All Chapters of The Reluctant Daddy CEO : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

55 Chapters

Chapter One : The Interview

© 2026 Aridah. All rights reserved. This work is protected by copyright. No part of this story may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without permission from the author. Author’s Note ✨ Welcome to The Reluctant Daddy CEO. This is a slow-burn romance built on tension, vulnerability, and growth. It’s not just about love. It's about healing, responsibility, and the choices we make when life doesn’t go as planned. Thank you for giving this story a chance. I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I enjoyed writing it. This book is an original work by me. Please do not copy, repost, or distribute any part of it without my permission. Your support, comments, and reads mean everything to me 🤍 — Aridah ASHLEY. "Ashley!" Maya screamed. "Wake up! You're going to miss your interview!" My eyes flew open. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand. 8:14 a.m. "Oh my God!" I had less than an hour to get to the building. The office was forty-five minutes away. I scr

Chapter Two : Mommy Issues

ASHLEY. I walked out of Bianchi Inc. just as my phone rang again. The same number. For the fifth time today. 'What do you want this time, mom?' I said the last part with so much venom. Not like the woman deserved any good from me. 'That’s no way to greet your mom, daughter. Or should I say step-mom?' She giggled. I continued walking, needing to get to the bus stop. I had another interview for a waitresing job. It's a plan B in case I don't get this job. I didn't reply to her, just wanting to get over with this conversation. "Money," she said simply. "Transfer it." "I told you that I got fired." "Then Lily suffers." she said sweetly. I stopped walking and clenched my fist. "Don't you dare do anything to her,” I seethed out. She chuckled. “I want it before the end of today.” With that, she hung up on me. She was my dad's worst mistake. My actual mom died when I was a toddler. It's my dad and I until I turned eight. He met her and decided she was his second chan

Change Three : Nicholas Bianchi.

NICHOLAS.I sipped my coffee while staring at my PR team. "Another scandal, Mr. Bianchi?" the lady said.She's in her mid thirties, and age has never been a problem. I could guess I wasn't her type.I smirked. "She’s single."She scoffed. "The third one in a week. Your public image isn't looking good.""That’s what I pay you for," I retorted.The guy cleared his throat, and I turned to him. "What she is trying to say to you is that we need you to cooperate with us. To make this work."I nodded slowly. "What do I have to do? I don't sleep with my staff, does that count?"Except this morning. 'You are not my type.'No girl has ever said something like that to me before. I wasn't her type? Was she straight? That had to be her reason for me not to be her type.She looked incredibly gorgeous. I wouldn't mind getting down with her if she offered.I was intrigued by her. That's what it was.The lady scoffed, and I pinned her a glare. "Don't forget who the boss is."She lowered her head,

Chapter Four: First day.

ASHLEY."Lend me your blue shirt, Maya. It would go well with my black skirt tomorrow," I said after swallowing the food in my mouth."Sure. Still can't believe you're going to be working with my crush up close." She squealed.I rolled my eyes at her. She's one of his fans."It’s nothing special."She glared at me like I ate her favorite candy. "People will kill for the spot."I swallowed the sandwich in my mouth before replying. "I wouldn't."She looked at me like she realized she was wasting her time discussing this with me.We didn't have much foodstuffs, so we made a turkey sandwich for dinner."The pay is good. It would help you a lot," she said after a while."Maybe we can finally move from this neighborhood downtown to somewhere safer."She smiled at me. "You have other problems to worry about."I pushed my hair out of my face and sighed. She knew about Melissa. We have been friends since high school, so we knew everything about each other. Her family helped me a lot. Her mom

Chapter Five : What’s that thing?

There were times in life that you wished you could change some part of your life easily. Like erase them completely. That part of my life was related to Melissa. I didn't know how she knew that I worked for the Bianchi. Inc now. She told me to increase her monthly pay because I was earning more.She's a thorn in my flesh.I was happy when I collected my first salary. It's short-lived when she called to ask for money.The waitresimg job was good too. I got huge tips almost every night. I was saving a lot these days. If I was going to get Lily, I would need to get a safer apartment."Miss Walker!" I jumped lightly while snapping out of my trance.I stared around my surroundings. I was at a dinner meeting with my boss. I was here to take notes."Sorry, sir. Did you say something?" I asked.He didn't look happy. "You are meant to take notes." I nodded. "So sorry, sir."The other man stared blankly at me. They continued discussing, and I took the required notes. It has been a mont

Chapter Six : Not a dad!

NICHOLAS I glanced at Ashley as she managed to get that baby to shut up. I could feel my driver staring at us through the rearview mirror. He knew better than to say anything.I remember nothing of the night that baby's mother was talking about. I would never sleep with a girl without protection. I was definitely not the father, even though she had most of my features. Looks could be deceiving. I wasn’t her father. I couldn't wait to get to the hospital and get the test over with. And to return her back to whoever her mother was.The driver pulled up in the car park of the hospital. Ashley was about to get down, but I held her hand back.She froze, and her eyes looked down where our hands touched. I cleared my throat. I retracted my hand. "He would send someone to come get us."She nodded in understanding. The paparazzi could be lurking in the shadow. The last thing I needed was a baby scandal. One I had no relationship with. Someone knocked on the door."Unlock the door

Chapter Seven : An offer?

ASHLEY I watched him frown at her, and I almost snorted. She didn't ask to be brought into this world.I looked down at her. She looked really sad, like she understood what that single look meant. That, she just got rejected by her own father.I ran a hand through her hair, and she looked up at me. I smiled at her, hoping that would help.She snuggled further into my laps and closed her eyes. Nicholas was speaking to the doctor, and I tuned out the conversation.I was aware when the driver started the car again. My mind wandered to Luciana again.For someone who said, there's something called protection. He fucked up big time.What's he going to do to her?Was he even going to tell the world about her?Will he keep her?I just had a sense of responsibility towards her.Like I needed to protect her. Even though I had more worries than that.I stared at him. I didn't know if it's in my place to ask him what his plans were.He looked up from his phone and cocked an eyebrow at me.

Chapter Eight : Luciana's Nanny

ASHLEY. "An offer?" I repeated. "Yes, Miss Walker," he replied. "It’s simple, and the pay will be better than what you're getting now." My ears perked up at the last part. More money?! That way, I could send money to Melissa and still have enough for myself. And finally afford a good lawyer who could help me get custody of Lily. "What is it?" He leaned back in his seat. "The girl clearly needs a nanny. I don't want to risk too many people knowing about her. You're the perfect one for the job." Luciana's nanny? I could say I was good with kids. I had basically raised Lily, and I'd done a few babysitting gigs years ago. "You don't even know if I'm good with kids," I deadpanned. "Does it matter? Just see to her needs." He didn't even care about her. What a father! "I'll have to resign as your personal assistant." He smirked. "You were a good one, but you can be replaced." My chest tightened at his words, and I couldn't explain why. I could be replaced. He leaned forward

Chapter Nine : Lies we tell ourselves.

ASHLEY I went back to the room after the driver came back with everything on the list. Luciana was already awake, staring at everything with curiosity. I picked her up from the bed, and she let out a baby sound."Time for a bath, princess," I said.I adjusted her on my arms and entered the bathroom. I removed her clothes and surprisingly clean diapers. I cleaned her up with so much difficulty. She kept reaching for my face with that curiosity look.I wore one of the dresses the driver bought.I was marveled by his taste. The clothes he bought for her were beautiful. I took her to the kitchen afterwards and placed her in the high chair the driver had already set up. I took out a box of oatmeal from the grocery bag and some fruits. A simple meal of oatmeal and mashed fruits. I placed the newly bought bowl on her high chair, and she stared at it.I silently prayed she would love it. I fed her and waited for her reaction after swallowing.She smiled at me, and I heaved out a sigh.

Chapter Ten : Thoughts

NICHOLAS. I slowly opened my eyes while adjusting to the bright light. The pounding in my head - a reminder of what I was up to last night.I heard soft snores and looked at the other side of the bed. I groaned at the sight.Why was she still here?I sat upright prepared for what comes afterwards.I tapped her a few times before her eyes fluttered open. She smiled and leaned her head on the bedrest.The comforters hiding her naked body dipped a little to show off her beautiful skin.I wouldn't mind taking her again if I didn't have the one-time rule. Having sex with a woman more than once always made them think I felt something for me. That always led to a lot of emotional baggage. One, I wasn't ready to deal with it.I cleared my throat before staring back at her. "Why are you still here?"She looked shocked, but she quickly masked her emotion. "We’re both exhausted from last night's activities.""Leave now. It's morning."Her eyes narrowed at me.Expected. I got out of bed and

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