The Accidental,CEO

Chapter 4: The Accidental CEO's Boardroom Kiss

Evan wasn’t supposed to be CEO.

The board meeting was supposed to be about his older brother. But his brother didn’t show. And the chairman pointed straight at Evan.

“You. You’re next in line.”

Just like that, the youngest son became the CEO of Cross Enterprises.

24 hours later, I was married to him. On paper at least.

My name is Heaven Rose. And I signed a contract to be his wife for 30 days for $5,000,000. My mom’s hospital bill depended on it.

Now I was sitting in his first board meeting as his “wife.” My job was simple: look pretty and don’t talk.

“Ms. Cross,” the secretary said. “The board is waiting.”

I took a deep breath and walked in with Evan. 12 men in suits stared at us. And one woman.

Victoria Hayes.

Evan’s ex-fiancée. And now, a board member.

“Well, well,” Victoria said, standing up. “The Accidental CEO. And his accidental wife.”

The room went silent.

Evan pulled out my chair for me. His fingers brushed mine under the table.

“Victoria,” he said, his voice cold. “What do you want?”

“Just to congratulate you,” she smiled. But it didn’t reach her eyes. “CEO by accident. Married by contract. What will you do by mistake next?”

I felt my face burn.

Evan’s jaw ticked. Then he did something I didn’t expect.

He took my hand. In front of everyone.

“Next,” he said, “we vote on the merger. And my wife holds 10% of my shares.”

Gasps.

“You gave her shares?” one of the board members asked.

“I gave my wife what’s hers,” Evan replied. His thumb was rubbing circles on my hand. “Any objections?”

No one said anything.

The meeting lasted an hour. I didn’t understand half of it. But I understood this: Evan was protecting me.

After, in his office, I pulled my hand away.

“10%? Are you insane? The contract didn’t say anything about shares.”

“The contract said I’d keep you safe,” Evan said. He was so close I could smell his cologne. “This is how I do it.”

“For 29 more days?” I whispered.

His eyes darkened. “Is that all this is to you? 29 days?”

I didn’t have an answer.

The door opened. Victoria again.

“The board needs to see your marriage certificate,” she said. “To prove this marriage is real.”

Evan looked at me. Then he pulled me in and kissed me.

It wasn’t supposed to be real. It was supposed to be for them.

But when he pulled away, my heart was racing.

And so was his.

His phone rang, breaking the moment. “CEO Cross. We have a problem at the warehouse.”

He looked at me. “Stay here.”

But I knew I couldn’t. Because the contract said I had to be by his side.

Even if it was starting to feel real.