My CEO My Mistake

Tangled hearts

“Elira, Elira…”

The voice calling her name was persistent, tugging her out of the rare peace of a Sunday morning. For once, she didn’t have to drag herself to the Lewiston's Mansion. She had planned to sleep in, maybe help Liz with breakfast, and then laze around with a novel she had borrowed from the library. But all of that was shattered when Risa Nelson, her ever-curious and meddlesome neighbor, barged in at dawn with the determination of a soldier preparing for battle.

“Elira, please tell me…” Risa whined, half-pleading, half-demanding, her hands clasped tightly in front of her like a child begging for candy. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, mischief, and a trace of misinterpretation that Elira instantly recognized.

“Risa, I really don’t know what you’re talking about!” Elira replied, her tone sharper than usual, hoping it would cut off the conversation before it spiraled into nonsense.

But Risa was Risa, her mind had the stubborn grip of a vise.

“How is that possible? I saw him take you away that night. Did you…” She narrowed her eyes, letting the unfinished question dangle in the air, the implication heavy, mischievous, and a little poisonous.

Elira’s heart gave a sharp thump. “Risa, stop talking nonsense! He’s Gracious Garcia’s uncle!” she blurted out, her cheeks heating. She could already imagine the wild scenarios Risa’s imagination was constructing.

“Her uncle?” Risa blinked, her brows furrowed. “Wait, wait, are you saying that filthy rich girl’s uncle?”

“Risa!” Elira’s voice rose an octave, her displeasure seeping into the air.

But Risa only grinned slyly, refusing to back down. “Fine, fine. Not filthy rich. Your good friend, then. But, seriously, how is her uncle so young? Are they even actually related?”

Elira sighed and shook her head as she busied herself with tidying the small house. She had grown used to Risa’s skepticism, but sometimes it grated on her. “I think so. She also has another uncle, about fifty years old.”

“Oh my god.” Risa clasped her chest dramatically, spinning around like she had just received news of a grand lottery win. “My heart keeps racing every time I think of his handsome face. Ah, Elira, can you, please, please, help me ask your friend for his number?” She grabbed Elira’s arm and shook it like an impatient child.

Elira froze, staring at her in stunned disbelief. Her brows knitted together. “What do you want his number for?”

Risa giggled and leaned closer. “Hehe… Say, if I were to get such a handsome sugar daddy"

“Hey, hey, hey!” Elira cut her off, alarm flashing in her eyes.

“Don’t be so unrealistic,” she scolded firmly. “We can’t blend into their circle. Besides…” She hesitated, but the memory of last night pushed through, the delicate woman leaning against his chest, the way he held her so protectively. “…Besides, he already has a girlfriend.”

The words left a bitter aftertaste in her mouth, though she couldn’t quite explain why.

Risa, however, brushed it off with a careless wave. “Doesn’t matter if he has a girlfriend. It’s not like he’s married. And even if he was," she smirked, her eyes gleaming with reckless boldness, “I wouldn’t mind being his mistress if it meant being with such a handsome man!”

Elira’s jaw dropped. “Risa!” she gasped, her voice a mixture of shock and reproach. “How can you have such a depraved idea?”

“Ouch, ouch! I was kidding!” Risa pouted, feigning innocence. “Don’t be angry, Elira. Please, just help me. I really… I really fell in love with him at first sight.”

Elira’s eyes softened with surprise. The earnestness in Risa’s tone caught her off guard. “You… feel…?”

“Yes, yes!” Risa nodded eagerly, her eyes lighting up. “Help me, please. I’m begging you. This is the first time I’ve ever fallen in love with a man!”

Elira bit her lip, torn between disbelief and pity. “But I’m afraid you’ll get hurt. He,,,,”

“It doesn’t matter.” Risa cut in stubbornly, lifting her chin with pride. “I’m like that. Even if I get hurt, I’ll deal with it. I don’t want to regret not trying.”

Elira sighed deeply. Her conscience screamed against it, but her friend’s pleading eyes wore down her defenses. “Alright,” she said at last. “I’ll give it a try. But you have to be mentally prepared. Don’t have too much hope.”

“Aw, Elira, you’re the best!” Risa squealed, hugging her tightly.

***

Later that day, Elira sat in a café across from Gracious Garcia, who nearly choked on her coffee at the news.

“Did I hear that right? You said Risa has a crush on my uncle?” Gracious’s eyes widened, and her voice rang louder than intended.

“Shh! Lower your voice!” Elira frowned, her cheeks heating with embarrassment.

Gracious set down her cup, shaking her head with disbelief. “Unbelievable. She could’ve chosen anyone, anyone! and she crushes on that capricious man?”

“Capricious?” Elira echoed softly.

“That’s right.” Gracious leaned back, her eyes narrowing with a mixture of irritation and amusement. “His moods are unpredictable, his women are unpredictable, and honestly, he isn’t the type of man who sticks around. Besides, your friend isn’t his type. Not even close.”

Elira shifted uneasily. “But…”

“No buts.” Gracious’s tone was sharp, final. “Look, she doesn’t have the education, she doesn’t have the looks, and she doesn’t have the figure. Isn’t she asking for too much?”

Elira winced. “Risa is actually a good person. She’s not as bad as you think.”

“What is she good at? Fangirling? Falling for a new face every few months?” Gracious scoffed, her distaste evident. “That’s why I’ve always disliked her. She never learns. Only judges men by their appearance.”

Elira frowned harder, her heart aching for her friend.

Gracious studied her, then smirked. “Don’t look so down. It’s not that I don’t want to help. It’s just the truth. Honestly… if I had to choose, I think you would suit my uncle more.”

Elira’s head shot up. “Gracious!”

“Think about it. You’re smart, pure, and…” Gracious gestured playfully at Elira’s face.

Elira’s cheeks turned crimson, her lips parting in shock. “Gracious…” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“Hey, it’s not like anyone else is here. Why are you so embarrassed?”

“Gracious!” Elira threw a pillow at her in flustered outrage, but Gracious only burst into laughter.

“I just said you’re pure, and look at you—blushing like crazy.”

“I’m not talking to you anymore.” Elira stood abruptly, ready to leave, but Gracious quickly softened, waving her hands.

“Alright, alright, don’t go. I’ll stop teasing.”

Elira turned back, her smile faint but bright, and excused herself. “I really do have something to do. I’ll see you later.”

The summer sun embraced her as she stepped outside, casting a golden warmth across the streets.

***

Her phone buzzed the moment she boarded the bus.

“Elira, I’ve found some information!” Risa’s voice burst through the line.

“What information?” Elira asked wearily, already suspecting the answer.

“About Gracious’s uncle, of course! Do you even know who he is?” Risa’s voice climbed in excitement. “He’s Haron Lewiston, the president of Yateks Group! One of the top 500 companies in the world!”

Elira’s eyes widened. The president of Yateks Group?

“And not only that, he owns three other top companies! And he’s only thirty-five years old. Thirty-five! Can you believe it? He’s the ultimate prize, Elira!”

Elira’s thoughts tangled in confusion. Gracious had never mentioned her internship being in Yateks Group. The revelation left her unsettled, but Risa continued in her feverish tone.

“Don’t you dream of working at Yateks? Elira, he’s incredible!”

Elira remained silent, her heart drumming uneasily.

“And the best part? Thirty-five is not that old! Relationships with huge age gaps are in trend now. Don’t tell me you don’t find it romantic.”

Elira frowned deeply. “Romantic? No… abnormal,” she thought grimly.

“Elira? Are you listening?”

“Ah… Sorry, Risa. I didn’t get his number.”

“Of course not.” Risa huffed. “She’s just afraid I’ll become her aunt. Hmph. Fine. Tomorrow, when you go tutor, I’ll write him a letter. You’ll deliver it for me.”

“What? Risa"

But the line went dead.

A voice from the bus’s speaker interrupted her thoughts: “You have arrived at Northern Station.”

Elira rose quickly, deciding to postpone her worries until later.

***

“Elira, over here!”

Her heart skipped at the familiar voice. She turned toward the sound, and her breath caught.

Standing under the bright sun was a man in a crisp white T-shirt. His collar lay open casually, and his sleeves were rolled up, exposing warm, tanned skin. His deep-set eyes reflected a quiet ocean, his high nose bridge casting elegant shadows across his face.

His smile was gentle yet sophisticated, carrying a subtle charm that made her pulse race.

“Come here, Elira,” he said, his mellow voice gliding effortlessly into her heart.

She drew in a deep breath, clenched her fists, and walked toward him, her heartbeat echoing in her ears.

“Mr… Mr. Right…” she stammered, her lips trembling.

“We’re not in school. No need for formality. Just call me Ken,” he said with an easy smile. “I’m only five years older than you.”

Elira’s lips parted, her voice soft. “So… Mr. Right is really incredible. To become a college teacher at twenty-four… you must be a genius.”

Ken chuckled. Indeed, he had always been ahead of his peers, skipping grades, excelling in everything he touched. Now, he stood as the youngest and most admired lecturer at the academy. Every girl’s dream. Including hers.

“Enough compliments,” he teased, his smile lingering as he gestured toward the hidden café behind them. “Come on.”

The café was tucked away like a secret, its wooden interior glowing under golden light. The soft melody of a piano spilled into the air, wrapping the room in quiet elegance.

Ken guided her to a window seat, his hand brushing against hers briefly, sending a shock through her veins.

“Wait here,” he said warmly, heading toward a towering bookshelf.

Elira sat, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap, her heart thundering in wild rhythm.

Calm down, Elira. Breathe. Just breathe, she told herself.

Then, out of nowhere.

“Elira.” His voice, gentle and close, breathed into her ear.

She startled, turning her head sharply. Their eyes met.

Ken smiled, his gaze soft and steady, his presence overwhelming.

And Elira… could feel the tips of her ears burning crimson.