The CEO’s Substitute Lover

Domino, who was standing next to Octavia Gills, sensed that something was wrong and wondered: How did the managing director know Octavia Gills on his first day at the job, even calling her name in an affectionate manner? However, Domino came forward to explain the situation.

“President Davi, let me speak on behalf of Octavia!” Domino asked Eddison, whose eyes were fixed on Octavia Gills, and then explained the whole story. She concluded with a particularly melodramatic statement, “President Davi, do you think I have a point? Isn’t it true that the company promotes hard-working employees and gives preference to those who are capable?”

“Oh, your name’s Domino? That’s interesting!” After glancing at Domino’s work badge hanging on her chest, Eddison turned to the treasurer.

“After 5 years of working in Group Davi’s subsidiary without leaving early or being late, and completing the daily workload, why is such an employee is not promoted according to Group Davi’s existing staff rules? And why is she still receiving the same salary as she was getting 5 years ago? You’ll make the old staff of the company feel discouraged by handling it like this!” This serious side of Eddison made him look really charming to Domino and Octavia Gills.

“Octavia Gills is a veteran employee but she has never been recognized for her abilities.” The treasurer looked slightly flustered, but cunningly offered a reasonable explanation to Eddison. Domino, who could not bear to listen to it anymore, pointed at the treasurer in anger, “How can you do that? That’s shameless, if it’s not …”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

“Marketing Manager Domino, please watch your language, please be reminded that it’s still within office hours.” Eddison mentally mulled over how this matter should be resolved, when suddenly a sly smile quickly crossed his face. “Our company is going to send a competent staff to a grand real estate company to negotiate a cooperation project, Octavia Gills you will be the person in charge of this project, this will give you a chance to prove your abilities to the company. If you successfully and perfectly get this contract signed, I will promote you to a supervisor, if you fail to complete it, you will be dismissed from the company. You only have one chance to prove yourself, I challenge you to take this project off my hands. Are you willing to do this?”

Thinking of her brother who was very ill at home, the expensive monthly medical bills, and the need to prepare for a heart transplant operation when a match was found, Octavia Gills thought that she couldn’t afford to be without a job, and couldn’t afford to lose her income.

Hence, she took the contract, read through its details, and went back to her desk and quickly made a detailed proposal and plan. Afterwards, with the contract at hand, she went to the Grand Property Company in an anxious mood.

On the first day she went there, the receptionist at Grand Property Company told Octavia Gills that the project manager was temporarily out of the office.

The next day, the receptionist told Octavia Gills that the project manager was out of town on business and had not returned.

After several days of not being able to meet the elusive project manager, Octavia Gills turned to Domino and complained, “What am I going to do Domino? How can I talk about a project when I can’t even meet the manager? I’m almost tempted to camp out in front of the Grand Property Company until the manager agrees to see me!”

Domino patted Octavia Gills on the shoulder and cheered her on, “Come on Octavia, remember that victory belongs to the most persevering.”

“Right, I asked a friend of mine two days ago to find out more about the Grand Property Company. Yesterday, he replied that the person in charge of the Grand Property Company project is Woodrow who is the favorite son of Grand Property Company’s chairman. He is also a flirt and spends his days in a bar in downtown S. He rarely reports to work, but don’t think for a moment that he’s a just rich kid who just inherited his father’s business. I hear he’s been working on some big projects for the Grand Property Company this year and he’s done a great job. Domino’s face seemed to be filled with admiration that gave Octavia Gills goosebumps.

“Come on, stop being a nymphomaniac! Why don’t you take me to him so we can see what he really looks like, and see if he’s as good as they say he is!” Octavia Gills urged Domino, who was still awe-struck at Woodrow’s image, into a taxi and headed to the bar where Woodrow was said to be at.

Inside the bar, the deafening music gave Octavia Gills a headache, and through the misty sepia light, she dragged Domino off in search of her target for the day: Woodrow.

“Domino, have you seen Woodrow?” shouted Domino at the top of her voice. “Look, Octavia! I think that’s him. See?” She compared the man’s face with Woodrow’s picture on her phone, and while Domino just looked at him from a distance, in her mind, she felt happy and thought that Woodrow was really handsome! It was well worth the trouble, accompanying Octavia.

“Woodrow!” Domino called out his name before she could even get close enough to him. Woodrow, who was sparring with a friend, looked at her with baffled eyes. Thinking that it was just another woman who wanted to flirt with him, Domino said in disgust, “Get out of here and go… back… to where you came from, understand?”

Domino’s high opinion of Woodrow immediately sank and said, “Can’t you speak kindly, Woodrow? Just because you’re good-looking doesn’t mean you’re good.”

Octavia Gills, knowing Domino’s quick temper, rushed forward to stop Domino and then apologized to Woodrow: “I’m sorry, President Cruise. I’m Octavia Gills from Group Davi, and this is my best friend Domino. I’m sorry, President Cruise, but I’ve come to see you today to talk about our project. Would you mind giving me a few minutes to talk about the contract?”

Group Davi?? he had heard Tredan mention that before. Woodrow took a good look at the two, one was as gentle as a lily, while the other like a thorny rose. “You don’t look bad, but your mouth is not as gentle as a woman’s. It’s such a waste!”

“Oh, you may be the president of the Grand Property Company, but your hands are dirtier and more stinky than a hooligan’s!” I’m not one of those flies that like to chase you around and smell the stench, I can’t hold you responsible for the disrespect you’ve just shown me. I might as well leave!”

The thorny rose seemed to be a bit of fun to be with, and Woodrow applauded Domino who drank the stiff drink, while Woodrow’s drinking buddies, seeing such an interesting woman, didn’t want the fun to end.

“Beauty, you’re trying to negotiate a big project from us here, and you’re only having one glass of wine? Wouldn’t that only give you the advantage? Come on, you two, drink these two bottles, and when you’re done, this contract is done too.”