Bless The Broken Road

Chapter 4 - The CEO's date

By seven o'clock in the evening, a black limo pulled over in front of the hotel.

The dashing Kristoff Hansen on his black tailored suit was sitting in the back seat. He looked at his watch that costs a fortune to check the time.

"Where's that woman?" He was beginning to get irritated.

'Why on earth did I even bring her here?'

Suddenly, a beautiful woman was running out of the hotel. She even had her heels on her one hand while her other free hand was holding her long gown up so she wouldn't trip.

He almost thought that the woman was crazy. Just then Georgie came running behind the woman as well. She was waving a silver purse while calling out the first woman. The latter stopped on her track and took the purse then repeatedly bowed her head to thanks or to apologize. Then she dashed towards the limo.

"That must be Ms. Green," the driver went out of the car to assist the lady.

"What?!" He looked at the woman again. The driver couldn't be wrong. After all, that was Georgie back there. Kristoff slammed his forehead with his hand. "You're out of your wits, Kristoff. She's a trouble."

Did Adeline really raise this mad woman? She couldn't be her relative. No, surely she got that crazy trait to her father's side.

"I'm really sorry to keep you waiting, Sir." Ely blurted out as soon as she entered the car, sitting beside him.

Kristoff was still pissed when he looked at her. He was about to say something harsh, but he froze as soon as he saw her closely.

'Her eyes!'

"I dozed off and I didn't expect to -" Ely stopped blabbering when she noticed that Kristoff seemed to have seen a ghost while looking at her. "Sir?" She snapped her fingers in front of his face but immediately regretted doing so. The CEO glared at her. "I'm sorry, you seemed to have spaced out-"

"Stop!" He was irritated. He pulled away his gaze. "Let's go." He told the driver.

Ely wanted to slap her face. How dare she say that to Kristoff.

They were quiet for the rest of the short trip but when they arrived in front of a mansion where several luxury cars already filled the parking lot, Kristoff broke the silence.

"I know that you somehow have an idea why I brought you here-" Kristoff shook his head at her clueless face. 'What's this woman's brain made of?' He felt frustrated. He hated to explain himself so he went straight to the point. "The Governor wants me to have a relationship with her daughter. Now, your job is to make everyone think that it's simply not possible. You're my date tonight. Keep everyone at arms length. Understood?"

Kristoff was single, one of the most eligible bachelor in the world. Why would he not want the Governor's daughter or any woman to come to him? Was he gay?

"To make a point, I would have to hold you intimately at some point. But don't get it wrong. It's simply for a show."

Kristoff moved to exit the car first.

'Yeah, so maybe he's gay. That could only be the reason.'

"Hey," she called, feeling the urge to tease the CEO. "Do we need to kiss to stress the point?" Even she herself was shocked, but too late to withdraw the question.

Kristoff stopped and stared back at the woman beside him.

He never thought that Elyana Green would look that stunning after just dressing up. She was undeniably captivating that Kristoff might really need to protect her tonight from the lustful men that for sure would be swarming the party.

Her perfect small face, looked like a doll, her cute nose, lips that seemed to be inviting truble altogether and most of all those pair of innocent big eyes---

'D*mn it.' He cursed in his mind. 'Not now.'

Ely held her breath as Kristoff looked at her with such intense gaze. Did she go too far with that question? Yet the CEO's face turned cold all of a sudden.

"Come on," he said, words laced with sarcasm and a phrase that need not be mentioned, what-do-you-think-am-i-?-i***t? "I'm not into kissing my sister. i****t relationship is not my cup of tea." With that, he went out of the car and circled to open her side of the door, like a gentleman would.

Ely wanted to laugh. 'Well, just let him think of you that way, Elyana. Let him make an i***t out of his proud self.'

Still she wondered how Adeline was able to fool everyone that she was her daughter. Or did they just assume since she was bearing the same family name?

"Nobody knows that I have a sister. They will believe what they're going to see." He whispered and took her hand.

Ely wanted to roll her eyes, but her whole system was suddenly preoccupied by the warm hand that held hers. She felt the familiar heat on her face.

'This is so embarrasing,' she thought. What would Kristoff think if he saw her blushing at such a simple gesture? 'Act like an obedient little sister, Elyana.'

At the entrance, all heads turned to welcome the pair who had just arrived. Ely suddenly froze but Kristoff, sensing her cold feet, smiled warmly at her. He looked like a man in love looking affectionately at his woman. And just like that, Ely relaxed. Kristoff Hansen was beside her, why would she feel ashamed?

'Cut the crap, Elyana!' She thought. 'This is his show!'

"Mr. Hansen!" A man's voice suddenly called out. A tall, undeniably rich and powerful looking man was walking towards them. Behind him were two beautiful elegant women. One looked like the younger version of the other.

No need to guess, the younger woman who was wearing a red dress with a deep v-neck neckline must be the celebrant and the other, her mother.

"Governor Jones," Kristoff replied.

"Oh, no need to be so polite, Mr. Hansen. Call me Steven. This is my wife, Laura and our precious darling, Lily." The man was indeed elated that he probably never noticed Ely. The two women beside him were grinning from ear to ear. "We're so humbled that you accepted our invitation."

"It's my deepest honor that you attended my birthday party, Mr. Hansen," Lily said, fluttering her eyelashes, looking like a mentally ill patient in the process. However, she seemed to think that it was cute.

'You're creeping the CEO out,' Ely thought.

"Well, since I'm here, we might as well talk about business," Kristoff told the Governor, not sparing the lady a glance. He obviously wasn't a sweet talker. He was so cold that the Governor and his family were almost flustered. He was letting them know that it was business why he came. He didn't even introduced Ely who looked lost at all the envious and judgemental looks she was receiving.

"Of course," Steven laughed nervously. "Why don't you eat first? Mr. Hansen must already be hungry at this time."

The young CEO didn't object when they were led to a table. The long table was where the elites of the upper society were seated.

Rich men with their elegant women stood as Kristoff approached the table. The latter simply nodded at everyone. He wasn't even smiling and Ely was already getting impatient. He must had already forgotten about her as well. Not that she wanted to get introduced. She was never the kind who enjoyed being the center of attraction.

However, she found it rude that he didn't make any effort to let the others know who he was with.

Besides, there's only one empty seat left on the table. Obviously, it was for the CEO only. On his left was the celebrant. On the other side was a handsome man who looked like just a few years older than Kristoff.

Where did he plan to have her sit then? Would she just escort him there while she find herself some place to settle afterwards? How dare the host think that he'd come alone.

'Hey, Sir, Mr. Hansen!' Ely was trying to call him out without speaking and looking like an i***t in front of everybody else.

Whatever happened to the show he was trying to pull? At this point, she didn't look like his date, rather, she looked like a lost kitten trying to tail her human. The ladies were already mocking her openly and yet Kristoff seemed oblivious to her predicament.

"Who is she?"

"Mr. Hansen didn't even introduced her."

"She's probably a nobody."

"Why was the CEO holding her hand?"

"Come on, isn't it obvious? She looked lost. Maybe Mr. Hansen was afraid she'd stir up trouble."

Annoyance already got the best out of her before she could stop herself. These people must be kept silent!

Before finally reaching the table, she stopped. Causing the CEO to halt his steps as well. Kristoff looked back with knitted brows.

Ely flustered but quickly recovered. "Honey," She called, smiled and acted all bratty and a spoiled girlfriend. "There's only one seat left, would I sit on your lap?"

Kristoff deeply frowned like asking her silently what the heck was she talking about. She could see a string of unspoken words coming out of his eyes, 'did-i-give-you-permission-to-speak?'

Her smile was already painful when Kristoff didn't seem to understand what she meant. Everyone was looking at them, waiting for the CEO's reply.

When Ely thought that it was hopeless and she just completely made an i***t out of herself, the corner of Kristoff's mouth curled up to a small smile. The coldness on his face became all warm filled with affection as he looked at her with tender eyes.

"Baby, I'm sorry." Kristoff turned to her completely and even caressed her face with the back of his hand, giving her chills for a lifetime.

'Baby??!' Elyana's face turned all red. Where did that come from? Her smile already looked like she was having a stomach ache.

"I was just going to greet these people and then we'll take our leave." He explained softly. His eyes were twinkling with amusement. Show or not, she wasn't sure anymore.

"Why didn't you tell me? I thought -" Kristoff stopped her by putting a finger over her mouth. She knew at this point that she must looked like a red tomato.

Then he leaned closer to whisper to her. "Shut the hell up." He said through gritted teeth.

Ely fumed with anger. Now her redness was due to her wanting to beat the hell out of Kristoff.

However, from everyone's point of view, Kristoff whispered some sweet nothing to her as they both maintained the sweetest smile they could muster. The gesture was enough to make the on lookers think that they're in a romantic relationship.

Pulling away, Kristoff locked gaze with her as he kissed her already balling hand. Although mad, his kiss still had that electrifying effect that traveled to her tiniest of veins. She looked away. Defeated.

'Stop it, Elyana. He thought that you were his sister.'

"My sincerest apologies, Mr. Hansen. Please, don't leave yet. We'll make adjustments to please the young lady." Steven quickly said.

"Please, beautiful lady, you can have my seat," the handsome man beside the empty seat stood up.

Steven was about to say it wasn't necessary. The other man was obviously not an ordinary guess as well. However, he insisted.

Ely thanked the man sincerely. She was ashamed that her little stunt caused a trouble.

"My name is Philip Davis," he introduced himself as a reply to her thanks. "What about you, beautiful lady?"

"El-"

"Call her Ms. Green," Kristoff interrupted, pulling her closer to him in a possessive manner.

Philip was amused but didn't say anything that would offend the CEO of the Hansen Group. He knew better than to mess with him.

"See you around, Ms. Green."

Kristoff sat at Philip's seat instead so it was Ely beside the unhappy celebrant.

At the middle of the party, Mr. Leith and Georgie came to bring the CEO's gift to the celebrant. After a short while, they called it a night.

-

The very next afternoon, they left New York. It was a short time but Kristoff was able to do what he was supposed to do. In the end, the Governor gave up the idea of Kristoff ending up with his daughter.

It was just a wishful thinking that totally shattered when Kristoff brought Elyana to the party.