THE CEO'S FAKE WIFE

Till There Was You

Luke was confused about whether to accept a call from Rebecca or not. He glanced at Beatrice who was still looking out the window.

"Just pick up the phone, it doesn't make any difference whether you pick it up now or later behind me, and I don't care anyway," said Beatrice without turning her head. Luke swallowed hard, feeling upset for some unknown reason. He didn't why he was so upset to be in that situation, he should feel happy that Rebecca called him but why did he feel otherwise?

Trapped in such a situation, he didn't have a choice but to take the call from Rebecca who had called him about five times in a row.

"Yeah?" he said almost in a whisper.

"Are you busy now? I called you five times," Rebecca's voice was heard on the car speakers.

Luke took a glance at Beatrice who was still looking at the window, she kept that position even though her neck has already stiff and sore.

"Not really, what happen?" he asked flatly.

"You're going to Hawaii next week, right? I need to make sure about the day because I have to match the schedule so we can go together," Rebecca answered lightly, she didn't know at all that Luke was with Beatrice at that time and the fact that her voice could be heard clearly.

Beatrice's face didn't change, it's just that her heart beat faster because of the anger that stabbed into her heart.

"Ummm, I haven't decided yet, I'll let you know anytime soon," said Luke in a trembling voice. For some reason, he felt so bad for Beatrice.

"Don't take it too long, I have to arrange a work schedule, because I have audit work in Barcelona," Rebecca's voice sounded cheerful.

"Sure," said Luke, glancing at Beatrice again.

"Well, if that's the case, keep up the good work! I love you, Baby!" Rebecca said still in a very cheerful tone. "Yup, I'm turning off the phone, I have a meeting," said Luke and hastily pressed the red button on the screen.

Beatrice's heart was pounding as if it was going to tear her eardrums, she really felt sick, annoyed, and jealous. She felt like she wanted to get out of the car right then and there. But then she remembered the million-dollar money to pay her father's debt, so she just sat still, holding back her feelings.

She didn't make a sound at all and Luke didn't ask anything because he felt very awkward. Then a few moments later they pulled over at one of the famous Japanese restaurants. Before Luke had a chance to open the door for her, she came out first, making Luke stand awkwardly.

With a tight face, she walked into the restaurant. Apparently the drama that day was not enough for them. When they were about to sit, their eyes were both fixed on the person sitting at the table next to them. It was beyond expectation. Again, it's her, Rebecca. It turned out that she had been at that restaurant with two of her friends, even when she called Luke earlier she has already come to that place.

Rebecca got up from her seat and looked at Luke and Rebecca with a questioning look.

"So you were with her when I was calling you earlier?" said Rebecca while standing in front of Luke.

Luke didn't answer, he really was in a difficult situation at that time. As if completely unconcerned, Beatrice pulled up a chair and immediately threw herself there. She waved to the waiter.

At that time, Luke was lucky enough to be saved by two of Rebecca's friends who told her to return to the office immediately because the meeting was about to start.

Rebecca had no choice but to leave Luke who had not yet had time to answer her question. "You owe me an explanation Luke!" she said then left him standing awkwardly, running for words. On the other side, Beatrice was ordering food casually because she wanted to show Rebecca that she didn't care about the two of them.

Bagas pulled a chair, then sat down and joined in ordering food. He glanced at Beatrice who seemed to be busy with her cellphone, avoiding any contact with him.

"I want to see the budgeting proposal you made, it's on your laptop right?" asked Luke, trying to start a conversation. "I told you, it's not done yet," she said curtly. "It's okay, we'll make it together," said Luke, still not giving up. Unexpectedly Beatrice said 'Okay' quietly and went to the car to get her laptop. But Luke stopped her, "Let me take it!" he said as he walked quickly to the parking area.

Beatrice was trying to be rational at that time, it didn't matter that she couldn't compete with Rebecca, whom Luke had clearly loved for years before. Besides, it would be ridiculous if she fell in love with him, she should keep herself focused on the business she was going to run.

Not long after, Luke came back from the parking lot carrying her laptop bag, then sat back down next to her. While waiting for the food to be served, they discussed the budgeting proposal that she designed the night before Luke gave her some input on how to make good budgeting because he was more experienced than her, and surprisingly she was willingly listening to his advice without any complaint.

A few minutes later, the cold atmosphere between the two of them began to part, Beatrice began to talk a bit, as usual, making Luke secretly hide his relieved smile. After the discussion, they ate their rather late lunch with great enthusiasm, because the taste of the crab sushi in that restaurant was very delicious.

"You're going back to the office, right? I'll just take a cab to get home," Beatrice said after they had finished eating and paying the bill. "I'll go straight home," replied Luke flatly. "Oh, okay," she responded quietly and then walked towards the parking area.

When Beatrice was a bit far from him, Luke took his cell phone and called Jhon, his personal assistant.

"Juan, what time is the meeting with the Galleon Group?" asked Luke quietly, afraid that Beatrice would hear his conversation with John.

"4 pm sir, what happened?" John asked back.

"Can it be rescheduled?" asked him, he glanced at his watch, it was 3:00 in the afternoon.

"Oh, may I know what's going on, sir,? They might be on their way to our office," said John, confused.

"Just tell them that I'm suddenly sick, call them now, reschedule the meeting to tomorrow at the same time," said Luke quickly, then immediately turned off the phone when Beatrice looked at him.

"You have a meeting?" she asked when they were in the car. Luke was surprised, "What? Nothing, it's tomorrow's schedule," he answered lightly.

"Do we still have groceries stuff at home?" asked Luke while driving the car with enthusiasm, he himself did not know why his mood felt so different. Beatrice nodded, "I think so, do you want to go groceries shopping?" she asked as she turned to look at him.

"Yes," said Luke, then directed his car to the supermarket he usually went to. Beatrice turned on the music player, picked a song for quite a long time, and decided to listen to The Beatles' Till There Was You.

With a slightly sad feeling, for some reason, she felt that she was singing the song for someone, but she knows whatever she felt for that person, the feelings in her heart would not be reciprocated with the same feeling. Luke glanced at her who was humming with a face that looked sad. Suddenly guilt hit him hard.

'What the hell is wrong with me?' he muttered in his head, confused.

*****