3 Are You a Ghost?!

According to the book, CEO Xu; Calix Xu was the male lead's closest friend and the heir to Xu International.

They still had two other male friends in their inner circle. Yet, Calix was the one the male lead trusted the most.

Oh, the male lead's name was Xander Qin. He was the CEO and the heir to the Qindom Group[1]. In their small group of four, he was the de facto leader.

If the male lead Xander was a walking ice statue, exuding coldness and aloofness to everyone, Calix was a ball of playful sunshine. The stark contrast in their personalities was not an obstacle to deepening their relationship.

"Mimo... is this the first day CEO Xu got married to Charlene?"

With her eyes still on the two handsome men, Leslie whispered to Mimo. She kept the fox toy in her arms.

|Yes. Leslie, CEO Xu can see you once he makes the first skin contact with you. He can hear your voice too.|

"W-what?"

Eyes widened in disbelief, Leslie looked down at Mimo. The crochet toy also stared at her back.

|CEO Xu can't see or hear me. Leslie, if you don't want him to think you're weird, you can just speak telepathically with me.|

Leslie narrowed her eyes skeptically. She gently tapped a finger on Mimo's black nose.

"I'm being a soul is weird enough. Won't he faint once he sees me?"

|About that... let's wait and see.|

Leslie exhaled a soft sigh. Her attention was drawn to Calix again. In the short moment of seeing him for the first time, she admitted that CEO Xu's beauty was enchanting enough.

Well, he was described as a devilishly handsome man with a fox-like charm. Leslie had to say that the descriptions didn't fully explain his physical attractiveness.

Oblivious to the fact that a soul and a fox toy were secretly looking at him, Calix sat on the edge of the mattress. Edward Zhang, his chief personal assistant continued standing by the bedside.

With a hand cupping his chin, Calix looked at the unconscious Charlene. His peach blossom eyes carefully took in the young lady's appearance.

"Hurm... My wife is pretty. Is this what people call a delicate and soft beauty? Not the striking and glamorous one. Like spring water? Or, like the moonlight?"

Edward's lips twitched. He replied monotonously, "Boss, Lady Charlene has been in a coma for two months. You possess really good eyes. You can see her beauty beyond her current condition."

Calix clicked his tongue. Narrowing his eyes in displeasure, he responded, "And you have a good mouth. I can perfectly hear your sarcasm, Edward."

Edward put a hand over his right chest, "I am pleased to be complimented by you, Boss Xu."

Calix made a face. He looked briefly at the comatose Leslie before he reached out for something inside the pocket of his suit. A small velvet box materialized on his palm.

"Well, no matter what's the reason I marry her, my wife still needs a wedding ring. I've picked a good one for her."

Once Calix opened the lid, the sparkle of a diamond ring entered his line of sight. The gemstone was square, the princess cut. Tiny round diamonds were inlaid in the platinum band.

Holding her breath, Leslie intently watched Calix taking the ring out of the box. His right hand reached for Charlene's left one. With a simple motion, the slim band was slid into her ring finger.

"...?"

When Calix touched Charlene's hand, a faint warmth emitted throughout Leslie's soul. The feeling quickly faded as if it was never there but, she thought it had something to do with the first skin contact.

"The ring suits Lady Charlene well," commented Edward. His good-looking face didn't show much expression.

Calix frowned. Tilting his chin up, he stared at Edward.

"What is it, Boss?" asked Edward, sensing disapproval in his boss' gaze.

"Young Madam Xu. She's the new mistress of the Xu household. Hurm, wait until you get closer to her. You can call her by name then."

Edward squinted his eyes, giving Calix a deadpan look, "Boss, how can I get closer to Young Madam when she's not even awake?"

"...get out."

"As you wish, Boss."

As if he was waiting for the chance, Edward swiftly left without looking back at all. He didn't forget to close the door.

"Tsk, that brat."

Calix shook his head. Pushing his annoyance away, once again he focused on his newly wedded wife.

Crossing one leg over the other, Calix supported his chin with the back of his right hand. When he spoke, the tone of his voice was lower than previously.

"Hey, you don't know you're married to me today. Your parents didn't even come here to see you, huh?"

At the mention of Charlene's parents, Leslie felt a pang of pain in her chest, reminding her of sorrow. Frowning, she wondered why sadness washed over her own feelings.

"Mimo, I can talk to him now, right?" asked Leslie while looking at Mimo.

This was not the time to be caught in this unfounded misery. She needed to get Calix to help her look for Calliope.

|You can. But, Leslie... didn't I tell you to speak telepathically to me?|

"...huh?"

A bad feeling crept into Leslie's heart.

|I think he heard you ah.|

"..."

Froze, Leslie stiffly lifted up her head. What fell in her line of sight was Calix whose face drained of any color. His easy-going expression changed instantly to the frightened one.

"Who... who are you? Why... why do you look..."

Pointing one finger at Leslie, Calix's widened eyes stared at her before he turned to look at the body lying on the bed.

"W-why do you look the same as her?!"

It was Leslie's turn to be shocked.

What did he mean?

|Your form now takes after the original host's appearance.|

Mimo's quiet voice answered Leslie's confusion. She was speechless.

"Mimo...isn't the info come too late?"

Mimo said nothing. He jumped out of Leslie's arms, settling on top of her head.

"W-why you're floating? Who are you? Are you a ghost?"

Leslie reached out a hand, at a loss on how to introduce herself.

"Mister... I just..."

Calix abruptly cut Leslie's words.

"Are you a ghost? Why..."

Calix's eyelids drooped.

"Mister!"

SLAP!

Leslie gasped. Covering her mouth, she didn't expect what had she just witnessed.

Calix seemed to be on the verge of fainting before out of nowhere, he slapped himself on the cheek. His action caught Leslie off guard.

"M-mister... are you alright?"

"Ow... It hurts... Why did I hit myself hard?"

Calix ran a palm over his stinging right cheek, mumbling under his breath. Yet, his words were still audible to Leslie.

Unsure of what should she do in this unexpected situation, Leslie quietly said, "Mister... can you please hear me first?"

"...are you really a ghost?"

Calix's eyes moved from Leslie's face which resembled the unconscious woman in bed before he looked down at her feet.

Her feet didn't touch the floor!

"Mister..."

"Haha... you're a ghost... a ghost..."

Dum.

"..."

Leslie stared at Calix's figure who was now lying on the floor. 

The dignified CEO Xu fainted.

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Reference:

1 - I borrowed name from my friend's book. Check out Mr. CEO Chasing The Aloof Beauty by AleeqaC!