GETTING THE HEART OF THE CEO

A shiver ran down Lindsey's spine as she recalled a year ago when, at the age of 18, tired of the abuse and humiliation from those three people, she stealthily left the house with her morale on her back and a few bills she had managed to gather for the fare. She took a taxi to the airport, bought a ticket to a foreign country where her maternal grandmother lived. It was strange when the person at the ticket counter looked at her passport for a while, stared at her, and asked. "Are you Miss Lindsey Girt Rose?"

"Yes, it's me! Why?"

The only response she got was,

"Wait a moment."

The person made a phone call that Lindsey couldn't hear, and after a few minutes, two security guards appeared and escorted her to a cubicle.

"Miss, wait here," said one of the guards, closing the door behind her.

She started looking around; it was a white room with a square table and two chairs, one at each end. She sat and waited; nerves took hold of her. She didn't know what was happening. Why were they keeping her in this room? An hour later, the door opened, and a cold sweat ran down every part of her body, and unease appeared.

"You foolish girl, you thought you could escape without me finding out," her father shouted, tracing a malevolent smile on his mouth, approaching her, pressing her arm, dragging her through the airport hallway. Then he threw her in the back of the car and drove.

Lindsey expressed terror as she looked at him through the rearview mirror, her father's face cold and distant.

Upon arriving home, he forcibly pulled her out of the car; she just cried her eyes out. He opened the basement door, gave her a slap so hard that she rolled down a few steps, in pain, she got up.

"What is your purpose? Driving me crazy, always causing problems. I'll teach you to obey. Tell me, brat, why did you try to escape?"

"I can't stand living in this house anymore. I'm the only one who bears your frustrations. I'm always humiliated by Kathen, Courtney does things and blames me, and you only believe her. What you do is punish me." Anger took over him. He descended the stairs quickly and slapped her again, breaking her lower lip.

"You ungrateful girl! Kathen tries to be like a mother, and you reject her. Courtney wants to get along with you, but you always make her feel inferior. Thank your mother for putting in the will that you can only leave here when you turn 21 or get married. No man would be willing to marry such a tasteless and rebellious woman like you. I'm not willing to lose this house because of you," he turned his back, went up the stairs, disappearing from the place.

A week passed locked in the basement, sleeping on a mat, the light entering through a small window, sobbing, hugging herself for the cold in that damp place. They gave her water and food once a day. From there, she stopped crying and did what they told her to survive.

Back to reality, Lindsey shook her head and said,

"Don't worry, my friends, with what I've been through, being away from that man can't be worse. Let's get to work; we have two hours left before classes."

The two friends study fashion design and are in their final year of graduation.

On the other side of the city, two women are talking.

"Mom! Why did you let her marry Kyle instead of me?" Courtney screamed hysterically, throwing a tantrum.

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"Remember, it was her we found in that room, not you. That man's grandfather proposed the marriage, and your father, taking advantage, gladly accepted."

"But Mom, she'll have more prestige than me if she marries him, that millionaire, and I can't allow that."

"Calm down, daughter! That marriage will benefit us. They are going to invest in the company, and our businesses will grow. Soon we'll be at their level."

"Mom, I wanted that man for myself. He's young, handsome, and powerful. I deserve him more than she does. Are we going to stop that marriage?"

-Daughter! That man is a womanizer, who discards women like trash. He may be very attractive, but he shows no feelings; on the contrary, he is a cruel and arrogant person. You don't deserve to be treated poorly! You are a princess! He will marry Lindsey, use her, and then discard her like she's nothing. A zero to the left!

-I hope her married life is hell, and when he discards her, she's useless and good for nothing.

-That's how it will be, princess! The important thing is that he's leaving this house, and you will inherit everything. I'll convince your father to put the company in your name, and we can enjoy his fortune.

Courtney jumped for joy; soon she would enjoy her sister's fortune, which should have been hers from the beginning.

The wedding day has arrived.

Lindsey panicked, not knowing what awaits her with that man. She sighed several times before opening the door, controlled her breathing not to show fear, descended the stairs with a neutral expression, wearing a loose white dress with long sleeves, a high ponytail, her favorite white Converse, and black glasses.

Everyone looked at her with disdain. Her father rolled his eyes before opening the door of the house. The women were happy because soon they would be rid of her, and another would make her suffer. The wedding was at the civil registry.

Kyle didn't want a party, just to sign at the registry, wait a year, get divorced, and continue with his life as usual.

At the registry were Grandpa Hugo, Sussan, the bride's parents, the sister, and the bride who was sitting in a chair in front of the judge's desk. Everyone was impatient because the groom had not arrived.

"This boy likes to see me upset. Look at the time, and he hasn't arrived," protested the old man, looking at his watch.

"He'll be here soon. He knows that if he doesn't marry, you'll take away the presidency", -Sussan said, looking at the bride with displeasure.

The old man observed his daughter, looked at the girl, and giving her a small touch on the arm, he said:

"Don't let appearances deceive you, daughter. I have faith in this girl."

At that moment, an imposing figure entered the registry, followed by his assistant.

"See, Dad? I told you he would come."

Lindsey, upon hearing them talk, turned and swallowed hard at the sight of a tall, dark-haired man in a tailored black suit, approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall. He wore black glasses, approached the desk, took off his glasses to reveal his cold blue eyes, and she could only settle into her chair.

"Here I am! Where do I need to sign?" Kyle expressed without emotion.