CHAPTER TWELVE: THE SWITCH

BEATRICE’S POV

Just like every other normal day, I got up and got the kids dressed for school. All was going just fine until I opened my front door to find flowers sitting right there. Every single space was occupied by one. Flowers of different colours and kinds.

“Oh, Mummy's got an admirer.” My kids' excitement pierced through the air. 

“Waw! He must like Mummy to bring all of this. It must have taken him all night. It is just like Cinderella and the prince.” Charlotte awned. 

While I just stood there transfixed. Their words must have caught the attention of their grandma because soon, she was standing beside me.

“Now, that’s weird. Did the flower distribution find us?” She joked, but I couldn't even find it in me to smile. My blood had drained from my face because I knew the only one capable of doing this was Xander, and that only meant that it was only a matter of time before he found out about the kids. 

Fear consumed me as my heart dropped to my stomach. My babies. I had to protect them.

“It has a card.” Cooper’s voice rang out. The naughty one. He was in there snooping around already and pulling it out. I hurriedly snatched it from him before he could read it. The last thing I wanted was finding out through a note that their father still existed.

“Aunt Silvia, please get someone to remove all of these.” I clenched my teeth as I spoke. My blood was boiling at this point. The urge I had to find Xander and punch him in the face. “Let’s go, pumpkins,” I added, trying to hide the fear in my voice.

As we stepped into the car, my fingers trembled when I tried to put the key in. An image of his smirking face flashed repeatedly in my mind. This was illegal. This was an offence. If I could report it, maybe I could get a restraining order.

“Are you good, Mommy?” Charlotte asked, and I nodded, sending her a smile.

What was I thinking, letting him get to me? My kids were my everything, and I had to be strong and put him in his place. 

I kissed them goodbyes, and I watched them head into their respective classes. 

“Remember, Mommy, we love you.” Charlotte’s tiny voice echoed as she ran off. Charlotte, unlike the other twins, barely spoke, but when she did, it would mostly melt my heart.

Tears stung my eyes, and a baby image of her replayed in my head. Suddenly, I felt a chilliness, something gripping my gut. I could feel someone watching me, but who?

My eyes roamed around, and I caught nothing but the cars of parents like myself. I pushed aside the thought and stepped into the car. Tuning on a song to lighten the mood while I drove to the company. It took me twenty minutes, and soon, I was sitting at my table, a slight smile on my face as I tried to embrace the positive side of everything.

“Did you hear that Mr Xander is coming today? he has something to say to the CEO. He hasn't stopped pacing around his office all day.” Vera said as she shook her head. Following her eyes, I caught him from the glass wall, and fear found its way in again.

I couldn't help but wonder if he had cancelled the partnership because of how I treated him yesterday. Was that why he was coming? A bead of sweat broke across my face. Was Xander hell-bent on ruining my life?

In seconds, I heard whispers, murmurs, and everyone running helter-skelter. 

“He is here. Oh my! How do I look? I heard he is single.” Pearl lets out as she spins in front of Vera and me. I rolled my eyes and turned back to the file I was editing. Unlike them, I had no interest in Mr Arrogant. If only they knew who he was under that facade, then they would run instead. 

The whispers intensified as he approached. I could hear his footsteps. I could smell him. I could almost taste him. I lifted my eyes to steal a glance, and my eyes caught his. He stopped in his tracks for a second, his left palm in the pocket of his brown pants. His light blue shirt was tucked in neatly, and for a second, I imagined them off.

I caught his lips flatten, and I could tell that he was enjoying the drama his presence brought. Sighing, I looked away. Yet, I felt too aware of him as he walked away. 

‘Staying away from him was the best.’ I reminded myself and shrugged my shoulders multiple times to warm up. 

“The CEO wants you in his office.” Pearl’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I jotted to look at her. 

“Me or Vera?” I questioned, dumbfounded.

“You, of course. I don't know why he likes you, but I don’t. It should be me who gets to work with him. I have been here way longer than you have.” There was hate in her voice before she eyed me and walked away.

My heart raced as I got up and approached the office. I feared what might be in store for me. Millions of responses floated in my mind. Yet, it didn't prepare me for the inevitable. I straightened my already-ironed black skirt before pushing the door open and walking in.

There he was, sitting with his leg over the other, right on the CEO’s chair while Alpha Lee was sanding. 

“I believe you have met him, Beatrice. Emmm.” He hiked, a smile bright on his face. “Sir, she will be assigned to you, just as you requested. Beatrice, meet the new CEO. He was kind enough to buy the company.” 

NEW CEO? ASSIGNED?

These words floated in the air right above my head, and my mouth dropped open. 

“I look forward to working with you.” A smile spread his lips apart. 

Yet, it looked like he was mocking me.