CHAPTER FOUR

Ethan’s POV

A content smile spread across my face as Alexia left the room. This was it, I would finally get what was rightfully mine from my insufferable old man. 

The kind of rules that man set are just so damn hilarious. I mean I could understand the rules he set in place but why on earth would he include marriage as a necessity? I mean who does that these days?

 I had already proven to be a worthy heir to the company but he insisted I must settle down before I could think about inheriting the company as the new CEO.

Marriage wasn’t an issue; even though I wasn’t feeling the idea of being with a single person for the rest of my life, if I had to get married out of necessity then I would.

The real problem, however, was the ladies that flocked around me. All of them, the whole lot of them were a bunch of gold diggers heavily intent on spending my money. 

Unluckily for them, they end up falling in love with me and they expect a lifelong commitment after I’ve seen their true colours. The audacity.

Alexia however was different. I had taken an interest in her from the first day she came to this company and applied for the role of my Personal Assistant. 

She was a beautiful redhead with the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen and a very sexy hourglass shape. I had seen countless women like her and played with them but what attracted me to Alexia was the fact that she was immune to my wealth and charms.

I had tried everything at my disposal. Flaunting my wealth, buying her expensive gifts, showing interest in her passions but the girl wasn’t moved. 

She always insisted on keeping things strictly professional and I was stunned. 

I had never encountered a woman who had the nerve to resist me, multiple times. The thought irked me each time and piqued my interest in her until this embezzlement incident happened.

Although I knew my assistant would never do something like that, I had to take the opportunity. 

My father was on my neck to get married and the woman I had chosen was in a vulnerable situation. I wouldn’t have been a worthy successor of Benjamin Blackwood if I hadn’t taken that opportunity and I did. Now everything was working in my favour. 

After placing the contract papers on my shelf, I took my phone from the desk to call my father to give him the good news. 

I dialled his number with a smirk on my face as I waited for him to answer. When he did, I wasted no time.

“Hey, pops.” I greeted my old man nonchalantly.

“How many times will I tell you not to call me that Ethan?” My father’s stern voice came out of the receiver and I rolled my eyes at his lack of humour. He had always been the too-serious type.

“Since you’re in a bad mood, I guess you don’t want to listen to the good news I’ve got. Goodbye, Father.” I replied jokingly.

“Don’t hang up on me you brat. What is it you want to say?” He asked with a hint of exasperation in his voice.

“I’m getting married,” I announced with a casual tone and all I could hear at the receiving end was silence. 

The pause on the other end stretched and I swear I could almost hear my father’s heart racing.

“If this is a joke, then you can stop now.” I heard my father’s gruff voice say after a while.

“Why would I joke about this father? Weren’t you the one that had been pinning for this? Always talking about how I need to settle down?” I retorted back with another roll of my eyes. Sometimes, these old people could be very complicated.

“It’s just so unlike you.” My father replied with uncertainty.

“It’s not a joke Father, I’m getting married. So get ready, the wedding will be next week.”  I said while relaxing on my chair.

 I was enjoying teasing my father but there was so much his old heart could take so I decided to just be straight with him.

“But who is the lucky lady and why are you in a hurry to get married? Ethan, what’s going on here? You’ve been dodging my questions about settling down for years and you’re suddenly getting married?” My father asked with a bit of skepticism and surprise in his tone.

“All in good time pops. Just get back from your travels early so you can walk your beloved daughter-in-law. Remember to bring a wedding gift along too.” I laughed and with that I hung up the phone, grinning from ear to ear. 

I placed my legs on the desk and savored the moment with a feeling of satisfaction when the door of my office opened and my best friend Ryan walked in. 

“Couldn’t you at least knock?” I rolled my eyes at him.

Do I need to knock when I’m entering your office now? And wipe that stupid smirk off your face, what are you smiling about?” Ryan asked as he took a seat on the sofa in the office.

“I’m getting married Ryan.” I delivered the news in a very straightforward manner while I pretended to be inspecting some documents on my desk.

Ryan spewed out the glass of water he was drinking and he stared at me with a look of shock. 

“You’re going to get that cleaned before you leave this office.” I pointed at the mess he created on the floor.

“What? Who? When? How?” Ryan asked with his eyes widened in shock.

“Yes. You’ll know soon enough. Next week. Infinite frizz and squeeze” I answered each of the questions simply, enjoying the hilarious look on his face. 

“Dude, you’ve been single for years, and now you’re suddenly getting married? Who is she? Someo….” His voice trailed off as he scrunched up his face deep in thought. 

I knew he would eventually conclude so I gave him time to think. It didn’t take long before his face lit up in realisation.

“Don’t tell me….is the bride your hot PA that you’re always talking about?” Ryan asked with a bewildered look on his face. 

“You are indeed my best friend Ryan. Let’s celebrate with a drink and I’ll fill you in on the details…eventually.” I laughed heartily as I grabbed my coat.

Ryan raised an eyebrow but nodded, and we headed out to grab a drink.