Hidden Flash Marriage: Love Me Back, Mr CEO

***

Mia laid on her bed, staring at the ceiling in boredom when a sneeze unexpectedly erupted from her nose. “Ntin!”

Frowning, she pondered who might be talking badly about her.

She shrugged her shoulders, slipping down from the bed. She then sauntered over to the window. Less than twenty-four hours had passed, yet she was already weary of staying home. Having to remain there for the entire week ahead felt like a burden.

To make matters worse, she wouldn’t be able to attend Grandpa Mandez’s Saturday birthday party either. What a bummer.

Boredom would definitely kill her before the week was over.

Peering through the window, Mia noticed the sun starting to set. With a sigh, she gazed at the beautiful garden and spotted Madam Susan exiting with gardening tools in hand.

What a gorgeous garden. She resolved to go down there sometime. The flowers’ fragrant scents would offer some solace. A smile brightened Mia’s face.

—–

Same Day. R High School.

As classes ended, students trooped out of their classrooms and began heading to their respective homes.

Alex’s gaze lingered on the empty seat beside him before he slung his bag over his shoulder and left the classroom.

This week had been challenging for his absent seatmate, and the fact that he couldn’t do anything about it annoyed him. Dejected, he trudged out of the school premises, wondering what the issue could be that made her absent today.

Veronica Clifford glanced at the vacant girl’s seat and quickly looked away. Only the heavens knew why that brat was missing school today. Probably up to some mischief.

‘Good riddance!’ She picked up her bag and headed outside.

Seeing her uncle, her face lit up.

Damien Davis grinned at his niece, affectionately tousling her hair. “How was school today?”

“Ugh, the usual-stressful.” Veronica hopped into the car as Damien chuckled.

Before getting into the car himself, Damien scanned the surroundings but failed to spot the person he was looking for. Maybe she had already gone home. A fleeting dejected look crossed his face, but he masked it quickly.

He got into the car, and they drove away.

“Your mom and the rest of the family will arrive in two days.” Damien informed his niece during the ride home.

“Hmm.” Veronica responded nonchalantly.

Damien was intrigued. Sometimes, his teenage niece acted more mature than her years. It was as if she didn’t miss her family at all. He chuckled.

—

Back at R High School, Vivian felt guilty about Mia’s absence. She knew exactly why her sister was absent, yet she wasn’t doing anything about it.

She despised herself for allowing her sister to take her place-the horrible place she had occupied.

Vivian couldn’t help but wonder how Mia was doing. Was she being treated well? She sincerely hoped the Andrew family wasn’t mistreating her.

Feeling self-loathing, Vivian reluctantly left the school grounds with a sigh.

Suddenly, someone called her name from behind, causing her to halt. It was her sister’s best friend.

Vivian’s heart raced. She knew Martha would inquire about Mia. What should she say? Anxiety clenched at her.NôvelDrama.Org content.

“Hey.” Martha smiled as she approached, accompanied by Max.

“Hi.” Vivian responded in a low voice.

“Mia wasn’t in school today… Is everything alright?” Martha asked.

Vivian’s heart raced uncontrollably.

“Er-hu-hum… Um, sh-she’s sick.” Vivian stammered. “Yeah, she fell ill.”

“Really? Oh.” Martha’s brow furrowed. “How is she? Should we come over? No, we’re definitely coming over.” Her concern for her best friend was evident.

Vivian panicked at Martha’s suggestion. “No! No, no, no!” She blurted out, surprising Martha and Max.

Huh?

Realizing she had overreacted, Vivian quickly forced a smile. “I mean, no. It’s not necessary. Our house is already crowded with Dad being sick… It wouldn’t be ideal to have more people over. She’s recovering. She’ll be back at school soon.” She chuckled nervously.

Martha nodded understandingly. “Oh,-”

“Hum, I’ll head home now. Bye.” Without waiting any longer, Vivian hurried away from the couple.

Martha squinted as she watched Vivian leave, sensing something amiss. Could the girl be lying? But what could be wrong then?

“Max, let’s go,” She turned to face her boyfriend, and that was when she noticed that the boy seemed to be lost deep in thoughts.

What was he thinking about? Martha wondered.

He had to be thinking about that awful girl! She clenched her fists.

Max was convinced Vivian had lied. How else could he explain yesterday’s call?

Something wasn’t right, but he couldn’t seem to pinpoint it.

Maybe Vivian was just covering for Mia’s disgusting behavior. Why else would she run off like that? Max knew Vivian cared deeply for Mia and would protect her.

Yesterday, a man had answered Mia’s phone, telling Max never to call again. Probably one of her many clients!

Seeing Mia absent today further confirmed Max’s suspicion. She must have been exhausted from her work and overslept.

Thinking of Mia’s nauseating actions, Max’s irritation flared. How disdainful! Who knew, perhaps, when they were still together, she was like that behind his back?

He was glad he left her for Martha, a genuinely kind soul.

Suddenly, Max turned to Martha and quickly checked their surroundings. Then he leaned in and kissed her.

“Thank you for finding me. Keep being you,” he murmured gratefully.

Taking her hand, he led her out of the school. “Where would you like to go tonight?”

Martha was taken aback. Max had initiated the kiss, a first for him. She usually took the lead.

‘What changed? Why did he kiss me?’ She wondered.

But she didn’t have time to reflect on these questions for long as her initial confusion was soon replaced by joy.

“Where else but Domino’s?” she said with a smile, and they both laughed.

Just to check if Max did not think about Mia just now…

In a low, sad tone, Martha said, “I feel bad for Mia though. I think we should go visit her.”

Max’s face tensed at Mia’s name. He never wanted to hear that name from Martha’s lips again. His girlfriend shouldn’t be uttering such a person’s name from her pure mouth.

“She’ll be fine. Vivian said it’s not serious, so it’s not.” He dismissed.

Martha’s heart fluttered. The Max she knew would have insisted on visiting Mia the moment he heard Vivian say that girl was ill. Yet now he brushed it off like it was nothing.

It seemed he no longer had any feelings for Mia. Martha felt elated. Her smile radiating happiness, she realized she had Max all to herself!

—–

Two days later.

DA Company. CEO’s office.

“Sir, you’ve received an invitation to a birthday party.” Joe had an elegant card in his hand as he stood at the other side of the CEO’s desk.

“Throw it away,” Damien said, his face buried in the work before him.

“It’s from Old Master Mandez.”

Upon hearing that name, Damien looked up. He glanced at his desk calendar and realized the old man’s birthday was tomorrow.

Sigh. That old champ. He glanced at the invitation card.

“Alright.” Damien checked the time and saw that it was almost time for schools to close for the day; he knew he had to go pick up Vee.

Stella and her family were arriving soon too. After picking up Vee from school, they’d have to go to the airport immediately.