Ethan's POV How in the world do prisoners cope in this confined place? I wondered as I walked down the narrow hallway of the county jail, the sterile clang of iron and the cold hum of fluorescent lights filled the empty corridor.One of the prison guards walks beside me as he escorts me to the visitors' area. The heavy steel door buzzed open as he stepped inside, before beckoning on me to follow. I stepped inside and my gaze immediately found the object of this visit.There, behind the scratched plexiglass partition, sat Kenneth. He looked gaunt, his once-polished appearance now frayed, with dark circles shadowing his eyes. The part of me that wants revenge can't help but be excited at his obvious suffering.I took a seat directly opposite him and just stared at my backstabbing, sabotaging cousin. We didn’t speak immediately, letting the weight of silence settle between them. When the silence became somewhat unbearable, Kenneth finally cleared his throat, seeming uncomfortable as h
Alexia’s POV I never knew shopping for a baby nursery could be so much fun, I thought as I strolled through the upscale mall’s baby boutique Stacey insisted we visit. I ran a hand gently over the soft fabric of a tiny onesie that had caught my eyes the very moment we entered this aisle, smiling as I imagined my unborn twins wearing it. “That is beautiful. We are getting it.” Stacey said coming over to stand beside me, holding what looked like a doll in her hands. With the rate she is insisting we get whatever catches her fancy I am very certain that by the time this shopping spree comes to an end, we may need an extra hand to help us get everything we buy loaded into the car. “What are those things in your hands?” I asked pointedly ignoring her comment about getting the onesies. I already knew I wasn't leaving this mall without them. “They are baby dolls of course.” She drawled like I was dumb for asking. “I know they are baby dolls. What I mean is why do my babies need dolls
Alexia’s POV I sank into the soft cushions of her favorite chair in the sitting room, finally letting my aching feet rest. The shopping at the mall had taken longer than I expected with Stacey wanting to get everything she saw. I planned for something but we ended up getting both items for both male and female genders because we still don't know what the gender of the babies are yet.My hands instinctively moved to my belly, which has become an automatic response whenever I think of my babies. I never knew it was possible to love someone you have never met before until I felt my babies grow inside of me. I already love them so much. I smiled as she felt a gentle nudge in return. She let out a sigh of relief, glancing at the bags and boxes lined up by the doorway, each filled with baby items Stacey and I had spent the entire day picking out.Across the room, Elsie and Jeff were quietly organizing the haul, carrying bags filled with everything from tiny clothes and blankets to the n
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
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
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
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
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