Claimed By The Ruthless CEO.

Chapter 6: Forgot your own wedding.

“No one is coming to save you, save yourself—Alex Aubry”

THEODORE

Sitting in my office which seemed large enough to fit about two hundred people, I couldn't help but think about my life, my world and how miserable it gets with each passing day. Reminds me of the ocean depth which light can't seem to penetrate. My heart froze when my mother looked me in the eye and said, “I hate you”

Damn, I was only six years, still trying to pick up my life, but she was brutal with her words throughout my teenage years. My gaze shifted, landing on the lone painting hung on the wall. A broken figure on the rock, head low, shoulders drooped and hidden features. I fell in love with the painting at first sight; at least, we shared something in common.

A knock on the door jolted me back to reality. “Come in.” I leaned back in my chair, crossing my long legs with my fingers on my thigh. The doorknob turned, followed by the soft sounds of heels striking the tiles. Click, click, click, the soft sound aggravated my nerves, but my assistant, Jane, seemed unaware of what it was doing to me.

“Mr Wills” her voice came out breathless, as her eyes darted around the office, looking everywhere but at me. It was always like this, my employees preferred staring at my office than looking into my eyes.

“Mr Wills, you forgot about your wedding and left your wife at the altar.” I heard her say, and a soft chuckle escaped my lips. Forget? It was a deliberate act. I chose not to attend the wedding, my wedding.

My life, my rules.

Apart from the fact that my whole family hates me, I was also forced to get married for the sake of a business proposal. My elder brother, Ethan, should have married her for the good of the company, but I was chosen instead. Since they wanted a bride, they might as well take care of her.

“Do you think I care?” my voice came out hard, cold, and my assistant trembled as heat crept up her cheeks, “ But Mr. Wills…”

I've had enough of being treated as a side dish. A part of me was curious about the bride, the daughter of Robert Wayne, and a part of me seems quite uninterested. Women bored me, s*x was just a part of me; something I did for fun, but most times, It's just the cold thrusts and slapping of the skin. In the end, all I feel is disgust towards the opposite gender.

However, the last woman I got involved with still messed with my brain till this moment. A few hours ago, I found out she wasn't the same girl I had booked for, perhaps she was a stray cat who had nowhere to go and I felt quite guilty for taking advantage of her. She didn't make a single sound, but she still haunted me with her mouth watering scent and supple skin.

“Get me a glass of coffee, Jane.” My hands found their way to the first file on my desk. It was past lunch, but the softness of her body was the only thing I could think of. I shook my head and flipped through the pages, “Hurry. I'll be leaving early today.”

Jane, my assistant, nodded her head before turning to leave. As she walked towards the door, her stilettos made the same sound, and damn, I couldn't take it in anymore. Slowly, I tapped my fingers on the desk and she halted, turning her body to face me. There was a complicated expression on her face, something that tells me she knows she did something wrong.

“Can't you wear flats?”

Jane blinked her lashes bashfully as a red tint slowly colored her cheeks. She tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ears and placed her hands over her mouth, “I apologize, Mr. Wells, for the noise. I'll be careful next time.” she walked towards the door, this time, the noise didn't echo through the walls of my office.

Few minutes later, Jane returned with my freshly brewed coffee, just the way I liked it. Rather than speeding with my work, I took my time and sorted out almost all the files before retiring from work.

The sun had gone into hiding and dark clouds covered the sky like a thick blanket. I placed my hands on the French windows, checking out the perfect view of the city from the 21st floor. Blinding lights filled the whole streets, they looked like stars dancing in the sky.

As I strode out of my office, a few of my employees bowed their heads and I nodded, acknowledging their greeting. A few seconds later, I walked towards the parking lot and hopped into my car.

The drive home was slow, quiet and peaceful, just the way I liked it. Most people liked turning up the radio to listen to soft songs which could soothe their heart, but my bleeding heart couldn't be healed by mere songs. What I crave is way more than that, maybe warmth from my own mother?

Maybe

Just maybe it would heal me.

Upon reaching the Wills household, the first thing that came to my mind was the lady forced on me. Curious,I alighted from my car and walked straight in, ignoring the maids walking around.

Home, so they would call it, but it was filled with bitter memories rather than sweet ones. Spending a single night here would terrorize me for sure.

“Welcome back, Mr Wills.” The butler, Bernard, bowed as soon as he saw me, but I simply walked past him, not in the mood for any conversation. It was all fake. I knew the kind of words they said behind my back. If words could kill, I would have been dead several years ago; I wouldn't even survive my teenage years.

Sighting the whole family seated at the table, my hands curled into fists. Soft chuckles filled the whole room, but I knew my place. I was never welcomed here. Sometimes, It becomes unbearable; so unbearable that I become vulnerable, but if there was one thing I learnt through these years, It was never to show my weakness to anyone.

“Theodore, you bastard!” My mother, Patricia, slammed her fists on the table as soon as she saw me, hatred oozing from eyes. I disgust her. I could see it. My heart pounded in my ears as I dug my nails into my skin, “Where's she?” I demanded, my voice loud, commanding, with no sign of weakness.

“You skipped your own wedding! Do you know the gravity of what you've done? Why can't you be like your elder brother, Ethan?”

A chuckle escaped my lips, a cold, mirthless one. Was it ever enough? I tried my best to be a bright child, just to make her read bedtime stories for me too, but she would rather die than cherish me.

At the same time, a young lady walked out of the kitchen with a serving tray. Her skin was slightly pale, but it didn't leave out her beauty.

The freckles on her skin gave her an heavenly appearance, and her hazel eyes seemed to convey their own words merely by looking at them. I lowered my gaze, taken aback by the ridiculous white gown she was putting on and it took me a few seconds to realize she is the one, my bride, and why was she serving my family?