My CEO, My Temptation
Chapter 25

Jessica

It was the awaited day, the relaunched of the Robinson Finance. It was supposed to be a business relaunched, but somehow the marketing department decided to change it into a gala with a special orchestra performance, extra publicity, and a whole lot of guests.

Tyler said we’re showing people that the company was coming back with a bang. But they surely throw a lot of money into it that I was not comfortable with at some stage.

“I still think it’s too much, and you wouldn’t even let me peek at the cost, and… even Kayleigh couldn’t get your finance to show her the rundown.”

Tyler looked at me smugly, he looked too damn handsome that I melt in his arms the second he pulled me in.

“The Richardson needs to show off their support, we are taking over what used to be one of the best financial companies in the country. Your father build it well, but your brother made some very bad decisions then throw you under the bus to pick up the pieces.”

It took all of my wills to push him back and tell him that I was still getting ready. He kissed the top of my head and told me to look in the mirror. I was shaking my head but was mesmerized when I looked at the beautiful diamond necklace that he put around my neck.

“Tyler, it’s….”

“It looks beautiful on you,” he kissed the back of my neck and rubbed his hand to my naked shoulder.

My off-the-shoulder Dior evening gown was a last-minute purchase that Kayleigh insisted that I buy when she looked at the finished result of the venue. She was telling me that I would embarrass the Richardson with the choice of dress in my closet. And she was right, looking at Tyler in his designer tuxedo I know I’ve made the right choice in following Kayleigh’s words.

“Tyler, this is…”

Again, Kayleigh was right, the venue was overwhelming and I was actually nervous for the introduction that his PR had me scheduled for.

“Don’t be nervous, you’ll do just fine,” his hand was to my back, caressing me softly and pulling me closer to his side as if he can read my mind.

“I know, this is…I didn’t think my dad’s company was even worth this much recognition.”

“I don’t want to be that jackass but any company related to us deserves the spotlight…”

“Yeah, you are such a jackass,” I said slapping his chest-covered tux playfully, smiling, liking our closeness.

But it didn’t take long before MacMillan junior was to our front, and on his right side, Elsie latched onto his arm wearing an evening slut dress with her boobs almost out, screaming f**k me I’m the office slut.

“Well, if it isn’t the power couple. I see you’ve chosen the next best thing, you could’ve had me, love.” The young Irish millionaire winked at me stating so as if he’s a better catch than Tyler.

“Brodie, glad you can join us, Elsie,” Tyler cut in, greeted them, choosing to ignore his words while I decided to remain silent and just smile at the couple in front of us.

I could see Elsie was ravishing my date with her eyes, but back to giving her full attention to Brodie when he harshly told her to fetch him more champagne. He was not drunk, but he was drinking those bubbly at an awfully fast pace.

The awkward moment ended when Kayleigh came for me and Tyler, swiftly ushering us to the backstage.

“Is that Elsie? wow, she’s really holding onto that man like an anchor and that slut dress…hmm…”

I laughed and told her that we should be happy for Elsie, rather Brodie than Tyler.

“Jess, you’re jealousy is really comforting but we really should get to the stage,” Tyler whispered fanning his hot breath in my ear making me grin like he’s my teenage crush.

Smiling nervously, I hugged Kayleigh and told her to wish me luck. But somehow I know the moment Tyler’s hand was to my back I was confident by his side.

His team introduced me as the CEO of my family’s company and Tyler as the CEO of the Richardson multi-billion dollars worth company. I was smiling seeing my people within his people, celebrating the union of our company. Both agreed to strive and make everything better, much much better than it was once before.

“I need to go to the restroom.”

We were listening to the chamber orchestras, there were probably about fifty musicians. The ambiance was extraordinary until I needed a time out from too much champagne.

“I’ll take you,”

“What? no…stay here, mingle, I’ll replace you later.” I rubbed his hand assuring him that I’m good.

He has been such a boyfriend the whole event, telling me I should let him get closer. He wanted to show off our status to everyone, but I was still not comfortable with the whole PDA thing.

Twenty minutes later I was washing my hand when I saw the brown envelope on the marble sink with my name on it. The ladies’ room was empty aside from myself.

The photos fell from my hands as they shook when panic sets in. I was scrambling, gathering naked pictures of myself from the floor, grasping them while my tears fall blurring my vision.

Who would do this to me?

“Jess? are you okay? Tyler asked me to check up on you, wait…what the f**k?”

“Who… who would do this?” I asked when Kayleigh kneel to my front, my legs gave up on me. I couldn’t make myself get up from the floor.

She was calling on her phone, I was still grasping at the photos. I couldn’t hear anything, all of my focus went to the pictures of my naked body, bruised and positioned awkwardly.

Who would do this, Troy is dead. It must’ve been his doing, he gave me those bruises, he must’ve taken my pictures when I was unconscious. My mind was still wondering when Tyler barged in with Larry behind him.

“Jess, it’s okay…I’m here, you’ll be just fine. Larry get the photos, baby let them go. We’ll take care of it.”

“No, burn them, I need to burn them.”

“Jess, baby, they will just send more…we need to figure out who did this. Everything will be okay, I got you…” Tyler helped me up and finally took my pictures and put them back inside the envelope.

“I will take this, we’ll take care of this. Larry call the head of our security to my place right now, you stay here and cover for us. Kayleigh, can you come with us? I’ll have my driver take you home later.”

I was held to his side, barely standing. He was holding onto my weight and Kayleigh took my clutch and walk to my other side covering us from the public eyes.

We arrived at his apartment, Kayleigh was helping me change and help me to rest in his bed while Tyler was already talking to his guys. I could hear two other voices aside from his familiar one.

“He loves you, he will replace out who did this. You’re going to be okay.” Kayleigh gave me a cup of tea to calm my nerves.

“I hate him,”

“I know,” she hugged me, she knows it was all because of Troy and she stayed with me until Tyler was done with his men.

“Thank you, Kayleigh, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Tyler said as he walked then sit to my front.

“Yes, boss. Please take care of her.”

“I will, I promised.” He gave me his calming smile, then nodded to Kayleigh.

She was gone and he was to my side tucking my loose strands behind my ears.

“My men are looking into who might have the motive to do this, from Brodie to even Elsie, or any of your rival partners. This happened today, conveniently on the same day of our re-launched.”

“Okay…”

He looked at me, studied me, and obviously, he knows that my mind was somewhere else.

“Jess, talk to me?” he kissed the top of my head and rubbed my cheek softly.

“I’m, ashamed. Embarrassed that you and your people saw me for who I really was.”

“Exactly was…it was in the past, and it’s not you who should be embarrassed. You’re the victim here. I love you. You’re going to be okay, just don’t pull back on me.”

He rest back to the headboard and takes me in his arms, let me rest my head on his chest, and rubbed my back while talking about the earlier discussion he had with his men. I like that he didn’t shut me out of the issue and their discussion, he let me know exactly what was going on.

Tyler also insisted that I work from his place for the next couple of days.

“I think it’s best, for now, Kayleigh will come and accompany you here. How’s that sound?”

His voice was far away, his assurance was like a lullaby for me. I felt safe and warm, I felt loved in his arms, I was closing my eyes and I can feel his smile on my forehead when he kissed me goodnight.

“I love you, Jess.”