Love Under False Pretense

“You’re getting married, or you are out of the company,” an old man, no older than seventy-five, threatened his grandson as he took a sip of his tea. His relaxed position opposing his poisonous words greatly irritated his young relative. Sebastian smacked the table with both his palms hard, causing the dishes and utensils to shake and clatter. “You’re going to just kick me out that easy? But I was the one who did the impossible and merged Eden into our company.” He gripped the fabric by his chest. “I am the CEO of Elysian!” Unmoved by his roughness, Edmond Adams continued with his drink and calmly replied, “And I’m the chairman of the board of directors. So whatever I say goes.” Sebastian knew his grandfather’s stubbornness was through the roof, but to insist on controlling his personal life was a different matter. “What is this obsession with my marriage?” For a moment, he saw a gloomy expression flash on Edmond’s face. “I’m getting older by the minute and seeing you have no life

Andrea never would have imagined that within two months, she would be getting married to her company’s CEO. And that this will pop her debt into nonexistence like a bubble. But her wishful mind was quickly reminded by Sebastian’s warning, “Let’s just say your fifty million debt is passed on to me. So if you break the contract, you’ll be owing me that money.” Hence, she has no way out of this pretend marriage. “Hey Andy, you getting cold feet? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Ren cupped her friend’s pale face and peered into her doe-like, frightened eyes. Since all the stylists and makeup artists have left the two, she decided on speaking freely. “If you want, you could just run and disappear. I can help you with that, my car’s just a few miles from here.” This made her let out a small giggle. “I’m fine. It’s just overwhelming.” The chairman, due to his excitement, took on the burden of preparing for the wedding. The venue, guests, food, down to what music was to be played during t

“Am I even allowed to talk to you even if we’re not on camera, or will your husband be offended again?” Daniel asked in a bitter tone while keeping his million-dollar smile for everyone inside the spacious venue to see. Andrea was growing tired of his passive-aggressiveness during their filming and promotions, ever since that embarrassing encounter with the Elysian CEO. “Yes, Daniel, we can talk,” she said as if talking to a child. She, too, maintained her affable expression as she mouthed Hello’s and Thank you’s to the crowd. “You’re just not allowed to violate women.” A sentence that made her co-star scoff, “Whatever.” Andrea almost lost her senses when all cameras flashed at the same time while the roar of the fans’ cheers filled the area. She knew that most of them came for Daniel, but it felt good to have a few support her. “Let’s welcome the cast and crew of False Assumptions!” The host of the press conference excitedly said from his microphone. They were guided through the li

Sebastian continuously drummed his fingers on his executive desk, creating an inconsistent beat. He can’t work like this. Buzzing Robert’s office, he talked, “Robert, are you sure the flowers were already ordered?” He knew his assistant was the most reliable person but these concerns about the anniversary made him illogically doubt the man.A reply came out from the intercom, “Yes Sir, I scouted for the best shop that had Miss Andrea’s favorite flowers.” It was an unusual task for the assistant, but one he gladly accepted. If keeping Miss Andrea happy was what made his boss more tolerable at work, then he’d do more of it.“White roses, forget-me-nots, and most especially, purple peonies. They got all of it?” Andrea had humble choices even when it came to her favorites. So it was stuck on Sebastian’s mind when one day, she said, “I know lavender peonies are so rare and expensive, but I’d love to have even just a stem of it on my nightstand.”The CEO smiled at the thought. Getting into

Andrea was conflicted. She was pretty sure Sebastian carried her up their bedroom last night. And she was absolutely positive that he saw the awful and disheveled state she was in. “Maybe I should pretend nothing happened? That could save me a bit of the embarrassment,” Andrea convinced herself. The clatter from the kitchen downstairs hurried her to make a decision. The sounds were without question from Sebastian’s attempt to make breakfast. She had to get in there before he could burn the house down. “Andy, you’re awake,” he greeted her, “Good morning.” Despite what happened last night, she can’t help but smile back at her husband. The scene before her was enough to make Andrea laugh anyway. Utensils that had no business being used to bake bread, tens of dirty bowls stacked on top of each other, and flour dusting the whole place including Sebastian’s face. She giggled at the sight. “Maybe it is better that we pretend. But I will still enjoy these moments as much as I can,” she tho