Already Married

004

[Lock Techs ~ Emergency Board Meeting]

Vael strolled into the boardroom with confidence, his two upper buttons loosened along with his cuffs.

His assistant, Noel, followed behind him. He slipped into his chair at the far end of the long table.

He sat with grace and unmistakable confidence, his aura crushing, gaze locked on the board of directors who shot him with displeased glares.

His lazy gaze traveled the room and landed on Cole, sitting across from him. His gaze was piercing and calm at the same time.

Cole ground his teeth together and glanced away, breaking eye contact with Vael.

"Chairman Tate Aziel, arriving," a voice announced from outside.

Everybody in the room, including Vael, stood up as the door was pushed open and Chairman Tate stepped into the room.

He held a walking stick in one hand, supporting his balance, with his personal maid walking beside him and helping him to his seat at the head of the long table.

Everybody sat back down when Tate settled into his chair.

The maid walked out of the meeting almost immediately, and a cup of tea was brought in for the old man.

"COO Cole, you called for an emergency meeting," Tate said.

Cole sat upright in his chair and adjusted his tie. "Yes, Chairman Tate," Cole answered.

"Reason?" Tate questioned.

"Our present CEO, Vael Aziel, isn't fit to be leading such a company. He is mentally unstable, and I have evidence to prove just that," Cole said.

With a sigh, Tate nodded.

"I hope it's worth the emergency," Tate said.

"You may start," Tate added.

Cole's assistant came forward, handing envelopes to everybody in the room.

"As we all know, Lock Tech Enterprise is the number one leading tech company in the world right now, and number five across all categories.

And a strong company like Lock Tech Enterprise needs a strong leader. And our current CEO isn't fit to lead this company," Cole said.

The rustling sound of paper opening and tearing filled the room. Even Vael got one; his assistant opened it for him and set it on the table for him to see.

Inside were photos of him sitting on the railing of Suicide Bridge yesterday, and another of Tehila scolding him.

From the angle, it looked like one was taken from a passing ship, his face visible, while the other was from a passing car.

Vael didn't speak a word, but patiently sat waiting for Cole to finish spitting his shenanigans.

"Look at the first photo, of a man sitting on the bridge railing. That bridge is the famous Suicide Bridge, where thousands of deaths have occurred over the last few years, including that of our once noble Mrs. Monica Aziel — Vael Aziel's mother," Cole smirked.

Under the table, Vael's palms folded into fists, the veins in his neck visible as he stared at Cole with bloodshot eyes.

Noel noticed his mood but acted like nothing was happening.

"To cut to the chase — our CEO missed his mother so much, and always talked to her, that just last night he visited Suicide Bridge. Ladies and gentlemen, the man you see sitting on that railing is our almighty CEO. He made a suicide attempt last night, but thanks to a stranger — the second footage shows that lady pulling him back into safety, and even then, our CEO Vael fought to go back, and the passerby had to hold him down," Cole said, and murmurs rose in the room.

"Now tell me, isn't that the sound of someone who is mentally drained and unstable? Unfit to rule an empire while I sit here?" Cole added, encouraging the murmurs.

"My board of directors, what I've given you is clean evidence of why Vael Aziel needs to be voted out as CEO of Lock Techs. In my appeal, I am now fit for that position," Cole stated, maintaining eye contact with Vael's unreadable stare.

"Chairman Tate, that's all I have to say," Cole said.

Chairman Tate nodded and the murmurs stopped.

"CEO Vael, what do you have to say in your defense," Tate turned to Vael.

All attention drifted to Vael. The air in the room seemed to compress, and the air conditioning suddenly felt too hot to breathe in.

Vael, who was always ruthless when it came to business, was unusually calm — and that was always a bad sign.

"I am deeply disappointed, Chairman Tate. Board of directors," Vael spoke. Those nine words seemed to restore power to their rightful owner.

"I wasn't expecting someone as high as the COO to call an emergency meeting just to spit his shenanigans," Vael said.

"How do you mean?" the chairman asked.

"I wasn't trying to commit suicide, and I am definitely mentally healthy. Noel," Vael called.

Noel stepped forward and handed papers to every person in the room.

"What's in your possession are test results from medical personnel, showing that I am one hundred percent stable," Vael said.

"And that woman you called my helper is actually my wife."

Immediately, the room erupted in shocked gasps and whispers. Tate's head snapped to Vael, his usually calm demeanor shaken.

Cole frowned, looking like his ego was bruised.

"Tehila is her name. We got married yesterday, and I wanted to show her the place my mother died. The wedding was supposed to be private, but it seems our COO had other plans," Vael said.

"I understand you may all have doubts. That's why I've informed my wife. We should reschedule this meeting for next week, where I'll give you all the chance to see my wife and look at my marriage certificate," Vael said.

At this point, Cole's seat was suddenly becoming hot.

"Are you sure?" Tate asked.

"Extremely, Chairman Tate. And after I bring my wife, you can all make your decision — vote me down, or decide I rightfully deserve to stay as CEO," Vael said, and stood up.

"I have papers piled up on my desk. Everybody should get back to work."

With that said, Vael turned and walked out of the boardroom, Noel trailing behind him.

[Dylan's House]

Tehila climbed down from the taxi.

"Give me a few minutes," she said, and turned to the house.

She brought out her spare key, but the door was already open, so she just pushed it and walked into the house.

Sitting in the living room were Dylan and his family, all gathered round Rachel.

Tehila's gaze dropped to Rachel, searching for any serious injuries.

A short chuckle of disbelief left her lips, seeing the tiny wound on Rachel's palm.

So this minor injury was why Dylan had canceled their wedding.

"Sister-in-law," Rachel called, in a petty voice.

"She's no longer your sister-in-law," Marriam corrected, glaring at Tehila.

Dylan stood up and walked to her, stopping in front of her. Tehila didn't look away from him; she just stared at him blankly, and somehow that unsettled Dylan.

"You finally came back to apologize for the tantrum you threw yesterday," Dylan said, reaching out to touch her arm.

Tehila moved back, slapping his hand away. Dylan frowned, clearly not expecting such a reaction from her.

"Don't be dumb. You canceled the wedding, I honored your wish," Tehila replied.

Dylan scoffed.

"You are crazy. Rachel got into an accident, is a simple marriage ceremony more important than her life? I already told you we can reschedule," Dylan barked.

"Brother," Rachel shot up to her feet, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Please don't raise your voice at Sister-in-law. Sister-in-law, it's my fault, I shouldn't have called him, but he was my emergency..." Rachel was saying when Tehila held up her hand, stopping her.

Kristina frowned.

"Save it, I don't want to hear it," Tehila cut in, and turned to face her.

"Whatever goes on between you two is no longer my business. There is no us, ever again, Dylan. And just so you know, I spent thirty thousand dollars on those rings. I will take them back. All of your dresses I paid for, the food, the venue, the wedding planning — everything, I paid for it. Not just that, your ungrateful ass has been living off me for too long, I didn't even realize," Tehila said.

"You can't be serious," Dylan said.

"Oh, I'm dead serious. I called the insurance company — the electricity should be out in an hour, and the water too. Just to remind you, I paid last month's rent and this month's, and my name is on the bill. So you have until next month to move out," Tehila said.

"I came to get my things," she added, and bumped her shoulder into Dylan's as she walked past them into the room.

Releasing a breath.

Dylan stood dumbfounded. Rachel broke into tears almost immediately.

"Brother, I am so sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen," Rachel said.

Kristina frowned and hugged her.

"Don't waste your tears on her, my dear," Kristina said.

"Dylan, she doesn't deserve you, let her go. You can move in with me. I'll call your brother to inform him," Marriam said.

Dylan's fist balled beside him, his jaw clenched, before he nodded.

A few minutes later, Tehila walked out of the house, ignoring Rachel's cries and Marriam's cursing. She didn't even glance at Dylan, even when she felt his gaze on her.

She rolled her box into the boot of the taxi.

"I'm sorry for the wait," she apologized. The taxi driver nodded. He started the engine before driving off.

Tehila released a breath, sinking into the seat while hugging herself as tears escaped her eyes.

[Rooftop ~ 9pm]

Tehila sat on the bench, overlooking the bustling city of Singapore.

A cup of warm coffee in her hand, she was so deep in thought, so spaced out, that she didn't hear footsteps approaching until Vael sat beside her.

"You're here," Tehila said, snapping out of her trance.

Vael nodded.

"I bought you coffee," Tehila said. She picked up the two cups of coffee and gave one to Vael.

"Thanks," he replied.

"I don't know how you like it, so I just asked for black coffee, with minimum sugar," Tehila said.

"I appreciate the effort," Vael replied, and sniffed the coffee.

Tehila watched him.

"You don't have to drink it if you don't like it," Tehila said.

"Hmm," Vael hummed, and set the coffee down on the bench between them.

Tehila bit her bottom lip, staring at him.

"About the marriage," Vael said.

"About that — look, you don't have to accept it if you don't want it, I was pissed and needed to clear my head, so I just said that," Tehila cut in.

"Not that," Vael said.

"I'm sorry," Tehila replied.

Vael stayed silent, and locked gaze with her for a moment before speaking.

"Well, my grandfather wants to meet you. How do we fix that?" he asked.

"What? You already told your family about me?" Tehila asked, shocked.

"I am a businessman, my dear," Vael replied.

"You are unbelievable," Tehila answered. Vael nodded.

"We'll discuss this after we get our marriage certificate tomorrow," Vael responded.

"You're proceeding with the marriage?" Tehila asked.

"Yes," Vael replied.