuckled but dimmed it down when he noticed I was not smiling.

"I need to use the restroom, excuse me" I said and made my way out of the office. I went to the restroom, I just needed some time to exhale and think or I might just go crazy.

I felt bad that while he was grieving last night, I had plotted to deceive him. Ben... I mean Raymond had never done anything bad to me, his only problem was that I was married and in love with Richard. I was ready to do anything to save my marriage that I didn't think toying with his feelings would hurt him.

No, I have to tell him the truth. His intentions were pure and genuine and I knew any girl would be happy to marry him, but if I truly wanted to give him a chance, I can't begin our foundation with lies. I will be honest with him and be ready for whatever reaction I would receive, if he would still have me then...

I washed my hands and stepped out of the restroom with the determination to tell him everything and damn the consequences. But I was immediately blocked by Richard who pulled me to a corner with urgency.

"Stupid woman! Did you not know the manager was the young CEO? Huh? How could you entangle yourself with him and try to deceive him? I don't want to get fired because of your foolishness or I'm going to make your life hell" he threatened angrily.

I looked at his agitated face and chuckled, "You are asking how when you are the one who pushed me to accept his advances? Now it's all my fault right? Pathetic!" I was angry more at myself than anyone else. How did I let myself get pulled into this mess all because of love? I was so desperate that I didn't see what a walking red flag I had married.

"How dare you insult me? I see that sleeping with the CEO has made you gutsy. Do you think if you tell him the truth he will forgive you and accept you with open arms? Stop being delusional! I heard the young CEO is a no nonsense man regardless of how calm he looks. You will be lucky if he doesn't get you arrested after kicking you out of his company" He barked bitterly.

I hissed, having had enough of his talking, "As long as you will be going down with me then I don't care" I knew he was seething with anger but I eyed him dismissively and made to leave.

I just had to be honest with him, even if I will be implicated. That was the difference between me and my ex husband.

"Don't you dare walk away from me, Elle" Richard reached for my hand and roughly pulled me back.

In that moment before I could react, footsteps approached us and a familiar face came to view.

It was Raymond.

"What is going on here?" he asked in a cool but intimidating voice while staring hard at Richard.

Richard withdrew his hold on me in an instant and spoke up in a slightly shaky voice, "Oh it's nothing, we were just discussing some personal matter. Nothing serious at all, right Elle?"

Raymond's gaze fell on me and it visibly softened or maybe I was imagining it, while I was lost for words he looked like he was searching my eyes for a reaction. I suddenly felt too open to him and I looked away, "Um... yeah, it's nothing" I spoke up too, trying to regain my composure.

"I'll be leaving now, I have some work to turn over" Richard said and tried to take his leave but Raymond stopped him by folding his hands and clearing his throat. Then he turned to me and asked with his face full of concern, "Are you okay, Elle? Did he do anything?"

I was taken aback by his concern for me, the switch in countenance when he looks at me and when he looks at Richard was too big to miss. Just how much did he care for me to have such an effect on him? Richard never cared this much before in all our seven years of marriage.

"No no, he didn't. I'm completely fine" I dismissed with a fake reassuring smile. I could see Richard's veins look like they were about to pop from gnashing his teeth from silent anger. It admittedly pleased me to see him so worked up about Raymond.

Raymond nodded in understanding before turning back to Richard, "I was your manager for a while so I know the accounting department very well. This isn't the office break time so don't loiter around when there are tons of accounts to settle. Am I clear?" he asked, his hard looking face was back.

"Y..yes Sir" Richard stammered with a hint of fear in his voice. He was always so fearless with me but seemed he had met his match. Richard left after sparing me one last glance, I thought I could see the disbelief in them that Raymond valued me this much. I don't blame him, I was still trying to get used to it too.

"Are you ready to tell me what's really going on now?" Raymond asked me while taking my hands in his.

"But I said it was nothing..." I tried to say but he cut me off.

"I know it's not, I saw Richard pull your hand roughly. It's fine if you don't want to tell me, I will respect that and let you be. "His voice sounded sad as he turned to leave and I felt confused on what to do.

After listening to Richard about the consequences of telling him the truth, a part of me was scared to do it because I didn't want to be arrested and sent to jail. But for how long could I keep the truth hidden? If he found out later, I knew it was going to be worse.

I made up my mind after a few seconds of contemplation and stopped him from leaving, "I need to tell you something but not here in the office, I don't..." I was stopped from talking with his finger on my lips.

"...Then let's get out of here" he said

I was stunned by his decisiveness, "But what about work?" I asked.

"I'm the CEO remember?" he smirked and his eyes flashed with a glint of mischievousness.