CEO'S SECRET BABY

PART 2

Big and always being the backbone of her family, Laura grew up to be a strong individual. She always stood at the forefront when there were issues affecting her family. Despite being the second child, when it came to making decisions, everyone deferred to Laura.

"No, I don't agree!" Laura's loud voice made Andrew furrow his brow. This girl dared to speak loudly in his house. Where did her mother find this girl and make her someone suitable to be part of their drama?

The man's eyes looked closely at Laura. At the girl he deemed messy. Just to respect this girl, Andrew didn't plug his nose. The girl's scent was... pungent? If he could describe it.

She shouldn't have yelled in his house, right?

"I apologize, Mrs. Lana, I withdraw from this job." The girl in shabby clothes looked weak as she shook her head. They were all crazy!

"Laura—" Lana still tried to hold the girl back. Andrew didn't like his mother's attitude for some reason. He felt very offended. This was the first time he faced rejection, when there were plenty of women out there willing to give themselves for free?

"Mom, isn't there someone better than her?" Finally, Andrew spoke up. His finger pointed at Laura as if the girl was worthless.

Laura's head turned quickly. What did she just say? She felt very offended by Andrew's attitude.

"Sorry, Mr. Andrew, I decline this job. And it seems you really have to find another woman whom you can pay for this job."

"But why, Laura? Don't you need money?" Lana asked. Lana's eyes narrowed as she looked at the girl who had just rejected her very handsome son. Was it true that her son had just been rejected by this girl? How embarrassing!

"Ma'am." Laura emphasized her voice. Her nose wrinkled. She didn't understand the mind of this rich man.

"I do need money. But money from a job, not selling myself like this."

"I didn't ask you to sell yourself, Laura." Lana interrupted quickly. Why did this girl have strange thoughts?

"You're marrying my son. In front of my big family, you're only marrying because of status, Laura."

Lana's voice sounded firm. Laura's lips pursed. It seemed she was holding back extreme frustration. These were rich people, right? Why did they have to force a poor girl like me into a marriage like this? And do I have to accept it? I never dreamed of marrying like this.

Andrew sighed in annoyance. This was what he was worried about! His mother's idea was very strange! Andrew would rather be a vice president than be a president married to this weird girl!

"Don't force her, Mom. Besides, isn't there no woman more suitable than her? Just her appearance..."

Andrew shook his head with a mocking smile, followed by his finger dancing in the air, as if forming someone's body.

Suddenly, Laura was angry. "Sorry, Mr. Andrew. I may be poor, but that doesn't mean you can buy my dignity."

"Oh yeah? What a rude mouth this girl has."

"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Lana, I'll excuse myself." Laura intended to walk out of the room. This conversation was useless! However, before she could reach the door handle, Sen blocked her. The man deliberately positioned himself in front of the door.

"You must remember your father's condition. Where did you get so much money to pay for that hospital and what about the compensation money for the restaurant your father had to do? Think again, Laura."

Laura's fist clenched tighter. If reminded again about her father, Laura was in a dilemma. The hospital costs alone were almost a thousand dollars, not to mention the medications. Not to mention the contents of the restaurant that shattered into pieces because of her father's actions. Oh God, Mom. Now I understand why you chose to leave rather than stay.

"I'm still open to the opportunity, Laura." Lana tried to cheer up the hesitant girl. She knew this girl needed a lot of money very quickly. She would coax her again.

Laura turned and looked at Lana again. "Ma'am, are you asking me to marry your son?" Laura was surprised, the man who was now looking at her so casually was very handsome, authoritative, and was there something abnormal about this man that forced him into marriage?

"Yes, correct. You're marrying my son. Easy, isn't it?" Lana asked so casually. As if what she was asking for was just an invitation to dine at a famous restaurant. Laura felt the people in the room were crazy.

"Marriage is a very sacred thing, Ma'am. And you just asked me to do something unreasonable?" Laura's voice was even quieter. Until she dared to ask.

"Wait!" Laura's hand raised in the air. "Is your son less normal?"

"Watch your mouth!" Andrew was slightly annoyed. The man even stood up from his sitting position with a stiff jaw.

"Is your son gay?"

"Shut up!" Andrew almost approached Laura and threw her out of the room. Seeing his son's attitude, Lana chuckled.

"Andre, watch your manners."

Then Lana looked at Laura again. "Laura dear, whatever is in your beautiful head, you should erase it. My son is very normal and there is something we can't tell you, dear."

Lana's eyes looked peaceful. She knew the negative thoughts in this girl's head.

"In essence, we offer you a win-win solution! You need money and we need status for my son. My son must be married within a week, Laura. That's why we asked you to be the bride for my son," she continued.

"This is a very urgent situation for our family."

Lana couldn't possibly tell Laura everything that happened to her family. Laura wouldn't understand anyway.

Laura looked at Andrew with an investigating gaze. "Do your son have a girlfriend? I doubt it. Or... did he just have a breakup?"

Andrew clicked his tongue. Why did she become so chatty?

"Mom, didn't you promise to bring a submissive girl? And her?" Andre pointed to Laura.

"She talks too much, and I don't like it," Andrew was too honest.

"Do you think I like you, Mr. Andrew?" Laura interjected quickly. Her breath went up and down. Who liked to be deceived? Initially promised a job, but instead offered marriage.

"Laura, listen." This time Lana approached Laura. She didn't want there to be a fight between Laura and Andrew. She had to cool down the hot atmosphere in the room.

"The marriage we offer is not like an ordinary marriage."

"What do you mean?" Laura was even more confused. What kind of marriage?

"You and Andrew are only marrying contractually. There's no touch at all. You will remain a virgin until you separate."

"I don't believe he's still a virgin, Mom." Andrew laughed bitterly.

Hearing Andrew's banter, Laura became angry. "Don't compare me to the women who usually accompany you, Sir. Even though I'm poor, I'm a good girl. I really value my honor!" Laura didn't like being spoken to like that.

"Isn't money what you need? Are you sure you're rejecting my mother's offer, and instead choosing to sell yourself to some big-nosed man out there? Oh wait, I'm not done talking!" accused Andrew with a very cynical look. Andrew raised his hand when Laura was about to interrupt.

"What's troubling you, Miss Laura? We're only getting married for status, the rest you'll remain as you are, Laura. Isn't my mother paying you quite a sum? Just the status as my wife, in front of my big family, Laura. There won't be any physical contact at all. If you're scared, you should know, I won't be interested in you," Andrew asserted.

Laura couldn't believe a woman as graceful as Mrs. Lana had a son like Andrew? Could Laura throw her shoe at this arrogant man? Ah, too bad! The shoe was out there!

With her chin up, Laura said, "I need a very sensible reason, Mr. Andrew. Why did you choose me, when there are plenty of other women out there you could choose?"

A very sensible question.

"Andrew only wants to marry until Agatha wakes up," Lana spoke up.

"Mom?" Andrew muttered, not liking that name being brought up in the room. Wasn't it inappropriate for them to be so open with this girl?

"Who's Agatha?" Laura asked with curiosity in her eyes. She looked at Lana and Andrew alternately.

"Andrew's girlfriend," Lana answered, disregarding her son's signals.

"So, he has a girlfriend?" Laura asked again. Isn't that strange?

"Why doesn't he just marry his girlfriend instead of forcing me to marry him?" A normal question, if Andrew could understand!

"Agatha has been in a coma since an accident three months ago. That's why Andrew needs a replacement bride. Later, if Agatha wakes up and returns to normal, you and my son will divorce. It's that simple, Laura."

Simple? As easy as they consider a marriage?

"Sorry, Mrs. Lana, but you're playing with a vow made before God."

Laura may not be a religious person, but she still feared sin. Marriage for her was the union of two people before God. It would remain together until death separated them. Where was there a contract marriage? Marriage for status? Strange!

"Laura. You don't intend to be my wife forever, right?" accused Andrew.

"What?" Andrew's firm steps made Laura's heart skip a beat.

"You're rejecting this contract marriage," Andrew whispered with a sharp eagle-eyed stare.

The man approached Laura. Examining Laura's facial features closely.

This girl had a sharp chin, a tiny nose, and pale lips. But her gaze was so sharp. Just a glance at her, and everyone could tell she was very rebellious. She wouldn't hesitate to respond to her opponent's gaze, and she had a stubborn attitude.

Hey! Wasn't my day getting worse by making her my wife?

Andrew's face tilted slightly in front of Laura.

"Are you hoping I'll accept you as a real wife?"