The CEO's Naughty Curvy Girl

Surprises...

POV Carlton Pritzker’s (Kais’s Father)

Walking has become painful. Walking—something that used to be routine, something that used to make me happy—has become nothing more than a fragment of the man I once was.

Cancer has weakened every fiber of my being. And more than that… more than the disease itself, it’s the burden of having to carry it alone.

I haven't been able to tell my family. Not for a moment. I am their pillar; that’s how it’s always been—the strong father and husband they’ve always admired.

I know everything that happens at home, even when I’m not there… but none of them know what’s happening to me.

"What’s wrong with you today, Carlton?" Kristen, my wife, asks me with a biting tone. "You’re acting like an old man."

My thoughts freeze. It’s the first time Kristen has ever treated me that way. We are just walking together to the parking lot of one of my hotels; it’s time to go home.

"Don't ever say that to me again, Kristen. Watch your words," I add sternly.

"I don't know what you were thinking, promising Kais to Elton McMillan. Have you gone mad? Do you really think a man that important and handsome is going to agree to marry someone as dull and stupid as Kais?" Kristen interrogates me, her tone mocking.

"Elton is an exceptional young man, and he has my full confidence. I know he and Kais will be very happy. I don't want you interfering, or we’re going to have serious problems."

Kristen laughs as the driver turns toward our house. She has always looked down on Kais, always treated her with contempt, as if she didn't love her...

I know Kais can be difficult at times—the manners she’s adopted, the way she eats, the way she dresses. But Kais has a unique personality; she is noble, empathetic, and natural.

Kais doesn't go around with lip fillers or her breasts pushed up to her neck. Kais is simple in her ways, active in social work. She’s good with numbers and has great projects, but she isn't aware of it. Kais always prefers the shadows because every time she’s been given the spotlight, she has experienced pain.

Whereas Elton… that boy needs Kais's warmth to clear his head. I know my daughter will melt that armor of a ruthless man he’s tried to project to society after everything he’s had to live through since he was a child. I know Kais will be the woman who makes Elton want a family, and in turn, I know Elton will protect the life Kais will have to face when I am no longer in this world. The secrets that have had to be kept for the good of the family.

I have put a lot of trust in Elton and have looked out for him as much as I could; I know he will repay that by taking care of my girl.

...

When we get home, my eldest daughter, Kristina, is sitting in the main living room, her face a mask of anger. Beside her, her husband doesn't seem to be having a good day either.

"Dad, I cannot accept Kais marrying a man more important than the one you married me off to. Everyone on social media is talking about Kais getting married; I can't accept this," Kristina demands in a defiant tone. Kristina is just as capricious as her mother. She graduated with honors from university and has never once practiced her profession, having dedicated herself to creating content on social media; she has over ten million followers on i********:.

"Kristina, honey, you have to respect my decisions. You have a good man by your side," I murmur kindly, patting my son-in-law on the shoulder.

"But Dad… he hasn't even been able to give me a child… mommy bloggers are the big thing right now," Kristina complains, making her husband let out a long sigh.

"I will not accept a single opinion regarding Kais and Elton's marriage. It is a fact, and it is happening very soon. I want to see Kais married to Elton McMillan in a month," I state, walking toward my bedroom. I am far too tired.

Kristina stays there huffing, and I don't care. She’ll get over it.

Zoe, my son, is working on a scale model. He pays no attention to my presence; he’s the only one who hasn't complained about Kais’s engagement. He is very immersed in his personal projects, as he should be…

Upon entering my room, I take a call from my doctor.

"Mr. Pritzker, the results were not good. The most sensible thing is for you to undergo chemotherapy. You cannot continue like this..." he blurts out without even a greeting.

"I have already decided that I don't want to undergo any invasive treatment. Whatever time I have left is to set my family in order. I know I’m not well; the pain in my bones is becoming unbearable," I say, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"But Mr. Pritzker… chemotherapy would prolong your life… it’s for the best… Mr. McMillan had already mentioned your refusal of treatment, and I tried to persuade him, but it seems he shares your philosophy."

"That’s right. Mr. McMillan is aware of what I want. I don’t want to spend the time I have left in a lethargy caused by chemo. I know I’m terminal," I murmur in a low voice. It has cost me a lot to process, but I have decided. I don’t intend to back down.

"I’m very sorry, Mr. Pritzker. I hope you do change your mind."

I say goodbye and hang up. I take the cocktail of pills I’m supposed to take just to stay on my feet.

I decide I won’t be having lunch at home. However, I’ve noticed Kais hasn't returned, which I take as a good omen. I know I made the right choice by engaging her to Elton… I would have wanted Kais to choose her own destiny, but with death lurking, I couldn't afford it.

My wife would never have allowed Kais to take any part of the inheritance, and Kais is far too proud to have stayed in this house without my protection. My will dictates what is fair for everyone, but it also stipulates that they must be married for at least three years to receive their share. Everyone is aware of this, but none of them expect me to die soon, so neither Zoe nor Kais have given it much thought.

Zoe is my only son; I know that despite being quiet, he’ll know how to fight for what belongs to him. Despite everything, he has inherited our mettle. But Kais is too noble and, at the same time, stubborn; I know she won't fight for money.

"Do you want me to take you to the hotel?" Jules, my driver, asks me.

"No. Take me to the company offices, please. I have something to put in order," I say, feeling the hair on my skin stand up.

Jules drives in silence. Today isn't a day I feel like talking, and my aura shows it.

When we arrive, I get out of the car and ask Sebastian not to escort me.

I greet all the employees by name. This company is my first true achievement; I know almost everyone, and they are fond of me.

I stop in front of the CEO's office.

"Marcel?"

She opens the door the moment she sees me.

"Hello, dear," Marcel greets me. The woman I love. The woman I’ve had an extramarital relationship with for fourteen years.

"Hello, honey. I’ve come for the updates. How are our little ones?" I ask, giving her a soft kiss on the lips.

"Carlton, I’ve seen Kais’s engagement in every media outlet. She doesn't look comfortable at all… Also… I wanted to ask… Mr. McMillan said that Kais is going to take my position at the company as soon as his son gets married—that Elton told him so. Is this true? Why hadn't you told me?" Marcel blurted out, and I can hear the discomfort in her voice.

It pleases me to hear that Elton told his father he wants Kais to be the CEO of one of my most important companies, even though it has nothing to do with the hotel industry, which is where we are most recognized and where we get our greatest income. It’s a good start. I feel proud.

"Darling, I want us to move in together after Kais’s wedding," I say, and I feel my lungs tighten as I realize what I’m saying.

"Are you crazy, Carlton? You have Kristen, and your whole family… you would never live with someone like me…" Marcel says, confused.

"You aren't that same young girl anymore; you are an important CEO, Marcel. You’ve educated yourself; you’ve earned this position through every lesson and every effort. And you’ve earned my love with every one of your gestures. You gave me two beautiful children. I want to be happy. I feel like Kais’s marriage was the last duty I had left to the family."

You decide to be honest when your life expectancy is less than a year. I love Marcel.

Just as Marcel makes a move to respond, I silence her with a kiss. I wind her long, thick black hair around my hand while my other hand rests on her hip. I can feel the heat radiating from her skin, the scent of sensuality, and in turn, Marcel’s increasingly heavy breathing—suggestive and sexy as always.

My personal phone makes a loud noise, preventing me from using what little strength I have left to enjoy my girl.

I look at the screen: Freddy Cargill.

"Mr. Carlton, I’d like to have a meeting with you," the likable Freddy greets me. He’s a funny, kind man, as well as the son of a great businessman in Manhattan.

"My schedule is full these days. Why do you want to see me? I thought I saw you accompanying Elton at the engagement today," I say while Marcel strokes my neck.

"I’ll get straight to the point. I’d like to court Kais. I have sincere intentions. And if it’s a matter of money, I am willing to put up whatever shares you want from my side of the company just to be allowed to get to know your daughter. Kais captivated me