Ethan's POV I woke up this morning feeling relaxed. I had an amazing time last night. Dinner with Alexia was unlike any other I have ever had. Her positive energy is so contagious, that temporarily forgot about the outcome of my meeting with my Dad earlier, as regards the position of the CEO.She is real and genuine, with her there is no pretense, no ulterior motives. She sees me for me and not for the money nor fame that comes with being with a Blackwoods, unlike the ladies I was used to, who dated me not because they really wanted me, but because of what they wanted to gain. I never knew just sitting, talking and eating with someone who genuinely sees you could be so refreshing. We spoke late into the night and only retired to our room when our eyes became drowsy with sleep.I had intended for us to stay at the resort for a few hours this morning, not wanting to leave this atmosphere just yet, when I got an emergency call from the office to get to work immediately.I quickly apolo
Ethan's POV I sit in my office still trying to wrap my head around the news I just received. The project Team of Blackwoods company which comprises of Sharon, Mira and Grace the three Ladies who came along with Kenneth to my office, to break the news about the Glasgow project. They left my office a few minutes ago, leaving me with Kenneth. Although Kenneth is ordinarily with the IT department of Blackwoods, however because of his insight and expertise in researching lucrative areas for the company to invest in, I brought him into my special project Team. I turned to stare at my cousin, wondering why he is still here in my office, and whether my decision to bring him to my project Team was a good idea. “Ethan, I know this project meant a lot to you, and I understand your anger, I'm really sorry we lost the project” he said, sounding sincere. I couldn't care less about his apology. Apologies are not going to change the fact that I lost yet another project in the space of month. I h
Alexia’s POV It's been a few days since the dinner with Ethan. He has been sweet and very thoughtful towards me. He now comes home after work except for the days where he needs to complete a project that is time bound and so decides to work through the night by staying back at the office. On those days he stays back he usually informs me before I leave or send me text informing me he would not be coming home. Though he hasn't brought me breakfast in bed since that morning, he most times leaves very early for work. He just wakes me up with a kiss on my forehead, tells me I'm beautiful or whatever compliment he chooses for that day, and then he is out. I would never admit it but I kind of miss him.I however feel like something is bothering him. He seems to always be deep in thought and sort of obsessed with work, since that dinner. If not that he still flirts with me every now and then I would have thought he was being distant because I still haven't given him a response to his propo
Alexia’s POV “Why didn't you tell me Kenneth is your Cousin?” I immediately asked Ethan as soon as he steps his foot into our room, having just come back from work. “Good evening to you too, wife” he greeted with sarcasm, before keeping his briefcase beside the bed and shifting to unbutton his suit jacket. “Oh don't give me that! Why didn't you mention Kenneth is your cousin?” I repeated. He arch an eyebrow at me. “You know Kenneth?” He asked still not answering my question. “I will answer your's when you answer mine” I retorted feeling annoyed. “Fair enough. I didn't tell you about Kenneth because it never came up in a conversation. I have several relatives, how would you expect me to start mentioning them one after the other? Besides he was at our wedding anyways” he explained. “Oh I see, I just thought you intentionally kept it from me, sorry!” “Why would I intentionally keep something as trifle as that from you. Kenneth is just one of my many cousins, so telling you abo
Alexia’s POV “You don't need to wait for me, Jeff, Ethan would take me home” I told Jeff immediately we arrived at the house before climbing out of the car. “Okay Alexia. Have fun at dinner!” He said “I intend to. Thank you so much, do well to extend my greetings to your family” I said shutting do door. “I will do that” he said with a smile before driving off. I'm glad Jeff and I are beginning to get along. I noticed he wasn't outrightly hostile to me when Ethan first made him start driving me, but he was a bit withdrawn and never spoke to me without me first speaking to him, and even when respond to me, his answers always feels forced. However we now get along very well and I now enjoy the comfortable atmosphere that now exists between us. I cover the short distance between the walkway, Jeff drop me and our house in a few minutes. I am about to raise my hand and knock on the door, when I noticed the door slightly ajar, which was weird. How could Aiden and Austin forget to lo
Alexia’s POV “I'm sorry you walked in on me in a compromised position” Aiden stated. Wait a moment. Did he just apologize for getting caught or for the act itself? I however refrained from commenting on that and allowed him to continue with his explanation uninterrupted.“Lara is my girlfriend and we have been dating for 3 months now” My eyes widened at that. Three months? That was way before Ethan and I got married. How come I never found out? Am I that oblivious to the things happening around me? I thought.…“Ummm I know it's wrong I kept it from you but we didn't think you would approve of it.” I don't need to ask who the ‘we’ are, knowing fully well that Austin has been in this. “... Lara and I were only fooling around, we have not even done the…the…. main act yet” he stuttered“By the main act, you mean you guys have not had sex yet, I presume” I started to be sure I was following his train of thought.“Yes,” he answered, not meeting my eyes. “I'm sorry for keeping this from yo
Alexia's POV I missed cooking with the guys. The atmosphere in the kitchen as we cooked was so relaxing and free. It brings back memories of how we used to do this often before I got married to Ethan. I thought with a sigh. With our combined efforts, Austin and I were done with the cooking in record time, while Aiden assisted with doing the dishes. The fun part of it was how I could freely speak about work and what I have been up to since the last time I came around, without fear of judgment. reminiscing on the old days and the easy banter between us. They shared certain funny experiences they've had since I left and find myself laughing harder than I have since getting married. I wish I could just move back in with my brothers, I miss the homely atmosphere, unlike the mansion, where there is luxury but the atmosphere feels cold and rigid. I'm not certain I have even heard laughter echoing off the walls of that mansion. I wonder how Ethan felt growing up in that house. I knew Eth
Ethan's POV I have to admit Alexia’s house is nothing like the mansion I grew up in. I thought as her brother led me to the dining room. The first thing I noticed is the size of their house. The entire apartment could fit into one of the halls at the mansion Mom seldom uses to entertain her bunch of gossiping friends whenever they visit.However whatever the apartment lacked I'm size, it more than made up for in warmth and coziness. The place smells so good and feels like a home, unlike the cold and sterile feel the mansion exudes. Now I understand why Alexia often feels uncomfortable at the mansion. If I grew up in a home like this filled with love and warmth, I probably would not also be confused with the mansion “Have a seat” one of Alexia's Brothers , the one who walked me in said, pointing to one of the seats in the dining room. I don't know if he is Aiden or Austin. Alexia’s brothers are identical twins. Outside, meeting them during the wedding and seeing them temporarily duri
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