His Contract Bride, His Greatest Regret

THE FORTUNE MAIL

She read and reread the email until her eyes began to blur. Throwing her phone onto the bed, she let out a loud shout of excitement.

This was unbelievable.

She had waited for this moment for so long. Two weeks ago, she had submitted her application and checked her email repeatedly until she grew tired of waiting and eventually gave up.

She needed to get to the company as soon as possible.

Working for one of the most famous law firms in the country meant everything to her. It was the kind of opportunity that even a fairy godmother couldn't grant.

Studio Legale Rossi and Bianchi was the best place anyone could wish to work for. Did she say the best? It was much more than that. She had heard countless stories about the company, especially about its filthy-rich CEO whom almost every woman seemed to admire.

And now, like a dream come true, she was going to see him every day.

So giddy with excitement, she stuffed her clothes into a bag. Within minutes, she was done and racing down the hotel stairs. Luckily, nobody stopped her.

She hurried into a waiting cab and rattled off the address to the driver as they sped toward the firm.

Her hands trembled from the good news she had received. For a moment, she had even forgotten about her one-night stand with a stranger.

Resting her head against the seat, she began making plans for her first salary. First, she would visit the fancy Italian restaurant down the street. Then she would go on a shopping spree.

The thought made her smile, but her mind remained focused on her new job.

She was eager to see the handsome CEO everyone talked about. He had even appeared on the morning news recently, but she had never bothered to watch.

Finally, the cab pulled up in front of a towering white building.

Within seconds, she was out of the vehicle, staring open-mouthed at the magnificent structure before her.

She rushed up the steps as the cab drove away, leaving behind a cloud of dust.

She almost flew rather than walked through the long corridors with their sparkling white walls and into the reception area.

The moment she stepped inside, her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Sitting there impatiently, dressed impeccably in tailored suits and clutching their files, were almost a hundred applicants.

She looked around in confusion, then glanced at the golden placard hanging above the door.

The words read:

Studio Legale Rossi and Bianchi.

So her eyes weren't deceiving her.

She unlocked her phone and reread the email for what felt like the thousandth time.

The message clearly said something else.

She would wait.

She wasn't going anywhere.

This job was hers and hers alone.

Leaning against the wall, she shut her eyes.

"You must be Ms. Lupita..."

A voice suddenly broke through her thoughts.

Opening her eyes, she found herself staring at a neatly dressed woman wearing a polite smile.

The woman extended her hand.

"...Bianchi," Lupita finished quickly before she could complete the sentence.

The woman blinked.

"Nice meeting you. I'm Eleanora Waters, and I would love to show you around."

Without another thought, Lupita followed her upstairs to another section of the building.

"It's nice having you onboard," Eleanora said as they entered another corridor lined with beautiful offices.

She walked briskly ahead while Lupita followed like an eager puppy.

Soon, they stopped in front of an immaculate office situated beside a much larger and more magnificent one.

"This will be your office," Eleanora announced, tossing a few files onto the desk.

"You should begin your duties immediately, but..." she paused.

"The boss is a very neat and organized person."

Lupita nodded eagerly.

"And he hates clumsy people. Your dress..." Eleanora glanced at her outfit.

"It isn't appropriate for a workplace."

"I'll get a suit as soon as possible," Lupita blurted out.

Eleanora raised an eyebrow.

Only then did Lupita realize how ridiculous her statement sounded.

She had no home, barely any money, and the clothes she was wearing were among the few decent outfits she owned.

The idea of buying a suit was completely unrealistic.

"Whatever."

Eleanora dismissed the matter with a wave of her hand.

Moments later, they entered the boss's office.

For so long, Lupita had dreamed of seeing him.

Then a foolish thought crossed her mind.

Maybe he was in a meeting.

What was she thinking?

Did she expect him to suddenly step out of the shadows, hug her, and confess that he had been longing to see her?

She shook her head at her own imagination.

The office itself was breathtaking.

"He isn't back yet," Eleanora explained.

"He's a very busy man. Always traveling somewhere."

"Oh."

That was all Lupita could say.

"Read that," Eleanora instructed.

Lupita picked up a document.

"How to Be a Secretary?"

Eleanora nodded.

"The boss hates nonsense. Besides, if you behave yourself, you might avoid trouble."

Then she added with a shrug,

"He might even notice you, though he doesn't have time to notice people."

She laughed softly.

"I'd bet he doesn't even know who I am."

Then she stopped at the doorway.

"You'll be picking him up from the airport tomorrow."

If joy were a person, it would have been dancing right in front of Lupita.

Her eyes widened.

Only divine intervention stopped her from dancing on the spot.

She couldn't wait to see him.

Her boss.

In her imagination, their love story would become the talk of the town. Every tabloid would carry the news.

Then he would propose.

"Don't be late."

Eleanora's voice snapped her back to reality.

"Is he nice?" Lupita heard herself ask.

Another foolish question.

She silently prayed she wouldn't lose her job because of all the silly things she kept saying.

Eleanora turned and smiled.

"You'll find