MR CEO. MY CHARMING RIVAL

Andrea’s pov The cheesecake, Heitz Cellar wine a…nd this…!" I drawled with an elegant beam pointing towards the menu card to the handsome waiter standing gorgeously by my side. Took in a long deep breath as the fresh flavoursome dishes filled the air intoxicating my entire being. The calm music, the cosy atmosphere and the scent of freshly made bread reminded me of one thing–Home! I was home– with my most treasured people on earth. The excitement in my heart grew by seconds. I had just graduated with the best result from college, and was ready to pursue my career. Dad had promised to give me whatever job I want, the moment I graduate. And this was the time. A smug escaped my lips I looked back at my parents who sat opposite me with their piercing gaze filled with satisfaction and pride. "I have always known you would make me proud!" Dad spoke in a whisper, breaking the silence while he reached out for my hands. I smiled widely. Making my parents proud was my priority. Even if it would cost my happiness. "I…can finally retire, and spend the years I have left with my pearl" he drawled and placed a passionate kiss on my mom's lips "Love birds…. You too are so in love" I muttered looking at how romantic my father was towards my mom. Their bond was next to nothing. I could swear – they are the last perfect couple to exist. Most times, I feel jealous and wish I was in her shoes. If only wishes would come true…. But with the increase in the rate of divorce and the augment of evil in the heart of the bloke gender. It leaves me with one word: Extinct!! "Love is Extinct!" My chest tightened at the realisation that I might never get to experience what true love is. A momentary pain coursed through my vines "Ouch–" I winced inwardly “Darling, you know I and your father want the very best for you as our only child." Mom snapped, distracting me from my thoughts. She continued. "So we have decided to make you the new CEO of the Cruz-Tiago enterprise. All the companies attached to your father’s Name, would be yours'' She yelled with excitement etched in her voice, as though it was a trophy I just won. "Great right?" Dad chipped in, still smiling. "Ye…ah!" I drawled with a glint of confusion evident in my face. "Thank….you! But we both know that this is ridiculous and cannot be achieved." I spoke in a whisper trying so hard not to laugh at how unreal they sounded. "Comm'on Dad, wake up from your fantasies. I can't handle all of this" I drawled, still trying to keep my cool. "Well, it won't be just you." He muttered in a low tone, the excitement in his voice faded into disappointment. I gasped "Who then?" Sudden silence rented the air. The look on their faces sparked guilt. I turned my gaze to my Mom, whose smiles had turned into a frown. She darted her gaze abruptly towards another direction the moment our eyes met. My heart sank into my tummy, a sudden pang of fear washed over my body, my head swelled. "Dad! Is there a problem?" I questioned being totally oblivious to what was happening. The environment was tense. Thanks to their silence. All they needed to do was say the f*****g word. A wave of realisation resonated deep into my soul. I took an inch backward, my heart throbbed "Ethan?! No way!" I gritted Trying not to believe, I asked in a curious and furious tone. "Who! Dad?!" I bellowed with so much defence and eagerness in my voice. The word patience didn’t exist in my dictionary, if I wasn’t responded to in a second, I’d blow up. "Ethan Dalia-cruze" he drawled in a husky tone without a glint of emotions. A momentary pain hit my chest. Betrayal was all I could feel. "Hell No! I can't have this, this is crazy! For God's sake!" I yelled in a weak and trembling tone. "How would you expect me!? To fuc*king be under same roof with that son of a bit*h “I grunted my anger palpable "Well, that doesn't give you the right to call my best friend's son a b***h young lady, fix your words." Dad spoke as though he didn't care about my feelings. Ragged breath! Tears glistened in my eyes as I darted my gaze towards my mom. "Aren't you going to say something about this, mom!? Are you just going to let Dad throw me into an everlasting ditch filled with unhappiness?" I sobbed. Tears rolling down from my eyes. "No darling, he would never do such to you, he loves you and—" "No he doesn't!!" I bellowed, still crying. "I hate Ethan! And you know it. He is a pain in my ass. We can never come to terms with one thing in this world. He is rude, arrogant, selfish, and disrespectful. I loathe him with the very core of my being. Ethan is a bully, he bullied me all through my childhood till this day. How do you expect me to survive in such an environment mom?" I questioned crying profusely. Mom jerked up from her seat and patted me gently at the back. "Sweetheart I understand. But you are grown now and you must face your fear. You know very well that your father worked so hard with his best friend to build this enterprise and the reputation he presently has in the country. We can't give all that up because you don’t like Ethan. And you are our only child." She spoke calmly "I don't have to work with him. Someone else ca— "Yes you have to Andre! You must work with him and take over my legacy." Dad muttered and looked me straight in the eyes. "I am getting old, young lady! You have to face this. I trained you to be a brave girl. Ethan shouldn't be the reason why you should back down! Fight for your place." He bellowed with a scroll mixed with disappointment and gorged on the veggies on his table. "Tomorrow is the succession party darling. You must dress elegantly, and wear your best attitude because the president and all the opulent people in Los-Angeles would be in attendance." Mom drawled, and walked back to her seat. "Cheers to the new CEO of Cruz-Tiago Enterprises" Dad yelled with a wide smile raising his glass of Champagne up.