Eighteen years ago...Fiona's POVThe sound of thunder slammed against the roof, killing all the ants that had been seeking shelter. The streets were quieter than usual; no kids playing in the rain, no lovers making out near the field.The rain fell heavily now, accompanied by lightning. I watched it closely, almost counting the massive drops. My eyes drifted to a car that sped into the compound. I couldn’t see clearly, but it was evident people were stepping out of it.My door pushed open. It was my mother. It was her birthday, but the look on her face told a different story. "Come here, Gabriella," she called, grabbing my coat from the hanger.She swiftly packed a good amount of clothes into a box. I watched as she panted, tears streaming down her face."What's wrong, Mum?" I heard myself say, tapping her as I spoke."Shush," she cautioned, handing the box to me. "Leave through the window.""But why, Mum?" I cried, holding her tight. "I won’t go anywhere."She bent down to pull me c
Fiona's POV"Ahhhhhhh! Fiona!"My eyes snapped open, darting around the room to find the source of the scream. I swung my legs off the bed and rushed to the living room.Of course, it was Isabella, my exuberant girlfriend. Her excitement could only mean one thing: news about a Korean actor or a handsome rich man who had just arrived in London."Guess what, Fiona?" Isabella ran to me, hitting me hard on the back."Ouch," I shouted, returning the slap. "What is it?""He's back, he's back!" Isabella jumped around, gasping for breath."Who's back?" I laughed, walking to the countertop and filling a cup with water from the refrigerator."Alexander Brooks!"My grip loosened on the cup, and it shattered on the floor. Isabella ran to me. "I hope you're fine?" she asked, cleaning the floor.I nodded, hiding my trembling hands. "Who's that again?" I sighed, gaining composure as I walked back into the living room and sat close to Isabella, who giggled at my confusion."Alexander Brooks is London
Fiona's POVThe drive to the Brooks residence which was situated in Chelsea, was a long one, probably an hour. The building was magnificent, likely the most impressive I'd ever seen. It had a sculpture in the middle with water pouring into it from a fountain. The statue was of Harry Brooks, Jordan's father.The security guards stopped me from entering, asking for an invitation card or letter. "I'm sorry, I was sent by City Hospital to treat Mr. Brooks."One lanky guard signaled to let me in.I stepped into the building, my eyes feasting on the luxurious surroundings. As I moved further, a man approached me. "Come with me," he said, leading me into the living room."Wow!" I blurted out, taking in the opulent decor. I stared with a mixture of fury and surprise; they seemed to live well. An enormous artwork caught my attention, but my thoughts were interrupted when a lady in a black dress approached me."You must be Miss Campbell," she said, smiling brightly."Yes, I am," I responded qui
Fiona's POVThe beeps from my phone pierced my deep sleep. I yawned loudly, stretching my weary muscles. The phone rang insistently this time. Hesitantly, I reached to pick it up."Hello, Fiona," his voice jolted me awake. I jumped down from the bed and put the call on speaker."Mister.""I'll be sending the blueprint of the Brooks mansion. The party should serve as a distraction."I pulled off the silky nightgown, revealing my bare skin. "Davis will be at the party. Everything will go as planned. If Jordan is hiding something important, it's closer than we think."The line cracked a little. "Fiona, you need to curb your curiosity for now. Jordan doesn't like people getting too close. Sooner or later, you'll be asked to leave. Get close to Alexander; he's the heir now."I grabbed a towel, wrapping it tightly around myself. "Fine, I won't do anything I'll regret," I said, clearing my throat and hanging up.I wasn't going to listen to him. Besides destroying the Brooks, I needed to know
Alexander's POV It had been ten years since I was last in London. The sight of Brooks House made me nauseous, returning to what I was supposed to call a family, with a father who had married my late mom’s secretary, Anna, and a stepbrother, Leonard. I walked away from Fiona after my secretary, Frederick, signaled I should leave immediately. "What's wrong?" I asked, unbuttoning the wrist of my shirt as I walked into the room. He bowed, closing the door behind him. "Reporters took pictures of you while dancing. I tried to pay one of them to delete the images..." "And the others?" I inquired, pulling off the shirt. "There were just two, and the second was adamant. I'm afraid, sooner or later, the pictures will be up on the internet." Reporters always found a way to mess up my life. The headlines would read: CEO Womanizer Caught Again with a Different Lady, Just as in Hong Kong, Even Though He's Betrothed to the Most Beautiful CEO of Our Time. "Make sure that doesn’t happen. I ha
Fiona's POVIt was already sunset when I stepped into the hotel, knocking on the door to Davis' room, which he opened immediately.I thought hard about what he had found out alongside what had transpired in the Brooks house. So Alexander and Sabrina had a strained relationship. Interesting!The door pushed open, and Davis leaned on it. He had no clothes on, just a towel around his waist. "Who's in with you?" I asked curiously, stretching to see.He pushed my head back with the tip of his finger. "None of your business. Wait outside, I'll be right back," he said as he slammed the door.I stamped my feet, biting my lips as I waited in the corridor. Davis was a scumbag, I thought, as I watched a man stop at a door in the lobby. I looked closer and realized it was Alexander.Swiftly, I ran to the side of the lobby, praying he hadn't seen me. It took five minutes before I walked out; he was gone."Thank goodness," I heaved a sigh. "But what was he doing here?""Who?" Davis whispered.I jum
Alexander's POVI took my suitcase and walked out of the room, leaving her lying unconscious on the bed. As I slowly closed the door behind me, I bumped into a young man in the lobby. His face was obscured by a mask and a cap, and he vanished almost as quickly as he'd appeared, giving me an uneasy feeling.I stepped into the vehicle, my thoughts drifting back to last night. I wasn’t one to devote myself to any woman—just sex and nothing else—but why did I linger this morning?I woke up two hours after we both fell asleep, staring at her peaceful face and stroking her hair for a few minutes. Why am I bothered? Sooner or later, she’ll leave just like the others did."Sir, are you okay?" Frederick asked from behind the wheel as he swerved into the next street."I am. What did Mr. Ethan say?""He insisted that you face the reporters. That's the only way to gain the people's trust. No one will get their food commodities from a company with bad leadership."I scoffed. "Bad leadership? The b
Fiona's POV"Why did you do that?" My voice echoed through the corners of my room as I bit my lips and stamped my cold feet.If there was one thing I could always figure out, it was the person who hurt Alexander. It had to be Davis, and Mister must have put him up to it."That's the only way to keep him away from the company, at least for now," the line cracked, but his voice came back. "If he discovers the truth, I'll be ousted. He needs to stay out while I fix things."I scoffed. "What if he died? Everything I've worked for would have died too.""At least he didn't.""I can't believe you. Get off my phone," I yelled, hanging up and grabbing my coat."Who was that?" Isabella asked, leaning on the door frame, munching a crispy snack.I froze for a moment before finding the right words. "Just someone.""Hmm, someone I don't know?""Someone you shouldn't know," I said, kissing her on the cheek and heading out.The cold walk down the street made my legs tremble. I stepped into the taxi t
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