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Chapter 38
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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The CEO's Proposition Chapter 39
RAFAELAn hour earlier...Paxton, my investigator, came to my office in the afternoon, exactly when I was getting ready for Savannah’s event. He didn’t say he was coming, but Pax never showed up unannounced unless he had new information.“Take a seat, Pax.” I glanced at my Rolex. I just hope this was good news he brought. It was often a false lead for a couple decades now.“Someone called me,” he said as he perched. “Someone from Adventures Park.”“I thought we said we’re not following this lead because it’s a waste of time?”Hundreds of children go missing in the amusement park every year, but we stopped looking in those places because we didn’t find a case like ours. All nearby amusement parks had no information to give.“I know, it sounds impossible given how many times I looked. But I think we’re getting closer.”I clenched my fist. He said that many times too. “How about what you said the last time? You said you found a foster home that could point us to our search?”“Let’s take
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 40
SAVANNAH“Ms. Estrella,” Rafe greeted back.I groaned inwardly. “What do you want?”“Can we talk?” she asked.I glanced at Rafe. “Yeah, I don’t think so. I’m with someone.”“Yes, I can see that. I’m sorry.” She looked at Rafe and smiled at him. “Good evening, Mr. Sebastian. Thank you for coming here tonight and for the huge donation. One of our school’s goals is to raise money for scholarships and aid homeless children.”“You donated?” I asked him in surprise.“They’re giving out leaflets at the entrance,” he said.As former students of this school, we should automatically share a donation of any amount upon attendance, but the other guests were not obligatory. “Wow. Thank you. That’s generous.”He winked at me. “You’re welcome. I’ll leave you two to talk.”“Wait, I didn’t say—”“Don’t take long,” he cut off to my word and lightly kissed my temple. “I’ll wait for you outside…”Sofia and I went to the tech room to talk. It was better when no one else was around, so we could say everyth
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 41
SAVANNAHOn the South Service Road to Long Island, I fought my sleepiness by listening to the playlist on my phone that I connected to Rafe’s car stereo. But the music alone wasn’t enough. I needed something to keep my head busy.“Tell me more about you. If you like us to appear madly in love in front of your family, don’t you think I should know a bit about you before meeting them?” Honestly, that was just an excuse. We were past the introduction phase of our lives, and he knew most about my life. Rafe, for me, was still a force of mystery. Darkness, I was waiting to come into the light. “We have an hour’s drive. It’s plenty of time to get to know each other more.”“I already know plenty about you.”“No, you don’t. I’ll go first so you don’t think I’m unfair. You still don’t know I’m allergic to peanuts.”He glanced at me. “Wow. That’s a hindrance to your dining experiences. I like peanuts.”“Yes. I get itchy in my mouth, neck, and arms. Once, my lips also got so swollen that Michael
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 42
SAVANNAHMy mouth fell open when I stared up at the breathtaking mansion. The enormous thing was illuminated by the bright lights. The fountain in the middle of the circle drive gave the environment a more luxurious feel.I tried not to think about Rafe’s family wealth, not wanting that to be the reason for my attraction to him, but if there was ever a time to appreciate their fortune, this was it. The Reeds were rich, but even though I didn’t intend to compare them, I could understand now why Brett and Amara were too competitive.“Whoa. This is not normal.”Rafe laughed. “Come on.”I stepped out of the car, utterly overwhelmed with the scent of the cool ocean air interlacing with the crisp and spicy wood smell. The front doors were opened almost instantly, as though someone from the inside had waited for our arrival. It turned out I was right. An elderly man with silver hair and a black suit greeted us.“Good evening, Angus,” Rafe said, gliding his arm around my upper back. “This is
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 43
SAVANNAHWhen Rafe brought me to another room without much light illuminating the spacious, quiet space that I couldn’t see much, he cupped my face and pressed his forehead to mine. Electric tingles spread from my stomach throughout the rest of my body. We were sharing this room… The anticipation made me squirm.Rafe’s breathing was hard and heavy. I could tell he was still agitated by his argument with his father. My gut feeling turned right when he whispered, “I didn’t want you to see that.”I touched his hand. “I don’t know what’s going on, but what you did there was brave.”“What I did was wrong. I never defied him. Not directly, at least.”“You respect him. But we’re all humans, Rafe.” I searched for his eyes in the shade of blue light coming from the open balcony. “At some point in our lives, we commit mistakes. It’s acceptable. The beauty of it is what you learn from it. But of course, you already know that. You’re not the same man you were before. I’m sorry I didn’t get to say
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 44
RAFAEL The bathtub filled with vanilla-scented bubbles and pink flower petals was ready for our leisure. The moment I got to know Savannah, I understood a little what she wanted from a relationship. She was the type that liked chocolates and flowers and romantic gestures, she was sweet, so she appreciated being given affection. She deserved these things. I didn’t want her to think I would abandon her as her ex-husband did. Maybe she was already thinking about it by the tone of her questions. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured with twinkling eyes. “Angus had the servants prepare it. I’m glad you like it.” “I love it.” She gave me a sweet smile. I stepped into the water first and soon felt the warm water stream. I extended my hand to Savannah. “Join me.” She accepted my invitation, stepped into the tub, and we leisurely sank our bodies in the bubble bath. I sat across from her so I could watch her enjoy herself. I brought my legs to her side so she could move freely. “Thank you.” She
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 45
SAVANNAH“I’d known Gill since seventh grade. She left letters in my locker, watched me play tennis every practice and official game with her friends, and cheered for me,” Rafe began as he gently stroked my collarbones with the vanilla water. It was as if he knew my favorite scent. But it was more surprising that he played in middle school.“You played tennis?” I suddenly pictured a young Rafael Sebastian holding a racket in a cute tennis uniform. It was a sight I wanted to see. I smiled.“Yes. My father didn’t care if I had extra activities as long as I always won.”“Did you?”“I did.”“Wow. You must be pretty good in class too.”“Never got a B,” he bragged. I felt his smile.I laughed. “My hot nerd boyfriend. And then? Was Gill in your class too?”“Always sat in the back. It was impossible not to notice her as she scribbled about me in her letters.”“I’m more astounded that you actually read them.”“Not all of them. I threw some when I was annoyed.”“And you didn’t speak to her abou
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 46
SAVANNAHWhen we got to bed, we cuddled on the bed for almost seemed like forever. I was facing the windows, watching the curtain blow and the hue of the moonlight while Rafe embraced me from behind.It was past one o’clock, according to the digital clock on the nightstand. It was peaceful; the air was cool but not too cold. Rafe’s body heat helped calm down my senses. We weren’t talking, just feeling and hearing each other’s presence and breathing.“When did you realize you wanted to be with me?” I whispered because it was too quiet.“Ever since I saw you.”I hummed. “But you must have wanted someone before. After all, you are a very healthy and fine young man.”I felt his body twitch. “Perhaps, but I never wanted anyone as badly as you. I’ve thought about you since you gave me back my phone.”I squeezed in closer to his body. “That’s nice. I’ve thought about you too. A lot. Can I tell you something?”“Go ahead,” he answered, a little curious.If I couldn’t tell him I love him yet, m
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The CEO's Proposition Epilogue
SAVANNAH Two years later... I expected to see this day but didn’t expect to feel melancholy. Carter was packing his stuff in a big blue box, like someone who got fired from his job. But his expression was too joyful for someone leaving his post. I was happy for him at the same time. We’d worked together for a couple of years now, and we were so productive. Seeing him step down as CMO would make a drastic change for the office and the entire management. Well, he was following his dreams. He was leaving the entertainment world for a new career journey. He had finally built the perfumery company that he had wanted all along. As for me, I would be the new CMO and Rafe’s partner in life. Yep, that was the proper name for it. “Take care of my office, will you?” Carter said as he transferred his pile of old binders to a box. “You know what to do with these?” “Yes, when I needed ideas from our previous work. Visit us, okay?” He chuckled. “Come on, Savi. We’ve been practically a family e
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 61
SAVANNAH“A toast. For all of us!” Rafe lifted his champagne glass as we gathered after the program. The Estrellas and some familiar faces in the company had also joined us at our table. With that, everyone raised their glasses and then drank their champagne.“Thank you, darling.” Rachel put her glass down and clasped her hands. “You see, everyone. I’ve always asked myself whether this time will come, and I’ll be present to witness it.”Everyone turned silent.“But here I am, seeing all of you, celebrating our success. I can’t ask for anything more.” Her gaze stopped at Michael, and she smiled. “I’ve never felt so happy again until this moment. And to my husband and children. Thank you for making this possible, and congratulations to us all.”Everyone at the round table applauded and sipped on their drinks again.“Congratulations to the additional family member, too,” a sophisticated-looking woman in a blue gown commented. She seemed about Rachel’s age.“Oh, Anya is giving birth six m
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 60
SAVANNAHThree weeks later…After convincing Michael to officially meet the Sebastians, he hardly had any sleep. I could tell by the dark shades underneath his eyes and how he always asked me what to say to them. He looked nervous but was still very handsome, just like his brother. They were fraternal twins, but was it ironic that I was seeing a resemblance now?Someone knocked on the door, and then Rafe let himself in. “Is everyone ready?”Last week, I moved into his penthouse, which I basically consider my personal space now. We hadn’t told anyone about our engagement since we wanted his parents to meet Michael first and then our announcement. It should be private. He also insisted I invite Michael here yesterday so they could talk.In addition, Michael didn’t know there was a huge celebration in the company tonight. It was the sixtieth founding anniversary of Sebastian Entertainment Group and Rafe’s appointment as the new chairman. Michael had changed his ties many times now in fr
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 59
RAFAEL“A week after Mikhail went missing, and the news spread to the school,” I began the story I never told anyone. It tortured me to share this part of my life with someone, but not this me. Surprisingly, I felt fine. My tranquility was her doing.Savannah was now leaning on my chest with my arm on her shoulders on the bed. I loved smelling her vanilla-scented hair. We fucked and made love in the last three hours, but I still couldn’t get enough. I needed more of her.“The kids watched, the teachers felt sorry, and that was when Brett’s friends came to me. They told me what happened at the amusement park. We came back every day. Dad hired people to find him, but he was gone. He didn’t speak to me for a while.”“So you blame yourself because you thought he blamed you. Your dad mentioned something about it,” she said. That was probably when they spoke at the beach. “Why do you think he blamed you?”“I brought him there after school. Mikhail didn’t speak, but he understood me. I asked
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 58
RAFAELI couldn’t imagine their faces when I told them Mikhail was alive. Dad had lost hope. My mother still mourned in her sleep. Julian was young when Mikhail went missing, so he couldn’t remember much. My twin was a lost boy who never found his way back home. It had been three decades.I thought it was impossible. I thought when Brett showed me the papers, he was messing with me again, trying to destroy the sanity left in me. But when I saw Michael Gibson, the man who raised the only woman that brought me back to life, when he told me how he got lost before I could say anything, I knew it was him. It was a small world, but it took us time to find each other.It was her. Savannah brought him back to me.Mikhail wasn’t as he was twenty-nine years ago. I worried because of his speech disability, the world would be cruel to him, but he grew up as a man better than I’d become. He stood on his own and became a self-made man. He loved Savannah and protected her. I should be ashamed.I hur
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 57
SAVANNAHMichael and the girls were in the living room when Rafe left a few moments ago. They were staring at me with a googly as if waiting for me to say something. I wondered if my brother had told them anything. In addition, it was still strange to see Sofia sitting in our living room.I sat on the sofa across from them.“What now?” Riley said.I looked at my brother. “Do you mind me telling them?”Michael tensed up, folding his arms across his chest. “I supposed they already know, so there’s no point asking.”“Sorry,” I murmured.I started explaining from the beginning—about how Michael told me he was still looking for his family. My friends knew my brother was adopted, but we didn’t speak about it because it seemed unnatural. Michael was already there when I was growing up. My brother even surprisingly answered Riley’s questions.“Please, don’t tell anyone about this yet. Even with your parents, Sofia,” I pleaded.“Of course. I understand,” she said softly.
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 56
SAVANNAHMy whole body shivered. Rafe’s question only meant that they were talking about Michael. Gradually, I understood what was happening.There were things Rafael didn’t tell me. Things about him he couldn’t entrust others yet, especially to someone like me whom he had just met. That was human nature, so I understood and was still waiting. But things between the two of us kept getting deeper.It wasn’t just any person who’d accidentally become a part of his life.Rafe had a sibling (a twin) he’d lost many years ago, and it was my very own brother. The same person who raised me, the same person who carried and fed me as a child. It wasn’t just about his family—it was mine too.Rafe and I’s connection to the Reeds was already problematic. I wasn’t sure what to believe because the coincidence was too bewildering; it almost seemed impossible.Unable to answer or move, Rafe snatched my hand and dragged me to his car with brute force. My wrist was hurting, but the noise in my mind from
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 55
SAVANNAHThe past few weeks have been busy in the office. I missed Rafe terribly despite my anger at what happened in Long Island. His absence had me overthinking things about him and Erin—things he refused to tell me.I hadn’t heard from Rafe since his last message and only followed him on the news. He was in many meetings and conferences, but Billy and Carter assured me everything was going fine. They didn’t tell me when they were returning. I’d just take what I could get and let him explain when he returned.But today, I stood before his brother because I needed to leave early. Brett was picking me up to take me to Brooklyn, eagerly looking forward and hoping I’d meet Michael’s family. However, Carter had to bring another piece of news.“Rafe’s returning today.”A pool of emotions lifted up my heart. Excitement? Restlessness? I wasn’t sure. “He is? What time?”“Not sure, but he has probably left the office now.”I heaved an exhale. “Thanks for giving me an update every now and then
The CEO's Proposition Chapter 54
SAVANNAHI spent the next hour talking to Michael about Rafe. He’d love a bit of honesty, although I kept some privacy for myself. He listened, but he was frantic. My brother wasn’t the type to show it all throughout.“Savannah, that is not okay to leave a girlfriend alone at god knows where for any reason,” he pressed.“I know, but I don’t want to make an issue about it before hearing his explanation.”He shook his head. “You’re too kind.”“Well, I was raised this way.”He arched his eyebrow. “So it’s my fault.”“No! Because you’re too kind to me.” I held his hand. “Michael, we’re still new. He’s still figuring things out because the last time he had a relationship was over a decade ago.”“And you believed him?”“Yes. Why would a man lie about his relationship? As far as I know, men like to brag about it.”“Well… You’re not wrong, although I’m not the type,” he defended. “But please know that if he ever hurt you, he’ll have to face me.”I gave him a smile. “Thank you, but I’ll figure
