CEO's Dilemma

CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX

ACE'S POV

Varieties of beautiful flowers are blooming in the entire hall, expensive decorations that have got everyone gushing.

Everything looks posh and I'm impressed. Our mothers did a great job organizing this wedding. It's indeed the talk of the town.

The flock of journalists aligned outside with their myriad of cameras makes it look more of a red carpet show than a wedding.

I scan the mighty hall that is actually filled with people and everyone is so quiet and elegantly dressed. I spot a few of my uncles and cousins who keep making funny faces at me every time our eyes meet. I'm going to get properly laughed at , after this ceremony.

I always bragged to them about being the last person who is going to get married among them, but here I am, about to get married first.

RIP Ace.

I spot Asher and Kyle at my two o'clock looking all formal and responsible in perfectly ironed navy blue Armani Suits.

That was definitely a planned act.

Alora is seated between the two gentlemen looking as stunning as usual with a navy blue fitting gown on.

Okay, they all planned to wear navy blue.

I don't see Luna and I don't expect to see her, this is too much for her to take. Even if I was the one in this situation, I would not have shown up.

Suddenly, the "Here Come the Bride" song starts playing and everyone stands up to welcome Sophia.

The large door opens and the precessions commence. Firs, the ring bearer, followed by the little bride and groom, then the flower girls and lastly Sophia and her bridesmaids. She has a veil concealing her face and a bouquet of red roses in her hands.

As the procession goes on, I try as much as I can to stop myself from walking out of the hall.

I don't want to marry Sophia.

Throughout this week, I have prayed for some problem to come up so I can use it as an excuse to back out, but everything has been just smooth and cool.

Even my mother had avoided me, so we won't argue.

This is how I marry a woman I do not love.

Pathetic.

After the entire procession, Sophia and I stand side by side before the priest and he commences.

We both exchange rings, say our vows and just so you could know, my vow was written by Alaric and I had to memorize it this morning on our way here. I still have the paper in my tux jacket.

This whole wedding is a scam.

"Anyone has anything to say against this wedding, talk now or forever hold your peace!"

The priest asks and the entire hall goes silent. I look around, hoping that someone will save me from this predicament but everyone remains still.

I sadly bow down my head and turn to face the priest.

It's over.

I'm stuck with Sophia.

"I do have something to say" Someone announces from the crowd and I turn abruptly to look and I'm shocked to see Asher standing up.

The entire hall echoes with whispers and murmurs and I am as confused as everyone else.

I turn to Sophia and I notice that she has taken off her veil and her face looks like she just saw a ghost.

"Allow me to disclose a few things if I may be so bold"

"Go ahead," I urge him.

"Thank you. So Mr. Ace Damon, there's something very vital that I found about you fiancé that I think might interest you, especially as it has to do with that pregnancy she's carrying"

"And what could that be?" I ask curious and the entire hall goes silent.

"About two months ago, I had a one night stand with a strange lady in my car at a dark underground garage, we parted ways without knowing each other's identities. Me being me decided to find that girl and my investigations led me to Sophia '' He reveals and the entire hall gets rowdy with gasps and murmurs from both men and women.

"Liar! He's lying!" Sophia screams.

"I'm not quite finished yet"

"Please go ahead" I urge and the hall goes dead silent again.

"After making that discovery, I started to question the paternity of that child she is carrying and in order to clear my doubts, I decided to do a paternity test between the child and I and here are the results. Would you like to have a look?"

"With Pleasure!" I take long strides to where he is seated. He hands me the paper containing the results and I read it.

I walk over to Sophia who's already crying.

"What's the meaning of this?"

"Ace, that's fake! Please don't believe him, this is all a planned act to jeopardize our wedding. He's lying!" She defends in tears.

"You still won't tell me the truth Sophia?"

"You are the father of this child Ace, Asher is lying"

"Sorry honey, you are not carrying the heir to the Heritage Empire, but the Heir to the Watson Firm, brace yourself"

Asher concludes from his seat and I fight my urge to go and hug him.

He just saved my life.

I turn to Sophia and when she tries to touch me, I shift away.

"Ace" She cries "It doesn't have to end like this"

"It wouldn't have happened if you had been honest. Now look" I point to everyone in the hall. "Why bring all this shame upon yourself? Why Sophia?"

"Ace, I love you!"

"Seriously? To the extent that you'll pin another man's pregnancy on me?"

"Ace, I'm sorry!" She cries and I just shake my head and take the like.

"The wedding is cancelled. I apologize for the inconvenience" I announce as I put the mike down and walk out of the hall with Alaric following closely.

I owe Asher one for saving my life today.

ASHER'S POV

"Kyle, go after Ace" I instruct and he nods and leaves. Right now the entire hall is in total commotion as everyone is trying to find his or her way out. The guards are having a hard time preventing the paparazzi from coming in.

By tomorrow, this will be all over the news and internet.

"Sophia" I call as I walk towards her.

"Step away..." She is about to collapse on the floor but I'm fast enough to hold her before she drops down.

She just fainted.

"Get away from her Asher!" Seven scolds and approaches me , but I just ignore him and carry Sophia away.

I'm taking her to the hospital.

"Why are you here?" Sophia asks weakly when she wakes up from her slumber.

"It's my duty to be here, to make sure that the two of are doing okay"

"I don't want you here"

"I don't think that's your decision to make Sophia, you are pregnant with me child and I have every right to care about his well being, to make sure that nothing goes wrong with any of you"

"I'm going to have an abortion" She announces and I look at her aghast.

What did she just say?

"What did you just say?" I am shocked.

"You heard me right, I'm going to abort this child"

"Well, it's a good thing we all know that abortion is against the law in this country. If you dare harm my unborn child..."

"It's not even a child yet, it's just a fetus that has got no idea what's even happening to it!"

"It's my fetus okay? Mine! And you're not going to do anything to hurt it. Sophia, if you dare terminate this pregnancy I will find and I will make you pay!"

I warn in a deadly tone and she swallows nervously as she glares at me.

She has no idea who she is dealing with.

"Sophia!" Seven calls " As much as I hate the idea that you are pregnant for him, I don't think this is the right thing to do. It's just an innocent baby, don't drag him her into this"

"This baby ruined everything for me!" She screams.

"No Sophia, you ruined everything for yourself!"

"Dang it! I hate you! I hate all of you! I hate this thing that's growing in me" She says as she starts hitting her stomach and I rush to hold her still.

"Seven get the nurses!" I instruct and he immediately bolts out of the ward.

"Leave me the hell alone!" She screams as she violently thrashes around.

The door creaks open and I'm expecting to see nurses rushing in but it's two very stern looking women who happen to be both Sophia and Ace's mums.

Sophia's mother takes long strides towards her and before I know it, she smacks her hard on the left cheek.

"How dare you Sophia? After all we did to make this wedding work you went ahead and put everything in jeopardy. How dare you!" She raised her hand to hit Sophia again but I block the smack with my arm. Sophia hides her face in my chest and I wrap a protective arm against her.

I'm not going to let them hurt her again.

"That's enough Mrs. Knowles, she's pregnant for crying out loud!"

"You..."

"Just get out, both of you, get out before I get the security to throw you out!" I warn.

"Sophia, you are a disgrace to this family. Wherever your father is, he must be very ashamed of you. I can't even stand you right now. Don't you ever show up at my house again, figure out what to do with your life."

"Mum, I'm sorry!" Sophia pleads in tears and I feel sorry for her.

What kind of mother says such hurtful things to her daughter?

"Sophia" Mrs. Cole calls. " I thought you were this sweet little girl, but I was wrong. I had such great plans for you, but you ruined everything for yourself by getting pregnant for another man. Have a good life"

"Let's get out of here" Mrs. Knowles urges and they both storm out of the ward.

"My life is over!"

"No it's not"

"Don't even start, okay? I don't want the lecture"

"Stay calm, Sophia"

"Why exactly should I stay calm when my entire world is crumbling? Marrying Ace has always been my ultimate dream Asher, but that dream will never come to pass because of the thing in my stomach. I hate it so much that I just wish it could die!"

"Sophia..."

"Just leave me alone!" She tries to fight off but I'm strong enough to hold her still in my arms. When she's tired of fighting back, she finally gives up and snuggles into my arms where she weeps bitterly.

I honestly do feel sorry for her, but I had to do this for all of us.