Chapter: 62.****He hasn't been able to see Falcon since Tuesday last week. It's like the man had left him with all the work and had disappeared. And work was absolute hell and just about all of his energy had been spent keeping things together. It felt as though he was doing a one-man-show and no amount of coffee seemed to make any difference to his state of exhaustion. At night he wouldn't be able to sleep as his mind would remain consumed by the thoughts of Tide's and in the daytime, workloads would be piled up so much so he could fall dead from all of it.Easton had mentioned Jacob who tends to most of these things but neither Jacob nor Falcon had shown face in the company. He should have rejected to be chief secretary and to Falcon no less. He wanted to be able to at least speak with him, or see him from time to time, he must say he missed him, missed the way he was always in his way, always looking for his attention, always appearing at unwanted places, he missed that attenti
Chapter: 63.*****By seven, he had already returned to the house, showered, dressed, and departed for work with his breakfast sandwich in tow. He ate it on the way, carefully not to drop anything on himself, and bought coffee before he had reached the parking garage of Falcon Automotive. He was still sipping when he arrived at the elevator in the main lobby. He pressed his ID to the sensor, scanned his fingerprint, and stepped in to be whisked up to his respective floor.He greeted Sally and April on his way in and dropped off a box of doughnuts with two lattes for them before making his way into his office. It has become somewhat of a habit to do that for them every morning since he started there. It always seems to make them happy, and there's just something undeniably cute about women when they are happy.Before he had even had the chance to lower himself into his swivel chair, the phone on his table had gone off. He groaned, picked it up then reluctantly pressed it to his ear."D
Chapter: 64.*****The moment he had parked and retrieved his overnight bag from the passenger's seat of his truck, he climbed out and breathed, what had happened in the office that morning haunted his mind endlessly, the day was a mess and there was no Easton to talk with afterward, he had thought of calling him but remembering he could be at the meeting, he decided against it. He hasn't seen a glimpse of that stone but like Easton had said the man could have it tucked underneath those tightly fitted shirts he wore like a second skin and for him to see the stone he will have to get the man naked. Fuck!He shook his head as if attempting to rid his mind of those thoughts as he proceeded to enter the gate. First, he walked to the backyard to the pool, sitting by the edge of the pool he watched the fog dance across still waters, a constant flashes of light would spread across the pool ever so often as if it were lightning during a stormy night. Alexander kissed the ring on his finger
Chapter: 65.****He was going to kill him.Since the day he had refused the man to leave for his business trips, Matthew's life had become far more complicated than he had been anticipating. When he had mentioned certain details he left with April, he hadn't bothered to ask what it was about and now he regretted not asking. Well, here he was, two weeks later, draped over his desk with an empty tumbler in his grasp. The stress was real.During the last weeks, he had learned two things very well; for one, all adults were liars. Work was not fun. It wasn't even remotely enjoyable, especially if you happened to work for an overly demanding prick. And two, it was actually possible to be too exhausted for sleep itself. He hadn't had a proper night's sleep in nearly a week, what with all that had been going on. One; he hasn't been able to see the stone around his neck, Easton had assured him when he had asked if perhaps he had taken it off that he wouldn't do that, since the man had mentio
Chapter: 66.*****"Do you eat meat?""Yes?""We'll have two of the premium French beef and aged white cheddar over multigrain ciabatta, spinach, no lettuce, tomatoes, vegan spread, no mayo."We would?Matthew smiled at him. "You'll love it.""Coffee?" She asked."Tea, please." He'd stepped in before Alexander could catch her, and in the next moment, she was gone, leaving them to chat amongst themselves."Do you always order for your lunch dates?" Alexander could feel the annoyance bleed onto his features."Only when I'm nice." He quipped, offering one of his signature smiles."Speaking of which, I'm still not even entirely sure why I'm here. Did you need something?" Besides my foot up your ass? The last bits he had swallowed.His words must have struck a nerve because he didn't say anything for several moments, as if re-evaluating the situation. Why he bothered to say anything at all was beyond him, but he quickly followed up with, "I mean work-related. Is that why you called me out
Chapter: 67.****"Alexander.""Hm?""All of these creatures... wouldn't you say that they know their place?"Knew their place? In the domain of the sea? "Sure. I'd say that much, at least." He answered cluelessly. Foolishly."Then, would you agree that it was only right that you knew yours?"What?!"If I knew my place?" Alexander could hear the shock in his voice, his face numb, and before he could register what was happening, he was lurching forward and being spun around, back pressed up against the glass. His eyes darted about the dark space, barely illuminated by the blue light of the tanks.Everyone really had gone."While I chased and chased unceasingly you jumped right into bed with another man." He murmured."No, wait... It's more than that...""More than that?" "I...I love Tide...""And me?""I-I-"Oh, shit. He was too close, too close to his face. Alexander could see all of his handsome features in stark definition despite the lighting, from the length of his lashes to the
Chapter: 68.****"What kind of game?" Alexander demanded warily. He still believed entirely that Matthew was capable of some serious evil."We're going to pretend for the next-- ten minutes, that you belong to me."Alexander shot up, unsure if he had heard him correctly. "Belong to you?""Lie down." He ordered, and for just a moment, he tossed a glance at the window.Why did this seem familiar?Right.The dream.He had maneuvered through the house like he owned the place and had located the guest room easily, so maybe he did plant a bug and could see him otherwise how else would he have known he had shot up just now?Honestly, he wasn't sure he wanted to, but he did anyway. Didn't mean he wasn't still horribly nervous about where this conversation was about to go."Lights off."Alexander sighed. This was ridiculous. "Okay, lights are off.""Now close your eyes, and keep them that way.""They're closed." He didn't know if he could take this seriously, or he was at least trying not to.
Chapter: 69.****That morning, being one who could never keep a secret, he had told Easton what had transpired that morning, the other was speechless for the most part and eventually, patted him on the shoulders, hugged and kissed him on the cheeks before leaving for work without him since he was obviously waiting for Falcon."Maybe he has a meeting and he's taking you with him, don't think about it too much." The last words from East. When Matthew had picked him up that afternoon, he was determined to find an opportunity to put his foot down. To understand what their relationship was? Or even better get a clearer understanding as to what he knows pertaining to the stone Easton had mentioned he wears around which he was yet to see."Look, I don't know what you're up to, but if you think that I'm just going to do this whenever you ask-" He ushered him into the car, shut the door, and left him to sit in silence for several moments.The moment he got in, Alexander turned his glare on h
Walking side by side, both men stride down the stairs ever so gracefully, beaming smiles on their bright faces, with eyes twinkling with delight as their faces met those of men and women employees standing in wait and bowing slightly for a small nod from them before turning back to their workstations and working diligently, all except one who seemed to be more than a little preoccupied. She didn't seem to notice them until Easton tapped her softly on the shoulder and the little girl turned and immediately began to run into her father's waiting embrace. Alexander went on his knees and hugged his growing beautiful little lady, picking her up and twirling her around, both father and daughter's laughter rang throughout the house like the sweetest melody. His smile was genuine as he set his daughter back onto her feet and looked up to acknowledge Easton who was standing beside Michael and wearing a contagious smile on his handsome face. Alexander approached him and both friends clasped han
Chapter: 151.******The sweet sound of Alexander's groan of pleasure filled the air, his eyes closed and he clutched desperately at the bedsheets as if he would fall if he didn't hold onto the sheets as tightly as he did. He panted heavily as he tried to catch his breath, his eyes fluttering open and closing rapidly as a rush of adrenaline flowed through his veins, leaving him a painting mess. When he finally opened his eyes to face the scene before him, he was met by that mesmerizing blue gaze staring back at him, drenched with intense lust and arousal. Matthew could see how flushed and a mess Alexander looked, how he was sweating buckets, he also noticed how dark the color of his eyes seems to be. Like a storm ready to break loose at any given second, the way they sparkled and glistened with satisfaction, with lust, with desire. Oh, Lord. His whole body was trembling in the aftermath of that amazing orgasm, his breath heavy and unsteady, the sounds of the waves echoing in his ears,
Chapter: 150.******Matthew slowly pushed the bedroom door open and very carefully stepped into the room. He glanced toward the bed a few distances away then turned to the other side of the room and slowly began to walk to the sitting area where he proceeded to place the tray of food on a table. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure the occupant in the bed is still asleep before beginning to set up the dishes for breakfast. He placed them in the center of the small dining area along with two bowls of cereal. As he reached up to grab two forks he paused, when he heard that soothing voice."You can't possibly be after that kind of food when the perfect meal is lying in wait for you," Matthew hissed with a smile then gently returned the forks and turned around to face the bed where his lover now sat exposed, a lust-filled gaze burned deeply into his, and Alexander's naked body lay perfectly entranced as if it were waiting for Matthew to join him again, and he did just that. Inching
Chapter: 149.*****"I can't believe you're getting married," Lafayette said into the mirror where Alexander's face stared back. He was helping him get ready, while Easton stood in front of him adjusting his tie as always. A smile made its way across Alexander's lips but he didn't say a word. He still feels a bit hungover from last night. They had all dragged him around the city, dressed in a red bridal gown and massive makeup. He dragged the gown everywhere and it weighed a ton, his arms still hurt, then they made him tease dance in the clubs, did shots after shots, dared him to give Easton a lapdance then they made him eat some really weird food, going up against it wasn't an option and so he endured through their wicked idea of a bachelor party. They ended up leaving at dawn with no one sober, he barely got two hours of sleep and today is his wedding day and not to mention he hasn't seen Matthew in exactly twenty-two hours, thirty-four minutes, and six seconds, he was going crazy i
Chapter: 148.*****The two elderly couples stood side by side, watering cans in their hands as they carefully watered their prized flower plants when they spotted the flurry of automobiles pulling into their little home. Slowly they both turned and stared ahead as the first car drove in and parked, a man in a black suit exited the car and made a turn to the other side to open the doors. When they saw their son step out of the vehicle they couldn't be happier, dropping the cans they both hurried over to welcome him. Once Alexander came down, a smile so bright made his face even more handsome and he was running into their embrace just immediately. They hugged for a good while and when they pulled apart, Alexander bowed and greeted his father and mother then turned around to introduce the newcomers. Both parents smiled when they noticed the little angel that looked exactly like their son and they knew without a doubt that they were staring into the eyes of their granddaughter. Maria had
Chapter: 147.******As if knowing where Matthew would be, his legs carried him and he walked, taking fast pace, leaving the others behind. And when he got there, the little tree stood there and by the side was Matthew giving a hug to a stranger. A frown blew over his face and he groaned at what he was seeing. Knowing, neither twin appreciates close contact with anyone only made his anger more profound."I swear to god, Matthew, if you do not stop hugging him, I am personally going to cut your balls off and make an omelet out of them then feast on it beside your bleeding corpse!" He announced angrily, his voice rattling the leaves on the trees. The stranger gasped and pulled away from Matthew and bolted the other way. Alexander walked closer and stood in front of Matthew. The same spot he stood on when he crushed his foot with textbooks years ago but Alexander was too angry to acknowledge the significance of where they stood at that very moment. "Really?!" Alexander snapped, his voi
Chapter: 146.*****He didn't want to believe Matthew had left, without congratulating him, without a kiss, he didn't even wait for the ceremony to be over. Was it work? Was there an emergency? He left without any of his men. How is that even possible? Maybe he was still in the toilets. Maybe he's locked himself in. His mind went over a million and one scenarios as he ran, sprinted even, the sounds of his heels echoing in the empty halls, eyes scanning every corner and by the time he reached the men's rooms he had started walking faster than a normal human being can walk, his steps were heavy and fast. As soon as he reached the men's room he slammed the door open, startling the poor guy inside, who looked shocked at Alexander's sudden entrance but Alexander didn't seem bothered by his hateful questioning glares rather he pushed past him, running straight for the stalls and yelling for him."Baby, you in here?" He would ask with each stall he invaded. His lungs burned from lack of oxyg
Chapter: 145.*****Five Years Later And Graduation Day.******Alexander stared at his reflection in the mirror. The dress shirt was tucked neatly into his pants, the black tie hanging loosely around his neck. His hair was brushed neatly but not slicked back as he did most days, a few strands falling in front of his face. It made him want to run his fingers through it, tuck it behind his ear, but that wasn't happening this time. He was graduating. No matter how many times he'd practiced this in his mind, his eyes still felt glassy. This was it. Four years ago when Matthew surprised him with the news of him getting back to school, he didn't know how to react to the news. They had just settled, Tide had left, and he was starting to get close to his daughter but none of that could compare to the fact that he was getting back to school. Matthew was making his dreams come true, one at a time, his goals coming together. He took a deep breath, looking down at his watch and seeing it was 9:0
Chapter: 144.*****Tide lay on his bed, blinking slowly with a charming smile spread across his face. After he left Alexander in the hands of Matthew, and Atana's SoulPearl willed to him, he returned home. Aquarial remains as he left it, beautiful, and peaceful. Sea creatures moving around in every direction, Aquarial has always been so colorful, every Mer, every fish, down to their houses, high and small, all bore colors so beautiful as never seen on the Lands. But, it was late when he arrived so he went home, and slept. Tomorrow he will visit his mother first, then Neptune. And when morning came, he took care of his duties, beaming brightly as he collected spells and potions, realizing just how much he has missed his life under the Sea. But, words travel fast in Aquarial, Soulbutterfies crawling around the streets at night had seen him return and they spread the news to their owners. Tide didn't finish his spells when his mother came bargaining into his private room, yelling for h