The CEO’s Second Choice

Elena

“If those reports are not on my desk by the time I get to the office, we will have to rethink your position, Agatha.” I listen to Sebastian as his phone rings for the millionth time. They needed him in every aspect of his job as a CEO, and he made it look so easy. I never realised it before, but my husband was an incredibly busy man. And yet, somehow, he always made time for me. Not just today, but before when he would pop home to bicker with me for some unknown reason.

The thought alone makes me smile and I move over to his side of the car, straddling him. There was no other way to cuddle in the Phantom because of the middle barrier, so I took advantage of this.

Sebastian looks up at me with wide eyes and I lean down to nuzzle him while planting gentle kisses on his neck. He stifled a groan, and I smiled against his skin. “Thank you, I will see you then,” He says ending the call, and I knew I was going to get it.

He pushes the button to block the partition glass and pulls my head up. “Are you trying to distract me while I am working, petite pâquerette?” He asks me in a low voice that went straight to my core.

“Maybe…” I start, “I truly hate being ignored.” Batting my eyes at him, but all he does is spank my bottom and move me over to my seat. I look at him with a wounded expression, but he just chuckles. “I would love nothing more than to take you in this car, Elena. But you have to heal. I promise tonight I will show you exactly what your bratty behaviour almost made me do.” He says and winks at me, then his cell phone rings again, but before he answers it, he gives me a hungry kiss that satisfies me for the moment.

30 minutes later, we reach Camden and arrive outside a high-end restaurant. Wow, gourmet for breakfast? I was just in the mood for a yummy omelette.

The chauffeur opens my door while Sebastian gets out from the other side and takes my hand in his. I hear a camera click and only just noticed the three paparazzi in their cars. Did they follow us?

“You’ll have to get used to it now, my love. They’re relentless when it comes to our family.” Sebastian says and brings my hand up to his lips to kiss it.

The paps never bothered me when I was with Nicholas, but Sebastian had a bigger social presence, so it was to be expected. Not to mention that he was a billionaire who owned half of London.

“This is one of my favourite places to get breakfast when I have a little time in the morning,” he tells me as we enter. Sebastian leads me to a private table at the back and I realise that this was a table marked specifically for him. “Do you actually have time to have breakfast in the morning?” I asked him in an amused tone, to which he chuckles. “I always have time for my lovely wife,” he responds with a wink that has my heart singing.

He really has a way with words.

We order our breakfasts, then Sebastian turns to me. “You know, Elena, we could always get you into Oxford if law is what you really want to study. Of course, that would mean you would get in with influence, but does that all matter now that you’re married to me?” He says, but I look over at Sebastian with my mind made up. I had thought about it on my way here and wondered if he would think it a crazy idea.

“I’ve been thinking,” I start and see I had his complete attention. “I noticed how you were handling your staff over the phone on our way here, so I was wondering if I would be able to sort of shadow you for the day to see how you run things?” I ask him, uncertain of what his answer would be, but I see a big smile spreading over his face. “You would want to spend the entire day with me in a corporate environment? I thought you found the business world boring.” He says with a chuckle, recalling what I had said at the masquerade ball.

I roll my eyes at him. “Yes, I would. On the surface it seems boring, I must admit. But from what I’ve gathered, you run your business with an iron fist and I would love to take a peek on the inside if I may.”

Sebastian regards me with… awe? “By all means, love. It would mean I get to see you all day, so why not? You won’t intrude.” He answers me, and I immediately perk up. I would get to see my husband as he slips into his CEO persona and couldn’t wait!

“You know, Social Season is almost upon us as well, so everyone would expect us to attend all the parties.” He adds and looks at me with amusement.

Ugh, Social Season. I hated it because of my mother’s constant faffing when April came around. She used to put us all on strict diets straight after Christmastime. Eliana took it all in her stride, but my mother was never happy with me.

“I don’t hate Social Season for the parties,” I say and look down at my hands in my lap, “My mother would stuff me into corsets from February because I was ‘too curvy’ and hoped the other families wouldn’t notice I was ‘fat.'” Shame washes over me as I remember all her insults and reprimanding as if it was my fault God made me curvy.

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Sebastian gets up and walks over to me. He goes down on his haunches and lifts my chin to face him. “I would never force you to attend these events if you did not want to. We can rescind all our RSVP’s.” He says and I smile at his thoughtfulness. “There is nothing wrong with your body, Elena. You are perfect to me, inside and out. Your mother wasn’t raising children, she was grooming brides and heirs.”

His last line really surprised me; I never thought of it that way.

I shake my head. “Thank you, love. But I am a Dumont now. I will need to keep up my public appearance and I am looking forward to it for a change; because I will have you by my side.” I say, and he lifts his head up to kiss me.

It was true. I was looking forward to stepping out as a Dumont this year with Sebastian and Mirabelle’s support. They were more my family now than my own, and they treated me as if I was a human, not just an heir.

Sebastian walks over to his seat again and takes my hand in his as our breakfast arrives, and we eat in silence. “Wow! This is delicious!” I exclaim as the silky smooth omelette hits my tongue. Now I know why he makes time to come here. The food was amazing!

Before Sebastian could answer, his cell phone rang again, and he rolled his eyes. Oh, my! Was I rubbing off on him?

I giggle but then feel a shiver up my spine and a pair of eyes on me so I scan the restaurant. Being out with Sebastian meant eyes would always be on me, but this felt different, and I knew why.

Nicholas was sitting across the way with his fiancee, and he looked peeved off.