The CEO’s Second Choice

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A lady appears from my left side and smiles, “Mrs Dumont, welcome to your new home. I am Ilse and am in charge of the help here in the villa. Please follow me.” She says and motions to the stairs. Ilse looked to be in her mid-50s, she was short and stocky and had her salt and pepper hair tied back in a bun. She wore half-moon spectacles and had a warm, motherly air about her.

“Thank you, Ilse,” I tell her as we walk up the stairs. She looks back at me with warm eyes and nods, “You are welcome, ma’am.” She says and we continue to walk in silence until we reach what I assume would be my room. Ilse opens the door to yet another beautiful room. There was a queen-sized oak Jacobean four-poster bed in the middle, with silk hanging from the canopy.

Wow, wasn’t even a word to describe this room.

“This will be your room, Mrs Dumont. We hope you will be happy in your new home.” Ilse says and folds her hands in front of her. “I am sure you must be quite tired, Ma’am so I will leave you be.” Ilse starts then walks towards the bedroom door, “My room is downstairs if you need anything, anything at all. I will serve breakfast at 7 am sharp, Is there anything besides peanuts that you are allergic to that I should be aware of?”

How did she know about the peanut allergy? Sebastian’s voice invades my thoughts, “I made it a point to find out more about my prospective bride.”

I shake my head, “Just peanuts, I am deathly allergic to it.” I tell her and a worried frown crosses her face, “Mr Dumont had us replace everything in the pantry yesterday and donated it. However, we will take extra care not to buy anything that would set your allergy off.” She says, and I could see her mentally making notes of this.

“Thank you so much, Ilse. I would appreciate that. I will give you a few EpiPens to keep around the villa in case I do accidentally ingest anything that would be considered dangerous.” I tell her and she nods, “I must be off now. Your en suite is off to your left, I can only imagine how tired you must be after your long and eventful day. Do you need help to get out of your dress?” She asks me and I smile as I shake my head, “Very well then, I will see you in the morning. Goodnight, Ma’am.”

With that, she takes her leave and closes the door behind her. I exhale and take a look around my bedroom as I walk towards the en suite bathroom. Ilse was right, this day had exhausted me right to my bones and could use a long, hot bath.

I open the bathroom and realize that I would never stop being in awe of this villa. A large octagonal spa bath was placed in the middle of the bathroom, with a separate shower off to the side. Beautiful light fixtures set off a warm glow all over the bathroom. There were two mirror vanities on either side of the room, one side had hair products, the other had luxury oils and creams. I walked towards the products and noticed that Sebastian had gone through the trouble of finding out which were my favourites.

I sigh sadly. Would I ever understand this man? On one hand, he was sweet and thoughtful, and on the other hand? He was a cold bastard who I would not touch with a ten-foot pole. A cheater, even though my sister mercilessly cheated on him with his own uncle.

I zip down my dress, and it falls in a pool at my feet. Grabbing my favourite bath oils, I run a nice warm bath and undo my corset, marvelling at the freedom I suddenly felt after being constricted by it all day. I strip off my undergarments, remove my makeup, and let down my hair. Then I ease myself into the bath and let out a sigh.

Today had really taken everything out of me. I could have gone forever without seeing Sebastian with another woman. Every time I try not to think about what he’s done, my mind does an instant replay. I felt hurt, betrayed and disgusted, truly I did. How was he allowed to have lovers when I couldn’t even kiss Nicholas goodbye?

30 minutes later, I dragged myself out of the luxurious bath as I felt myself falling asleep. I dry my body off and discard the towel, then towel dry my hair as I walk out of the bathroom, closing my eyes as I walk.

“Uhm, Elena…”

I open my eyes and see Sebastian staring at me with a shocked expression, his mouth agape. It was normal for me to walk around naked in my room after a shower or bath, and for a split second, I had forgotten that I wasn’t at Wiltshire Estate.

I was living with Sebastian now and was currently standing naked in front of him.

I take the tiny towel I had in my hand and try to cover myself up, blushing straight to my roots. “Don’t you know how to knock?!” I exclaim, mortified that he had seen me naked. Not even Nicholas had seen me naked before, damnit!

He looks away, “I did knock, and when there was no answer I came in to see if you were okay.” Then he takes something out of his back pocket, “Your cellphone, you left it in the limousine when we arrived. I just came to give it to you as well as the keys to the villa.” He says and I take a few steps towards him, taking my cell phone and keys from his hands.

“Thank you.” That was all I could say as I stood shivering in front of him. He then turns to leave the room, “I am sorry for catching you like this, you must feel mortified. I will make a note not to barge into your room again. Good night, Elena.” He says then proceeds to walk out.

As soon as he closed the door, I made a beeline for the walk-in closet and quickly threw on a pair of my silk pyjamas. Sebastian had just seen what no other man had ever seen before, not even my beloved Nicholas. I know it seems like I’m a prude, but I wanted to save myself for marriage. I was still a virgin and wanted to give myself completely to Nicholas on our wedding night.

A tear slips down my cheek as I think back to my blonde, curly-haired love. He was the complete opposite of Sebastian in every single way. He was kind, loving and caring, and didn’t pressure me to have sex at all. We fooled around a lot, but he always respected my wishes. We met when I just turned 18, my parents had sent me to another heiress’ debutante ball and he was the partner set up for me by our families. The only choice my mother had made for me that I was thankful for. Making him wait for me for 5 years was unfair to him, so I had to let him go; if we were still in love after then, then I would gladly be with him.

But for now, I had to do my duty.

I sink into the soft bed and let out an audible sigh. If there was a bed in Heaven, this was it. Switching off the light, my eyelids close immediately and I felt myself drifting off into a dreamless sleep.