The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Hazel's POV

Monday arrived like a slap in the face after an emotionally draining weekend. My body felt heavy as I dragged myself into the office, still wrestling with my decision to give Liam another chance. The girls had made their position crystal clear during our Sunday brunch summit - he needed to grovel more before I let him back into my good graces. Make him sweat, they said. Make him understand the gravity of what he had done.

The office buzzed with its usual Monday morning energy as I settled at my workstation. Despite everything happening in my personal life, I genuinely enjoyed this job. The atmosphere was relaxed, the team dynamic felt natural, and the work never left me feeling drained. The only shadow over it all was the nagging realization that my hard-earned degree was essentially worthless here. All those late nights studying, all that debt, all those dreams of building a career in my chosen field - now just expensive wall decorations gathering dust in my apartment.

The melancholy crept in as I booted up my computer, but I shook it off quickly. Leo needed stability, and wallowing in self-pity wouldn't pay the bills or secure his future. Sometimes being a mother meant swallowing your pride and making practical choices over passionate ones.

A ceramic mug appeared on my desk with a soft clink, pulling me from my thoughts. Scarlett stood beside me wearing that infectious grin that could light up the entire floor.

"Hazel, seriously, do you have any shame about being this gorgeous?" Her exaggerated complaint made me laugh despite my mood. "Half the men in this department are practically tripping over themselves whenever you walk by. Even my brother keeps asking about you, and honestly, if I didn't know you were head over heels for Liam, I would be planning our family reunion right now."

"Please, Vi. They are just curious about the shiny new toy." I took a grateful sip of the coffee, letting the warmth spread through me. "But enough about me - tell me about your mysterious eye candy from yesterday. Did you get a proper look when he gave you that ride home?"

Her expression shifted to something between dreamy and frustrated. "Oh honey, that man is walking temptation wrapped in a perfectly tailored suit. But after you girls filled my head with all those player warnings, I am too terrified to make a move." She collapsed into her chair dramatically, chin propped on her palm like a lovesick teenager.

"Good morning, my hardworking ladies!" Mr. Morris's cheerful voice cut through our conversation as he approached with his usual Monday briefcase in hand.

"Morning, boss," we chorused back automatically.

His expression grew slightly apologetic as he focused on me. "Hazel, I know this is terrible timing, but I need to ask a huge favor. I know you have that doctor's appointment this afternoon, but our two o'clock client just called begging to push their meeting to five. I tried everything to reschedule for tomorrow, but they are flying out tonight." He looked genuinely pained to be asking. "This is the Whitman account - you know how crucial this deal is for the quarter."

The disappointment stung for a moment, but his obvious discomfort made the decision easy. "Absolutely no problem, Mr. Morris. I will call my doctor right now and move things around. Let's close this deal properly."

Relief flooded his features immediately. "You are a lifesaver, Hazel. Take whatever afternoon you need when you reschedule, and I will make sure you get overtime compensation for today."

As he headed back toward his corner office, I pulled out my phone and dialed the familiar number. The receptionist's voice came through crisp and professional.

"Dr. Harrison's office, this is Rachel speaking."

"Hi Rachel, it's Hazel Vance. How has your morning been treating you?"

"Oh Hazel, perfect timing actually. I was just pulling your file to confirm today's appointment."

"That's actually why I am calling. I need to reschedule if that's possible. Work emergency."

"Not a problem at all, dear. Actually, this works out perfectly - I have another patient who has been desperately trying to move up their appointment." I could hear papers rustling as she spoke. "Let me check my calendar and see what options we have for you."

While Rachel searched for available slots, a commotion near the elevator bank caught my attention. Two delivery men struggled through the entrance carrying what could only be described as botanical masterpieces. The larger arrangement was an explosion of vibrant tulips that immediately made my stomach drop. I knew exactly who had sent that particular flower choice.

The entire office floor seemed to freeze as conversations died and heads turned to track the procession. Whispers started rippling through the cubicles like wildfire, everyone speculating about the lucky recipient. I wanted nothing more than to disappear under my desk and avoid the inevitable circus.

"Hazel Vance?" The first delivery man stopped directly in front of my workstation, hefting the massive tulip arrangement.

Rachel's voice continued in my ear, but I needed to end this spectacle immediately. "Rachel, can I call you back in just a few minutes?"

"Of course, sweetheart. I will keep my calendar open."

I ended the call and looked up at the delivery man who was waiting patiently with his floral burden. "That would be me."

"Excellent. Where would you like this beauty?" He was already lowering it onto my desk before I could respond. "Mind signing here for confirmation?"

I scribbled my signature while he shook his head in amazement. "Lady, I have been doing this job for fifteen years, and this is honestly one of the most impressive arrangements I have ever handled. Either this guy is trying to win your heart, or he screwed up royally and is begging forgiveness. Either way, he must be crazy about you."

Despite my embarrassment, his observation made me smile genuinely. After he left, I stared at the floral monument that had completely taken over my workspace. When I glanced up, Scarlett looked equally shell-shocked, her own desk now dominated by an equally impressive arrangement.

"Can you actually believe Damian sent me this thing?" she said, her voice filled with disbelief. "Hazel, this arrangement is literally taller than I am. How am I supposed to get this home on the subway?"

"I am wondering the exact same thing," I replied, shaking my head.

My desk phone rang, and Chloe's excited voice practically burst through the speaker.

"Hazel, you will never believe what just happened. My prince sent me the most enormous flower arrangement I have ever seen in my life!"

A suspicious pattern was emerging. "Noah sent you flowers too?"

"Wait, what do you mean too?" Confusion replaced excitement in her voice.

"Hold on a second." I snapped a photo of my floral takeover and sent it to her, then gestured for Scarlett to do the same. "Check your messages right now."

"Oh my God, those sneaky bastards! I should have known Noah was in on their little scheme. Do you think Stella and Thea got hit too? I am messaging the group chat immediately."

She hung up abruptly, and within minutes our group chat exploded with photos. Every single one of us had received these ridiculously oversized arrangements at our respective workplaces. The men had clearly coordinated this campaign down to the last detail.

The arrangements were impossible to ignore, turning each of us into reluctant celebrities in our offices. The constant stares and whispered comments grew increasingly irritating as the day progressed. Would it have killed them to send normal, human-sized bouquets like civilized people?

By late afternoon, we had all reached the same conclusion - our men would have to come collect us from work. There was absolutely no way to transport these botanical disasters on public transportation, and leaving them behind would only fuel more office gossip.

I dialed Liam's number, and he answered before the first ring finished.

"My love, you have no idea how incredible it feels to hear your voice." I could hear Damian's voice in the background, clearly taking Scarlett's similar call.

"Liam, have you completely lost your mind? Did you really think sending an entire flower shop to my office was appropriate? This thing has consumed my entire desk space."

"My angel, I simply wanted to spoil you properly." His tone was so casual, as if overwhelming my workplace with flowers was perfectly reasonable behavior.

"Liam, this vase weighs more than my purse. How exactly did you expect me to transport this home? Scarlett and I have become the office entertainment for the entire day." His low chuckle only irritated me further.

"Well, now everyone at your job knows you have devoted boyfriends. Do not worry about transportation - I will pick you up personally and drive you home. Plus, I get to spend some time with Leo. I have really been missing that little guy."

The mention of my son softened my annoyance considerably, but I caught an important detail that needed addressing.

"And who exactly gave you permission to call yourself my boyfriend?"

"Oh Hazel, you have been mine since the very first time you heard my voice, even when you had no idea who I was." His words brought back memories of those early days working for him, when he was traveling and would call looking for Evelyn.

"Do not you think that is a bit presumptuous?"

"Not even slightly, my love. You belong to me just as completely as I belong to you. Even while you are angry with me, that fundamental truth has not changed. I love you, Hazel, and you will forgive me eventually - it is simply a matter of time. But you are still mine, and for now, that makes me your boyfriend."

"My God, your arrogance is absolutely incredible." I could practically hear his satisfied smile through the phone.

"My angel, I would love nothing more than to talk with you all day, but I have meetings that cannot wait. I will be there to pick you up this evening, love. I am missing you more than you can possibly imagine."

The line went dead, leaving me staring at my phone screen with what I knew was a ridiculous smile spreading across my face.