THE CEO'S UNTAMED LOVE

Sienna Frederick sat upstairs in her cramped room, bent over her desk. Papers sprawled everywhere—company work she’d been tackling all morning. It was Saturday, but the family business owned her time. She wasn’t paid, not for three years, yet they demanded her all. She hated how it made her feel, like an alcoholic hooked on their control, but she kept going, believing it was for family. Downstairs, her sister Leela’s engagement planning was in full swing. Her parents, Kathleen and Nicholas, were there, along with their prominent guests. Sienna wanted to support Leela, even if they weren’t close. But when she peeked downstairs, her mom shook her head. “No need for you to be here, Sienna,” Kathleen snapped. “You don’t like those high-status type of thing. Just stay low-key. Go back to your work.” Nicholas nodded, not even looking up. “Yeah, you’re better off up there.” Sienna sighed, hurt but used to it. They always sidelined her, kept her out of the shine. So, she returned to her desk, headphones on, trying to drown out the noise. Her phone buzzed, sharp and loud. The screen lit up with Aunt Maya’s name—her grandmother’s caretaker. Sienna answered, heart racing. Maya’s voice was frantic. “Sienna, your grandmother had a very bad heart attack. You need to rush to Veridian Elite Hospital now.” Sienna froze, fear choking her. Her grandma was the kindest, softest person she’d ever known—the only one who loved her without strings. Unlike Kathleen, Nicholas, and Leela, who only saw her as a tool for their schemes and profits. Panic hit hard. She grabbed her bag, phone, some cash, and her bank card, bolting downstairs. Halfway down, she froze. The scene below stunned her. There were her parents, Leela, and—shockingly—Alexander, her boyfriend, sitting with his family, the Harrisons. They were elegant, rich, and kind of unfamiliar. She had never met them officially. Sienna’s mind spun. Was this a secret engagement for her? Why hadn’t anyone told her? Confusion and dread swirled in her chest. Nicholas’s eyes locked on her, cold and piercing. Kathleen and Leela noticed, their faces twisting with disdain. The Harrisons smiled politely, but Alexander wouldn’t meet her gaze, his eyes dodging hers like he was ashamed. Sienna stepped closer, heart thumping. Nicholas stood up, voice smooth but icy. “Master Harrison,” he said to Alexander’s father, “this is my first daughter, Sienna. I’m so sorry she didn’t come down to greet you. It’s clearly her fault. She’ll do better next time.” Sienna’s throat tightened. Her fault? She’d wanted to be here, to help plan, even if she didn’t know Alexander—her Alexander—the love of her life—was the guest. She forced a smile, voice steady despite the storm inside. “Hi, Auntie. Hi, Uncle,” she said to the Lucians. “Nice to meet you.” They beamed, impressed. “Wow, you’re so beautiful,” the woman said. “Such a natural beauty.” Sienna’s chest ached, but the praise felt empty. Kathleen and Leela glared, jealousy flashing in their eyes. They hated that Sienna got noticed. Then Kathleen cut in, voice sharp as a knife. “Sienna, Young Master Alexander will be getting engaged to your sister, Leela. We’re planning the engagement party now.” Sienna’s world tilted. What? Her Alexander, the one who’d promised her forever, was marrying Leela? All those late-night talks, all those vows, lies. All lies. Her heart pounded so hard she forgot why she’d rushed down. Leela grinned, soaking up the attention, her face smug. “You can head back upstairs now, Sienna,” she said sweetly, but her tone cut deep. “You don’t belong here. Don’t ruin this.” Sienna wanted to fight back, but Nicholas’s cold stare stopped her. “Enough,” he barked. “Go.” She turned, tears burning, ready to climb back up. But her phone rang again—Aunt Maya. The sound jolted her. Her grandma. That’s why she’d come down. She spun around, facing Nicholas. “Dad, please,” she pleaded, voice shaking. “Can I talk to you?” Nicholas sighed, annoyed, but stood and led her to the study. Kathleen and Leela exchanged quick, knowing glances, their eyes narrowing. What was Sienna planning? Kathleen stood, all charm. “Excuse me, please,” she told the guests. “I’ll be right back.” Leela stayed, chatting easily with the Harrisons, her elegance shining as she played the perfect future young madam of a powerful family. In the study, Sienna faced her dad, tears spilling. “Dad, it’s Grandma,” she choked out. “She had a serious heart attack. Aunt Maya just called. I need to rush to the hospital. Please, we have to help her. She’s fragile, and she doesn’t have anyone else.” Nicholas opened his mouth, about to speak, but Kathleen burst in, her face tight with rage. “Grandma this, Grandma that,” she snapped. “That woman is old enough to die because of all her wicked doings. Why do you care? Her mates are already in the graveyard. What’s she waiting for? The wicked always live long.” Sienna stared, shocked. Why did her mom hate her grandma so much? What could her grandmother, the kindest, softest person she’d ever known, have done to deserve this deep hatred? It was a mystery she’d never understood. She turned to Nicholas, desperate. “Dad, please. She had a serious heart attack. Aunt Maya’s waiting. We need to help her. She’s all alone.” Nicholas’s face softened, just a little, but Kathleen cut in again. “Yes, she’s alone because she’s a lonely, wicked old fox. Let her go already.” Sienna’s heart raced. “Why, Mom? Why?” Kathleen’s eyes flashed. “Sienna, you’re disrupting a very important moment for your sister. You always do this—causing trouble whenever something good happens for Leela. Why can’t you just be happy for her? She’s your sister, for crying out loud.” Sienna shook her head, tears falling faster. “I didn’t mean it that way. Please, you don’t understand. You don’t have to come with me. All I need is money to settle the hospital bills so she can get surgery right away.” Nicholas’s expression shifted, a hint of guilt crossing his face. But Kathleen stepped closer, voice hard. “We don’t have that kind of money here. It’s all budgeted for important things—like this engagement. You better come, Nicholas,” she said, glaring at him. “Don’t keep the guests waiting.” She stormed out, leaving Sienna reeling. Sienna turned to her dad, crying harder. “Dad, please. I’ve given my whole life to the company for three years, no pay, because we're family. If I had money, I wouldn’t ask. Please, just help me sort the bills.” Kathleen’s voice echoed from the doorway as she poked her head back in. “See? I’ve always said she’s ungrateful. Your dedication to the company isn’t a favor—it’s your responsibility as a child of this family.” Sienna’s eyes filled with hurt and disappointment. She couldn’t believe the words coming from her mom’s mouth. Nicholas stepped out quietly joining Kathleen. Sienna felt utterly betrayed when her father refused to help and walked out with her mother to meet guests, leaving her alone in her moment of desperation. The weight of their abandonment crushed her, tears streaming down her face as she realized her family had used her and tossed her aside when she needed them most, just like before. She started sobbing uncontrollably, her cries echoing in the empty room, but through her tears, she remembered her grandma, the one person who’d always been there for her. Determined to save her, Siana grabbed her phone with trembling hands, scrolling frantically for someone to call, but when she reached her best friend, the line was dead, unreachable, amplifying her isolation. Frustrated but resolute, she knew crying wouldn’t solve anything. She wiped her eyes, stood up, and steeled herself—her grandma’s life depended on her. She hurried to the living room, forcing a polite smile as she greeted the guests, saying, “I’ll be heading out, hope you enjoy your day, Aunty and Uncle” though her voice cracked with emotion. As she turned, she caught Alexander’s gaze, his eyes filled with pity and a silent apology, but it only made her tears threaten to spill again. Outside, she stopped a taxi, her heart racing. In a low voice she said “Veredian Elite Hospital". But then the driver turned, his voice low and urgent, “I have a message for you Miss Frederick. You’re supposed to follow me to the warehouse at Sussex Street, downtown. It’s about a family secret, something urgent you need to know, or you might never get another chance. This is a direct message from my boss” Siana froze, torn between the hospital and this warning. How did he even know her name. And who the hell was his boss. No not now. This could be a trap. She hadn't made any serious enemies yet but it seemed like the whole world were scheming against her. Her love for her grandma won out. “No,” she said firmly, “I don't know what this is about but I have to get to the hospital as fast as possible.” The driver nodded and drove off with speed, dropping her off with a final, meaningful look. She stood in front of the hospital, heart pounding, caught between her grandma’s life and the haunting possibility of a family secret that could change everything. What was going on. Her life was becoming more and more complicated. But in all she was determined to face whatever came her way. For the sake of her grandma. Without her she was totally alone in this world. The events of today have proved to her.