The CEO’ s second choice novel Chapter 25

　　Elena

　　Sebastian did not come home that night, I know because I stayed up all night reading the set of books he got me. I know that he didn’t take the Phantom because I heard the Bugatti start up and speed away, but not return and I stayed up until 2 am reading.

　　Something which I deeply regret now as I realise the designer from Dior would be here at 9 am. I drag myself out of bed to have a cold shower that would wake me up. Ugh, I never learn from staying up so late to read; I always regret it the next day.

　　After my shower, Ilse informed me that the designer had arrived and showed her into my room. A beautiful, petite blonde woman with the face of a pixie enters and introduces herself, “Mrs Dumont, lovely to meet you, Meghan Black.” She says with an American accent. I offer her a smile and shake her hand, “Please call me Elena,” I say and she nods then immediately dives into the aspects of the dress. She takes my measurements and listens to my likes and dislikes and what I am comfortable with wearing.

　　Three hours later we have the design of a dress ready; It would be a rose gold ballgown with a sweetheart neckline that did not show too much cleavage. Since it was winter, we decided on a long-sleeved shawl/bolero with a flared sleeve that ended just below my elbow and had a Queen Anne neckline.

　　“I can’t wait to see you bring this to life, Meghan!” I exclaim as I see her out of the villa. She turns around to give me a hug, “You will wear it beautifully. I’ll come to deliver it myself on Friday morning. See you then, Elena.” She says as she leaves.

　　I did not expect the time to fly so quickly as we worked on the ballgown, and now I was starving. I walk towards the kitchen area and the smell assaults my senses; Ilse was busy cooking a lovely meal for lunch, and I could not wait to sample it. “Hmm, Ilse, that smells divine!” I comment as I saunter into the kitchen.

　　She turns to see me and smiles, “I assume you worked up an appetite with that small lady?” She asks me, referring to Meghan. I giggle at this, “Oh, definitely. I could just about slaughter a good meal right now.”

　　“That makes two of us,” I hear behind me and my heart starts thumping faster. I turn around in my stool at the breakfast nook and see Sebastian as he strides into the kitchen, fully dressed in a suit. It did not look like he changed since yesterday and it affirmed my suspicions; he did not come home last night.

　　“Welcome home, Mr Dumont,” Ilse says in her singsong voice and Sebastian returns her greeting as he takes a seat next to me. He turns his head towards me and smiles, “Good morning, Elena,” he says and I could still smell the whiskey on his breath.

　　I remain where I am, shocked at what had just transpired. How do I move forward from this? I feel a wave of burning anger in my chest and race to his bedroom. I will not allow him to get away with making me feel like this! I burst through his door without knocking and see his startled expression while he takes off his shirt.

　　“How dare you!” I cry out as I walk towards him and shove him hard, “How dare you tell me these things now when you know I cannot feel anything for you! You were the one who did not have the backbone to tell my family that you chose the wrong twin, so don’t you dare blame your unhappy years with my sister on me!” I exclaim as angry tears stream down my face and I shove him once more.

　　“You cannot tell me you have fallen in love with me and expect me to move on after that, Sebastian! Why could you not just have stayed silent?!” Sebastian regards me with a burning anger of his own and grabs my wrists after I shove him again, “So the bratty heiress finally speaks her truth,” he says as he pulls me closer to his chest, gripping my wrists tightly.

　　I rolled my eyes at him, “I have always spoken my truth, you just never cared to listen.” I tell him and see the growing mischievous fox grin on his face and he cocks his head to the side. Why was he smiling like that?

　　“What did I say about rolling your eyes at me, petite pâquerette?”