Imprisoned by the CEO
“You will have to marry me and bear me a child.” “What the fuck?!” Logic flew out of the window when Grace heard him say that. “Excuse me, what did you just say?” Maybe, she was the one who had heard him wrong. It could have been anything except marrying him and giving him a child. “You heard me,” Christian tsked, “but I’ll repeat it. Marry me and have my child.” Her mouth opened and gaped at me. In her mind, she was trying to make sense about what was going on. How in the world had it come to be? What in the world could make the situation come to this?! “No?” Grace replied, but then realized that the word was not firm enough. “No.” she said again. Christian frowned, and it seemed so innocent like he had not asked her the most unbelievable thing. “Why not? I thought you wanted to help me. You offered.” “I offered my help, my brain, my support not my,” she hesitated, “stomach!” What was the word for it? “Womb,” he provided. “Yes!” She slapped her hand on the table. “You don’t get my womb!” “I don’t?” He challenged. “No!” “What if helping me out means Lorelai coming out of a coma?” Grace felt her heart drop. “What?” Christian nodded. “What if helping me out, agreeing to what you have to do for me, means bringing your grandmother out of the, that she is in?” ******** Grace was one strong girl and with the people she put her trust in, that was only a small number, she knew she could conquer the world, or at least she thought to herself. When her best friend proposed a deal that could change their lives, she made a decision that was going to be mutually beneficial to both of them. But one renovation led to many and everything has been just a game, a manipulation from him. Everything was full of deceit, lies, planning and plotting against her. Every single thing, right down the fact that only he had been her friend… Everything was a lie and she had been living it, willingly. Tropes; Friends to lovers, office romance, best friends, frenemies, marriage of convenience, possessive villainous and morally gray heroes!
A date to the Gala - III
The drive to the venue was silent and yet she felt overwhelmed with the presence of the man next to her.
Miguel Vega sat next to her. Even though he was maintaining quite a distance between them, Grace still felt slightly suffocated.
The diamond bracelet glitter on her dress and she wondered why had Mr Vega gone out of his way to get her a bracelet. She often heard the talks of people who had dated him and within conversations and they had let it slide that he was not a serious relationship guy.
Was she looking into it too much?
The car came to a stop and even from inside the car she could hear the rustling of the crowd and the flashes of the camera going off. Grace held her breath in suddenly realising that she would have to go in front of a sea of people who were ruthless.
"Don't worry," she heard his voice at a distance yet it felt like he was whispering in her ear, "just give them the beautiful smile you have."
Along with the blush that had formed on her entire face and neck. Thank you, Miguel Vega.
She shook her head slightly and turned to look at him with light nervousness on her face, "I have never done this before." She admitted sheepishly.
He smirked, "Don't let go of my hand then." That was all she heard from him before he tapped on the door and his door was opened. She watched, as she turned herself around, as he came around the car and opened her door with his hand held out.
'Don't let go of my hand', she smiled and took her hand in his.
She pulled herself out of the car with the clutch and his hand went around her waist. His fingers barely touched her skin and he knew that he was maintaining distance yet not letting the media know that he was not touching her.
The flashes were blinding. She has to blink eyes twice every time to get rid of the aftermath. Thankfully, Mr Vega did not wait for much long. They started moving forward and he ignored every question thrown into the direction by the reporter, especially the one where they asked if she was pregnant or his wife.
Grace was sure that she heard the word mistress here and there too.
"Are you alright?" She heard him ask and turned slightly to look at the giant man, "was that too overwhelming for you?"
She shook her head. "A glass of champagne would do me good." She giggled nervously. The jitters were still inside her and the nerves had not calmed down.
"As you wish," He held out his arm for her and their coats were taken away. He held her clutch as she took off her coat before handing it back to her.
She could feel the eyes of everyone as she entered the ballroom. Miguel Vega had brought a date that was not well known. Of course, it was something that would steal the attention of people towards their direction.
"Be confident," he whispered in her ear, "they will be intimidated by you." After that, he went back to guiding them to someone.
His words were a sudden boost of confidence for her. Just think about it Mr Vega had actually made an effort about this. Otherwise it would have brought a woman that was far more confident than Grace. That thought made Grace frown, was she not to his expectations? She was a confident and beautiful woman and it was time she owned that.
She straightened her back getting rid of the slouch and greeted the couple in front of them with a bright smile on her face just as they reached them.
The two men broke apart and waited for them as they noticed that Grace and Miguel were coming near them and that was when she recognised who they were.
"Brother," Alejandro greeted before his eyes went to Grace. The other one was Matías.
With the opportunity in front of her Grace held her hand out with confidence introducing herself, "I am Grace Russo," Alejandro shook her hand firmly, "lovely to meet you."
"Alejandro Vega," he introduced himself and so did Matías. Grace did not miss the pointed look that Alejandro gave to Miguel.
Grace ignored it and took the champagne that Miguel handed to her. Somehow, she knew Alejandro didn't like her already.