The Billionaire's Perfect Match

Chapter 2:

The most realistic possibility was that she was dreaming, dreaming an unreal dream. Ricard was always polite and courteous, never one to pretend not to see her.

She quickly pinched herself hard twice, the pain twisting her mouth, and realized it was all real. If not a dream, then maybe Ricard’s doppelganger.

Charlotte pulled Emily forcefully and scolded in a low voice: “Emily, what’s going on? What are you doing?”

Emily, as if waking from a dream, felt a bit angry at herself for losing focus.

Charlotte whispered again: “Hurry and follow.”

Emily nodded, quickly following behind the new CEO, hiding her personal emotions and using her professional demeanor to face the boss, who looked like her husband.

Charlotte walked quickly to catch up with the CEO’s group, opening the door to the reception room for them: “Welcome, major shareholders, and the new CEO!” As Charlotte’s powerful voice rang out, the entire hall erupted in applause, everyone straining to look towards the entrance, waiting for the mysterious boss to appear.

Emily quietly took a deep breath, following closely behind the boss. After he sat down, she swiftly handed over the prepared documents. Although she was very professional at work, the revelation that her company’s new CEO was her newlywed husband was too much of a shock. Her hand trembled slightly, causing two documents to fall to the floor.

Just as she was about to bend down to pick them up, Ricard bent down first, picking them up and quietly whispering in her ear: “Wait for me at home tonight.”

If Ricard hadn’t said that, Emily might have forced herself to believe that he and her husband just looked alike. But those words made her mind explode, leaving her bewildered and unsure of what to do.

Fortunately, the reporters didn’t focus on her, giving her some time to adjust her emotions.

While the reporters didn’t pay attention to her, the sharp-eyed Public Relations staff did not miss this detail.

The Public Relations department was well-prepared, other departments cooperated well, and Ricard had enough authority to control the scene, so the press conference ended smoothly.

As soon as the CEO’s group left, Ella immediately squeezed in: “Emily, you ‘accidentally’ dropped the documents and successfully attracted our new CEO’s attention.”

Emily frowned slightly and turned to Charlotte: “Director Smith, the Public Relations matter is settled. I’ll return to the Business Department.”

Watching Emily’s back, Ella stomped her foot angrily: “She ignored me, she dared to ignore me. What makes her so arrogant?”

Charlotte glared at Ella: “Stop causing trouble. If you keep this up, you’ll be the next one to leave. If you have the ability, do your job well. Only if you get to a higher position than her can you be arrogant?”

Ella stared at Emily’s departing figure, gritting her teeth: “Sister, I got it.”

Emily returned to the Business Department, hearing her colleagues discussing the new CEO.

They all talked animatedly, as if they knew the new CEO well.

Lucia Watts, a colleague, quickly approached Emily: “Emily, you’re so lucky, being the first to work beside the CEO.”

Emily gave a faint smile: “It’s all work. Whoever you’re beside, you still have to work. If you think it’s good to work next to the CEO, you can ask the director to send you next time.”

Emma whiffled her hands: “Although our new CEO is incredibly handsome, his gaze and aura are something we small fry don’t dare to approach.”

“Soon, the new CEO will come for inspection. Everyone get back to your positions and work hard,” said Coco Watts, the head of the Business Department, as she entered the office.

The CEO was coming to inspect.

Emily swallowed nervously. Her heart was racing.

Ricard, her newlywed husband, was the new CEO of the company. She still needed time to process this fact and wasn’t ready to face him yet.

While her colleagues returned to their seats, Emily stood frozen in place. Coco looked at her and asked: “Emily, do you have something else?”

“Nothing,” Emily snapped out of it, clenched her hands, and quickly returned to her seat, opening her computer to review client documents.

Shortly after, the elevator dinged, and amidst a crowd of people, Ricard reappeared before Emily. Fortunately, Ricard only greeted the employees, listened to a brief report from Coco, and then left with his entourage.

Once Ricard left, the Business Department buzzed with excitement again. Even the usually composed Coco couldn’t help but join in the discussion. The topic did not differ from before—whether the incredibly handsome new CEO was married.

Emily listened to the discussion without saying a word, thinking to herself that if these people found out that the wife’s name on the CEO’s marriage certificate was hers, they might skin her alive.

Emily’s stressful and uneasy workday finally ended. Once her colleagues departed, she packed up and left. Work ended, yet she remained unsure about facing Ricard later. She even wondered if she should go back to the “home” she shared with Ricard.

Leaving the company, Emily habitually turned right towards the B gate of the Science and Technology Park subway station. She had walked a bit before she remembered she was now living with her newlywed husband.

Ricard’s house was near to the Science and Technology Park, just three bus stops away, or about a half-hour walk. Emily checked her watch—it was just after five. Since she hadn’t figured out how to face Ricard yet, she walked home, taking the time to consider about their situation.

When she arrived near the apartment complex, Emily stopped by the nearby fresh food supermarket to buy some vegetables and meat. No matter what big issues there were, filling her stomach was the top priority. She didn’t know what Ricard liked to eat and took out her phone to call and ask, but then she worried it might not be convenient for him to answer, so she put the phone away.

After choosing the cooking ingredients, Emily carried her purchases home. As she approached the elevator, she saw a figure that was both unfamiliar and familiar. He stood facing the elevator door, his posture upright, and the light gray suit he wore was very refined.

Emily still couldn’t understand how such an outstanding man, who was even the CEO of a major company, could go on a blind date and choose someone as ordinary as her.

“You’re back,” Emily said as she approached, trying to greet him as normally as possible.

“Yes,” Ricard replied, turning to look at her, his expression unchanged.

Emily responded with a weak smile and stood beside him. She glanced at him, noticing something seemed different about him today, but she couldn’t pinpoint what. She quietly glanced again and realized he was wearing a pair of metal-framed glasses today, which made him look even more composed and understated. Emily sighed inwardly. The man was usually quiet, especially during their second meeting. Even if she wanted to close the gap between them, she didn’t know how.

Now, knowing his awe-inspiring identity, she was even more at a loss about how to approach him.

As she was lost in thought, Ricard suddenly reached out towards her. Instinctively, Emily took a small step back, increasing the distance between them. “Give me the bag,” he said calmly, not annoyed by her reaction, and naturally took the bag from her hand.

Emily felt her face heat, realizing she had been overthinking. He only wanted to help carry the bag. She looked down at Ricard’s firm hand, carrying the large bag effortlessly, and felt a sudden warmth in her heart. Despite the lack of love and his CEO status, she believed their marriage could succeed if they both worked on it.

They entered the elevator in silence. When they got home, Ricard put the groceries in the kitchen and casually said, “I’m not good at cooking. I’ll leave it to you tonight.”

“Just go about your work. I’ll handle the cooking,” Emily said as she put away her handbag and took off her coat, putting on an apron.

“Thank you,” he replied blandly.

“You’re being too polite,” Emily forced a smile, feeling a bit awkward. They were married, but lived like strangers. She thought a wife cooking for her husband was natural, but his polite attitude made it feel like they were even more distant. Emily believed that even if their marriage lacked love, they shouldn’t live as strangers.

She stopped thinking about it and turned to the kitchen, efficiently preparing rice and organizing the ingredients.

After a while, she noticed Ricard’s tall figure standing at the kitchen door. With a turn of her head, she inquired, “Is there something you need?”

“Let me know if you need any help,” Ricard stood there, his tone still calm, but with a hint of awkwardness.

“Just wait a moment, I’m almost done,” Emily glanced at the clock in the living room. It was already half-past seven; he must be hungry. She thought she should come straight home after work tomorrow to cook earlier so he could eat as soon as he got home. No matter Ricard’s status, she had chosen this marriage herself and wanted to do her best.