In Love With My Bully-Chapter 51: A New Era

Richard marched into my office, his strides sharp. His fists clenched as he approached, his piercing gaze locked on Victor.

"Richard..." I whispered, but the sound got lost as Richard’s fist swung through the air, connecting with Victor’s jaw. The sickening crack made me flinch, my hands flying to my mouth. Victor staggered back, catching himself on the edge of my desk.

"What the hell, man?!" Victor shouted, clutching his jaw.

Richard wasn’t finished. He lunged at Victor again as he managed to block it this time. They stood there, locked in a standoff. Richard’s face was flushed with rage, his jaw tight.

"Calm down, Richard!" Victor bellowed, shoving him back.

"I want you out of my building right this minute!" Richard barked.

"I was leaving anyway!" He glanced at me. "That’s what I came to tell you."

"With your tongue in her mouth?!" Richard snapped.

Victor looked away, "I’m sorry," he said, though his words were directed at me and not Richard.

"Just go," I managed to say. My pulse raced, my chest tightening as if the air had been sucked out of the room.

Victor nodded, and he walked out.

The moment the door closed behind him, Richard turned to me, his eyes softening. He crossed the room in two long strides and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into the safety of his embrace. "I’m here. It’s okay. Take a deep breath. Just listen to my voice and breathe out," he murmured, his tone gentle and soothing.

I clung to him, burying my face in his chest as the tears I’d taken a brief break from burst forth like a dam breaking. Relief and overwhelming emotion washed over me.

"I need to go away," I choked out between sobs. "Anywhere but here. I need peace, Richard. I can’t do this anymore."

He pulled back slightly, cupping my face in his hands and brushing away my tears with his thumbs. "Anywhere you want, my love. We’ll go. You’ve earned it. We’ve earned it."

"We did?" I asked, my voice breaking, my heart daring to hope.

"We did," he confirmed, a triumphant smile tugging at his lips. "Sam is done. I got the contract back. This morning, I called an emergency board meeting. I laid everything on the table, every scheme and dirty trick he’s pulled since he started working here. The board saw him for who he really is. We took a vote. It was unanimous...he’s out. He has nothing on us anymore."

I stared at him in disbelief, the weight of weeks of tension lifting from my shoulders. A laugh bubbled up from deep within me. My legs gave out beneath me, but Richard held me up.

"Okay," he said, a playful glint in his eye despite the seriousness of the moment. "I really want to kiss you right now, but I do know where your mouth has been. Let’s go home so you can wash the scum off of you."

"Wait!" I said, gripping his arm. "Why aren’t you mad at me?"

His expression softened further as he looked into my eyes. "Because I know you, Nita. And I trust you. You’ve done nothing wrong."

My heart swelled with love. I smiled through the lingering tears. "Let’s go home so you can help me remember what you taste like."

Richard laughed, "One kiss from another man and you forget? Ouch! How dare you?"

"Stop being a baby," I teased, swatting his arm as he picked up my bag.

*****

Later that night, I felt truly at peace for the first time in weeks. The chaos of the day felt like a distant memory, replaced by the warmth of Richard’s.

He kissed me deeply, his lips claiming mine with urgency. His hands explored me, his touch setting my skin on fire. He shifted my lacy nightgown aside, his lips finding their way to my neck, my collarbone, and then lower.

I arched beneath him, his mouth and hands worshiping every inch of me. My hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.

When I couldn’t take it anymore, I straddled him and took control of the kiss. His hands gripped my hips, guiding me as I moved against him.

"God, you’re incredible," he murmured.

He flipped us over, his shorts and my nightgown discarded in an impatient flurry of motions. He entered me with a single, smooth thrust, and I cried out, my nails digging into his back.

Our movements were frantic as we chased the release we so desperately needed. His name fell from my lips as I reached the peak, my body shuddering beneath him.

He followed moments later, his grip on my hips tightening as he found his own release. He collapsed beside me, pulling me into his arms and pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you right back," I replied.

*****

Three Months Later

I stood in front of the full-length mirror, letting my fingers glide over the soft velvet of my royal blue gown. The fabric hugged my curves perfectly, the one-shoulder neckline emphasizing my collarbone. The dress drew attention to my baby bump. Life was growing inside me. Look at that, Nita Numero will soon be a mother. Who knew?

Nita Numero. That name felt heavier tonight, in a powerful sense. Tonight’s event wasn’t just a party; my father-in-law’s retirement marked the end of one remarkable era, and my husband officially taking over as CEO symbolized the beginning of another. Our family was at the helm of one of the most powerful corporations, and I planned to make a statement as the CEO’s wife.

The past three months had been blissful. Sam was finally disgraced, Victor had moved on to other things, and Gwen, well... She’d been surprisingly cooperative lately, her claws kept in check under the watchful eye of my mother-in-law.

Abby, my mother-in-law, had been my rock.

Still, there was a lingering unease. I knew we hadn’t seen the last of Sam. People like him didn’t fade away quietly. I shook my head; I refuse to let that thought ruin tonight.

The door to my hotel suite opened, and Abby stepped in. Her face lit up when she saw me.

"Oh, look at you, my precious pregnant baby!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with pride.

I rolled my eyes with a smile. "Do you have to add pregnant every single time?"

"It just sounds so fitting," she said, taking a moment to look me over again. "You’re glowing, my dear. Radiant. Are you ready to make your grand entrance?"

I nodded, my hand instinctively resting on my bump. "Yes, I’m ready."

"Good. Let’s go show the world how remarkable you are."

Abby took my hand as we made our way to the elevators. The cameras and reporters were already gathered in the lobby. As soon as the elevator doors opened, the flashes began. I kept my smile poised and waved graciously.

By the time we reached the beautifully decorated event hall, I felt unstoppable.

And then, I saw him. Richard. My husband. My everything.

He stood across the room in a sleek black tuxedo. As our eyes met, his face broke into a wide smile.

Richard signaled to his father, who slowly rose from his seat and made his way to the platform at the front of the room. The murmurs in the crowd quieted as he took the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "Today, another era begins. As I step away from my role as CEO, I know that my son will carry forward the legacy of this company. But before we move forward with the formalities..." He paused, "Our children have something special planned for tonight. They would like to renew their vows."