Alexia's POV It's two hours before the end of my shift and I am currently preparing a customer’s order behind the counter. I could hear the she-demons gossiping and I am aware that I am the subject of their gossip as usual.“She is so fat. I wonder how she managed to land a job in a prestigious bar like this.” That was Daisy speaking. I almost snorted at their use of the word ‘prestigious’ in association with this bar but thought it better to just ignore them and continue with what I was doing. “I know right? And with that small baby bump, she tries to cover with baggy clothes, it's very obvious she is pregnant, probably for a loser like her too. I mean who allows herself to get knocked up by a random boyfriend?” Dani remarked snidely.These little bitches didn't know shit about me, yet here they are sprouting nonsense about something they know nothing about. I am amazed at how people can shove their noses into someone else's business with such zeal and zest. The fact that they are
Ethan's POV “Is this the best bar you could come up with?.” Just looking at the bar from the outside, I was already irritated. This bar looks seedy and I have my reservations.“I know it probably doesn't look like much from the outside, but the youngman who gave me directions assured me their drinks and services are good.I was skeptical about that. However I was here already, I guess I would just go inside for a bottle of drink and step out.I opened my side of the door and climbed out of the car. Jeff also climbed out after me. “You don't have to go in with me, if you would rather not.”“Sir, I would like to come with you. I am here as your bodyguard and this surrounding doesn't look reassuring enough for me to let you go in alone” he insisted. I shrugged accepting his company, knowing very well that arguing with him on this will be useless.“Let's go in please.”Jeff moves in front of me to get the door to the bar. I walked into the bar and paused at the entrance as I took in the
Alexia’s POV A weird beeping sound was buzzing in my ears. I guess that the beeping was coming from a heart monitor connected to me because I could feel it beside my head as I drifted back into consciousness. Why would a heart monitor be strapped to me? I panicked.My eyelids fluttered open but the light above me was too bright, forcing me to squint blearily. The first thing I saw was the white painted walls My bedroom is painted pink and blue so this certainly isn't my room. I could feel the stiff fabric of a hospital gown against my skin, the cool air biting at her exposed arms. Why am I in a hospital? My antenatal isn't until next week so there is no reason why I should be lying in a hospital bed right now.A dull throb at the side of my face brought back the events at the bar as I recall the handsy patron grabbing me and forcing me to sit on his laps and I think he swung his hand to hit me before I blacked out.So all of what happened in the bar wasn't some dream, I sighed. Why
Alexia's POV The sound of the door opening has me looking up to see one of the doctors Ethan must have spoken about earlier, walking in, with Ethan following closely behind him. I am not sure he has left the hospital since he left the room about an hour ago.The doctor had a pleasant welcoming smile on his face that my fears were at ease. I mean him, smiling is a good thing right? If something had happened to me or the baby, he would not smile like that. I thought reassuring myself.I knew Ethan said the doctors that I attended to said I was fine, but I still had this irrational fear. What if my fall had affected my baby? Not even born yet and I already love this little bean as I often refer to the baby growing in my womb. I can't let anything happen to this precious baby.“Mrs Blackwood's I am glad to see you are awake.” He said, smiling pleasantly as he came to stand at the head of my bed. I shot Ethan who had decided to sit back on the chair he had sat on earlier at the corner o
Ethan’s POV Two hours after I left Alexia, I stood by the door to her hospital room, unable to move further. I left earlier because I was too shocked by the news and I knew if I had remained there I would have exploded in anger and probably destroyed whatever small hope I had that she would forgive me.Though my anger was obvious l directed at myself, but she may misunderstand so I thought it was better to leave and try to get my emotions under wrap before coming back. What if she doesn't forgive me? That has been the question having a field day in my mind since I left.My hands trembled as I clutched the bouquet of daisies I had one of the Flowers shops here delivered to here immediately I stepped out of the room, knowing how much she loves flowers.The bouquet of daisies now felt meaningless.They seemed to be mocking their simplicity against the complexity of all the mounting issues between us. I swallowed hard as I stared at my beautiful wife lying on the bed. She is still the m
Alexia’s POV I watched Ethan getting down on his knees to plead for my forgiveness. Oh how many times have I wished in the past that he would get down on his to profess his love for me. But here he is kneeling down to apologize after shattering my heart into a million pieces.I let out a hollow laugh, though there was no humor in it. "Fix it? Ethan, you can't just ‘fix’ something like this. There is fixing what you have done. You broke us. You broke me until there was nothing left but a shadow, a tiny fragment of myself"My words must have hit him hard because it was like his legs buckled and he sank into the chair beside my bed. He reached out to touch my arm that was resting close to where he was leaning on, but I pulled the hand back, cradling my stomach protectively. It was like a wall had gone up between us. one that seemed impossible to scale. I usually forgive and let go hurt's done to me, but in this instance, I am not sure I can ever forgive Ethan for what he has doneHis
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
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