My CEO My Mistake

A young master's Defiance

The marble hallways of Lewiston Mansion were always bathed in a quiet sort of grandeur. Chandeliers hung like frozen waterfalls from the ceiling, and the scent of polished oak filled the air. Yet, within the velvet-draped walls of his room, young Ethan Lewiston was anything but calm.

The moment he returned to his quarters, the boy darted toward his enormous bed, leaping onto it as though it were a fortress from which he could rule his small world. His dark eyes gleamed with mischief as he pointed sharply toward the tall windowsill.

“Elira!” His voice cracked with authority far beyond his years. “Stand there. Watch the drive. Tell me the moment my uncle leaves!”

Elira Dane, no more than a teenager herself but tasked with the impossible duty of tutoring this spoiled heir, tightened her lips. She stepped obediently to the windowsill, her skirt brushing the polished floor. “Alright, young master,” she replied, though there was the faintest sigh under her words.

Ethan, satisfied, grabbed a comic book from his bedside. The brightly colored pages reflected in his eyes as he sprawled across the bed, utterly uninterested in the presence of the girl who had been entrusted with his education.

But Elira’s brow furrowed as she turned from the window. She walked closer to him, her voice steady yet gentle. “Ethan,” she said softly, using his name, “after the summer, you’ll be in second grade. It’s not too late to start studying seriously now.”

The boy’s eyes snapped up, and his comic book fell flat against his chest. “Who gave you permission to call me that?” he snapped, his little chin lifting proudly. “You are to call me ‘young master’! Always.”

“Fine,” she answered calmly, though the corners of her mouth twitched. “Young master, it’s time to study.”

Ethan’s lips curled into a sneer. “And why would I ever do what you tell me?”

Her heart pinched with frustration, but she refused to let it show. Instead, she reminded herself of the little boy’s circumstances raised in wealth, surrounded by people who bowed to his whims, yet lacking the warmth of true guidance. He was only a child, but one who had been allowed to believe the world bent to his will.

His tiny fists balled up, trembling as though daring her to challenge him. “Get out! I said, get out of here!”

Elira didn’t flinch. Calmly, she bent to the desk, gathering the stack of textbooks Lewiston himself had bought. The sound of paper brushing together filled the silence. Ethan’s fury burned hotter at her composure.

He stomped across the carpet and ripped the books from her hands, flinging them to the ground. “Are you deaf or stupid? I told you to leave! Do you want me to get rid of you today?” His voice shook with the raw edge of childish pride.

But Elira merely tilted her head, a small smile dancing across her lips.

“What are you smiling at?” he demanded.

“Well,” she said gently, “I heard you’ve had more than ten tutors before me. Were they all ‘obedient’ to you?”

His chest puffed up instantly. “Of course! They did whatever I wanted.” His tone brimmed with smugness.

Elira crouched to pick up the books he’d tossed, one by one. When she finally looked back at him, her eyes were calm, steady. She brought a stool close to him, setting the books on her lap. “Apart from English and mathematics, you’ll also have Mandarin. You grew up abroad, so your Mandarin should be quite good already. So” her voice was patient, almost like a mother’s “do you want to start with English or math?”

Ethan’s cheeks flamed crimson. Never had a tutor looked at him with such disarming calmness. “You’re insane,” he barked. “Every one of them tried to please me. That’s why I kept them for three whole days before I let them go. You, though? I’ll get rid of you today!”

Her eyes never wavered as she opened the mathematics textbook, laying pencils neatly on the desk. “And did their flattery keep them here? Didn’t they all leave after three days?”

The little tyrant froze. Her words slithered into his ears, sharp and unyielding. For a fleeting second, confusion softened his face. Then his pride came rushing back like a tide.

“Hmph!” He crossed his arms. “I only let them stay because their flattery amused me. But you? I don’t like you at all. You’ll be gone by sundown.”

Elira shrugged, the soft smile never leaving her lips. “I don’t know about that. But your father hired me as your tutor for today, and that is what I’ll be. Tomorrow? We’ll see.”

His mouth opened to hurl another insult when the distant growl of a car engine rumbled outside. He dashed to the window and peered through the curtains. A grin split across his face.

The ‘tiger’ his father was gone.

Whirling around, he planted his fists on his hips. “Now,” he announced grandly, “let’s see what I’ll do to you!”

***

The afternoon stretched endlessly for Elira. Ethan’s mischief knew no boundaries: marbles spilled across the floor to trip her, ink smeared over pages she tried to use, even a frog hidden inside her bag. By the time the sun slid low, her body ached with weariness. Yet her expression remained unshaken, a smile hovering delicately on her lips.

Ethan finally stopped, panting with laughter. He squinted at her, irritation sparking again. “Are you even human? How can you still smile?”

His blows landed on her like fists against a sponge, absorbed, softened, and returned without malice. His frustration only grew deeper.

Just then, laughter rang from the doorway. “Haha! Well, isn’t this a rare sight? The young master finally out of tricks?”

Elira turned, relief brightening her face. “Gracious,” she greeted warmly, walking toward the older girl who stood leaning against the doorframe.

“You’re still here?” Gracious teased, raising a brow. “Didn’t you say you’d only spend three hours a day here? It looks like it’s been far longer.”

Elira’s smile grew weary. “It’s fine. We’re still getting to know each other. Things will get better in time.”

Gracious shot a look at Ethan, whose cheeks puffed angrily at her words. She, unlike Elira, knew the boy’s games well. “Forget him,” she said, slipping her arm around Elira’s shoulder. “Come on, I’ll send you home.”

Elira nodded gratefully. “Young master, I’ll come again tomorrow,” she said before stepping out.

“Ha!” Ethan called after her. “Bring it on! You won’t last!”

Gracious turned sharply, eyes narrowing. “Bad boy. Don’t you dare make trouble for her. Or else.”

He stuck out his tongue at her retreating back, his mind already brewing tomorrow’s schemes.

***

The next morning, golden light poured across Lewiston Mansion. Elira arrived early, carrying her books in a small satchel. She had decided not to bother Gracious with picking her up, it was Saturday, and she could easily take the bus.

But when she reached the grand doors, Lewiston himself greeted her apologetically. “Elira, I’m so sorry. I should have called. We’re attending a banquet today. Could you return tomorrow instead?”

She nodded politely, ready to leave, when a voice chimed from the stairs.

“Wait!”

Ethan bounded down, his face lit with a sudden angelic smile. “Dad, Miss Dane is really good at teaching! I’ve just started to enjoy studying. I don’t want to go to the banquet today, it’s not a place for kids anyway. Can I stay home and study instead?”

Lewiston blinked, astonishment softening his features. “Really? You want to study?”

“Of course, Dad,” Ethan said sweetly, though behind his eyes, mischief sparkled like fire.

Lewiston chuckled warmly. “Very well. If you’re willing to study, that’s better than anything I could ask for. Elira, I’ll leave Ethan to you.”

She bowed her head slightly. “Yes, Mr. Lewiston. Rest assured.”

Once the father was gone, Ethan’s mask slipped away. He turned to her with a frown and snapped, “Follow me.”

Lucas, the ever-patient butler, approached with a tray. “Young master, what would you like for lunch?”

“Go away,” Ethan muttered, rolling his eyes. “You’re annoying.” Then he dragged Elira upstairs.

The moment they reached his room, the half-closed door swung wider,

SPLASH!

Water mixed with black ink poured from above, drenching Elira from head to toe. Her breath caught as the cold liquid seeped into her clothes, dripping down her arms.

“Hahaha!” Ethan collapsed onto his bed, kicking his legs in delight.

Lucas rushed up the stairs, his eyes widening in horror at the sight. “Young master! How could you,”

“Because I can!” Ethan shouted proudly.

Lucas handed Elira a towel, his voice thick with shame. “Miss Dane, please, wash up in the servants’ quarters. I’ll fetch you clean clothes. I’ll return yours once they’re laundered.”

But Ethan leapt up, tugging her wrist. “No need. She can use my bathroom. Why send her elsewhere?” His tongue darted out at Lucas, childish and defiant.

Elira gave Lucas a faint smile, nodding for him not to worry. Reluctantly, the butler stepped back.

Inside, Ethan led her to his bathroom, only to twist the faucet shut. “Oops,” he said with mock innocence. “Looks like my shower’s broken. You’ll have to use my dad’s.”

Elira froze, water dripping onto the carpet. “That isn’t appropriate. If your father comes back.”

“He won’t,” Ethan cut her off. “Hurry. I still need to ‘study.’”

He tugged her down the hall and pushed her into Lewiston’s room. Just as the door swung shut behind her, a maid approached with a bucket in hand.

“Young master,” she said cheerfully, “what brings you here? Looking for Master Haron?”

Ethan’s heart thudded. “Uncle is here?”

“Yes,” the maid replied. “He returned at four in the morning, drunk. He’s sleeping now.”

Ethan froze. His little prank suddenly weighed heavy on his chest. He hadn’t meant to involve his uncle. But pride stiffened his spine.

“Well,” he muttered to himself as he backed away, “she deserves it anyway.”

With that, he skulked back to his room, flopping onto his bed. Yet as he closed his eyes, unease lingered beneath his smirk.