I Bagged A Billionaire CEO On Christmas Eve!

Chapter 1

Ivy

“Ma’am, are you ready to place your order now?” the waiter asked again, for what felt like the umpteenth time, as he slid the menu across my table.

I lifted my head slowly, struggling to ignore the weight of curious stares pressing down on me from every direction.

I let out a quiet sigh and lowered my gaze to meet his, my voice barely above a whisper. “Not yet. I’m still waiting for my date.”

He sighed in irritation and walked away, taking the menu with him.

My eyes dropped to the floor, my legs shaking nervously beneath me. 

Embarrassment burned through me as I reached for my phone once again, hoping to see a message from Quentin this time. But there was nothing… just that same blue tick mocking me like a cold slap.

He had clearly seen my messages, but still hadn't replied or called back… after ninety six long minutes.

It was 9.47pm now… exactly two hours since I arrived here. Yet, there was still no sign that Quentin was close to showing up.

Every table around me was filled with laughter and quiet conversations, but I sat there alone, clutching my phone tight, like it was the only consolation I needed right now.

Tears burned at the corner of my eyes, but I struggled to keep them from falling. I wasn't going to cry in front of some random strangers on Christmas Eve.

I locked my gaze ahead, sucking in all the frustration welling up inside me. 

And just then, my gaze met his.

He sat across the room, dressed in a sleek black tuxedo, with a bow tie hanging loosely on his neck. He sat alone too, his hair dark and messy like he had run his hand through it a million times. 

Oh Lord!

The aura he carried was totally unmatched. He looked devastatingly handsome, like he had walked straight out of the pages of a high-end magazine, every inch of him radiating the kind of allure that made it hard to look away.

He took a sip of his drink, then slammed the glass so hard that the sound echoed throughout the room.

He looked... frustrated, and somewhat disappointed.

He leaned forward slightly, shifting his gaze ahead, until... suddenly, his eyes locked with mine.

Our eyes locked together for what felt like an eternity, as if we had known each other long before this moment.

Before I could turn my gaze away, he stood up, and began to walk straight towards me. Every single person in the restaurant stopped talking as all heads snapped towards the seductive man making his way to my table.

He stopped right in front of me and bent down a little… just enough to catch my gaze. “You look like you got stood up too. Mind me keeping you company so the night is not a total waste?” 

“Oh my God!” Someone gasped behind us, and the others stared with their eyes wide open. 

“Isn't that the enigmatic billionaire CEO, Winston Hawthorne? He's so hot!” Another voice echoed as loud gasps filled the room.

But amidst it all, the man didn't react. He didn't even act like he was the one they were talking about.

He just stood there, his calm, ocean blue eyes pinning me in place, his question still hanging heavy in the air.

My cheeks flushed… and for the first time that night, I smiled. 

I wasn't so sure about his request, but something inside me was so tired of sitting back here and waiting for someone who was clearly not showing up any moment from now.

I looked up at him and nodded frantically.

A smug grin danced on his lips, and without uttering a word, he slid into the seat across from me. 

“Rule number one,” He muttered as soon as he settled down. His voice dropped lower, like he was trying to make sure no one else was listening. “Whatever happens here tonight remains here. We're just strangers, and strangers we'll remain after now. Deal?”

I swallowed hard, the words burning down my throat like a cruel warning. 

“Deal.” I whispered quietly.

He leaned back and gave a tiny smile, the first I had seen on him since he showed up here. “Good. Now let's drink and have a good time as we get ready for Christmas.”

He grabbed his glass and downed the content in one gulp. 

The night stretched longer, but with this stranger sitting across my table, it didn't feel boring anymore. Every moment with him felt magical… and now I didn't even want the night to end.

But, oh well... too bad wishes weren't horses.

The restaurant lights turned off one after the other, and after a long time spent with him, it was finally time to say goodbye.

I picked up my bag and waved him goodbye, turning to leave. But his voice stopped me before I even reached the door.

He approached me slowly, his hands tucked in his pockets. Then he gripped my hand into his. “What kind of a man would I be if I let you go out there all by yourself on this lonely night? Why don't you come ride home with me in my car?” 

My throat hung heavy at his words, and I lifted my head sharply to meet his gaze. 

He was right. It was late, and there would be barely any cab to take me home at this time.

At that moment, I was left with no other choice but to accept his offer.

I gave a swift nod and walked with him out of the restaurant. A black Rolls Royce stopped right in front of us in no time, and he stepped forward first, letting the door open.

Then he walked back to where I was, leading me gently towards the car. As soon as we got in, he slammed the door shut, and the driver turned on the ignition, taking off almost immediately.

Before long, we arrived at the villa, the luxurious house Quentin and I shared as we made our wedding preparations.

I stepped out of the car and threw him a quick wave. "Merry Christmas." I whispered with a warm smile as I made my way into the building. 

A cold, unusual silence greeted me as I climbed up the stairs… until I heard something that made me stop dead in my tracks.

“To hell with Ivy! It's you I've always wanted, babe.” A man's low groans filled the air... and I was sure as hell that man was no one else but… Quentin.

I squeezed my eyes shut, leaning a bit closer to the door as his words exploded in my ears. 

“Mmm… you're the best, baby.” A woman's voice echoed right after, slicing through the air like a sword. “She must be the biggest joker on earth to think you would ever settle for someone like her.”

The words struck me like a cruel slap, and I stood there, struggling to hold back the hot tears welling in my eyes. 

Then without a second thought, I pushed the door open... and my bag dropped from my hands the moment I saw her.

“Ashley!” I cried out, my voice shaking with fury and disbelief, my body trembling uncontrollably. My eyes stayed glued to the scene in front of me, silently wishing it to be a dream. “How could you?” 

Tears rolled down my cheeks helplessly, and I hated how weak I looked in front of them.

But none of that mattered now.

I had just caught Quentin in bed with my stepsister… just a night before our wedding!

It all made sense now. Him standing me up at the restaurant, ignoring every call and text… this was why.

Quentin let out a heavy sigh and turned sharply, dragging a hand down his face the moment he met my gaze.

I was expecting him to feel a little remorse, or maybe even apologize for not showing up at the restaurant. But he didn't. He just stood there, a smug smile creeping up his lips as he wrapped his hand around Ashley.

“Ivy… ” He said, wiping the sweat from his brow. “You’re early. I almost thought you would spend the night out.”

I scoffed, my eyes wide with disbelief.

That was all he had to say? That was all the explanation I deserved after all the humiliation?

Before I could speak, Ashley stepped forward, sliding her dress down her naked frame. A cruel smile curved her lips as she approached me, brushing her hand over my shoulder in mock sympathy.

“Oh come on, Ivy. Take it easy on yourself. You look like you're going to explode.” She said through a chuckle, clamping a hand over her mouth, as if trying to hold back her laughter. Then she circled behind me, leaning in close enough for me to feel her breath on my skin.

“And by the way,” she whispered, her voice dripping with venom. “Next time, learn to knock. It's basic manners.”

The words punched through me like a hammer, and I froze, breaking out in muffled sobs.

“Ashley…” I choked out, my voice shredded, barely above a whisper. “I trusted you so much. I loved you like a sister should. How could you…”

“Spare me that sermon, wimp!” Ashley snapped, stopping me cold. She tightened her hand around my neck, her voice dropping into a low, venomous whisper. “You are nothing, Ivy. You should be grateful my mother and I even let you stay after your pathetic excuse of a father died.”

Her words slammed into me like ice water, seizing the breath from my lungs. 

But the day was far from being over.

Quentin stepped forward, his arms folded casually, as if all this meant nothing to him. He stopped in front of me, pulled Ashley close… and kissed her.

Their lips crashed together shamelessly, the sound striking me like a heavy blow. Then he raised his gaze back to me, his eyes scanning me like I was nothing more than a worthless piece of garbage lying along the road.

“Seriously, Ivy?” He snorted, his hand still tightened around Ashley's waist. “Did you honestly believe I would choose someone like you?”

“You're worthless,” he sneered. “Ashley is in another league. Compared to her, you're invisible.”

His voice roared through me, each word slamming into my chest like bricks. 

I could barely breathe. I stared at him, desperately hoping this was some sick joke.

“Quentin… how can you say that?” My voice trembled as hot tears streamed down my cheeks. “Our wedding is tomorrow!”

He rolled his eyes, disgust etched deeply across his face. “Don't be delusional, Ivy. Read the room.” 

Then, with a smug tilt of his head, he delivered the final blow. “There's no wedding. There never was. I made it all up just to get you off my back.”

A sharp pain exploded in my chest, and for a moment, the world simply stopped.

I dropped to my knees, crawling towards him… but he was already making his way out, Ashley smirking by his side.

“Be gone before we return, Ivy.” He called out over his shoulder. “I don't want people thinking I breed a lapdog.” 

The door slammed shut behind them, leaving me frozen in place, shattered and breathless.

“No…” I whispered as I stumbled to my feet. “This can't be real.” 

I ran out into the freezing night, screaming their names into the darkness. But there was no response… Only a still silence greeted me back as I stood there, my knuckles turning white from the cold.

I collapsed into the icy snow, gasping through broken sobs, shaking from pain more than cold.

I didn't care about the freezing air. What was cold compared to this betrayal?

My fiancé and my stepsister… the two people I trusted most… had just ripped my world apart in the most cruel way imaginable. Nothing could possibly hurt more than this.

Looks like Christmas came early this year… just not the way I ever wanted.

Just then, a shadow stretched across the snow, stopping right in front of me. I looked up instantly, and my heart jumped the moment my eyes locked with his… the same captivating stranger from the restaurant.

What was he doing out here, in the freezing cold? Had he seen everything… the humiliating mess I had just escaped?

“Looks like you’ve been crying all night,” he said softly, extending a hand to help me up.

I sniffled and quickly wiped my tears with the back of my hand, trying to pull myself together. 

But it was already too late.

His eyes searched mine with a quiet intensity, as if I were a fragile object on the verge of breaking. Then, he drew me closer gently, brushing away the tear hanging on my cheek with one finger.

“Would you mind telling me what happened?” 

I pinned my gaze on him, and for a minute, my mind went blank. I couldn't speak, I couldn't think either. I just stood there, staring at him like I could barely understand a single thing he had just said.

He let out a deep sigh and brushed a hand gently across his face. “Pardon my manners.” He said, drawing me carefully into his arms. “You’re shivering. We need to get you out of this cold.”

I gave a faint, silent nod, and he took my hand in his, leading me towards the car quietly.

But just before we could go any further, a deep voice sliced through the air, freezing us in place.