A Mistaken Night With The CEO

"Miranda, get the drinks from the fridge," Lady Loretta said. She was the matriarch of the house, and it was her only son's birthday. "Okay, Ma," Miranda answered. As a young lady in her early twenties, she wore a pink dress and black slippers. It was after 5 in the evening, and they were preparing a birthday party for Derrick Luis, the only son in the wealthy Luis family—which already had seven grown daughters. Many guests were already present in the Luis family mansion. Among them were top admirers, business partners and their family members, and relatives, but the birthday celebrant wasn't at home. At the Luis Group—a luxurious five-story building—Derrick was still in his office on the top floor when his mobile rang loudly, breaking the awkward silence. "Hello, Mother," he answered. His mother said to him, "Derrick, you know that today is your birthday. So where are you?" Looking at his wristwatch, Derrick observed it was already 6 p.m. He replied, "At the office, Mother." "Come home, Son. It's your birthday, and we've done a lot to make today a special moment marking your 25th year." "Hmm, I am not interested in birthday parties, Mother. Why can't you understand my perspective?" Derrick murmured. His mother was already aged, so he couldn't blame her. "I understand. Please, come home quickly before the guests start leaving. If I had known you would stubbornly stay at the office until this time, I shouldn't have allowed you to go in today, knowing it was your birthday." "Mom, I cannot set work aside for a party. Who will look after Dad's company?" Derrick muttered again. His mother responded sadly, "You are right, but during your father's prime, he didn't skip coming home for work. He attended parties—or where do you think I met him?" Derrick rolled his eyes at his mother's words. "Fine, Mother. I will be home now." He said, and the phone call ended. "Running a multimillion-dollar empire at this age, and my mother still wants me to prioritize a party over work. Tch." Derrick mused. He stood up from his exclusive office chair, shut down his computer, grabbed his briefcase, and elegantly left the office. Arriving home in a brand-new Prado Jeep, Derrick Luis got out of the vehicle and made his way to his family's mansion. He could hear the sound of music and frowned after seeing many guests' cars parked inside his late father's estate. Marching forward, Derrick arrived at the mansion's exterior. He rang the doorbell, and the maid pulled the door open for him. "Welcome, Master Derrick," the maid greeted. Derrick ignored the maid's greeting and was ushered by his mother, who was in the living room with a lot of guests. "Welcome, son. Happy 25th birthday to you." "Happy birthday, Master Derrick!" All the guests in the living room toasted the new age of the young master. "Thank you all," Derrick replied and wanted to retire to his bedroom to rest, but his mother stopped him. "Derrick, it's still your birthday. Come cut your cake and make a wish." Pausing at the staircase, Derrick looked back at all the faces of the guests: his seven elder sisters, who were all married with kids; his nephews and nieces. Derrick wanted to protest again that he was not a kid and didn't want a birthday party. However, he gulped down his protest as silence fell in the crowded living room. Approaching his cake, which was placed in the center of the living room, Derrick cut it, and the guests beamed, clapping for him. "Happy birthday, brother," his sisters cheered, and he replied, "Thank you all." "That's not all, Derrick. Make a wish," his mother urged him again. "Oh, Mother, I am not a kid," Derrick finally protested, but his mother walked up to meet him as they all stood in the living room. "No one said you're a kid, but you're still my baby, so make a wish," his mother pleaded with an assuring smile. Not wanting to make his mother sad, Derrick wished for a long life, a happy family, and a prosperous business. "Happy birthday to you again, Master Derrick. We wish you all the best," the guests said. They were happy, and the toast continued as the guests resumed drinking and chatting happily. ----- Derrick excused himself from the living room and went up to his bedroom on the top floor of the mansion. Meanwhile, among the maids, Miranda had a crush on the master of the house. She was not the only one crushing on Derrick, but she couldn't keep her eyes away from him. She openly gawked at his handsomeness. "Too handsome for one person," Miranda thought. She had observed Derrick; he seemed very hardworking. He didn't have time for women and mostly focused on his business alone. Derrick didn't even have a girlfriend, and Miranda was dripping wet at her core, hoping Derrick would notice her. She was a poor girl who had come from the orphanage. After five years of serving the Luis' mansion as a maid, Miranda wanted a lavish life. She didn't want to return to poverty. In the Luis family mansion, maids were expected to dress in cheap wear. There was no competition, as all the daughters of the Luis family were married—including Derrick's immediate elder sister, Nicole Luis. "Come on, Alexa. I want to introduce you to my brother. I fear he might be gay. Why won't he have a girlfriend at this age? Don't you find it weird?" Nicole spoke to Alexa as she brought her along to her brother's birthday party. Alexa worked as a secretary in the Luis Group, a multimillion-dollar firm. She would admit that she hadn't seen any young lady come to the office to visit Derrick. "I don't think he's gay. Master Derrick is just too busy to notice any woman," Alexa replied. She wore a red, seductive dress. She had arrived at the Luis mansion just after Derrick left the company. Alexa Godwin was also interested in Derrick Luis. She wanted him, as she was just 22 years old. She knew that having Derrick as her husband in the future meant she wouldn't need to work much or suffer to get by—his wealth was enough to cover all her lifetime expenditures. "Alexa, what do you think of Derrick? Do you not have a crush on my brother? If my sisters hadn't spoken to me about introducing you to Derrick to work as his new secretary after my leave, do you think I only accepted you based on friendship alone? Come now." Nicole grabbed Alexa's hand and led her to the top floor, where there were no guests. Alexa was nervous. For a year, she had been working as Derrick's personal secretary based on Nicole's influence. She hadn't crossed the line or tried to get Derrick's attention. He was aloof, and she feared what he would do to her if she dared to cross his boundary.