The Heartless CEO (English version)

"Do I really need to dress up like this?" Nicole complained to Danica while looking at her own reflection in the big mirror in front of them.

Danica nodded at her best friend with a wide smile. "You look perfect!" Her eyes are shining as she complimented her.

Nicole pouted and she's not satisfied with what she's wearing. Her healthy breasts were almost bulging out. Aside from the long slit on the side of it that reveals her smooth and long leg with each step of the feet, it is also very fitted to her body.

"Oh, c'mon! You should get used to wearing this kind of dress. Remember, you're now working in a big company. Expect that there will be gatherings like the one we're going to."

Danica has a point, she also can't say no to her now because she is so indebted to her. She helped her get into a famous company. She does not know how her friend met the CEO of such a company. And up to this day, she is afraid to meet the man's sharp eyes.

In her whole life, it was the first time that her mother praised her when she knew that she got into a company as an assistant of a manager. Danica doesn't want anyone, even her mother, to know that she was the one who helped her. Her friend knows how her own mother treats her.

Her friend is ambitious and she admires her skills in obtaining what she wants in life. Even her parents admire her. Her mother would often compare her to Danica and belittle her. But she never felt jealousy toward her friend. Instead, she supports her so she can achieve her goals easily.

If they're talking about life status, her family is better than Danica's. She is her mother's godchild, that's why she almost lived with them and became her mother's favorite. After they graduated from college, they separated for a few years. She didn't know where did she go and what she did. Now, she is the girlfriend of a hostile CEO of a company.

At her age of twenty-two, she has never experienced being in a relationship yet. She is not that picky, but she liked no one among those who courted her. Danica has the same age as her and according to what she knows, her boyfriend is twenty-eight years old. The man allegedly became an orphan at a young age with his sister, so they were trained to handle their company as children.

"But is it really needed to wear something as sexy as this? You know that I'm not used and comfortable with these." Nicole continued to complain.

She will just accompany Danica to attend the grand opening of her boyfriend's hotel in Makati. But with her look, her friend was the one who seemed to be the assistant between them.

"What's with you? Don't you trust my fashion sense?" Danica sounded upset.

"That is not what I meant, Danica. Look at yourself compare to me." Nicole pointed at themselves in front of the mirror so she can see what she's talking about

Danica's left eyebrow furrowed as she stares at themselves in the mirror. She is not blind to not seeing what's wrong with how they look today. But it is a part of her plan and it's okay if she wouldn't look outstanding in the eyes of everyone.

"Do I look ugly?"

"No!" Nicole answered quickly because it seems that she offended her. She knows that she doesn't like it when her look is being criticized because whatever she wears, suits her and she always looks pretty.

"Then, there's no problem!" She smiled at Nicole and fixed her hair again. She's also the one who styled it and curled the ends so her friend would look sophisticated.

Nicole chose to stop arguing with her friend. They leave together using her car. It is her first time to attend a grand event, thus she is afraid to be separated from her friend's side.

"Danica, why did you bring her here?" Rita whispered to her friend when she approached them.

Danica smiled at Steven's sister. She was the reason why she became close to the young man and she obviously dislikes her friend, Nicole, when she introduced her before.

Nicole heard Rita's judgment of her look. That's why she doesn't like her look from the beginning. She looks like an antagonist who wants to appear better than her own friend. She has no idea why Rita despises her ever since they met.

"Um, Nicole, excuse us first."

Smiling, she nodded at Danica and pretended that she hears nothing from Rita. When she locked eyes with Rita, she rolled her eyes after she examined her whole appearance.

"Why did you let that bitch to look better than you?" Rita scolded Danica when they get away from Nicole.

"Rita, please! You know how indebted I am to her family, right? I don't want her to be upset with me so I agreed to her wishes." She said to her friend, who will soon be her sister-in-law.

Rita sighed before hugging her friend. She hates seeing her sad, thus she's always the one who argues with her brother whenever she would find out that the two had a misunderstanding in their relationship. She was so happy when she found her after so many years. She's making it up to her and because her brother loves her so much, he gives her everything she wants.

"I don't like her to stick to my brother. It's obvious that she wants to seduce my brother so she dressed up like that." She said to Danica, who she treats like her own sister before she went back to where she was.

A strange smile formed on Danica's lips behind her friend's back. She quickly went back to Nicole and dragged her near Steven.

"Honey, congratulations!" She kissed the young man's lips when he looked at her. She felt that he was surprised by what she did. She knows that what she did was like taking advantage of the situation. He's her boyfriend, but he is not showy in public about their relationship.

"You're really lucky with your girlfriend, Mr. Scout." The businessman to who Steven is talking to praised them.

Steven seemed to hear nothing and had no reaction to his business partner's comment. He looked at his girlfriend with a serious face in order not to embarrass to those who are watching them. He, then, looked at Danica's companion who is showing too much of her body.

Nicole quickly averted her eyes from Steven when she met his intimidating stare. She felt embarrassed because it was obvious in his eyes that he was not happy with what she looked.

"Honey, do you still remember my friend? She's Nicole and she's in the company..."

"I know." Steven said indifferently, stopping Danica from saying more.

Nicole is always the one she talks about when she's talking to his sister and he's there as well. He did not know why she had to talk so much about her with his sister. When she asked Rita to accept her in their company, that's when he understood her motive. He could do nothing but accept her. In what he remembers, the woman requested to Danica to put her in a high position. But that was too much and he did not allow it. He sees her as an attention seeker and ambitious woman.

Danica never separated from her boyfriend even though he was talking to famous people in society. There are politicians and businessmen. And because she also needs friend support, Nicole needs to stay by her side. She's the one who talks to her friend when her boyfriend is not paying attention to her.

Nicole couldn't help but stare into Steven's face as he talked to Danica. Even if he's just in a side view, his elegance still dominates everything there. His pointed nose that matches his grim face is fascinating to look at. Add to that his lips that are normally red and his thick eyebrows that also looks good with his eyes.

Nicole blinked when she noticed that someone was watching her. Soon, Rita stepped close to where she was standing.

"My brother's already taken, so stop dreaming of him."

Nicole looked at who spoke, her forehead furrowed. She did not like her tongue's sharpness. Yes, Steven is good-looking and she has a slight crush on him. But she never thought of liking him, nor taking him from her friend.

"I know you became close with Danica because of an intention. I'm warning you, you'll have to fight me if you continue your ambition to get my brother's attention. If Danica doesn't see your true color, I'm different." Rita said arrogantly to Nicole.

Nicole clenched her fist to stop herself from saying something unpleasant to Rita. She's her boss's sister and Danica's friend, so she's controlling herself. Besides, she's not her friend so she wouldn't bother to clean herself in her dirty mindset.

"I don't know what you're talking about and I don't remember doing you bad deeds for you to treat me like this." She answered Rita calmly.

Rita sneered and showed her that she wouldn't change her opinion of her. Her face and how she looks at her brother is enough for her to think that she's a gold digger.

When Danica saw that her friend is talking to Rita, she immediately said goodbye to Steven to approach the two.

"Is there a problem?" Danica asked calmly to Rita when she noticed that she's frowning.

Rita smiled at her before she spoke. "Nothing, I just entertained your friend while you were busy. It's a pity and she looks like an ugly duckling." She answered Danica sarcastically.

Danica choked and suppressed the laugh that wants to get out of her mouth. She hemmed and looked at Nicole apologetically.

Nicole smiled at her to let her know that she's fine. For her, she won't mind Rita's contempt.

"Hello, ladies!" Xander greeted the three specially outstanding beauties.

Rita rolled her eyes at the young man who approached them. He's a close friend of his brother and he treats her only as a younger sister. The annoyance she felt for Nicole intensified when she noticed that Xander looks at her admiringly.

"Hi, Xander. This is my childhood friend, Nicole." Danica introduced her to the young man.

"You really amaze me, Danica. All your friends are beautiful." Xander switched her stares between the two ladies. He smirked when he looked at Rita and she rolled her eyes.

"Because beauty is contagious." Danica's joking response to Xander.

Xander's laughter was contagious, so Nicole smiled as well. He's funny and has a strong sense of humor. But she noticed that Rita was even more annoyed with her when she talked to the young man so she just distanced herself. She excused herself to them and used the bathroom.

Steven followed the woman with his sharp gaze as she walked away from his best friend. Even other men who she passes by look at her. It was as if she was deliberately swaying her hips while walking. She wore a long maroon dress up to her heels. But the slit on the side has almost reached the middle of her thigh.

Nicole quickly leaned against the closed door after entering the bathroom. She has been uncomfortable with the men's scorching looks at her body. A fashion designer even offered her to be his model but she refused. Even though she has a good body shape, she does not brag about it. She now wants to regret why she agreed to what Danica wanted. What she hates the most is attacking attention, especially of men.

WHEN Nicole returned to the hall, her friend was busy talking to others. She's happy with her friend's achievement. In the two years of her absence, she can say that her image has changed a lot. But her attitude was still the same that she liked. Still humble and friendly, she knows how to look back at where she came from.

Nicole distracted herself by watching around while Danica was busy. She was grateful and Xander did not approach her again. She saw Rita with him, they are talking with the other guests.

"Hi, are you alone?" A man greeted Nicole.

Nicole smiled a little and accepted the hand of the man who wanted to be her acquaintance.

"My name is Ralph, the manager of this hotel." He introduced himself.

Nicole's small mouth rounded and she was impressed by his elegance. "Nicole." She introduced herself to him before smiling.

"Are you sure you don't have a partner with you here?" Ralph seemed doubtful.

"Is it not allowed?" She replied jokingly to the young man. She quickly became comfortable with him because, like Xander, he was also funny.

The man chuckled as he scratched his neck. "No, it's just not convincing that your boyfriend lets you attend something like this without him."

She raised an eyebrow at the man and looked at him teasingly.

"What I mean is.. if I was your boyfriend, I would be afraid to leave you alone on this occasion. With that beauty of you, it is unlikely that no one would dare to try to pursue you." He explained to the young lady and scratched his neck again when a smile spread on her lips.

"Oh, should I guess how many you've praised before me?" Nicole asked the man jokingly. This attitude of hers shows when she knows the person she is talking to is kind.

"You, do I look like a womanizer?" Ralph sounded upset.

Nicole couldn't help but laugh with the man. Now, she enjoys the party. The waiters began to walk around, carrying trays with wine and glass. She no longer refused when Ralph handed her a goblet of red wine.

"Cheers for the beginning of our friendship!" Ralph raised the cup he was holding and toasted Nicole.

Steven took a series of sips from the wine while his eyes never leave the woman laughing with Ralph. It seemed that she's easily flattered by men, even though she just met him, she incautiously laughs with him.

Danica also looked at where her boyfriend's gaze is focused. The tip of the upper part of her lip lifted as she recognized who he was observing. She could not deny that the beauty of her friend is no match to the other ladies there. She admits that her body is more shapely than hers. But she lacks self-confidence and that's what she has.

"Honey, try this one." Danica grabbed the young man's attention. She gave him the goblet she took from the tray carried by a waiter who had just passed in front of them.

Steven took it without hesitation and drank its content straight.

Danica suppressed the smile that wanted to appear on her lips after her boyfriend drank it. After a few more seconds, he shook slightly from his position and she immediately supported him.

"Are you okay, Honey?" Danica asked him worriedly.

Steven rubbed his own forehead as he felt his surroundings spin again.

"I think you need to rest first. You've also drank so much alcohol. I'll tell Rita later to handle it if others look for you."

Steven no longer refused when Danica led him to the elevator. The event was coming to an end and some have returned home, thus he could leave the hall without worrying. He has his own room in the hotel so he can spend the night there.

"I'm okay here, leave me and join Rita to entertain those who are still there." Steven pushes the young lady away.

Danica kissed her boyfriend on the lips before leaving. She hurried back to the venue and looked for Nicole.

Steven suddenly felt hot so he decided to take a bath before going to sleep.

"Here you are!" Danica breathed a sigh of relief as she approached Nicole. "I'm sorry if I left you here too long."

"Don't worry about me. I won't be lost, besides, I've made a new friend." Nicole's eyes were drowsy and she smiled at her friend. She was not used to drinking alcohol, so she became tipsy.

"Thanks for accompanying my friend while I'm gone." Danica smiled gratefully at Ralph.

"No problem, your friend is humorous and it's easy to make her laugh." Ralph's comment.

When Ralph was no longer in front of them, Danica signaled to a waiter to approach them. "Drink this juice first to reduce your dizziness."

Nicole obeyed her and accepted what she offered. It was less than a minute and she suddenly felt strange in her body.

"My, Aunt Rox will be mad at me for letting you get drunk. We should just spend the night here." She led her to a room.

Nicole agreed with Danica. She's right, her mother will surely scold her particularly with what she's wearing tonight. Her mother is scary when she's angry and she's afraid that her friend would be scolded too.

"Where are you going?" She grabbed Danica's hand when she moved away. She sat on the side of the bed.

"I'll just go back to Rita. Take a break and don't worry because I'll join you here later." Danica said goodbye to her.

Nicole lay down on the soft bed when Danica left the room. But she immediately sat down again when suddenly, she felt a hot tingle between her thighs. She was restless and her feeling gradually became hot. She suddenly felt like her cloth is choking her even though it is not around her neck.

Irritably, Steven wrapped a towel around his waist and went out of the bathroom. It took him long because his body barely loses its heat. He realized that what he had drank earlier was wrong and he has to call his doctor friend to bring him medicine before it gets worse and he could no longer control himself.

"What's happening?" Nicole asked herself, her own hand involuntarily rubbed her thighs when it felt hot again.

His attempt to reach for his cell phone on the sofa was thwarted when he heard a woman's low growl. Only the lampshade was on, thus he didn't notice that someone else was in his room. The woman's hair was covering her face so he couldn't recognize her right away. She was apparently surprised at his presence and quickly removed the hand that was between her thighs.

"What are you doing in my room?!" His voice echoed in the four corners of the room. He groaned and tried to control his libido when he saw the woman's appearance. Her eyes are beautiful and she's biting her own lip to suppress the growl that wants to escape her mouth. He shifted his gaze to her legs, she's squeezing what's between her thighs.

Nicole did not know what caused the sudden trembling of her muscles when she recognized the man. If it's because of the heat she feels or her fear of him or because of the excitement, seeing his muscular body. It looks delicious to eat, especially because only a towel is draped over his entire body.

"Oh my God!" She screamed in her mind. She felt the heat on her face double because of the embarrassment.

"I'm asking you, Young Lady!" he hissed while clenching his fist.

"I... I don't know, Sir," she said while firmly touching her thighs when again there was a twitch between her thighs. She was already sweating profusely and didn't know how to release the heat in her body that she wanted to lose.

"Shit!" Steven cussed when he noticed that the woman was not behaving normally.

"Huh!" She sighed loudly when the young man took a few steps and carelessly got her up from the bed.

"Tell me, who is your accomplice to carry out all this?!" anger flared in his eyes as he held the woman by the neck. Anger, disgust and lust mixed into his emotions.

"I... don't know what you're talking about, but please help me!" Nicole moaned and ignored the tightness of his hold around her neck. The heat that lingered in her intensified as she is pressed against him.

Steven angrily released her neck and pushed her back onto the bed. "Don't blame me after this!"

Those were the last words Nicole heard from the young man before he moved on top of her. She felt like she's going crazy because instead of being scared, her body is excited. Her mind was already empty because of the strange sensation she feels.

His anger for her dominates Steven's heart and mind as he indulges in her body. He didn't want to admit it to himself, but even though he wasn't under drugs, he was addicted to kissing her lips. He just let her be noisy. Even he moaned when she learned to respond to every kiss he gave her.

Tears welled up in her eyes as he finally got her most careful compliment. It was painful at first, but the ones that followed were unparalleled in taste.

Steven completely lost his sanity as he continued to own the woman. It didn't matter to him if he hurt her. What was important to him was to release the intense heat that was building up in his manhood. He claimed her a few more times and she just let him because her body needed it, too. He could no longer count how many times he had taken her to paradise until they were both exhausted.

"Are you okay?" Rita asked Danica worriedly. She accompanied her to a room in the hotel when she informed her earlier that she had a headache.

"A little bit." Danica replied to her in a whisper. The truth is that her heart is hurting now, knowing that the two important people in her life are drowning in the heat. She wanted to shout to relieve the anger she felt, but she had no right to complain because she was the one who wanted it.

"You look terrible, I will call brother Steven so we can bring you to the hospital."

"No!" She quickly grabbed Rita's hand. "Your older brother is not feeling well too and I don't want to disturb his rest. Don't worry about me. It's just a migraine and it will go away later."

Rita sighed and went back to sit next to her friend. She massaged her forehead to somehow relieve the pain.

"Thank you!" Danica smiled at her before closing her eyes to relax.

Understanding the situation, Rita just laid down on the bed next to Danica. She felt sorry for her condition. She's the only one who knows the true status of her body. She knew that she was stressing herself, thinking about how to give her grandmother's demands. But her brother did not cooperate because he did not have time. She knew that her brother only had business on his mind. He's not active in the sex life and that's what the relationship of the two lacks.

DANICA can't force herself to sleep. Rita, who was next to her, was already asleep while she was still bothered by worries. She has sacrificed a lot and will not let all her hard work go away. She suddenly remembered the agreement between her and Steven's grandmother.

"You have a year to give what I want. Before that time is over, you have to give me a grandchild from Steven. Once you're pregnant, it's easy to arrange your marriage."

"Fuck that old woman!" she cursed in her mind. Her closeness to Rita was not enough for everything she wanted to happen. The old woman is cunning and Steven inherited it.

"Ah!" Danica wanted to scream loudly, but it got stuck in her throat because she didn't want to make any noise that might wake Rita. She pulled her own hair out of frustration.

Just a month ago, she found out that her ovary had a problem so she could not get pregnant. Aside from the fact that she still has to get Steven drunk before he can touch her, her chance of getting pregnant is low. If only the old woman hadn't been pressuring her, this thing wouldn't have been her problem up until now. She decided to make Nicole her bait against Rita's family.

"This is all your fault, you deserve to suffer!" she spoke to herself and glared at nowhere. As if Nicole was there, looking at her mockingly, Danica's grudge grew even more.

Since she was a child, she envied Nicole even though she considered her a friend. She looks perfect, even her family is, and she is just like a leech clinging on to her. She didn't want her life to be like that forever. She is even disgusted with her parents because they do not dream to be rich. Fortunately, she was the favorite of Nicole's mother because she is more intelligent than Nicole. That was her advantage over her. She does everything to get the attention of the person she wants.

Danica grinned as she remembered the past. She was a kind and an exemplary daughter in the eyes of every person who knew her. But she did not want to be pitied. She hated those feelings! Nicole never did anything bad to her, but she despised her in the depth of her heart because she has the things she lacks. And now, she hates her even more because she has to use her again to fulfill her biggest ambition.

Nicole woke up with a severe headache. It's like it's being torn apart. The pain in her body increased as she moved. "Argh! What happened?" she asked herself, feeling so confused, as her eyes remained closed.

She has no memory of why she is feeling head and body aches now. She slowly opened her eyes to look around. She frowned because the room was unfamiliar to her. She slowly got up, but was also immediately stunned when she noticed the figure of a man next to her.

Nicole covered her own mouth with her palm to prevent herself from letting out a loud sigh when she recognized the man next to her. She was too shocked to see herself naked, too. She quickly tried to remember what had happened last night, why she was now in bed with her friend's boyfriend.

"Oh, my God! What have I done?" she whispered to herself, as tears began to fall from her eyes. Even though she had not accepted everything yet, the door suddenly opened and it revealed Danica.

"What does this mean?!" Danica's eyes widened and she looked at Nicole with so much contempt.

Nicole didn't know what to say to her. She trembled with fear and embarrassment. She was confused and still couldn't believe why she was there in Steven's room. She was unable to move her body. She tightened her grip on the blanket that hung over her chest because she was not wearing anything.

"You bitch! Traitor!" Danica tries to kick Nicole, but Steven wakes up.

"What's wrong with you?" Steven asked Danica angrily because he was woken up by her noise.

"I'm the one who should ask you that!" Danica cried and scolded the young man.

Steven watched her cry in a daze. When he heard another woman sobbing, that's when he figured it out. He aggressively looked at the woman beside him who looks miserable.

"Why you're still here?" his voice was cold and emotionless and it only added to the weight Nicole was feeling.

Though her body is aching, Nicole forced herself to move and put on her clothes that were scattered on the floor. But before she could compose herself, Danica rushed at her. She slapped her on both cheeks followed by pulling her hair. She was almost deafened by the force of the slap on both her cheeks. She growled because of pain, but did not fight back because she knew she made a sin. She felt her hatred for her, Steven just watched them.

"What the hell is happening here?!" Rita asked in shock when she reached the scene in the room. She woke up to find that Danica was no longer around, so she thought of going to her brother's room.

Steven quickly got dressed and stopped Danica, otherwise her friend might end up dead. "Enough, Danica. Let's talk about it properly." He spoke calmly to her.

Danica angrily shook her boyfriend's hand and her sobs grew louder.

"You're a bitch! I knew you had the intention of snatching my brother from Danica!" Rita angrily went after Nicole when she recovered from the shock.

Steven didn't know if he should feel sorry for Nicole when he saw that the two had hurt her altogether. He could do nothing but pull her and hide her behind his back to stop his sister from hurting her.

"Don't say you side with that gold digger?" Rita angrily pointed at Nicole who kept her head bowed and looked like a wet chick hiding behind her brother.

"Enough!"

Rita became silent as her brother yelled. He looks angry and she knew he was still holding his bad temper in.

"Believe me, I also don't know how I got here. All I remember is you brought me here, Danica." She almost pleads for her friend's help and looks at her like she was begging. But she only became even angrier.

"Are you saying that I brought you to this room? Do you think I'm so stupid, Nicole, to take you to my boyfriend's room?" Danica's eyes were full of anger and attempts to reach Nicole's hair again, but Steven blocked her way.

"I said, enough!" Steven yelled before turning to the woman in the back. "And you!"

Nicole trembled and suddenly stepped back from him when he faced her.

"You succeeded in your plan today. But remember this, something happened to us only because of the drug you gave me!"

Rita and Danica covered their own mouths with the discovery. They are disgusted and angry at Nicole.

"You're the worst woman that I've ever met and don't dream that I'm responsible for what happened to us. You don't deserve to be the mother of my child, so leave my sight before I can drag you out!"

Every word Steven uttered were like thunder and lightning that hit Nicole's heart. Out of embarrassment and fear of him, she quickly complied. But before she could get past Danica, she saw a strange smile form on her lips.

As she walked out of the hotel, her mind was chaotic. She was quite grateful because she was able to carry her small bag. She kept her head bowed and was unable to meet the questioning looks of the people passing by in the hallway.

Why would they not look at her? Her hair was messy and she knew the make-up was also spread on her face because she cried. Even her dress was not worn properly.

Nicole went to the comfort room first and composed herself. She didn't want to look miserable and be seen by her mother like that.

When the woman was gone, Steven sat down on the bed. He frowned, now he felt the effect of what happened last night. He just let Danica cry quietly while Rita comforted her. He had nothing to explain, he was Steven Scout, he didn't care about the feelings of any woman other than his grandmother and sister.

Rita felt sorry for her friend, she felt sympathetic, knowing her brother's behavior. Knowing her brother's attitude, she knew he had no intention of consoling Danica or apologizing for what he had done. Besides, her brother seems to be just another victim of that woman.

"I want to be alone for now."

The pain in Danica's eyes was evident when she locked eyes with Steven. She asked for an explanation from him, but he just keeps on showing coldness.

"Danica, let's go home first. Don't worry, you will surely make up with my brother."

Danica nodded understandingly at her. Rita knew her brother well, so she knew it would be better not to force the young man to speak. He might push her away from his life if she insists on what she wants now.

"Rita, I'll die if Steven disappears from my life!" Danica cried again when they were in Rita's car.

"Don't think about that because I won't let that happen! You're the only one I want to become a member of my family and I'll do everything to keep that ambitious woman from succeeding!"

Danica's heart secretly rejoiced at what she heard. She just kept crying on her shoulder until she got to her own condo unit.

"I want to be alone now." She stopped Rita when she tried to accompany her to the inside.

"Promise me you won't do anything bad to yourself!" Rita's face was serious, she was still really worried about her. If she was in her situation, she might have killed that woman.

She smiled at Rita to assure her. "I love myself," she joked, but a bitter smile flashed on her lips. "And besides, I don't want to see you sad when I'm gone."

Rita tearfully hugged Danica again. She recalled what happened when they were little and they were both trapped somewhere far from the houses.

"Please take care of yourself. If you need anything, just call me." Rita instructed her friend before letting her get out of the car alone.

Rita watched her friend's back until she entered the condominium building.