Chapter One
"The new boss is coming today so I want you all to be at your best service. Understand?"
Chelsea nodded along with the rest of her colleagues. Red, smart uniforms lined up in front of the manager as he was giving them orders.
"Now get back to work."
He commanded and they dispersed to various directions. Chelsea carried a bucket, mop and some towels as she marched off to the first room she was to clean today.
The sound of the bucket against the floor was accompanied by a short rapid knock. There was no answer. Chelsea waited.
Suddenly she looked a bit surprised not because the door had swung open as her hand lifted halfway but her fiancee was staring back at her. What was he doing here?
"Umm... Chelsea?! You work here?"
A tone of fear was hidden in Tyler's voice as he stood at the door, wide-eyed at her. Just before he was able to block her from looking in, she saw Olivia appear behind him. Olivia was surprised to see Chelsea as well. Chelsea looked back at Tyler, her tears slowly dripping as she realizes and makes the connection.
"A-are you cheating on me with her?"
Her words came out, bitter and unrestrained. She was disappointed. The tears began to fall more freely. Tyler was starting to something inaudible. Olivia interrupted from behind.
"No. He was cheating on me with you. He never belonged to you, Chelsea. He was always mine and you are just an intruder."
She told her harshly. Chelsea was thinking how all this could be possible. This was the person she had fallen in love with for nine years. Nine years ended like this?! It was unbelievable.
"Tyler... What she's saying... Is it..." She couldn't control her tears anymore. "Yes she's telling the truth."
"Why did you do this? She's your brother's fiancee for God's sake, why did you betray him? Why did you betray me? What about the love we have for the each other?"
"I don't love you, Chelsea. I've always wanted to tell you this. The one who I love is Olivia and she's pregnant with my child."
Chelsea shifted her burning gaze to Olivia. Seething with rage, she pushes Tyler and rushes at Olivia unexpectedly, trying to grab her.
"You bastard–", she struggled to reach Olivia as Tyler held her back and dragged her aside.
"You are going to marry Nathan and this is how you repay him?!"
"I'm in love with Tyler."
Chelsea lurched for her again, able to shove her but Tyler caught her in time again. Olivia walked away from them, out of sight.
"Chelsea, you have to calm down. There's nothing you can do about this. I'm sorry you had to learn about it this way."
"How long were you going to deceive me? How many more lies had you wanted to tell me?" Before Tyler could respond, Olivia returned.
"I already called security."
A few minutes afterwards, they were outside the hotel room. Chelsea was being held down by security officers while the manager was apologizing to Olivia and Tyler.
"I'm deeply sorry for this inconvenience, Sir. I called the police and told them what happened and I promise she'll be charged with assault and improper work ethics."
"I did nothing wrong alright. They're both traitors." Chelsea shouted back at them, struggling to get free.
"The police is here."
One of the security officials announced as police officers follow afterwards.
"Please arrest her. She's the culprit."
"Miss Chelsea, you're under arrest..."
"No, she's not."
A strong baritone voice interrupted. Everyone's attention was drawn to the man who entered with a wheel chair.
"She's not guilty for what she's been accused of."
"Nathan?"
Tyler was shocked just like Olivia. He could recognize that voice anywhere. It was his brother. Olivia took some steps back, attempting to hide behind Tyler.
"She assaulted this couple and we definitely have evidence."
"Is this how you treat your workers?"
"I'm in charge here and it's nobody's business how I run this hotel."
A police man scrutinized him, looking him over repeatedly.
"Sir, I know you very well. You're a retired soldier."
"Hello gentlemen" He spoke very formally "I'm sorry about the call. It was a false alarm."
"Do you know her?" There was a pause. Glances were shared amongst him, Chelsea, Tyler and Olivia.
"Yes. She's my wife."
Nathan told him without flinching.
"We apologise for the mistake, Sergeant. We will be on our way now. It's a pleasure meeting you." Another uniformed man said on their behalf as they took their leave. The manager began to rant.
"How dare you? Who are you?"
"I'm your boss. Nathan Preston."
"That's impossible."
"Why? I bought the hotel." The manager was dumbfounded as he tries to find his words. After letting it reckon with him, Nathan didn't give him a chance to talk.
"You're fired."
The manager was about to utter another word. His shoulders sagged as he left. Nathan turned his gaze to his brother and his supposed fiancee.
"Hello brother." He said, oddly calm, glanced at Olivia for a split second then called out to Chelsea. "Let's go, Chelsea."
*****************************************
They sat in silence at a Cafe.
"I can't still believe that happened." Chelsea fiddled with the mug in her hands, watching the coffee swirl in it.
"The truth had to come out. One way or the other."
"It's just that..." Chelsea meets his gaze.
"I'm sure you must have done a lot for her and your brother... You must have really loved her."
Nathan didn't respond to her last statement. Instead he just took a dip from his mug.
"It must be really hard for you to take this especially with..."
She was about to refer to his legs.
"You don't have to feel bad for me. I'm not asking for pity."
Nathan said coldly, looking away from her, knowing she was wondering about his legs.
"It was only an accident." He ended. Chelsea stared at him for a while then looked down, suddenly emotional. Nathan noticed.
"Since January..." He started. "I knew this for six months. You're the one who wouldn't have been able to handle it."
"But why did he have to do this to me? I love him so much." She broke down, placing her face in her palms. Nathan reached out to touch her hair, to comfort her but he withdrew.
"Thank you for what you did earlier. I would have been in the station by now but you didn't have to lie like that."
Nathan pretended to be clueless.
"Lying about what?" Chelsea paused for a moment.
"That I was your wife." Nathan sighed. Chelsea blinked at him.
"Chelsea", Nathan took a deep breath, their gaze matching each other. "I want you to be my wife."
