The CEO's Contract Bride: Marriage On Paper

Natasha

It was a beautiful day indeed. The sky was so blue that it made me wonder if the sky changed overnight.

I'd never been the one to gaze at the sky or appreciate nature however, today was different, even the breeze felt friendly.

"Kenzie!" I said excitedly as I reached the receptionist's desk. She was the most friendly person I've ever met. Little wonder she had her job anyway.

"You... your hair," She whistled excitedly. I was blushing like wildfire. It felt good to get acknowledged.

"I did a little thing with it," I muttered shyly. "You have such keen eyes for details."

The ringing of the telephone interrupted Kenzie's reply so I waited. She was talking to the CEO, Bruce Stamford, a man known in the business for his charisma, appearance, and ethics.

He was the perfect gentleman in the eyes of the public but at work, he was a total workaholic. What's wrong with being a workaholic, you would ask. Well, it's really bad when it affects the employees too.

I worked three days, two nights straight the day I was hired. But then, I got paid for the stress. These wealthy people, always settling things with money.

Kenzie dropped the telephone.

"There's an emergency meeting!" Kenzie announced. "I think our boss is quite furious. His voice... you know how he sounds when he is angry."

Of course, I knew. "I guess I'll have to run over!" I told her.

"Stay strong!" Kenzie encouraged me, smiling so widely.

I rushed down to the elevator and went all the way to the sixth floor. That was where we usually had meetings.

I entered and it was a full room already. I seemed to be the last to arrive except the one who called the meeting himself... Bruce Stamford.

"He is coming!" Someone said those dreaded words and we all struggled to compose ourselves.

Bruce entered and from his countenance, I could sense danger. He didn't say 'good morning' as usual. He simply glanced at us with his piercing eyes.

"Our most recent project..." He paused, looking around. Our eyes met before he looked away and continued.

"Project Fireball. We have been preparing for a long time, haven't we?"

"Yes, boss!" We all said in unison.

"This morning, I got the rudest shock of my life," Bruce continued.

"Mac Group announced their Godzilla project this morning and I believe I need an explanation as to why their announced project is exactly like ours!"

Silence. No one muttered.

"None of you is going to respond?" Bruce said calmly. His calmness was more frightening in this situation.

Then he shouted, "None of you!" I shook in fear.

The oldest manager among us stood up carefully and asked for permission to speak. Bruce simply nodded as he glanced at the old man.

"The information must have been leaked," the manager muttered. "I checked the details and it was too detailed to be a coincidence."

"How many people had access to such detailed information?" Bruce asked.

"Five people, sir," Sam, the old manager responded. "And uh... plus your secretary, that makes it six!"

Me? I was the secretary.

"It couldn't have leaked from Natasha. It has to be within the five other people. You should..."

Bruce was saying when he got a notification from his phone. He picked it up and checked. He raised his head and looked into my eyes.

"It says a man named Michael is in charge of the project at Mac Group."

"I'm sure that Michael has a connection with one of those who knew the insider information!" Sam said confidently.

"Natasha! How about you explain?" Bruce asked me. He looked like he was boiling in anger right now.

I stood up, "Explain what?"

"You are still pretending?" Bruce muttered. "Michael is your boyfriend, is that true?"

"Michael?" I pondered. "Michael!" The realization hit me hard.

"Wait," I said quickly. "Michael is my boyfriend but... he works for Mac Group but I didn't give him any information. It wasn't me..."

"Then where did he get it from?" Bruce wanted to know. Then I realized.

I took the documents home one day and that same day, Michael had come to visit me. Still, he couldn't have done that, could he?

"I can explain..." I muttered desperately.

"Do you know how much we will lose because of your betrayal?" Bruce asked, breathing hard.

"Drop the key to the company car. You are fired!" I couldn't breathe. I felt asphyxiated.

**I met Michael at a business webinar. It must have been a year ago. I escorted Bruce and while he spoke to a foreign investor, I merely looked around with a glass of champagne in hand.

That was when he appeared. Tall, lanky, well dressed, smelled nicely, and with the cutest smile.

"You're such a beauty," He told me and made me blush. "My name is Michael and it's nice to meet you. Do you shake?"

Life with him has been a rollercoaster ever since. We started dating two weeks after we met and he seemed to be the most perfect man for me.

He was so considerate, always wanted happiness for me... At times, I wondered if he was real. He was, until NOW.

"I'd like to see an employee here. His name is Michael..." I told the receptionist.

Right now, I was at Mac Group's head office where Michael worked. I had to see him to confirm if he really stole my company's ideas. It was obvious what the answer would be though.

I was quite certain that my darling Michael would never do such a thing.

But why wasn't he picking his calls? He must be so busy with work. Why did his house seem empty when I checked earlier? He must have changed houses and thought to tell me later.

"Michael what..." The receptionist muttered.

"Reynolds," I responded.

The receptionist called a number and spoke to someone on the phone. I couldn't hear.

"He doesn't wish to see you, miss," She replied politely.

"Did you tell him who I was? My name?" I asked frantically. My heart was beating harder and the whole scenario was getting out of control.

"He told me to relay these words..." She cleared her throat. "LET'S BREAK UP."

"Whattttt!"