Secret Wife Of The Arrogant Tycoon

The Devil Himself

I had insulted my boss's brother by recommending a urologist for his "erection problems" (which he clearly didn't have because I was starting to remember that very well that night) and now he was standing right in front of me. I had to add to the list that I had just called him an i***t for a reason unrelated to the bedroom.

And I knew that if I kept opening my mouth, I would definitely end up making things even worse. Deep down, I wondered if the memory-erasing flash that Will Smith uses in Men in Black to create amnesia in people could be found on sss.

The only thing that went through my mind was that the precious job I had, for which I had fought and worked my fingers to the bone to earn bonuses so I could pay part of the rent and another part of my brother's hospital expenses, was vanishing right before my eyes.

The accounts of my debts were growing larger before my eyes, and hunger was looming over me like an icy breath that gives you goosebumps, and not in a good way.

It was a fact that Carlton would end up firing me for having insulted his brother.

"Oh, Zoe, on top of everything, you hooked up with him during a drunken night at the wrong party and insulted his manhood the next day."

"Well, you should have told me before I called you an i***t. By the way," he tensed his jaw, "I had messed up again."

"Oh, so is it my fault that you call me an i***t just because I didn't tell a supposed stranger that I'm her boss's brother?" He raised an eyebrow. He crossed his arms, and that was bad. Ugh, I felt like a scolded dog. I swear I'm not a bad person, but sleeping with this man hadn't been a good idea.

"I'm worried about my boss, his wife is traveling, and I didn't know he had a brother until he confessed it to me while half-doped on so many painkillers and an IV that was preparing him to receive anesthesia and then have surgery on his leg." I cleared my throat, clutching Carlton's belongings bag as if it contained my early resignation.

My point is that when I got nervous, I ended up doing stupid things, just like at that moment.

"Is this how you treat clients and your superiors? What a jerk."

"No. But you should have told me before that you were the brother. That way, uh... I would have limited myself to being cordial, of course," My lips twitched into a nervous smile.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Cordial? Is that what you call recommending a urologist now?"

It was something I wasn't going to get over, and neither was he.

"I, well, I always think about people's health," I replied with a false seriousness that crumbled as soon as it left my mouth. "And now that I remember, you're married. How do you expect me to be cordial if you're such a liar?"

"Married?"

The man looked at me as if he were enjoying a private joke only he got. I, on the other hand, could only feel how each word buried me further.

"Besides, I don't usually insult my boss's relatives. It was a slip, a human error. Anyone could make it. Although I'll tell you that I'm a lost soul," I swallowed. "The truth is, I'm a very respectful person."

"Sure. It shows." His low voice was as dangerous as that contained smile that refused to come out. And so full of sarcasm. "I think you're Satan's own, and you're very lost."

By then, I had forgotten that we were in the hospital, and that my priority was to deliver Carlton's things to his brother.

I handed him the bag with my boss's belongings, trying not to brush his fingers, but I failed. As soon as I felt his touch, a strange sensation invaded me, like an internal earthquake that made me stop breathing for a second. His hands caught the bag at the same time as mine, and for a moment it seemed to me that that i***t brother froze for a moment.

I let go immediately, pretending to be dignified.

"Anyway, here are your brother's things. I've done my duty, so I'm leaving."

He took a step toward me, enough to make my heart race, though he maintained the same businessman's facade.

"So soon. And I was thinking of thanking you."

"It's not necessary," I waved my hand, as if I had more confidence than I really felt. "I don't need, nor do I want any kind of thanks from you. Besides, it's not like we'll see each other again."

My words stumbled over each other. I glanced down the hallway, searching for a way out.

"The important thing here is Carlton. Yes, that. And you, I mean to say, you should stay with your brother."

The man tilted his head, studying me as if he enjoyed every one of my blunders.

"Don't worry. I'll stay."

He didn't give me anything more. Not a reproach, nor a sarcastic comment, and that puzzled me more than any insult.

I left him there, with the bag in his hands, walking toward the exit as if I were holding my head high, when in reality all I wanted was for the ground to swallow me up once and for all.

***

I was heading home, but the sensation of the warmth of his fingers lingered on my skin. I didn't understand how I held onto that feeling for someone I wouldn't see again.

He's my boss's brother! And a man I would never see again!

I went home on the bus. Luckily, it was empty at that time, and all I could think about was the fateful encounter I had with the stranger who had knocked me down on the wedding night.

I ran my fingers through my hair out of frustration.

"Zoe, you'd better prepare your CV and wait for Carlton's call to tell you that you're fired."

I kept lamenting in my misery until my phone rang, and I knew it was all over for me. However, seeing my Aunt Mirta's name snapped me out of my trance. For a moment, I thought about not answering, but in the end, I did.

"Zoe? How have you been? I thought you weren't going to answer me."

"Hi, Aunt. I'm fine."

"I'd like to have dinner with you on Friday night. There's something very important I need to talk to you about."

"Aunt, Friday night I don't know if..."

"It's my birthday, Zoe, could you at least be with me that day?"

I felt a knot in my stomach. I didn't want to be ungrateful, after everything she did for me and my brother.

"Okay, Aunt. Where will it be?"

"At eight at Cucine di Dante."

And with that, my aunt ended the call, and I just hoped for it to be a calm dinner. I didn't feel like seeing her. She had a bad temper, and I didn't help much.

***

The next day, I knew it would be a tough day at work, as with Carlton's hospitalization, I had to handle his pending tasks and reschedule all his appointments.

I tried calling him, but it was useless; he wouldn't answer if he was still on medication. Oh dear. I would have to visit him in person.

I prepared a large bag with everything necessary: agendas, a tablet, my laptop, and some documents. I left the office ten minutes later.

When I arrived at the hospital, I found my boss asleep. I couldn't make decisions without consulting him, so I decided to kill some time and visit my brother, who was in intensive care.

It had been two weeks since my life took a 180-degree turn with the call that he was in critical condition because a truck had run him over and the driver fled the scene. My brother and I have always been there for each other.

I saw him intubated through the glass. He seemed to be asleep, but the reality was that I didn't know if he would ever wake up.

I lost track of time. I realized I couldn't lose my job, that I needed to keep my brother in the hospital and pray for his quick recovery. I couldn't afford to lose a single penny. I could lose my dignity, my integrity, but not him—he was my only family. The only one who had always cared for me.

I would have to do whatever it took to have money and pay for his treatment.

Even if it meant selling my soul to the devil.