Alexia’s POV I am still reeling from shock from all Ethan has revealed. How could his father put him in a position of competing with his cousin for something that should ordinarily be his birthright? I wondered as I walked back to my desk.Honestly, apart from the fact that the CEO position is supposed to be Ethan's by birthright, I also know without a single doubt that more than anyone else, Ethan deserves to be made CEO. He has all it takes to make a good CEO as he is damn good at what he does. Nobody can deny that he has invested so much into the growth of Blackwoods company and to make him compete for it is not fair at all. Ryan left about 30 minutes ago. I think he has some sort of emergency at his office because he left in a hurry.I resolve within myself to ensure I do everything within my power to help Ethan get the CEO position. With that decision firmly in my mind, I decided to put a call through to Lukas Rodriguez's office.I go through my call log and find the number wit
Alexia’s POV “I am so sorry I couldn't come see you yesterday, but Ken and I were in the middle of something. I'm sure you understand” Bridget said with a smile as she leaned casually on my desk. She doesn't even sound in any way remorseful. “So what did you want to talk to me about?” She asked excitedly like everything was perfect. It's almost like my feelings of hurt don't even seem to register in her mind or am I the one misconstruing her reaction? I was confused. “Oh! It was nothing, really.” I straightened the papers on my desk in an attempt to make myself busy. Hoping Bridget will take the hint and go away. I need some time to get over her actions and I am not one to pretend and gloss over issues rather than confronting them head on. “You didn't sound like it was nothing, when you called” she pressed. Oh right, so she very well knew I was in a desperate need to talk to her and she decided to pick a quickie over her best friend who was having a mental breakdown. “It
Alexia POVThe ride to the Rodriguez office was a short one. I made Jeff drop me off at two blocks before the Rodriguez company complex and told him I would give him a call when I am done. I didn't want him knowing I came here to see Lukas, he may report it to Ethan. Though I am not necessarily doing anything bad, I still don't think Ethan would support my meeting with Lukas. I'm doing this for his sake, I reminded myself as I walked into the building.The Rodriguez complex was easy to navigate as every office interconnected. After giving my name through the wireless intercom, I was buzzed in. Walking into Lukas’s office, I expected to see the P.A I spoke with earlier occupying a space adjoining Lukas office just like my space at Ethan's office, only to notice that wasn't the set up of Lukas office. This office is singularly his.His office space is large and luxurious with Italian leathers and all. Pictures of himself and those I presume are his family lined the walls. This is a man
Ethan's POV “That was an awesome shot, man,” Nate said, slapping me on the back, as we headed to the bench to catch some much needed rest. Nathan and I have been friends since college. He has played basketball from state to national level. He only retired recently to start scouting and coaching upcoming basketball stars.“Thanks man! Kudos to the boys too.” It's been months since I last played the game, I still scored the winning goal. No basketball game can be won without the effort of the entire team and so I made sure the boys knew it was a communal success.“I miss you on the court, Ethan. You should be coming out more often” Nate commented immediately we sat our ass on the bench.“I miss playing basketball too. I have been choked up with work lately. Maybe after the company’s end of year party I would be more consistent in the game.” Pulling off my sweaty T-shirt and placing it on my sports bag before putting on the extra one I always keep in one of the lockers here.“Take it ea
Alexia POV It's been two weeks since my meeting with Lukas Rodriguez and it's been a week since my brothers resumed basketball. I owe Ethan my gratitude for it. How he was able to get my brothers to play basketball again,after just one conversation still surprises me. Something I have been trying to do all these years without much headway, he achieved it in less than an hour. I feel a bit envious.Apart from getting my brothers to join Nathan's boys, Ethan has been so sweet since we became serious with our relationship. He showers me with gift at every opportunity he has. Waking up to flowers is now a routine. I had to tell him to cut back on the flowers yesterday. The flowers are almost covering the entire room, if he doesn't stop, soon there will be no space in the room. The sex has been nothing short of explosive. Who knew being in a relationship with Ethan could be this amazing.“Where are you headed?” Ethan asked, distracting me from my personal epiphany.“Today is the boys fir
Alexia's POV “I missed you so much darling!” Ryan exclaimed excitedly, pulling me into a hug as soon as Ethan and I stepped into the VIP booth.“I can see that” I said with a laugh as I pulled away from his embrace. He is dressed in denim jeans and a black T-shirt unlike Ethan and I that are still on our work attire.“My friend over there...." he pointed at Ethan who is standing beside me and watching Ryan and I with a look of amusement. “...has been selfishly keeping you to himself.” He pouted, taking my left hand in his and escorting us to our seats on the first row. I guess being friends with the coach has some perks, I thought with a smile. Ethan doesn't even respond to Ryan's dig, he just rolled his eyes at him.“I don't think he was intentionally keeping me away, we've just been busy with work” I said in Ethan's defense.“You guys are late and I am sure your lateness has something to do with his addiction to work” Ryan snorted, still wearing that trouble making smile of his.“
Ethan's POV The game ended with Nathan's boys besting the other team 6:4. It was a good game and Aiden and Austin really outshined themselves. I still haven't been able to tell them apart from a distance. Maybe when they are closer I may be able to tell who is who.“I need to go see my brothers!” Before I could respond to that, she was already climbing down from the booth and running to the pitch. I shook my head at her in amusement as I followed after her at a much slower pace.“If you had two brothers who are obviously champions in basketball, you would also be excited to go see them,” Ryan, ever the nosy one, commented as he walked beside me.“Their mastery of the ball is really something to watch. They literally dominated the field and to think they haven't been playing for years and just within a week of resuming back, they are already being a terror to the other teams. I can't wait to see what sweet havoc they will wreck after three months of playing” I said with admiration.“L
Alexia's POV “Alexia! Dartmouth College sent another letter offering me a full scholarship!” Aiden shouted excitedly the minute I stepped through the door. In his excitement to break the news to me, he doesn't even notice Stacey walking in beside me, until Austin coughs and bumps him by his side. It was only then did he turn to acknowledge Stacey “Hey! Hi?” he said blushing. Stacey smiled at him “Hi! I don't know if Alexia has told you about me, but I am Stacey and I have been dying to meet you guys. It's a pleasure to finally get to see you. Now that we have that out of the way, which of you is Austin because I can't seem to tell you guys apart” she said in a rush.Austin arched an eyebrow at her inquisitiveness as he crossed his arm over his chest. “That will be me” “The one who wants to be a lawyer right? Alexia has told me so much about you. It would interest you to know I wanted to be an Attorney while growing up” Stacey said with a sigh “Oh so why didn't you end up becomin
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