Five Years Later...Alexander's POV"And I assure you, we've elevated our standards; the Brooks Company will never let its customers down," I said with a smile as the interviewer signaled her crew to stop recording."Thank you so much, Mr. Alexander Brooks. Again, it's an honor having you here today.""Again, it's my pleasure, Miss Zoe," Frederick approached me, "is the car ready?" He nodded. As I tried to leave, Zoe stopped me."May I ask, Mr. Brooks?" she asked with a giggle, "has the divorce been finalized?"I smirked. "If it had, you would have been the first to know. You always have your sources.""It's better hearing it from the horse's mouth," she smiled back. "I hope you're doing well?"I knew where that question was aimed. I nodded lightly. "I am, thank you. And this will be the last time I come on your show this year. You've made a lot of money thanks to me.""Yes, sir," she laughed, walking away.I turned to Frederick. "Make sure you give Sabrina the money she demanded, and
Fiona's POVI stood still, hiding my emotions behind a straight face as I watched him fall to the ground. I pressed the close button and took the elevator to the first floor, which was Harden's home.I pressed the bell, and a few minutes later, a lady walked out."He's in," she said with a smile, walking away.I sighed as I entered and closed the door behind me."I told you I didn't want you here," Harden said, pouring a glass of wine. "You met him, right?""Why did you get a house close to his?" I asked, taking the glass from him."I know it's hard to believe, but it was my sister's idea. She has a strange crush on Alexander.""I just met with my past. It was terrifying...""Wait a minute!" someone yelled from outside as she stormed in. "You're Fiona Campbell," she gasped. "You're alive?""Sit down, Jess. Stop shouting; you're disturbing the neighborhood," Harden said, sipping his wine as I sat on the sofa. "This is Jessica, my sister.""Hi, Jess," I waved, but she paid no attention.
Fiona's POVIt was a magnificent sight to behold. The statue stood tall, with a water fountain beneath it. The light emanating from the building shone on my black crystal gown, which revealed a good amount of my curves.I placed my hands in Harden's, smiling as he led me out of the car.It was his company's grand opening event, and all the elites were definitely there. I hoped I wouldn’t bump into Alexander."Relax," Harden whispered in my ear, placing his hands on my hips. "If you don’t want to be here, I can tell the driver to take you back.""It's your big event; I owe you my presence," I smiled, holding his hands tightly as we faced the building.We walked in, and I could hear gasps from the crowd. Harden held me close, sensing my fear. Soon we were in the hall, where a thousand eyes turned to me, whispering loudly.My gaze caught Alexander's. He looked calm, not paying much attention to Harden. I saw Frederick whisper something into his ear, and soon after, Alexander was gone."W
Alexander's POV I pushed her away lightly, wiping my lips. "Why did you do that?"Dazy smiled. "I just wanted to help. You should have pushed me away if you didn't want it."Dazy was one of those women I met at events like this—always professing their love and never knowing when to stop."Don't try that again," I warned, walking down the corridor."You're so full of yourself, Alexander," she shouted, drawing the attention of passing workers.I re-entered the hall, scanning the room for Fiona. She was sitting quietly, her gaze fixed on Harden, who was already on stage.I wondered if Harden had moved close to me because Fiona asked him to. My thoughts were interrupted as Sabrina walked in, bumping into a waiter. Her eyes met Fiona’s, and the glasses of wine crashed to the floor, drawing everyone’s attention."Who—what are you?" Sabrina yelled, aiming a piece of cutlery at Fiona, who deftly dodged."Shit! Can you all stop aiming sharp objects at me?" Fiona yelled back, tossing her hair
Fiona's POV I walked in calmly, my eyes fixated on Sabrina, who stood close to the glass window, offering a good view of the countryside. She had a wine glass in hand, and as soon as she heard me walk in, she took a step closer."So, you're really alive," she said. "I always knew those men were useless. Just a little job, and they messed it all up.""You requested to see me," I said, looking at her with disdain, maintaining a still position."I'll give you whatever amount you request for, if you leave the country quietly," she said, walking slowly towards me. "That's only if you promise to keep it a secret.""I think I'm having déjà vu," I chuckled. "You tried to strike a deal with me a few years back.""You're so petty. Well, I don't even remember," she yawned loudly. "This is getting boring. Are you in or not?""You really think you can get anything you want?" I took a seat on the sofa. "Unfortunately, I'm not one to give everything I have, especially not something so useful to bri
Alexander's POV"It's sad that the stocks plummeted so badly. Who's the head of the PRO department in Spain?" I asked, fiddling with the pen in my hand."Mr. Ricardo," one of the directors, Mr. Yan, said. "He's doing his job well.""I never asked for your input," I said, walking to the board. "If the stocks plummet any further, it will affect headquarters, and it seems we are all comfortable with this.""No, we are not, Mr. Brooks. We've also been trying to make changes," another director, Mr. Richard, said."I can't see any changes, Mr. Richard. Put a call through to Mr. Ricardo and the directors there. We’ll be having a meeting tomorrow," I said, dropping the pen on the table.A lady walked in, wearing a fitted A-line gown, her blonde hair neatly curled on her shoulders. She wore a pleasant smile as she approached me. "Good day, Mr. Alexander," she said, revealing a nice set of teeth.I stared at her for a moment, trying to ascertain who she was."I'm Sofia Lopez, a representative o
Fiona's POVI pressed the bell nervously, watching as the door swung open. "Harden," I smiled, "I'm so sorry I came unannounced."He stared at the luggage for a while, then helped bring it inside. "Come in, Jess is spending some time with her friends.""Ah," I exhaled, "I almost fell into a coma thinking about what she'll say to this shameless lady.""Jess is always like that with everyone," he closed the door, leading me into the living room. "I'm pretty sure she hasn't seen the news about our relationship."I chuckled, "Thank you, Harden. I know it was so cowardly to ask you to...""I'll do whatever you want, Fiona. However," he held my hands, "you would do me this little favor."I sat up straight, "Anything for you. Say it.""Apparently, my father saw the news, so he has invited us for dinner," he paused, "I promise you can decline, and I'll come up with an excuse.""No," I stopped him from speaking, "let's pay him a visit together."He smiled, "So, why did you decide to live here?
Alexander's POVI walked in, surprisingly finding Fiona at the far corner of the room, sitting close to Harden. Sofia held my arms, leading me to an empty seat as she sat on the sofa. I slowly waved to Fiona, trying to hide my nervousness."Thank you for coming," Sofia whispered in my ear, brushing her lips slowly against my neck as I turned to look into her eyes. "Why are they here?""Who?" she asked, then got the message. "Oh, Harden and his girlfriend? Harden is a friend; it's safe to say we grew up together."I stared for a while, feeling uncomfortable. Staying there made me fume with rage, so I quietly walked out of the room into another room down the hall.I lit up a cigarette, smoking away my thoughts.A few minutes later, Sofia walked in, closing the door behind her. "Don't you like my party?" she said, leaning on the wall, her eyes darkening."No, I just felt uncomfortable," I said, exhaling the smoke."So, you smoke," she asked, moving slowly towards me. "I don't like men wh
Fiona’s POVThe office was buzzing with the aftermath of the press conference. While the atmosphere had shifted from tense to victorious, Alexander seemed preoccupied, his mind clearly still processing the events of the past few days. It wasn’t until late in the afternoon that he asked to speak with me privately in his office.I followed him in, curiosity and a hint of nervousness bubbling up inside me. He closed the door behind us and retrieved a small, polished box from his desk drawer. The sight of it made my heart race, a mix of excitement and apprehension flooding my thoughts.“Fiona, there’s something I need to say,” Alexander started, his tone serious but filled with sincerity. “Through everything that’s happened, you’ve been my rock. You’ve stood by me, supported me, and believed in me. I can’t imagine my life without you.”He opened the box, revealing a breathtaking engagement ring. I gasped softly, my emotions swelling as he continued, “I want us to build a future together.
Alexander’s POVThe morning after the board meeting was a chaotic flurry of activity. My phone buzzed with calls from investors and partners eager to discuss the implications of the new strategy. It was a good problem to have, but it meant I was already diving back into the deep end.As I navigated through the day’s schedule, my mind kept circling back to the board meeting. The victory had been significant, but it wasn’t complete. Sabrina and Leonard were wounded, but they would regroup and try to regain their footing. I needed to stay vigilant and one step ahead.Fiona met me at my office for a quick breakfast. She’d been a constant source of strength throughout this ordeal, and I was grateful for her presence. We settled at a small table in my office, a plate of croissants and coffee between us.“How’s your day shaping up?” she asked, breaking the silence.“Busy,” I replied, taking a sip of coffee. “I’ve got meetings lined up back-to-back. Investors are already interested in the new
Alexander's POVThe tension in the boardroom was palpable as I waited for the meeting to begin. Today was the culmination of weeks of strategizing and maneuvering. The stakes were high, and I had to make sure that everything I had planned would come to fruition.Fiona was by my side, a silent pillar of strength. Her presence was a grounding force amidst the chaos. As the clock ticked closer to the meeting’s start time, I glanced at her and gave a reassuring nod. She responded with a supportive smile.The board members trickled in, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Sabrina and Leonard arrived last, their air of confidence almost tangible. They were clearly expecting an easy win, but I was ready to change that.Mr. Richard, the board chairman, called the meeting to order. “Thank you all for coming,” he said, his voice steady. “We have a packed agenda today, starting with the discussion of the company’s future direction.”I took a deep breath and rose to speak, project
Alexander’s POVThe office was quiet as I waited for Jasmine. My decision to seek full custody of Jaden had been weighing heavily on me, but I knew it was necessary. The recent upheavals in my business had made it clear that Jaden needed stability—something I believed I could provide better now.When Jasmine walked in, her demeanor was guarded. The warmth she once showed me was now replaced with a cautious detachment. She took a seat across from me, her posture rigid.“Alexander,” she said, her voice polite but with an edge.“Jasmine,” I replied, trying to keep my tone even. “Thank you for coming.”Her eyes narrowed slightly. “What’s this about? I thought we were handling everything without conflict.”I leaned forward, determined to convey the seriousness of my request. “That was before I discovered the extent of the turmoil at work. With things settling down, it’s time we discussed Jaden.”Her eyes widened, and a flicker of concern crossed her face. “What about Jaden?”“I’m asking fo
Alexander’s POVSabrina was trying too hard to cover her nerves, and that confirmed what I already knew—she was scared. She thought she had everything lined up perfectly, but the meeting’s adjournment was exactly the opportunity I needed. She wasn’t as confident as she appeared.I leaned back in my chair, maintaining my composure as I watched her and Leonard. “You seem a little too eager for this meeting to end, Sabrina,” I said calmly. “You should be worried. You know better than anyone what happens when I’m given time.”Leonard chuckled, but I kept my focus on Sabrina. Her eyes flickered towards the door and back to me, sizing up her next move. She thought she had already won. Her arrogance was showing, but it was too early for her to celebrate.“You’re finished, Alexander,” she snapped, the sharpness in her voice a sign of her own doubts. “You can stop pretending that there’s a way out for you.”I tilted my head, a slow smile forming on my lips. “You underestimate me. That’s going
Fiona's POVI should have known better than to expect Sabrina to speak without taking action. Her words had always been a prelude to something more, and she had truly outdone herself with Jess.The streets were frigid as I walked with the cold seeping through my coat. I glanced over my shoulder frequently, half-expecting a shadowy figure to appear. Fortunately, the streets were deserted, offering no unwelcome surprises.Earlier, Harden had called to tell me that Jess was still unconscious. Guilt gnawed at me, but nothing was more disheartening than hearing that Alexander was on the brink of being dismissed by the board. I had sent a desperate message to Mister, pleading for his help with Alexander’s predicament, but it remained unread.The building Jasmine had instructed me to visit was an older structure, its faded paint and weathered façade a stark contrast to the vibrant chaos of the city outside. I climbed the creaky stairs, trying to follow the twists and turns of the corridors u
Alexander's POV"What are you trying to do?" I asked as Jasmine opened the door. She had a face mask on and walked over to sit on the sofa."What do you mean?" she asked, feigning ignorance."You know what I'm talking about," I said calmly as I closed the door behind me. "What was with the accusations you made on air today?""Oh, the news?" She laughed. "You should have been more specific. I just needed to get your attention since all you care about is Fiona.""That was a way of getting my attention? Didn’t we agree that I pay you to take care of my son? There’s no relationship between us."She removed the face mask, stood up, and walked over to me. "The last time I checked, there’s a relationship between us, Alexander. I am the mother of your son.""Then what do you want?" I asked, my voice rising. "Why did you have to lie to the world? Why do you keep making my life a living hell?" I took a deep breath, wary that she might have a recorder on."Did you just ask what I want?" She smil
Fiona's POVI wore a beaming smile as I looked into the mirror, thinking about what had happened the previous day. A knock on the door woke me from my thoughts. I walked to it and turned the knob. Before I could pull it open, the door was pushed fiercely."Jess," I said, surprised at her attitude, "what's wrong?"She walked in, looking around the room. "I can't believe you have no shame. So, you moved in?""I can explain. It...""My brother is such a fool. He lets you in but doesn't know what you've been up to," she laughed, walking to the dressing table."What do you mean?" I asked, folding my arms as I watched her pick up a lip gloss."I saw you yesterday, Fiona," she said, applying the lip gloss. "I saw you go into Alexander's house."I remained silent."You had sex, right? It was so obvious when you walked out.""Watch your mouth, Jess," I warned her for the first time."Why should I? You cheat," she yelled, pulling me by the arm. "I won't keep quiet. I'll make sure I make your li
Alexander's POVI stepped out of the house, heading for the elevator when it slid open. Fiona stood there, dressed in a green silky gown. Her legs were revealed so nicely that I stared at them for a moment before snapping back to reality."Hi," she said, walking out of the elevator."Hi, Fiona," I smiled. "Would you like to come in?""You were heading out. I don’t want to waste your time," she said in a low tone.I chuckled. "No, please come in. The meeting starts in two hours. I still have enough time.""Okay," she said, following me to the door. I pushed it open, allowing her to go in first before I closed it behind me."Please, have a seat," I said, walking into the kitchen with a smile on my face. Deep down, I felt nervous. I could hear the rattling of the spoon in the cup as I filled it with tea.I walked back out. "Have this. It's good for the heart," I said.She sipped a little. "Do you still fear that what happened to your father might happen to you?"I was silent for a moment