The CEO's Bride

"Ouch!" Rose screamed as she removed the piece of glass from her leg, bending down to pick up the remains of the cup she had broken.

"It will be trouble if anyone sees this," she said to herself.

Just as she was about to leave, she bumped into someone and fell down due to their weight, causing something to drop from his wrist.

"Argh, what the actual heck?" she exclaimed. She raised her head to see who she had bumped into, and just looking at his luxurious shoes, she knew she was in trouble.

She gazed at him from toe to head, her mouth agape as she stared at him, lost in admiration. The tall, stacked, and luscious man in front of her had well-carved brown hair that suited him perfectly. She scrutinized every single part of his body as if she had forgotten something on it. Then, she noticed his ocean blue eyes, which were strikingly beautiful and hard to miss.

"Excuse me?" he said, his voice snapping her back to reality as she continued to gaze at his body, mesmerized.

"Damn his voice," she said, still mesmerized. He snapped his fingers in front of her, making her jump in fear as she tried to compose herself. She cleared her throat, even though there was nothing to clear, just a nervous habit. He pointed to the ground, showing her his broken wristwatch. Rose thought he was pointing out the blood on her leg.

"Yeah, I know, I'll take care of that," she said, looking him in the eye. But then she realized her mistake and looked down to see the broken watch.

"Oh my god," she bent down to pick it up. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she said, looking at him with remorse. He showed no emotions, his face a blank slate, leaving her wondering what he was thinking.

"Do you know how much that cost?" he asked, his voice cold and emotionless, like he could bring down walls with a single word.

"I'm... I'm sorry," she stuttered, confused why a handsome man like him was so cold. Just then, a man in a black suit called out from behind, "Andre!" Andre turned around, and Rose thought to herself, "Oh, so he's Andre."

The way Peter called him only meant that they was a close relationship or familiarity, as one wouldn't dare address someone with such an aura without permission.

"Andre," Peter called out again, this time closer. "The clients are seated inside, waiting for you."

Andre looked at Rose with a stern expression. "You must pay for this," he said.

"Where do I get that kind of money?" Rose replied, desperation in her voice.

"That's for you to figure out," Andre said, handing her his card. Rose was hesitant, wondering why he was giving her his card.

Andre's expression turned annoyed, and he dropped the card on the floor and walked away, leaving Rose feeling overwhelmed and anxious Peter looked her up and down, his gaze belittling her, before turning and walking away.

Rose watched them leave, wondering who these men were. She picked up the card and limped away, her mind reeling. Later, Rose sought permission from her friend Peniel, one of the hotel's manager, to treat her wound. Peniel had always been her savior.

"Thanks so much, I don't know what I'd do without you," she said, grateful.

Peniel smiled. "It's fine, I've got your back. But you should wash your hair, it looks like it's been ages since you last did." He gently arranged her unkempt black hair.

"I know, I just haven't had the time to take care of myself lately."

His expression turned serious. "You need to prioritize self-care, Rose. You're a lady, after all. Now, go before the new boss sees us chatting."

He smiled and nudged her towards the door.

"I'll fill you in on the new boss later. I don't want to risk getting on his bad side."

Rose smiled and said "See you later" as she left, feeling grateful for Peniel's support and curiosity about the new boss.

Rose opened the door to her apartment, limping carefully to avoid making any noise that might alert her landlord, who had been pestering her for rent. She dropped her bag on an antique couch and sat down, sighing heavily due to the pain.

She remembered why she came back home and looked at the fresh cut on her leg. She thought back to the incident that led to her hurting herself.

"Who could he be?" She remembered the card and brought it out from her bag, staring at it.

"Why does he look so elegant? He looks like an actor from Italy."

She got up, walked to a drawer, and brought out cotton wool and spirit to clean the cut. As she sat down. As she cleaned her wound, Rose winced in pain, "Mmmm." She caught herself thinking how similar the sound was to a pleasurable moan. Her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. She answered, and Mia's voice was on the other end, asking where she was. Rose was supposed to be at work at 5:00, but it was already 5:30. She quickly covered her cut with a plaster and rushed out the door.

When she arrived at the coffee shop, Mia was busy making coffee. Rose slipped in, trying to catch her breath.

"What kept you so long?" Mia asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm so sorry," Rose replied, still trying to catch her breath.

"You're lucky the boss didn't notice your absence. He came and went in a hurry."

Rose let out a sigh of relief. "I totally forgot about work. It's like you've finally found a fortune and don't want to work here anymore." Mia teased, passing a coffee to a customer with a flirtatious smile.

"Quit doing that," Rose whispered, rolling her eyes.

"He's so cute," Mia said, smiling as the customer left.

Rose picked up her apron, "Speaking of cute guys, I met one today..."

"Hmm, really? Rose wants to talk about a guy? The Rose I know doesn't find any guy attractive, even if he's cute and sexy as hell. Tell me about him, I'm interested."

"He's umm..." Then she remembered the situation. "I think I'm in trouble."

"Just a few seconds ago, you wanted to tell me about the cute guy you met, and now you're in trouble. That's really janky."

She looked at Rose and saw that she looked terrified. "Tell me what's wrong, calm down, calm down."

"Okay," Rose said. "At the hotel where I work, I was walking through the hallway with glasses, and I slipped and broke them. After cleaning up the mess, I was leaving when I bumped into this man. It was not intentional, why would I bump into him on purpose?" She looked at Mia.

"I'm not getting this story of yours. Why are you so terrified if you only bumped into him?"

"His wristwatch, I broke his wristwatch. Mia, I know you don't understand what I'm going through right now. If only you saw this man, his look alone is fierce. He's tall and all, and he specifically told me to pay him back. See, he gave me his card. You and I both know that I don't have a dime to give to anyone; I have bills to pay, my rent, and others." She began to panic.

"You know, you might not have to see him again. I'm sure he came for a business meeting, so I'll tell you not to call him." Mia said.

"Right? I thought so too. I don't want to ever see him because men like that will definitely want my body." Rose said.

"Exactly, but I can give him mine, since you said he's cute," Mia said in a humorous way. Rose looked at her with disgust, and then they both chuckled. A customer walked in, and they stopped talking and moved away from each other.

The next morning, Rose woke up to her alarm and got out of bed. She took her time washing her hair in the bathroom, then got dressed and ready.

She rushed to the kitchen to make oatmeal before heading out. As she was leaving her apartment, her phone rang. It was Peniel.

"Why is he calling me?" she thought.

"Where are you? You're supposed to be here by now. I can't cover for you if you're late. This is new management." He sounded urgent .

"What are you talking about? My shift starts at 8, and it's only 7. I'm not late." Rose said.

Peniel asked if she hadn't received the email.

"What email?" she replied.

He explained that an email had been sent to everyone about the new CEO's swearing in ceremony, and everyone was expected to attend. Rose panicked.

"Damn it, I'm on my way!" She dropped her spoon, grabbed her bag, and rushed out the door.

Everyone was looking their absolute best, as no one wanted the new CEO to have a bad impression of them. Rumors were rampant that he was a very strict man, and every staff member was present, from the manager to the receptionist to the hotel cleaners.

Hilton Hotel was ranked as the number one five-star hotel in America, and they would do anything to maintain that ranking. It was just a few minutes before they would announce the presence of the new CEO, and everyone was eager to see what he looked like.

The staff, in their best manners, lined up facing each other, leaving a walkway in between, like they were preparing to welcome Prince Charles to his palace. Just then, Rose rushed in and joined the line like the others. You could literally see the relief in Peniel's eyes when he saw Rose. Everyone was engrossed as the CEO arrived in a convoy of expensive cars first, a Lamborghini Veneno, followed by a CCXR Trevita, a limousine, and a Rolls-Royce Boat Tail.

As the convoy of cars came to a halt, chauffeurs and security guards emerged from each vehicle, except for the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail. This sparked both anxiety and curiosity among the staffs,, who were eager to catch a glimpse of the individual who commanded such respect and power.

The Rolls-Royce door finally opened, and a chauffeur and security officer stepped out, followed by a tall, imposing figure. He stood at around 6'6" with piercing ocean blue eyes that contrasted strikingly with his light toned face. His eyes were deep, cold, and emotionless, intimidating anyone who dared to hold his gaze for more than a few seconds.

Despite his formidable presence, he exuded handsome charm, with an aura that could make him stand out in any crowd. He carried himself with confidence, his head held high as if he were the only person on earth.

His muscles were visible through his black Brioni jacket, the most expensive brand for suits. Rose's eyes widened in surprise as she recognized the man standing before her.

"This has to be some kind of dream," she thought to herself.

The workers were left speechless, whispering quietly among themselves in awe. To be honest, they were expecting someone powerful and influential, but they never anticipated him to be so strikingly handsome. The security guards stood behind him, dressed in black suits and shades, exuding an effortless air of intimidation.

As Andre walked towards them, they bowed in unison, and he passed between them with confidence. Rose, fearing recognition, tilted her head and used her hair to conceal her face. Andre approached her, noticing her attempt to hide, but his gaze lingered only for a moment before moving on.

intervened, sensing tension, and asked, "Is there a problem, sir?" Without a word, Andre proceeded into the hotel with his security detail.

The staff had gathered in the conference hall, serving drinks to the press, business partners, stakeholders, and dignitaries.

Rose entered with a tray of drinks, scanning the room for Andre, but he was nowhere to be found. She wished she could escape before he reappeared. The former CEO, a man in his late 40s, tapped his spoon against his wine glass, capturing everyone's attention. The room fell silent, awaiting the moment they had all been waiting for.

"May I have your attention, please?" the former CEO said, setting his glass down on a nearby table. "We all know the occasion. I was appointed CEO by Leonard Hiltons, the owner of Hilton Hotels and Suites, and have managed this hotel for over five years. Now, his son, Andre Hiltons, has returned to take the reins as the rightful heir to this esteemed establishment. It is my pleasure to introduce your new CEO, Andre Hiltons."

The room erupted into applause as Andre emerged from the back door, strutting confidently like a model on a catwalk. The audience was taken aback by his striking appearance, having only heard about Andre Hiltons but never seen him in person. As he reached the front, the applause subsided, and everyone waited with bated breath to hear him speak.

"Thank you all for coming," he said, his voice dripping with an Italian accent. "I'm eager to do business with each and every one of you." He raised a glass of wine from the nearby waiter. "Cheers to new management!" The crowd echoed his toast, raising their glasses in unison.

Rose felt goosebumps rise on her skin as his voice sent a shiver down her spine, reminding her of the cold tone he used when demanding she pay for his broken watch. Just then, a voice called out from behind, "Waitress!" As Rose turned to see who it was, she accidentally bumped into a lady, nearly spilling the drinks in her tray.

"Hey, watch where you're going! You only have one job here, and that's to serve drinks, not to spill them on me!" a young woman in her early 20s exclaimed, her voice shrill with annoyance.

Rose apologized profusely, "I'm so sorry, I'm really sorry!" She nervously checked the woman's dress for any stains.

The woman glared at her, "You're lucky I don't see any stains on my dress."

With a huff, she stormed off towards Andre, and they exchanged a warm embrace, pecking each other on the cheek. Rose watched them with a pitiful smile, then left the conference hall, feeling embarrassed and flustered.

"Congratulationi!" she said.

"Grazie" Andre replied curtly. "It's been ages since I last saw you. When did you return?" she asked, taking a step closer to him.

"Two or three weeks ago," he responded, his hands remaining in his blazer pockets, showing little interest in the conversation.

"Oh really?" she said, her tone hinting at curiosity.

"Sì," he replied briefly, his eyes already wandering away.

"You'll make a great CEO, I'm sure. I'm glad you're back," she said, trying to keep the conversation going.

"Thanks, excuse me," he said, politely dismissing her and walking away.

She watched him go, thinking to herself, "After seven years, and you still haven't changed." Meanwhile, Rose was ending her shift and preparing to leave. She took her belongings from her locker and was about to exit when she heard Andre's voice.

She quickly hid in a corner, hoping to avoid him. Andre was on a call, "Peter, I'm done here. Get the driver to come pick me up, make it quick." He ended the call and walked down the hallway.

Rose breathed a sigh of relief, thinking she was safe from him for the moment. Her loud exhalation caught Andre's attention. As she tried to sneak away in the opposite direction, she felt a strong, warm hand on her shoulder. Rose gasped in fear, her heart racing in fear. She hesitated to look back, wondering who could be holding her shoulder.

Her mind raced with worst case scenarios, including the possibility of it being the man whose wristwatch she had broken. All these thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant.

Finally, she turned around, and her eyes met Andre's towering figure. She had to look up to meet his gaze, feeling intimidated by his piercing stare. She couldn't hold his gaze for a few seconds, fearing he might recognize her.

"I hope he doesn't remember me," she thought to herself.

But to her surprise, Andre said,

"Unfortunately for you, I remember you."

Rose's eyes widened in shock.

"What?" she exclaimed, her mind racing with questions.

"He not only intimidates me with his gaze, but he also reads my mind. Who is this man?" she thought, finally gathering the courage to look him straight in the eyes.

Andre smiled, his eyes gleaming with a knowing glint.

"I'm your new boss, your new CEO," he announced, his voice firm and authoritative.

Rose's mind was reeling, trying to comprehend how he could possibly know her thoughts.

"You're the girl I promised to give 2.2 million dollars, right?" he asked, his eyes boring into hers. Rose's eyes widened in disbelief, her mind racing with thoughts.

"He thinks I'm some girl he promised money, he can't recognize me," she thought, a hint of amusement crossing her face.

Andre's expression turned serious, his voice firm.

"I vividly remember who you are, and you owe me a total of 2.2 million dollars. I don't joke about my money, you can't steal from me and get away with it."

Rose found her voice, her words tumbling out in a rush. "Excuse me? I didn't steal from you! I accidentally bumped into you, and we both know it wasn't intentional. Your watch broke, and I apologized. You can't seriously expect me to pay 2.2 million dollars for a watch, no matter how expensive!"

She took a deep breath, her courage surging. "That was Patek Philippe's most complex watch, worth 2.2 million dollars," Andre replied, his eyes unwavering.

Rose's eyes widened further, her mind reeling at the staggering amount. She knew she had to make him understand.

"I'm just a waitress, I don't have that kind of money! I apologized, and I'm willing to make it right, but I can't pay that amount!".

He gazed at her identification card dangling around her neck, lifted it to scrutinize her name, and then his phone rang. Still clutching her ID card, he answered the call.

"Ho appena concluso, Sto arrivando" (I've just finished, I'm on my way), he said curtly before hanging up.

His eyes returned to her ID card, and he declared, "Miss Rose Taylor, see me in my office tomorrow by 12. We'll discuss the payment methods."

Rose attempted to speak, but he swiftly turned and walked away, leaving her feeling bewildered and anxious about the impending meeting.

She stood there in shock as she tried to process what had just happened. She went home that night and returned to work by 8:00 a.m.

The next morning, wearing a jean trouser and a black shirt, black really suited her. She finished her shift by 11:30 a.m., so she had to wait until noon to meet with the CEO. At exactly twelve o'clock, she walked down the hall and went to the elevator, which took her to the top floor where the CEO's office was located.

When she arrived, she met his receptionist.

"Hi, I'm here to see the CEO," Rose said, placing her hands on the large counter behind which the receptionist sat.

The receptionist gazed at Rose with disdain and revulsion, but Rose was unfazed, having encountered worse treatment from others who didn't see her as human.

"Who are you?" the receptionist asked curtly.

"I'm Rose, and I work here," Rose replied calmly. The receptionist raised an eyebrow.

"As what? And why are you here to see him?" She seemed determined to block Rose's access. Rose's frustration grew.

"Don't you think you're asking too many questions? Just call him and ask him, I have an appointment at 12:00."

The receptionist hesitated, then picked up the phone and dialed.

"Sir, a Miss...?" She glanced at Rose, trying to recall her name. "Rose," Rose reminded her.

The receptionist continued, "Sir, a Miss Rose said she has an appointment with you."

The CEO's voice came through the phone, "Yes, let her wait."

The receptionist smirked, "He said you should wait."

Rose began to protest, "But he told me to come by 12:00. Maybe you should call him again..."

The receptionist cut her off, her expression unyielding.

"He said you should wait, and that's exactly what you're going to do."