The CEO’s Substitute Lover

Before Tredan Davi could say anything, Floyd Davi intercepted.

“Oh, Grimm Drye, let’s not talk business while we eat, the food won’t be good later if it gets cold! Come on, Tredan, let Lilian try a slice of that roast.” The Floyd Davi got up to fill Grimm Drye’s glass and proposed a toast.

Grimm Drye reciprocated Floyd Davi’s stance and drank, giving another toast with a full glass! Then he took the initiative to talk about their Group Davi project, which was nearly crippled.

“Floyd, you and I have been friends for so many years, so I’ll be very frank with you. The truth is, your project is almost half dead, and no one in the industry would dare to go into this mess. Although we are old friends, I’m a businessman as well, I can’t venture into a business that will only be a loss, don’t you think?”

“Uncle Drye, about this project by Group Davi, I guarantee that you won’t lose your money. Here is a detailed analysis that I did on the project comparing it to the great demand in the market. As long as it can start now, in less than a year, you will have your money back, if not more!” Tredan Davi is trying to use his business acumen to convince Uncle Drye to invest in the project, rather than having to get involved with Lilian in some way to get support from Group Drye!

“You young men are always in a hurry! Oh, Tredan, listen to Uncle Drye finish what he was saying first.” Floyd Davi who was just listening, hinted for Tredan Davi to hear Grimm Drye out first. Everyone knew in their hearts that what was to follow was like a kind of deal–a political marriage!

“Floyd, it’s about time we booked the kids for life, don’t you think?” Since his daughter was determined to marry Tredan, it was time for the father to take care of her. Besides, Tredan was a very good man in his eyes and was worthy of his Grimm’s only daughter.

“Yes, yes! I’ve always wanted to put this on the agenda, I was afraid Lilian wouldn’t want it before, but I think now is a great time to do so.” Tredan and Lilian have known each other since childhood, there have also been rumors about them being together, so I guess this can lead to a good marriage. Later on, it will also strengthen Tredan Davi’s position with Group Drye behind him, and the Davi Family will probably achieve even more victories for the business. What’s not to like about that!

“That’s good, let’s get them engaged first, once they’re married, then we old fogeys can retire and enjoy ourselves!”

Lilian Drye was deeply hurt by the stony look on Tredan Davi’s face as he heard the decision; He hasn’t even thrown her a look since he entered the room, so why?

“Dad, Uncle Floyd, I need to go out with Tredan for a bit, you two take your time and we’ll be back in a bit!” As soon as the words left her mouth, Lilian Drye dragged Tredan Davi out of that room.

“He-he… I’m afraid this daughter of mine has been spoiled by me that she doesn’t care about some of the rules!”

“Lilian is straightforward and true to her nature. Tomorrow I’m going to ask Wong Tai Sin in Hong Kong to pick an auspicious date to celebrate their engagement and union between the Drye and the Davi families!” Floyd Davi knows Grimm Drye well, and until the wedding is arranged, Grimm Drye won’t invest the money!

“Yes, yes! I’m reassured to put my heart and soul into Tredan’s hands. Since we’re all in-laws now, your difficulties are my difficulties, Floyd I’ll support that project of yours to the end!”

??and the room was filled with laughter and cheers!

“Tredan, the promise you made as a child, do you still stand by it?” The promise Lilian Drye was talking about was the one he made when she left the country after two years together, but when he found her, he told her that when he grew up, he would marry her and make her the mistress of his house.

Tredan Davi remembers it. How he could forget the time when he had to ask so many people to find her? He was so happy to find his big sister, who looked after him day and night, after so many years. He hugged and spun her around and told her he would marry her in the future. However, now it felt like Lilian Drye was becoming more and more different from what she used to be. They seemed to be poles apart. The warmth he was looking for wasn’t in Lilian anymore, and strangely enough, this same feeling of warmth was what he felt when he was with Octavia Gills.

When Lilian Drye confronted Tredan Davi with that question, he didn’t know how to answer it.

“Lilian, I…” as he was about to speak his words of apology, it was blocked by Lilian Drye, who wouldn’t listen anymore.

“That’s enough, you don’t have to tell me anything Tredan, I can let go of the wrong things you’ve done to me before but it seems like you are just taking it for granted.”

Lilian Drye ranted and raved, not daring to stop and let Tredan Davi get a word in. Let him figure it out by himself!

Tredan Davi watched Lilian Drye leave, caught up in a confusing and difficult emotion, not knowing how he can deal with it?

“Don’t you think it’s too much to ask of me to get married because of business interests?”

Tredan was in Floyd Davi’s study discussing his engagement to Lilian Drye with his father.

“I’ve gone too far? Where have I gone too far? Isn’t Lilian the one you’ve loved since you were a child? Wasn’t it only a matter of time before you and she got married? Shouldn’t you be happy about that? What are you shouting at me for? What a disgrace!”

Tredan Davi had stopped mentioning about marriage to Lilian when she left for her trip abroad. And even though the relationship between father and son was indifferent, as the father who had personally trained Tredan Davi to become a prominent figure, he failed to understand Tredan Davi’s temperament. Still, the marriage had to push through.

“I don’t care about what kind of fancy you’re messing with out there, but you must marry Lilian! Marrying her won’t just save the project and the company, it will also help your future a lot.”

“I only want to marry the woman I love.” Tredan Davi will not have his lifelong happiness tied to a business deal, and no one can stop him!

“Bastard, you rebellious son, are you trying to piss me off? I am telling you! The engagement will take place next Monday at the Hotel Verdunaya. Be there!” Tredan Davi was just about to say no when Floyd Davi’s tone of voice carried a warning that Tredan Davi could not refuse.

“Because you are the President of Group Davi, you cannot choose your marriage willy-nilly, because you are the future heir of Group Davi and your every move is a matter of life and death for the whole of Group Davi. Your life is not just about you anymore, you are living for more than just you. Now, go back and think it through before telling me what to do and what not to do! Go home!”

Tredan Davi is well aware that his father is warning him that he is more than a businessman and that he holds the responsibility for the whole Davi family, but why is he struggling so much, and is Octavia Gills just a lover to him?

In keeping with his father’s style, whether he says yes or no, tomorrow’s news will be headlined by the engagement of the Drye and Davi families. Tredan wondered what Octavia Gills will do when she sees it?

When he reached home, Tredan Davi looked at the door of the old Davi Family house with a frown on his face and leaned heavily on the car while smoking a cigarette. Octavia would always wait for him when he returned home each night. She would cook a nice meal or make him a nice bowl of soup, and would often run to the door and wait for him to come back.

“You’re back!” Octavia Gills was dressed in white and smiling like an innocent angel, which made his heart beat erratically.

Tredan Davi didn’t realize when Octavia Gills had become a part of him, not only as his lover but also of his heart, making his cold heart feel truly warm!

“Octavia!” said Tredan Davi as he took her hand and slowly walked hand in hand down the graveled path, creating an image of the two of them that is beautifully sweet.

“I made you some American ginseng and black chicken soup to sustain your energy and boost your spirits! Lately, you’ve been staying up so late, I’m afraid you’re tiring yourself too much and I don’t know what I can do to help you. That’s why I just made you some soup to nourish your body.” Being able to cook for Tredan Davi is a blessing to her.

Octavia Gills doted on Tredan Davi so much that he asked, “Octavia, are you leaving me? In what capacity would you like to stay by my side?”

Octavia Gills stiffened as she heard that; how could Tredan Davi ask her such a strange question? Could it be that he knew I was leaving him?NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.

“Tredan, you… Why are you acting weird today? What’s wrong? Has something happened?”

“Answer me first!” Tredan Davi wanted to ease his troubled mind about Octavia Gills, and he wanted her to tell him that she loved him and wanted to be with him forever. But Octavia Gills does not have the courage and confidence to ask him for a future, nor can he!

“Have the soup now or it will get cold!” Octavia Gills did not give Tredan Davi a positive answer, which she doggedly avoided.

“First thing tomorrow morning, it will be announced that Group Davi’s President Tredan and Group Drye’s sole heir Lilian will get engaged at Hotel Verdunaya next Monday!” Looking at Octavia Gills whose back was turned to him as she went to get the soup, Tredan Davi decided to tell her the news himself before it was publicized. Tredan Davi wanted to know how Octavia Gills felt about this, on whether she would tell him not to get engaged to Lilian Drye. Because if Octavia Gills had would ask him not to get engaged, he would have submitted to her without a second thought.

He’s getting engaged to Lilian Drye? Is that why Tredan Davi seemed to be afraid she won’t want to be his lover from now on? Octavia Gills was too anxious to listen to Tredan Davi go on, she wanted him to stop!

“The soup is getting cold, take it now. I especially ask my friend in America to buy that imported American ginseng and I’ve been stewing it for three hours. It mustn’t go to waste!” Octavia Gills pretended to move on, fearing that she would break down in front of Tredan Davi before long, and she wasn’t as sanguine as she thought she was.

“Do you not have anything to say to me Octavia, not even a single word?” Tredan Davi’s heart ached vaguely, why wasn’t she saying anything? Not even a single word? Did she not love him?

“Congratulations, you have finally got what you wanted! I… My blessings are with you… you guys. Be happy, Tredan!” Octavia Gills uttered her words with difficulty as if saying out each word took all her strength. She thought Tredan Davi would be happy, that this would be a perfect ending!

“Octavia, are you sure you meant what you said?” Tredan Davi held Octavia Gills in disbelief and kissed her forcefully trying to prove she was lying to him with the response he was getting from her body. Octavia Gills did not reject Tredan Davi and told herself to cherish every day and every second she spent with him.

“Octavia, don’t delude yourself! You are my lover!” Tredan Davi could not help smiling at his satisfactory answer.