The CEO's Fake Wife

Love Rival

"Who is the woman he got married to?" A woman in a short black gown, with bold, glamorous make-up inquired from Lyla. Unlike her, Lyla's eyes were red and her face was bare of any makeup.

"Mother didn't mention her much, no matter how many times I asked, she refused to say anything in regards to my sister in-law." Lyla openly rolled her eyes and sneered in displeasure.

"What sister in law?"

"What's wrong Astrid? Are you jealous?" Lyla stood up and circled around Astrid who was tapping her heels impatiently on the ground. "I'm curious to know something, I thought you and my brother were going to end up as a couple, how come a strange woman suddenly beats you at your game, and captures my brother's heart." Lyla couldn't help but mock her friend, not even concealing it in the slightest

"How am I supposed to know? I've been so busy at the agency and I hardly had any time to catch up with him." Astrid was wearing a frown on her face, her mind raking ideas on what to do next.

Astrid was a model, but she was also Lyla's best friend. She had gotten close to Lyla only because she had a huge crush on Kaius and the family had a prominent status in the society.

Lucretia family.

The name was widely known across the country and on most families' lips. They were the role models for the upper class in the society who aimed to partner with them. They owned a conglomerate which was involved in various sectors in the country and it is widely claimed that the heir of the conglomerate was an eye candy for every woman.

Kaius Lucretia

The heir of the Lucretia conglomerate!

The benefits that came with being his wife was very tempting.

Astrid had done her very best to seduce him but he was not moved by her charms, instead he kept her at arms length but this was something she would never reveal to anyone.

"Isn't it obvious yet?" Lyla grew bored of messing with her and chose to sit once again.

"What are you talking about?"

"There are two reasons why my brother would secretly get married. It's either because he wanted to make you jealous…but that is too extreme for a punishment," Lyla giggled. "Or, he really fell in love with this woman. If this is so, you have to admit that you've lost."

"No way. I'm sure that he just wanted to make me jealous because I missed our date and chose to attend the fashion show in Paris."

Lyla stared at her for a while before shrugging with indifference, she didn't exactly support her brother getting together with her best friend but who was she to stand in the way of two love birds. The only person that gave her a lot of concern was her twin brother Asher.

'It was probably a conspiracy, I hope Asher had no hand in it." Lyla thought inwardly, being his twin sister, she was well aware of Asher's ambition and his rivalry with Kaius was well known within the family.

"What kind of woman is she?" After a moment of silence, Astrid inquired.

"To be able to charm my brother, I suspect that she must be an extraordinary woman." At this moment, Lyla noticed her mother coming down the spiral staircase which was in the center of the living room.

Melanie had shut herself in her room for days, refusing to speak to anyone or meet anyone except Gina who was like her caretaker but at that moment, she looked elegant with her custom made gown, heels and hat-veil, she even wore a little bit of light make-up.

As she walked past the two women who were staring at her, a frown appeared on her face as Astrid fell on her line of sight. Ignoring Astrid, she addressed her daughter. "Lyla rein yourself, we have an important guest coming in soon."

"Who?" Lyla was curious.

"My daughter in law. I plan to receive her." Her statement stunned both Lyla and Astrid, a malevolent expression appeared on Astrid's face as she lost control of her emotion. "Why is that woman here?! Doesn't she have any respect for herself?"

Melanie stopped walking midway, there was no change in her expression as she turned around but her eyes were frigid. "That woman you speak of, is Kiaus wife and my daughter in law. I invited her to his memorial and I think we are well aware of the outsider here. So I would advise you compose yourself, instead of being the ill mannered lady who comes to a family who is mourning while wearing flashy clothes and eye-catching makeup. Do any of us look like we're in the mood for celebration?"

Every word was like a needle stabbing into Astrid's heart. "Aunt?" She softly called out but was silenced immediately by Melanie's hand gesture.

***

A man crossed his legs and leaned back on a chair, the phone on the desk fell on his line of sight, he grabbed it and started to go through some of the contents on it. The picture of a woman appeared on the screen, he smiled as he gazed at it. "It won't be long before you are by my side." He kissed the screen and a very malicious expression appeared on his face.

Scattered around the room were different pictures of the woman, most of them taken without her being aware. Each picture was of her with a different expression on her face and the expression on his face when he looked at her pictures was that of obsession.

He felt that the world was too tainted for a pure woman like her, she was supposed to be kept safe and protected from the cruelty of the world. He was willing to make her understand that the safest place in the world was by his side.

He stared at a picture as various images and scenarios took place in his mind, he had already pictured their wedding and them living a happy life together while the woman in question was living her life completely unaware of the man who was pinning for her and this certain person was making plans to snatch her out of her perfect life. "I would be your safe haven." He whispered.