The CEO's Rejected Bride

Chapter one.

Alicia had just left her mother's room in the hospital. Her mother was sound asleep when she walked in. She placed her bags on the little counter and looked at her mum who was fast asleep. She saw a little note by the counter. The doctor wanted to see her.

"I am sorry, but if you can't get the drugs to calm her down, we might have to withdraw from treating her here, asides the hospital bills that have piled up; we believe as a hospital and as a corporation we have tried the best that we can." The doctor who called Alicia into her office spoke with anger but on a mild level, you can sense how she tried to understand and how she held herself back. She adjusted her glasses and read through the files in front of her.

"I know, you have been patient and kind enough for me and my mum; Dr. Lawson." Alicia spoke with a sad tone, while she rubbed her hands on her laps, she sat down being restless. But who wouldn't be? She was called while she was on her job hunt. Her mother had so much that can't be paid if her life and her mum's life were to be used? It wouldn't be enough time to clear the debt her mum owed; it was since her birth after all.

She started working everyday after she dropped out of high school, with each debt she settles, another one pops up. With the various types of job she had done. She had never paid off the debt. Her mother worked hard too but it wasn't never enough. What's worse? She fell terribly ill; failure of the heart and kidneys they said.

The shock Alicia had when she was informed about this some months back, she had been working all day and night. This month hasn't been any different.

"I am glad you know and realize that I have been kind enough to be understanding in regards to you and your sick mother. But these bills are piling up and they have to be paid immediately. You know that; without these drugs I am afraid she might need surgery and that is like." Dr. Lawson chuckled before she continued. She was expressionless for that moment, the stare she gave Alicia gave her chills. She felt hot, her body generated heat from the thought of how she had to run twice as hard and work more than she did before. If she was working at the pace of a snail; she needs to power it up.

"That is a heavy cross, a very heavy cross for you to carry. And I won't be here to help, so if you may? You can leave my office and I hope the next time is for you to pay your bills." Dr. Lawson stretched her hands and pointed the way out of her office. Alicia sighed as she stood up.

She bowed immediately "Thank you so much." She gestured with the wai sign.

The talk she had with the doctor was one she didn't like.

"I should just go and see my boyfriend, I need a clear head." Alicia walked out of the main door and exited the hospital. She didn't want to think about how she would make the money. She shook her head momentarily and clutched her faded bag, it had a worn out zipper that could be managed.

She wore a long skirt and a short thrift wear top that she bought a few years ago, it's getting smaller but she wants to use it for its worth.

Her hair seemed dirty and unwashed. Her slipper had holes too. She had a little brown scarf over her head, she read in the weather updates, there might be a rain shower.

Alicia took a long walk to her boyfriend's house. Not a dime could be found in her body. She walked sadly and dragged her foot, with a clouded mind.

Alicia went to boyfriend's apartment. She had walked four miles, she was tired.

"I had a rough day." She hugged him when he didn't return the hug fully. He wasn't paying total attention to her either.

"Are you good?" Alicia asked as she dropped her bag on top of a piece of small cloth, she didn't pay any attention to it but her boyfriend did. He sighed as she walked away. He closed his eyes for relief.

"Yes, and what did you say happened today? Can we sit in the living room and talk?" He itched his head and asked her. Uncomfortable and nervous.

Alicia walked into the kitchen. He rushed in after her. "What's wrong?" Alicia asked with a chuckle. She found all his actions funny and weird.

She opened the water bottle, his eyes followed her. She tilted her head and noticed something.

"Oh my God!" Her eyes dilated and the thought she had. She didn't want to assume. The water fell from her hands. She saw his lips.

"I don't- I don't use red lipstick." She said with a shaky tone. She blinked so many times. She didn't want to cry but who was she kidding?

She left the counter and opened the bedroom door.

She saw something she would have never expected in years to come. A naked woman who was comfortable in her boyfriend's bed.

"Babe?" The lady said, eyeing her up and down.

"You got a maid?" She shouted from where she laid.

"You better change this one, she looks broken". The naked woman spoke with no regard and cackled. Alicia has never felt horror like she was feeling now.

She gasped at the words she heard, she had goosebumps all over.

"You told her I'm your... Maid?" Alicia gasped

" I'm your girlfriend!" she laughed in pain. She tried to construct words.

A tear fell from her left eye, dumbstruck she stood and watched the terror that was in front of her. She couldn't think of anything. She could hear the sound of her heartbeat through her ears. Her breathing pattern increased. Alicia couldn't believe that her boyfriend of four years could cheat on her.

"I am sorry but it just happened." He reached out to her but she took a step backwards, leaving the room that now spun before her.

"How?- how could you?" She sniffed her nose as she yelled.

"And you didn't really think we worked out did you? You are always working like a dog, you aren't even a girl I can take home and what's worse? You don't even know yourself? You embarrass me!" Josh finally said, his face contorting in disgust.

"How could you?" She whispered and used her right hand to cover her face. She threw her hand up in a fist. She saw her whole life flash right in front of her.

Alicia knew he said somethings but she didn't hear him, she couldn't hear him.

She turned and grabbed her bags, she dashed out of his room with tears and a running nose. She lost her senses.

She shook her head as she walked down the stairs, she suddenly felt dizzy, a migraine hit her.

She wailed. On the stairs where she sat down and cried again. "A maid?" She raked herself and sighed again. The tears didn't stop, she had another episode. She replayed the words she heard over and over again.

She remembered the first day he kissed her and what he said to her under the rain, his words melted her that day. She wiped her tears and stared at the ceiling, she tried to calm herself down.

Her phone buzzed, she raised her head up to stop the tears again..

She checked her phone and it was a call; not the kind she expected instead it was from her childhood friend: Laura.

She smiled and picked up the call. "Hi." She said with a faint smile as she adjusted herself where she sat.

"Alicia! How are you? Where are you? Let's meet up and talk. We haven't had our girl time in a long while." Laura said over the line the excitement in her tone was so loud that Alicia had to move the phone away from her ear so she won't go deaf.

Alicia always had a hyperactive friend who was always bubbly and full of life.

"Wait. Are you ok? You don't sound ok. What's wrong licia?" Laura's tone calmed instantly.

"Currently at Josh's place,

She took a deep shaky breath

"-crying . He cheated on me ." Alicia replied with a sad tone, she wanted to hold herself back but she said it.

"what!?"

" Oh my God licia. I'm so sorry. Are you ok?"

There was a pause in between them.

"I'm in town for a bit and I know we haven't seen each other in a while, how about we catch up... Let's get over this ok?"

Alicia sniffled through the phone.

" I'd like that" Alicia said with a sad smile.

"Good. I'll buy the drinks and where we're meeting, I get icecream. I'll send you details, I'll see you soon" she said and ended the call.

A message entered, the details of the location.

Alicia sighed and waited. She didn't know where to begin anymore. Where would she start from? She thought she had her life planned but she obviously didn't.

"I need to work hard and make my own money."

"Why would he do such a thing to you after so many years?!" Laura spoke with so much force it made Alicia smile slightly. Laura had always been fiesty, no doubt but the girl had also been Alicia's main support system for as long as they had known.

Laura's question got Alicia thinking, Why had he done such a thing? The words he had uttered back at his place weren't exactly false, it pained Alicia to admit it but it was true. She was nowhere near presentable and with the happenings in her life, Alicia was nowhere near cheerful and she had aged twice in so little time.

Alicia was about to start a full blown self pity session when Laura nudged her slightly to get her attention. "I have been talking, have you been listening?" Her friend asked, concern very visible on her face as she stared at one of the bravest girls she had met in her entire life Alicia Foxx.

Growing up was the fear of everyone of them back then in highschool. Growing up and realizing you didn't get the life of your dreams, it was pity life had to deal Alicia such a heavy blow. But one thing Laura was sure of, her friend had not given up and it was obvious she wasn't heading down that path.

Dragging her mind away from her cheat of an ex, Alicia turned to Laura, "I'm sorry, my mind is really foggy right now" she responded apologetically and Laura shot her a sympathetic smile, she understood.

"Anyways," Laura started, making an attempt to switch the topic and try to make her friend feel better, even if it was a little bit. "How has things been going for you, how's your mum and everything?" She asked instead, hoping to see a glint of life in her friend's eyes.

Good intentions had never been this wrong before, her boyfriend now turned ex was a sore spot for Alicia at the moment but her mother was worse. Things were far from fine and unknowingly, Laura had just struck a sensitive and highly depressing nerve.

The reaction Laura got was definitely not what she had expected and two minutes into Alicia's present situation reveal, Laura was even more confused on how to comfort her friend who was visibly crying as she stumbled on her words.

"... The doctor said I should get the money ready or else...." Alicia trailed off again as a new wave of tears held her in a chokehold. Things were far from fine with her, the doctor's words were stuck firmly in her head and she was rapidly running out of options. How would she get such an amount in such a short period of time.

Laura was struggling to find the right words as she held on to her friend, "There's only so much jobs that can get you such an amount in such a little time, Licia" She finally said after she was sure Alicia was calm enough to listen.

"Based on what you've said so far, you ended up not going to college. Which means you do not have specific qualifications needed for this bloodthirsty generation. We need to find other options and we need to do it fast"

Options? Alicia was sure she had rallied every single brain cell in charge of thinking and she had strained them in looking for options. She was at the point where she would do anything, anything at all to get the money she needed. What other options were available?

".. I know something that can work but I don't think I can allow you to join such a line of work. You're too decent for it, Licia. But that aside, I can't think of anything else right now, my love" Laura said with just the right amount of seriousness mixed with sympathy. There wasn't much she could do for her friend, she would have helped in a heartbeat if she was financially buoyant.

A fresh batch of tears were threatening to spill from Alicia's eyes as she listened to Laura. Giving up had never been an option for Alicia Foxx but as she sat in the bar area of The Villa hotel, she was close to throwing in the towel. But then it struck her, Laura had mentioned an option?

"Tell me what it is" Alicia demanded shakily, decency wasn't important at the moment. What was important was saving her mother's life, it didn't matter if she had to be the mistress of a 70 years old man. If it got her the money she needed, then it was worth it.

The look on Laura's face was evident she didn't want to talk about the job but desperate times calls for desperate measures. "Laura, please, just tell me what the option is" Alicia pleaded with her friend as she leaned forward on the table where she had met Laura in the bar.

"Please, just tell me. I can do it" She urged on, the only thought in her mind was to convince Laura to help her in anyway she could. Hesitancy was written all over Laura but then she heaved a sigh of resignation and leaned closer also.

"The only line of work I know of that pays incredibly well is if you'd consider being a call girl" Laura started but then stopped abruptly. This wasn't something she was supposed to be disclosing to her friend, Alicia was innocent and this was just wrong.

Alicia nodded affirmatively, "go on" she said eagerly to Laura who wanted to do anything but go on. It didn't matter what she wanted anyways, Alicia looked like she was hell bent of hearing this option.

"Fine," Laura said as she dropped her now empty glass on the table. "Call girls get paid way more than you can imagine and if you do it, I am very sure you'd be able to settle your mum's bills in no time but that's totally out of the question. You can't do such a thing, Licia"

A light at the end of the freaking tunnel! Alicia couldn't believe the trick fate was playing on her, she needed solutions to her problems and one had just been shoved-involuntarily-her way but at what cost?

There was no longer any need for Alicia to contact the job agency she had paid half a fortune to, to get her a job. Call girl? Alicia just hoped it wasn't going to be as she was envisioning as she walked down the rickety stairs that had led to Laura's apartment. But how was she going to get such a job?

"I'd like to believe you are sure about this job you want to take, right?" The question came with a slight edge, immediately the phone connected. Fate had once again given her mixed signals and Alicia was confused as hell but grateful because how had the number of a call girl's agency pop up in a brochure she was handed right after she left Laura's apartment?

Alicia wasn't sure about it but with the way the man on the line spoke, she was sure he was a strict, no nonsense type of person and the last thing she needed was to get on his bad side. There wasn't anything else to think through, Alicia made her decision at that moment.

"Yes sir, I am very sure and willing to try my best" she blurted out, stumbling on her words, apprehension written all over her face as she tried to convince whoever the man was, that she was sure of her decision. It had taken a lot to convince Laura she had no other options, this man seemed like he wouldn't be any different.

The line was silent for almost ten seconds, ten dreadful seconds for Alicia. Her palms were sweaty and she was juggling two thoughts at the same time. Should I Or Should I not?

"Fine, don't be late" the line clicked dead before Alicia had a chance to respond. She dragged a deep breath as she stood up and walked towards the hospital. There was no going back at this point, the only way was forward and Alicia was ready to take the steps necessary. Just before she got to the entrance, a text came in with the address of her new workplace.

Six cars swerved into the parking lot of the very popular Villa Hotel and they were all guided to a comfortable parking space by the valet parking service.

Brandon was the last to drive in. He felt his car bump into something and a cry of pain followed immediately after.

Brandon killed the engine of his car and immediately stepped out.

It was a lady. She had a tiny frame and her face was masked with a sheer red mask, intricately designed with gold threads and sequins that glittered beneath the lights outside and bounced off every glossy object around at every movement she made.

"Hey, are you okay?" Brandon asked, his voice laced with concern. He bent over and grabbed her softly by the arm.

The lady immediately jerked away from his hold and nodded as she rubbed her arm. "Yes, I am. Thank you."

And she ran off immediately. Brandon made to follow her, but he didn't see the need. She seemed to be alright.

It was an exotic bar; filled with patrons who chatted over loud music, clinked wine glasses and laughed as they got served by nearly naked women. This was Brandon's first time of seeing this. He rarely frequented bars.

Lucas lead them to a large table. There were twelve chairs in total.

"I asked that they joined three tables together," Lucas explained as they all took their seats. Immediately, he began to order for drinks.

"Wait!" One of the men with them stopped him. "I hear that they have a lot of attractive call girls. Why don't we spice up our evening?"

Brandon groaned and Lucas' eyes widened with excitement. "That is a damn good idea."

Lucas stood to his feet and walked over to the bar where he spoke silently to the bar tender. When he returned, he had a cheeky grin on and Brandon nearly rolled his eyes to the back of his head.

Slowly, women dressed in the most sensual, exotic outfits began to file out of a door as they bore drinks in their hands.

Brandon's eyes followed each women as they stepped out of the door and once his eyes hit a familiar body, he stopped breathing for a second.

This was the woman he has hit at the parking lot. He hadn't been able to look at her dress properly.

But damn, she looked beautiful.

Her skin tone was accentuated by the blood red dress she had on and it stuck to her skin like glove. On both sides were high slits that stopped close to her hip bone. It was teasing that whoever had made this dress made it stop almost at her hip bone. As she took tentative steps towards their table, he could see her milky thighs peek out of the dress and Brandon's senses were heightened. Who could this woman be? He needed to know her.

Her lips were brushed with matte red lipstick and her brown wavy hair bounced around her shoulders as she moved and his eyes travelled down her collar bone, down to her cleavages. She had the perfect set of breast, smooth and milky and the lace material around her her breast held her mounds of flesh softly.

Brandon could feel his legs twitch. His fingers curled into a fist and he placed them on his thigh.

"I want one of those women," Lucas whispered beside Brandon and Brandon just hoped he wasn't talking about the lady in red.

Once the women got to their table, all four of them, Brandon noticed that the men were already giving them provocative looks. He looked around to see if any of them was staring at the lady in red and when his eyes caught about three of his staff, including Lucas with their eyes fixated on her, he had to use his power as the CEO against them.

"I want the lady in red," He blurted out.

Lucas stopped and turned to look at Brandon. "I thought you weren't interested in any of them?"

Brandon glared at him and Lucas laughed.

"She's all yours, man. She's all yours."

Brandon sat up and his gaze landed on the lady in red. Their eyes connected and for the first time, he saw her eyes. They were porcelain blue.

They were familiar. Brandon felt that jolt of Deja Vú. He felt like he had met this woman at one point in his lifetime but he couldn't remember.

She was standing dangerously close to him and like he was in a trance, Brandon raised his hand and glided it over her face.

His knuckles grazed her cheek and his fingers slipped between her silky hair.

Alicia was just placing his drink on the table when she felt his hand on her cheek. It made shivers run down her spine. She was afraid. Doing this didn't feel right. She felt like she was being used, just the way a prostitute would be and before she could guage her actions, she straightened, causing Brandon to move back on shock.

Brandon didn't miss the tear that slipped down her cheek as she turned on her feet and rushed out of the room.

Alicia hadn't expected to react in such way to the man's touch.

As she hurried out of the bar from the exit, she stopped to catch her breath and looked around.

She felt like she was selling out her body for money.

Wasn't that the reason why she was here?

This was a case of desperation and her mother's life wad on the line.

She was having a minor panic attack, as she had never experienced this before. She had never been touched by a stranger for monetary purposes.

This was prostitution and she could never do it.

More tears slipped down her cheeks as she crumpled to the ground and sobbed.

Meanwhile, Brandon hadn't felt comfortable with the way the beautiful call girl had run out on them. He had noticed that his staff and his best friend, including other call girls and patrons around had been surprised by her sudden exit.

Some people had found it funny and even called her naive and inexperienced and everyone had immediately forgotten about the flustered call girl but Brandon couldn't get over her. He had to see her and make sure that she was okay.

His desire to find her was borne out of curiosity; he wanted to know why she had suddenly run off.

So he stood to his feet and turned to his staff. "I'll be back in a minute,"

They were getting slightly drunk so nobody really paid him heed.

It took a lot of looking around before he found a small familiar figure hunched beside a waste bin. He frowned, recognizing the lady in red and began walking towards her.

When he got to where she was, he noticed that she was shaking. He bent to her level and placed a hand on her shoulder and immediately, she jerked and turned to look at him and lost a footing.

Brandon held her before she fell to the ground. "I'm sorry I scared you,"

Alicia nodded and straightened. Then she moved away from his hold again. He noticed that she was shaking and it made him worried.

"Are you crying?" Brandon asked. More streaks of tears traveled down her cheek and she began sobbing.

Brandon immediately slipped out a kerchief from his pocket and squeezed into her hand.

"Th- thank you," She stuttered and turned her back to him.

"What's your name?" He asked. He was curious. No woman had ever made him this curious and he wanted to see her face. He wanted to pull off her mask but that would be rude of him.

The lady didn't give him a reply. She was silent and still sobbing.

Brandon stood and waited but she wasn't looking like she wanted to talk to him. She was so absorbed in wanting to wipe her tears and her nose so he walked around her to see her face clearly.

"Why did you run off?" He asked. "Did I scare you in anyway? If I did, I promise that it wasn't intentional. I am really sorry."

She kicked off her shoes, lifted her dress and began running as her feet hit the wet ground with swiftness.

Brandon tried running after her but he stopped after running a few meters. He couldn't catch up with her again. There was no need. She was gone and that was it.

This was probably the last time he would be seeing her but damn, he really wanted to know who this mysterious lady was. It was a disappointment and knowing fully well that he wouldn't be returning to this bar in a long time, he had to forget about her.

Once he got inside, Lucas who was already drunk to the point of nearly passing out turned to look at him. "Found her?"

Brandon took a seat and shrugged. "I did but she ran away,"

"Your Cinderella," Lucas sang. "She's your Cinderella."

Brandon rolled his eyes and picked up his filled up glass of burgundy. He gulped everything down and stared around the bar.

There was nothing to do here but he wanted to stay. He could still feel the presence of the red lady here and no matter how he tried, he couldn't get his mind off her.

Sighing on resignation, he decided that he was going to find her at all cost.