Ethan's POV The evening air outside the garden on the other side of the hospital was cool, but the tension between the three of us standing a few feet apart could ignite into flames. Austin and Aiden are both well-built, which isn't strange considering they play basketball so well. They stood side by side. I on the other hand was on my own.I have known since I brought Alexia to the hospital that this confrontation was going to happen but I was hoping we could discharge Alexia firstThey stared at me with eyes cold with fury. If looks could kill I would have been dead and buried already from how both of them are looking like they could incinerate me with just their looks.I, Ethan Blackwood, billionaire CEO of Blackwoods company who is never afraid of any confrontation. But this confrontation is different from others. This was more personal.To an onlooker, I know I looked every inch the powerful man I am, but tonight there was no arrogance in my stance as I faced down the most impo
Alexia’s POV I stood at the entrance of Ethan's new apartment as I took in the edifice before me. It was a grand estate, the iron gates looming above her like the walls she had built around her heart in the past few months. This building, though huge, was somehow different from the mansion that had been her matrimonial home.Ethan and Jeff were pulling out my boxes from the car. I had offered to help but they both looked at me like I was being stupid for even thinking they would allow me to touch a thing, so I stepped aside to allow them to do their thing.Ever since Ethan found out about my pregnancy he has been treating me like I was made of glass. He must have also informed Jeff about it too, because Jeff has been delicately treating me, totally different from her he has treated me before. On the drive from the airport I had wanted to get something to eat at a restaurant on the road, before I could even open the car door to get down, Ethan was already there. I almost told him th
Ethan POV “How is it going man?” Ryan asked from where he was reclining at the pub we usually frequented whenever we wanted to hang out. Nate was sitting beside him nursing a bottle of beer. I'm glad I allowed Ryan to pull me out of the office and practically blackmailed me into coming with them. I have been moody since I came back to New York City and I think it has to do with the fact that my relationship with Alexia is still strained. I had hoped after a week of coming back together, I would be able to woo her into forgiving me and allowing us to go back to the loving couple we were before Linda happened. However it turned out to be far from what I expected. She has been so cold to me. She rebuffs all of my attempt to woo her.“Man, I would not lie to you, it hasn't been easy. Alexia hasn't still forgiven me. We are practically living in the house like strangers.” I sighed, rubbing a hand on my face.“So sorry about that man. She needs to see you are remorseful and just forgive
Alexia’s POV “Ethan I am resuming work and God help me I will straight up murder you with my bare hands if you tell me one more time that I shouldn't work.” I said, eyes blazing with fury.Ethan wisely took a step back. Good he has some sense left after all. It's been a month since I got back to New York City and Ethan is still hellbent on not allowing me to go back to work. First it was the argument that he was not comfortable with me going to work for another company because of how people would perceive me working for another company when my husband is the CEO of his company. That he would rather I come back to Blackwoods. I conceded just so he would allow me work.Once that argument was done, he came up with another argument that for the safety of the babies I shouldn't go to work until they are born and that he would provide every financial need I may have. Well, as dandy as that may sound, I am not one to depend on any man for my financial needs, especially not one who has pro
Ethan's POV “Sir, your 10 o'clock is here.” Alexia said as she pushed my door open to step in. “Seriously? You are still calling me sir?” “Aren't you my boss?” She countered “You know what I mean.” I insisted “Please remind me what you meant, because the last time I checked I am still your P.A and as such I have to address you as sir.” She said not willing to shift grounds. “Please send him in.” I said not ready for a fight. Since we got back together, it seems the old sweet Alexia was replaced with this argumentative Alexia. I don't know if the pregnancy also contributed to her being antsy. She jumps on every opportunity to fight with him. Despite the argument though, I would still choose her over everyone else. I would rather she argue with me than totally shutting me out of her life.. Besides, I find her arguments really endearing, though I will never admit it to her. “Okay sir.” She said as she walked out of my office. I know she did that to intentionally get a rise ou
Alexia’s POV “Thank God you are back! How was the doctor's session?” Jeff asked immediately after I stepped into the car. “It was okay, the doctor gave the all-clear report when after he examined me. Did something happen while I was inside?”Jeff exhaled before starting the car. “Well, your husband almost blew my phone up with incessant calls to find out if you were okay.”“Sorry about that. But why didn't he call me?” I asked curious.“He called your number but you weren't answering so he decided I was going to be the one to give him every minute update.” He said exasperated.Oh, shoot! I placed my phone in silent mode when before going into the doctor's office because I didn't want it ringing and disrupting the meeting. I didn't even remember to check to see if some calls came in.I dipped my hand into my purse and pulled out my phone. As I screwed through it, I saw that I had 12 missed calls. Eight were from Ethan and two were from Stacey. 10 missed calls? One would think there w
Alexia’s POV “Elsie please go get the door.” I said bringing out the fancy silver wares we are using for dinner tonight from the box we usually keep them.“Okay, ma!” Elsie said, covering the pot of porridge she was dishing from and heading out to the sitting room.After bringing out all the silverware I thought we would need, I proceeded to pick out a matching set of cups. This is the first dinner we will be hosting since Ethan moved out of the mansion and even though Ethan and I have our issues, I still want the dinner to be perfect and memorable.I just brought out the last cup when Stacey walked into the kitchen with Elsie’s following after her.I smiled widely at her. I'm so happy to see her. It's been so long since we last saw.“Hey!” I said rushing over to draw her into a hug.“Hey yourself! How come I got to find out about my best friend hosting a dinner from my boyfriend? What happened to girls before hoes?” She said in mock outrage, pulling away from the hug.My face fell.
Ethan's POV “That will be all guys. I have to go now.” I said picking up my suit from the armchair. The board members all stood up. “Thank you Mr Blackwoods. We are sorry for eating into your time.” Harrison the secretary of the board said as he gathered his folders to leave.“You are welcome. Do keep me informed on whatever you guys resolve on the issue as they all head out of my office.I quickly grabbed my suitcase and flung my suit jacket over my shoulder as I followed after them.The meeting with the board wasn't supposed to last this long. I thought it would just take us an hour to finish only to be shocked that it exceeded two hours.It was an emergency meeting by the board called on to discuss Kenneth and Bridget’s position in the company. Since Kenneth was the head of technical department of Blackwoods it was very imperative that we get someone to fill his space. Although it kills me to admit it, he was the best at what he does, so it has been one hell of a task getting so
Alexia’s POV “I don't want the pink dress. I want to put on the blue dress.” Amy pouted, shifting away from the pink dress like she found it offensive. My little girl looks beautiful with her red hair, Ethan's blue eyes, and a face so perfect “The pink dress is better and it brings out your eyes.” I tried reasoning with my 2-year-old daughter.Today is Allen and Amy's 2 years birthday and Ethan and I are throwing a party for them.The others will soon be here and Amy is still delaying us further.“No mummy. Blue is better because it's the color of my daddy's eyes. I rolled my eyes at her, not surprised by her response. Everything is always about Ethan, to say that my little girl and Ethan are close would be putting it mildly. I have been having this dress argument with her for the past 10 minutes and I'm about to insist she puts on the dress when Ethan walks into Amy's room.“Daddy!” Amy squealed excitedly as she ran at Ethan. I smiled ruefully as I watched Ethan pick up Amy and th
Ethan's POV “Look at my handsome grandson. Isn't he the cutest baby ever?” Mom cooed as she bent over our baby boy sleeping peacefully in his crib. A small smile played on my lips. I haven't seen her this excited in a very long time.“Yeah, he certainly is.” Dad, who is also standing behind her, agreed. “If only that dumb skull over there would allow us to see our granddaughter!” He added drily, shooting a furious glare at me. “I am not letting anyone near my princess, just yet. She needs to spend quality time with her daddy.” I repeated for the hundredth time today, scowling at my Dad and Mom. Just before they could retort, the door to our hospital room was pushed open and Nathan, Ryan, Stacey, and Grace walked into the room.“Great, the entire crew is here!” I grumbled surly. Amelia shoots me a dark look.“Ethan, be nice! They are here to celebrate with us and see the newest members of the family.” I shrugged. I know I was being an ass but can anyone blame me for wanting some alon
Alexia POV. “Come on Alexia, just one more push.” my doctor said for what must be the 20th time. “That’s what you said the last twenty times.” I groaned, glaring at the doctor. I know she is just doing her job but I can't help but feel frustrated. I have been in labor for the past thirty minutes and I still haven't pushed out a baby. I can feel my body tiring and the pain is like nothing I have ever felt before. “Darling just one more! I know you can do it.” Ethan who has been beside me this whole time said, still holding my hand. He looks just as frazzled as I look. I had the irrational urge to laugh as I stared at his rumpled look, imagining the reaction of his staff if they could see their prim and proper CEO looking anything but prim. As I imagined their faces, a fit of hysterical laughter burst out of me as both the doctor and Ethan exchanged twin looks of confusion, probably wondering if I had finally lost it, which just made me laugh harder. A high-pitched cry suddenly c
Alexia’s POV “You are the reason we are late for this dinner! So be ready to handle your mom's complaint.” I said, shooting an accusing look at Ethan as he helped me out of the car.“Don't worry! You can blame me, you can blame me.” He was laughing. I struggled to hold on to my anger as the laughter I had been holding on tried to bubble up at his playfulness. I love Ethan's playful side. It's a side very few people are privileged to see.He took my hand in his ass and ushered me into the mansion.The dining room was as grand as I remembered but it still looked cold and sterile. Our dining room isn't as big and grand as this but I will pick it over this one anytime, any day because of the warmth it exudes.The long table was elegantly set with silverware, crystal glasses, and ivory candles that cast a warm glow across the room. At one end, Ethan’s mom was already fussing over the placements, rearranging flowers and adjusting napkins, her excitement barely contained.As we entered the
Ethan's POV “Gentlemen, I think what you guys have come up with is good but if we want to truly broaden our space in France we could do better than this.” I said viewed the projections on the screen.I leaned back on my chair. One of the benefits of being the CEO is that you are privileged to sit at the head of the table and take in the reaction of your team. I noticed that at more comment some of my team members nodded their agreement while some were still frowning like they don't totally agree with me, which is actually okay by me. I am comfortable enough in my space to allow dissenting opinions so long as the reasons are good. In my view it helps in business.Liam lifted his eyes to meet mine like he was about to say something and just as I was about to tell him to go ahead, my phone buzzed quietly on the table. I glanced down, and a small smile tugged at my lips when I saw it was Alexia's name flash on the screen. This one she is calling me in the middle of work, she must be m
Alexia’s POV I thought about all I had learned this morning as I approached Nathan’s office. What she had found was more complicated than she’d anticipated, and she knew she needed Nathan’s support to get to the bottom of it.I tapped lightly on the frosted glass door, hearing the muffled “Come in” from inside. Taking a deep breath, I stepped in, finding Nathan behind his desk, absorbed in his computer screen, closing the door behind me, as I walked up to his desk. The sound of the door closing, jolted him as he looked up in surprise, his eyes lighting up when he saw her.“You are back so soon?” He asked, sounding surprised.I smiled at him. “Yes, at least for now. I have spoken to a few of your staff, and I think I will speak to the others later. I don't want to rush things so whoever is responsible wouldn't suspect we are unto him or her.Nathan raised an eyebrow, interest immediately piqued. “Did you find anything from the few of them you spoke with?”I nodded, settling into th
Alexia’s POV I munch on the apple Elsie placed in my front earlier. I feel restless as I sit here just eating food and watching TV. I wonder how those stay-at-home moms do it. I envy them because these past couple of weeks off work have me feeling antsy and restless.Our sitting room which was bathed in a soft, afternoon light, with the faint scent of her favorite lavender candle lingering in the air, would usually cheer me up a bit, but today the reverse was the case.I was just reaching for the fashion magazine Stacey brought when she came to visit last week when my phone buzzed.Seeing Nathan’s name flash on the screen, I answered with a calm voice, trying to hide the surprise I felt. This should be the first time I am getting a call from him. "Hey, Nathan! What’s up?""Alexia, sorry to call out of the blue like this," he began, his tone unusually serious. “I know you are on bed rest and shouldn't be doing any work, which is why I feel like shit calling you, but I have exhausted
Ethan's POV I leaned back in my chair, my sharp gaze fixed on the report in front of me. For the umpteenth time, I wish Alexia was here to help me with this. Fielding reports was her area of expertise, not mine.I glared at the series of financial graphs glowing from my tablet screen, if only I could magically wish them away, thought, sighing deeply.Despite the report's importance, my mind was elsewhere. I rubbed a hand across my jaw, lost in thought, wondering if I should take a rare moment off and spend some time with his wife.I have been on these reports for the past two hours and I haven't made much of a progress.Just when I was about to push the report aside and take some much-needed break, my phone rang, jolting me from his reverie. Dad's name flashed like a beacon on the screen and a flicker of surprise coursed through me. I certainly wasn't expecting a call from him. He seldom called unless it was about business.“Dad,” I answered, my voice sounding professional, though w
Ethan's POV I picked up my suit jacket from the back of the chair I had hung it earlier, ready to call it in. It's been one hell of a day filled with a series of meetings. I had barely catch my breath since I got back from my visit with Ken.As I strode out of my office, locking the door behind me, I noticed the lobby was nearly empty, which isn't strange seeing as I am almost always the last to leave the office. Chloe had gone home about an hour ago.I walked through the main hall keeping my stride calm but purposeful.I know looked more relaxed than heI had in the series of meetings as if I was shedding the CEO mantle with each step toward the exit.I took the elevators to the down floor today. I want to conserve the little energy I have left because I intend to play some fun games with Alexia when I get home. I already anticipated the thrill of playing with her would be elicited inside.Stepping out from the elevator I strolled to where my car was parked outside and opened the p