Cold CEO in Public, My Baby Boy in Private

He didn’t drive right away.

For a while, we just sat there—my hand in his, the car filled with the kind of silence that said more than words ever could.

Then, without looking at me, Jake finally spoke.

“Did anyone at the hotel see you leave?”

I blinked, the warmth of the memory still lingering in my chest. But his tone—it was back to being clipped. Cold. Careful.

Just like that, we were back to reality.

“No,” I said quietly. “I used the side exit.”

He glanced over at me, then brushed a finger down the back of my hand. “Hope no one looked into my pretty wife’s eyes today.”

I reached over and gently ran my fingers through his hair, stroking it backward with a smile.

“No one would dare look into the eyes of the wife of Valenrose Suites’ boss.”

He looked away, pouting slightly—acting cuter than he’d ever allow in public.

“Maybe if you stopped hiding me… and let the world know you’re mine and I’m yours.”

I laughed softly, tugging his head gently toward my chest.

“Ooh, my sweet boy wants to be shown to the world? No one would ever want to hide this cute face of yours. Just a little more time, and I’ll announce to the world that you’re mine.”

“I hope your ‘little more time’ comes earlier this time,” he grumbled. “But… do you know I deserve some compensation for being kept a secret all day?”

“Ooh, my babe wants ice cream?” I teased, acting like I didn’t know where he was going with this.

“Nooo,” he said, shaking his head like a spoiled little prince.

“Maybe a cinema date?”

“No!”

“Then what?”

He pointed directly at my chest, his eyes glinting with mischief.

“That one. Don’t you think your sweet baby boy deserves those big watermelons as a reward for not even getting one glance from his pretty wife all day?”

I burst into laughter.

“Absolutely. You deserve to be fed all night. But on one condition—get us home in 40 minutes. No overspeeding.”

He gave a single nod and started the engine, his eyes focused like a soldier on a mission. That was Jake for you—cold, powerful, intimidating by day… and a clingy, adorable baby when we were alone.

I missed him all day too. Maybe more than I cared to admit. Seeing him in the hotel, passing each other like strangers—it stung.

But this was the price of our secret.

By day, I was just another hotel employee. Nameless. Ordinary. Forgettable.

By night… I was his wife. His kept secret. His most favorite person in the world.

Just as he made a turn onto the main road, I turned my face toward the window, letting the passing lights blur into soft golden streaks.

We were married.

And no one could ever know.

Not yet.

He tightened his grip on my fingers as the traffic light turned red. I glanced sideways.

The man who could command boardrooms, crush negotiations, and fire someone with a single nod… was now sulking like a kid who wanted cuddles.

And yet, that wasn’t new.

He’d always had that softness. Even before Eastbridge. Before suits and titles.

Back when it was just me, him, and a city of strangers.

⸻

Three Years Ago – Paris

After the seminar ended, Jake returned home to the States.

I stayed back in Paris, finishing my final year. At first, I thought we’d drift apart—just a sweet, quiet romance that would disappear like a dream once I woke up.

But I was wrong.

He texted. He called. Every night.

Sometimes he’d video call while walking through his office, his tie already undone, hair a little messier than usual. Other times we’d talk for hours—about our days, about hotels, about life, about nothing.

We talked like best friends. We flirted like soulmates. And somehow, we fell deeper.

Even though thousands of miles separated us, he never made me feel alone.

And then came my graduation day.

It should’ve been the happiest day of my life.

None of my family came. My six brothers? Too busy fighting over board seats and inheritance. My mother? She called, yes, but didn’t come. And my father… well, he didn’t even remember the date. He never had time for a female child.

I wore my gown with pride, but something in me cracked when I looked around and realized I had no one waiting in the audience. No flowers. No banner. I watched other graduates smile and take pictures with their families.

I was about to cry. I could feel it building behind my smile.

Until I turned… and saw him.

Jake.

Standing just behind the crowd, dressed in a grey coat, a dark scarf tucked into the collar. Tall, handsome, my favorite face in the world—watching me with eyes full of pride.

I froze.

He walked forward slowly, holding a single white rose.

“I thought you could use a little extra cheering today,” he said softly.

“You came?” I whispered, choking back the tears.

“I wouldn’t miss it. Not for the world.”

I crashed into his chest, burying my face in his coat. He held me there, right in the middle of the graduation square, not caring who was watching.

“You left everything… for this?” I mumbled.

“I left everything… for you. Because when my girl needs me, I need to leave everything and answer her. Nothing matters more than my girl. I can make work wait, but I won’t dare make my girl wait.”

That moment… it deepened everything.

It wasn’t just sweet anymore.

It was real.

We spent the rest of the evening walking along the Seine, hand in hand, talking about everything and nothing. He stayed two extra days. And on the last night, just before he boarded his flight back to Eastbridge, he asked me to marry him.

No diamonds. Just him, kneeling under the Paris stars.

A promise, spoken softly under the lights.

“Annabel, I don’t want to spend the rest of my life waiting for timing to be perfect. I want you. Now. And always.”

I said yes before my brain even caught up.

⸻

The sound of the gate opening pulled me from the memory.

Jake’s car glided smoothly into the private driveway of our villa.

Even now, after all these years together, the sight of it still took my breath away.

It was nestled on the city’s quietest hill, hidden by trees and high walls. The building stretched in sleek, modern angles—glass and wood balanced in perfect harmony. White pillars lined the entrance, warm lights glowing from the garden floor, and a fountain sparkled in the moonlight.

He parked beside the other car—a black Audi he rarely touched—and got out to open my door.

“Madam,” he teased, offering me his hand.

I slipped my hand into his and stepped out.

The night air was soft, scented with lavender from the garden. Inside, our home waited—silent, luxurious, intimate.

He closed the door behind us, locked the alarm, then scooped me up without warning.

“Jake!” I yelped, laughing.

“I was promised watermelons,” he whispered against my ear, carrying me toward the stairs like a man with one goal in mind.

“And you’ll get them. But at least let’s get in first,” I whispered back, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Every. Last. Drop. I will get it. But I won’t let you get in first. I’ll carry my watermelons inside myself—and enjoy them exactly how I want.”

He grinned.

And just like that, the cold CEO of Valenrose faded away—

And the boy who chose me above everything else… took his place.