A Mistaken Night With The CEO

"Miranda, get the drinks from the fridge," Lady Loretta said. She was the lady of the house, and it was her only son's birthday celebration.

"Okay, Ma," Miranda answered. A young lady in her early twenties, Miranda wore a pink dress and black slippers. It was 5 pm, and they were preparing a birthday party for Derrick Luis, the only son of the Luis family. Among seven girls, Derrick was the only son of his wealthy family.

Many guests were already present in the Luis family mansion. Among them were top admirers, business partners, their family members, and relatives, but the birthday celebrant wasn't at home.

Far away at a luxurious firm, Derrick Luis was still at his office on the fifth floor when his mobile rang. "Hello, Mother," he answered the call.

His mother said, "Derrick, you know today is your birthday. So where are you?"

Looking at his wristwatch, Derrick observed it was already 6 p.m. He replied, "At my office, Mother."

"Come home, Son. It's your birthday, and we did a lot to make today a special moment to mark your new age of 25."

"Mom, I am not interested in birthday parties. Why can't you understand my perspective?" Derrick murmured. His mother was already old, so he couldn't blame her.

"I understand. Please, come home quickly before the guests start leaving. If I had known you would stubbornly stay at the office until this time, I shouldn't have allowed you to go to work today, knowing it's also your birthday."

"Mom, I cannot set work aside for a party. Who will look after Dad's company?" Derrick muttered.

His mother responded sadly, "You are right, but during your father's prime, he never skipped home for work. He attended parties—or where do you think I met him?"

"Hmph." Derrick rolled his eyes at his mother's words. "Fine, Mother. I will be home now," he said, and the phone call ended.

"Running a multimillion-dollar empire at this age, my mother still wants me to prioritize a party over work. Tch." Derrick mused. He stood from his exclusive office chair, shut down his computer, grabbed his briefcase, and left his office with an elegant stride.

Arriving home in a sleek black Prado Jeep, Derrick stepped out of the vehicle and made his way toward his family's mansion. He heard the sound of music and frowned after seeing a great number of guests' cars parked inside his late father's estate.

Marching forward, Derrick arrived at the mansion's exterior. He rang the doorbell, and the maid pulled the door open for him.

"Welcome, Master Derrick," the maid greeted.

Derrick ignored the maid's greeting and was ushered in by his mother, who was in the living room with many guests.

"Welcome, son. Happy 25th birthday to you."

"Happy birthday, Master Derrick!" All the guests in the living room toasted the young master's new age.

"Thank you all," Derrick replied. He wanted to retire to his bedroom to rest, but his mother stopped him. "Derrick, it's still your birthday. Come cut your cake and make a wish."

Pausing at the staircase, Derrick looked back at the faces of the guests—his seven elder sisters, all married with kids, and his staff present.

Derrick wanted to protest again that he wasn't a kid and didn't want a birthday party. However, he swallowed his protest as silence fell in the crowded living room.

Approaching the huge white cake placed in the center of the living room, Derrick cut it, and the guests beamed happily, clapping for him.

"Happy birthday, brother," his sisters cheered.

"Thank you all," he replied.

"That's not all, Derrick. Make a wish," his mother urged.

"Oh, Mother. I am not a kid," Derrick finally protested, but his mother walked up to meet him where he stood in the living room.

"No one said you're a kid, but you're still my baby. So make a wish," his mother pleaded with an assuring smile.

Not wanting to make his mother sad, Derrick wished for a long life, a happy family, and a prosperous business.

"Happy birthday to you again, Master Derrick. We wish you all the best," the guests said, equally happy, and the toasts continued as they resumed drinking and chatting.

---

Derrick excused himself from the living room and went to his bedroom on the top floor of the mansion.

Meanwhile, among the maids, Miranda had a crush on the house master. She wasn't the only one crushing on Derrick, but she couldn't take her eyes off him.

She openly gawked at his handsomeness.

"Too handsome for one person," Miranda thought. She had observed Derrick; he seemed very hardworking. He didn't have time for women and focused mostly on his business.

Derrick didn't even have a girlfriend, and Miranda was desperate for him to notice her. She was a poor girl from an orphanage home.

After five years of serving the Luis family as a maid, Miranda wanted a comfortable life. She didn't want to return to poverty.

In the Luis family mansion, maids were expected to dress in cheap wear. There was no competition, as all the daughters of the Luis family were married—including Nicole Luis, the sister closest in age to Derrick.

"Come on, Alexa, I want to introduce you to my brother. I fear he might be gay. Why won't he have a girlfriend at this age? Don't you find it weird?" Nicole spoke to her friend as she invited her along to her brother's birthday party.

Alexa worked as Derrick's personal secretary at Luis Group. She would admit she hadn't seen any young lady come to the office to visit him.

"I don't think Master Derrick is gay. He's just too busy to notice any woman," Alexa replied. She wore a seductive red dress and black shoes. She had arrived at the Luis mansion just after Derrick left the company.

Alexa Godwin was also interested in Derrick Luis. At just 22 years old, she wanted him as her boyfriend. She knew that having a man like Derrick as her husband in the future meant she wouldn't need to work much or struggle to survive, as his wealth was enough to cover her lifetime expenses.

"Alexa, what do you think of Derrick? Do you not have a crush on him? If my sisters hadn't spoken to me about introducing you to Derrick to work as his new secretary after my leave, do you think I would have accepted you based on friendship alone? Come now," Nicole said, grabbing Alexa's hand and leading her to the top floor where there were no guests.

Alexa felt nervous. For the one year she had worked as Derrick's personal secretary through Nicole's influence, she hadn't crossed any limits or tried to get his attention.

Derrick was aloof, and Alexa feared what he would do to her if she dared cross the line.