The CEO's Bride

With his usual level of confidence, Nicholas strode forward and pressed the doorbell. Within moments, the door swung open, and Lisa, the family's maid, stood before him. Her posture was stiff and formal, but she still managed to greet Nicholas with a polite smile.

"Good afternoon, Master Nicholas," Lisa said.

"Good afternoon, Lisa," Nicholas responded, holding the polythene bag close to his side. "Could you please tell my mother that I'm here."

Lisa gave a swift nod of understanding and turned on her heel, disappearing down the hall to deliver the message.

Left to his own devices, Nicholas surveyed the entrance hall with a sense of familiarity. The same extravagant furnishings that had been present since his childhood still stood tall, polished to a gleam.

A faint rustle of fabric and the click of heels against marble signaled the approach of his mother, Marissa , her face lighting up at the sight of her son, let out a chuckle of delight, "Nicholas, my dear. So good to see you!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with warmth. "Where's your girlfriend? I was hoping to finally meet her."

"Ah, Mom," Nicholas replied with a smile, "Miranda couldn't make it today. She's a bit busy at the moment." Marissa nodded, giving her son an understanding look. Together, they made their way to the plush couch in the sitting room.

"Ah, how is Joella?" Nicholas asked, turning the conversation to his younger sister.

"Oh, you know Joella, always on the go," Marissa said with a smile. "She's off visiting a friend today."

At this, Nicholas pulled the polythene bag a bit closer. "Well, I have something for her. Here, Mom," he said, handing the bag over to Marissa.

Marissa's eyebrows raised in curiosity as she accepted the package. "For Joella? How thoughtful of you, Nicholas. What's in here?"

The contents of the polythene bag revealed a cornucopia of candies, chocolates, and other sugary treats. Marissa, a hint of surprise on her face, delicately fingered the wrapper of a chocolate bar. "Nicholas, all this junk food... for Joella?" she asked, looking up at her son.

Nicholas chuckled, his expression relaxed. "Hey, don't blame me. You know how Joella is. She's a junk food addict. Besides, I figured she could use a little pick-me-up."

Marissa shook her head, her lips curving into a small smile.

"You're an indulgent older brother, Nicholas. I just hope you're not spoiling her too much. Joella needs to learn self-control, you know."

"Oh, please," Nicholas protested with a laugh, "you make it sound like I'm turning her into a sugar-crazed monster. It's just a little treat, Mom. Besides, what's the harm in making my sister happy?"

Marissa's smile widened, the sparkle in her eyes mirroring the happiness in her son's face.

As Marissa and Nicholas continued to chat, the air in the room grew lighter, the tension that had initially hung in the air melting away like ice on a summer's day. Their conversation turned to more casual topics, from Joella's latest school drama to Nicholas's plans for the future.

Marissa reached for a piece of candy from the bag, popping it into her mouth with a satisfied smirk. "I suppose a little indulgence won't hurt. And you're right, seeing Joella smile is worth it."

Nicholas grinned, his shoulders relaxing. "That's the spirit, Mom."

Marissa sat back in her seat, casting a playful glance at Nicholas.

"Forgive my manners, dear. Would you like something to eat or drink? Perhaps some tea or a snack?"

Nicholas laughed, the sound rich and genuine. "Mom, what is this? I'm your son, not a visiting dignitary. When did you start treating me like a guest?"

Marissa's smile grew broader, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "Oh, don't be silly. Just because you're my son doesn't mean I can't offer you some hospitality, now does it?"

"Mom," Nicholas said with a grin, "if I need anything, I know where the kitchen is. I'm not a helpless baby bird, after all."

Marissa laughed, shaking her head gently. "Oh, I never said you were, dear. But a mother likes to feel useful, you know."

"Mom, has Dad returned from his business trip yet?" Nicholas asked, his voice tinged with concern.

"No, dear, not yet," Marissa answered, her expression revealing a hint of worry. "He said he'd be back by the end of the week, but you know how unpredictable these trips can be. I'm sure he's fine, though. Your father is a resourceful man."

Nicholas nodded, his eyes fixed on his mother's face. "Yeah, he's tough, but it doesn't stop me from worrying"

"Before I forget I've got something for Joella that I think she'll love. You're gonna have to pry her off the ceiling when she sees it."

Marissa's curiosity grew. "What is it, dear? What did you get Joella that's going to send her into orbit?"

Nicholas chuckled, a playful glint in his eye. "Oh, I don't want to spoil the surprise."

"All right, Mom," Nicholas said with a grin, "I'll give you a hint. It's not the kind of thing you can buy at the local supermarket. And it's certainly not something you'd expect to find in the living room."

Marissa leaned forward, her eyes alight with intrigue. "You're really testing my detective skills here, Nicholas. So let's see, it's not an ordinary item, and it's not something you'd find in the living room..." She tapped a finger against her chin, thinking. "Is it some kind of exotic pet?"

Marissa's eyes widened in surprise as she laughed. "An exotic pet? For Joella? Nicholas, you've outdone yourself this time. She's going to go absolutely bonkers." She leaned back on the couch, shaking her head with amusement.

"So, what is it? A tarantula? A python? A scorpion, perhaps?"

Nicholas laughed along with his mother, enjoying the absurdity of the situation. "Nope, not a scorpion. It's much, much cuter than that. Trust me, Mom, when you see it, you're going to melt."

Marissa leaned forward again, her eyes shining with curiosity. "Ooh, a cute exotic pet? You have my attention, Nicholas. Is it a baby monkey? A sugar glider? Or maybe a hedgehog?"

Nicholas shook his head, his smile widening. "Nope, none of those. You're getting warmer, though. Think even smaller... and fluffier."

Marissa's brow furrowed in thought, her mind racing through possibilities

"Smaller and fluffier? The suspense is killing me, Nicholas. Is it a chinchilla? A hamster?"

Marissa's eyes widened as she gasped, clasping a hand over her mouth.

"Oh my goodness, Nicholas, you got Joella a hamster?" She shook her head, still chuckling in disbelief.

"You're a madman, you know that? She's going to love it. But where on earth did you find an exotic hamster?"

Nicholas's face split into a grin. "Oh, I have my sources, Mom. It's a long-haired Syrian hamster, and it's the fluffiest little creature you've ever seenMom, don't worry," Nicholas reassured his mother. "I've already got it taken care of. The hamster will be delivered later today, She'll never see it coming."

Marissa nodded, her smile widening at the thought of Joella's reaction.

"That's perfect, Nicholas. She's going to be over the moon when she sees it. Oh, I can't wait to see her face! Do you have a name for it yet?"

Nicholas chuckled, tapping his chin in thought.

"Well, I was thinking of naming it Snuffles," Nicholas said, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "It's kind of fitting, don't you think? With all that fluff, it's bound to make some snuffling noises when it's snoozing in its little hamster home."

Marissa's laughter rang out, filling the room with warmth and mirth. "Snuffles! Oh, Nicholas, that's just perfect. Joella's going to love it. And I have a feeling Snuffles is going to be one spoiled little hamster."