THE CEO'S BRIDE

"Here is your iced tea, ma'am" said the young woman. "Oh thank you dear. You always make sure to serve me and with a smile, its one of the reasons I keep coming here." "Well thank you ma'am, I always aim to please. Enjoy your drink." As the young woman turned to leave, the older woman stopped her. "Ella?" "Yes ma'am" "Are you...married...or involved with anyone?" "No ma'am" "Ah. Thank goodness. Please this is my phone number, please call and visit on your day off" "Well..." the girl hesitated, "...alright ma'am" "Oh thank you. You won't regret it. Bye!" "Bye ma'am" She went inside the kitchen, "Your lady customer, Ella?" "Yeah, she would like me to visit her on my day off." "Then do so, it won't hurt, she is very nice." "Yes, I think so too." "Ella, your other customer is here and he says he won't leave until you serve him" Ella's face lit in delight, "I'll be right there" "Hello, Mr. Simon." "Ah. Ella my girl, how are you?" "I'm great and you?" "Oh I'm good" "Your usual?" "Yes please" "I'll be right back". She came back with a creamy cup of coffee and a plate of bacon and eggs. "Here you go sir." "Thank you" he suddenly cleared his throat, "Um..Ella, by any chance are you in a relationship?". She frowned slightly, second time she was asked that question today. "No sir, I'm single." "Yes! Ahem! Here is my number. Please call me and visit okay, I'll send you directions." She couldn't refuse his pleading face, "Alright Mr Simon, I'll make sure to do that." "Thank you my dear." ************************************ "I hope this is the place. Am I sure this is the place?" Ella asked herself, very confused. "This house is way too big, but Mrs. Samantha said this is the address. Maybe she works here." She rang the intercom, "Who is it?" "Um...its...I mean, I came to see Mrs Samantha?" There was silence for a while, she held her breath, "You can come in." The gate opened, she walked in timidly, clutching her bag as she stared with wide eyes and open mouth. The place was too beautiful, it almost looked like heaven. "She has to be working here" she whispered to herself. "Miss Ella Parker?" "Yes!" She hurriedly answered an elderly man dressed as a butler. "This way please." Silently, she followed him up a barrage of stairs, passing at least two sitting rooms, voices reached her ears when they reached the third sitting room. "I am telling you, I have found the right one" a woman spoke. "No dear, I have found the right one and she is an angel, a delight. Just what our son needs " a man countered. "Same with the girl I found, she's an angel, just what our son needs." "Mine is better and she is coming tomorrow". "No, mine is better and she is coming today!" "Ahem!" The butler cleared his throat, "Ma'am, Sir, your guest awaits you." Ella stood in shock at the both of them. "Ella!" "Welcome!" The man and woman stopped short and stared at each other, their eyes round as the wheels turned in their heads. "Is she...?" Simon nodded, "She is" They both turned to her, she smiled uneasily. "Um...hi" In seconds, they burst into grins and rushed to her, pulling her into their arms. "I told you mine was better" Samantha boasted. "So did I" Simon smiled, "Come sit down my dear" They both led her to a fluffy couch, each of them flanked her at both sides, she looked from one person to another. "Umm, Mrs. Samantha? Mr. Simon?" "Yes?" They both answered. "Do you two work here or..." she let the question hang. Samantha grinned, "Silly girl. We don't work here. This is our house and Simon is my husband." Her eyes popped round, "This...this is your house and you guys are married? But you didn't look..." "I know we don't always look the part, its a game Samantha and I like to play and you won" Simon told her. "Okay...so...what would you like me to do?" Immediately, their expressions turned somber and serious. "We want you to marry our son." Samantha spoke, Simon nodded. "Yes, Ella, and you are the only one we can say is perfect for him." "So what do you say, will you do it.?" **************************************** She said she would think about it, this wasn't something she could decide just like that. She got home quickly and opened the door. "You are finally here, hurry and make dinner, I'm starving" "Yes Mom" "Ouch!" Something hard hit her on the head. "Don't call me mom. How many times do I have to say it?" The middle aged woman screamed from the sofa, her brown, shoulder length hair was ruffled and empty bottles surrounded her. "I'm sorry ma'am." "Hurry, at least be useful for once in your pathetic life" She hurried to the kitchen, there was enough to make macaroni and cheese, she got to work immediately and was done within minutes. "Here is your dinner, ma'am" "Get out of here" Mary snapped without glancing at her. Ella quickly and quietly left for her room, she stopped short. "What are you doing in my room again, Nadine?" "Getting some money, you hardly have anything" Nadine answered casually without looking at her as she rummaged through Ella's stuff, in her hand were some bills. Ella stared at them in despair. "Please, that money is all I have left, I gave everything to you and mom." Nadine stopped and turned to her, her black eyes turned down at her. "Are you saying mom and I are responsible for you being broke? Look here, you should be grateful we are letting you stay in this house for free. This...", she waved the money "...is only a little". Then she left. Ella bit her lips as tears fell down her cheeks, a thoughtful expression crossed her face, she rummaged through her bag searching for something. She rais ed her head, her eyes stark wide and her complexion pale. "The phone numbers, I lost them"