The CEO’ s second choice novel Chapter 44

　　Elena

　　"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!"

　　Sebastian stumbles into our bedroom, and his eyes fall on me as I jump on our bed. He frowns, "What the hell, Elena!" He asks with a scowl as he takes in my widened eyes. "Did you see a spider again?" I stopped jumping and hopped off the bed into his arms, but I couldn't get my words out. "I... I... Exeter... Got... In..." I say through laboured breaths, but I see the cogs turning in his head when he realises what I have said.

　　"You got into Exeter?" He exclaims and I nod so much I swear my head would have fallen off. He picks me up and swings me around while I giggle with glee. I got in! I got into Exeter with my own written work! No help from anyone except citations and I got in. Tears of happiness stream down my cheeks and Sebastian kisses them. "I am so proud of you, Elena," he says and kisses my lips softly. My bottom lip trembles when he says this and I legitimately ugly cry! "Oh, baby!" My silly husband says and wraps me in a warm hug.

　　I couldn't get any words out at that moment, it all just came out as gurgles, and I am completely mortified. Sebastian leads me over to our bed, and I eventually calm down. "I'm sorry," I start as I dry my tears with a tissue. "It's not the fact that I got in that I am his bag of tears, it's their comments about my written work." I turn on my laptop to face him, and he reads out loud.

　　" 'Dear Mrs Dumont, what a pleasure it was to read your take on women in our literature world. It certainly was refreshing to read and see things through a fresh pair of eyes. Incredibly written and indeed thought-provoking, brilliance at its best. It will be my pleasure to welcome you to Exeter this coming Autumn.' "

　　Sebastian looks at me with pride shining in his eyes and wraps me in another hug. "That is indeed something to be proud about, my love." He says and kisses my forehead. "I always believed that you have a brilliant mind, not just a pretty face." I smile at him, "Thank you," I say and blow my nose, then I frown. "Wait, what are you doing at home?" I asked him, It has been three months since our honeymoon. Unfortunately, we had to come home because of this Elijah scandal. They have proven that the woman was lying about the harassment, but the child's paternity has yet to be determined.

　　"I came to see if you would like to join me for lunch, but I see a celebratory dinner would be apt." He says and kisses my cheek. I shake my head. "We have the Summer Fable tonight, remember? Your mother has been pestering me to come, and it is the last social event for the summer hosted by our family." I remind him, but he rolls his eyes. "I forgot about that. Okay then, lunch?" He asks, and I nod. "Let me just grab my coat and shoes, and I'll see you downstairs. Oh, and I have to pay my tuition, I'll be down soon." I say, and he nods, giving me a kiss on the head before leaving the room. I sigh, then pull out my phone to call Anabelle, who answers on the third ring. "Hey Leen," she says, calling me my unusual endearment. "Hey, tart, guess who's a college student as of a few minutes ago," I tell her to a resounding shriek on the other side of the phone. "No!" she says and I giggle. "Yes, I'm afraid you have to put up with me from October."

　　"Thank The Pope!" she says, and we banter a bit before saying goodbye. She would be meeting us at the Summer Fable tonight with a date her parents chose for her. Poor Anabelle, I wish she could come out, but her family responsibility would never allow her to. In our way of life, happiness came a hard third.

　　I slip on my heels and run downstairs to meet my husband, who was waiting downstairs. Things were starting to look up for me somewhat; my self-confidence was returning, my marriage was going well, and I got into an excellent school to further my career! Somehow I think I deserve this no matter how fleeting it may seem.

　　***