Ethan’s POV It’s almost time for the family dinner and I still haven’t heard anything from Alexia. How long does it take for someone to get ready? I really don’t have the patience for this. The dinner is this usual family event we do every year and it’s a whole thing. It has been a family tradition for years and since Alexia is part of the family now, she has to come. My mother didn’t feel the same way about it though, she was so against alexia coming which was crazy because whether she likes her or not Alexia is still my wife. I don’t know why she despises her so much; it is honestly starting to get old. I am tired of the clash between my mum and her. Sometimes I wish I could just leave that house but I can’t. To make matters worse Lisa is going to be there, she has always attended and I don’t know how I feel with that girl being around me. she is crazy. I wait until my phone starts buzzing, I check the caller id and see its Alexia. “Are you done?” I ask not really caring for
Alexia’s POVSomeone calls Ethan’s name from behind which makes both of us turn. I see a beautiful brunette woman standing. Her outfit screams rich but she looks awfully familiar, I can’t shake the feeling that we have met before and it wasn’t a good meeting.“Melinda, we were just talking about you” Ethan’s mother speaks with a genuine smile plastered on her face. This is the first time I am seeing her look so happy it’s scary.They all keep talking and making excited gesticulations, my legs already start feeling tired and Ethan looks very uncomfortable. “let’s go sit in our section” Ethan's mother speaks again which makes me relieved. I thought I would pass out from all the standing.We walk to the section allotted to us and take our seats. The conversations carry on while Ethan and I both stay mute until Ethan’s mother says something which catches our attention.“You need to visit and stay over for a few days Melinda, it's been a long time since we last had some quality time toget
Ethan’s POV“That was unnecessary Melinda” I say to the woman I once considered my best female friend. Talking about best friends where the hell is Ryan? He was supposed to be here ages ago.“I was just asking a question” she feigns innocence. The way she is behaving repulses me, I seriously can't reconcile the sweet girl I grew up with, with this unfeeling and mean girl before me. Has she always been this way and was pretending to be nice, or did something terrible happen to her? I wondered I get up to go look for Alexia but my father speaks before I could even take a step “you are not going to cause a scene by following that girl” my mother and Margaret both smile at my father’s reaction“That girl is my wife” I correct him. it feels like everyone keeps forgetting except me.“Well let your wife go wherever she wants, she should be more respectful. We are hosting and you need to stay till the end. Don’t test me else you wont like the consequences” my father threatens. Sometimes I ju
Alexia’s POVI am seated with Ryan, Ethans best friend even though I am meant to be with Ethan. The way tables turned is weird. I didn’t think things would turn out this way but here we are. Soft classical music playing, people socializing and all that. This feels more like a party than a small dinner, everyone dressed in expensive clothing. I can’t help but be grateful to Ethan for insisting I got styled else I would have looked even more out of place than I feel which wouldn’t helpI decide to continue talking to Ryan since the awkward silence would do no good for anyone. “If Ethan is your friend, then why are you talking to me?” I ask confused why he is being so nice to me. I mean it feels like a conflict of interest“Well because from what you said he hasn’t been fair to you. I know my best friend so this is the best way to handle him but most importantly I have to admit I enjoy pissing him off” he chuckles. His dimples on full display.“don’t mind me asking this but do you know e
Alexia’s POVI hear loud banging which makes me wake up from my sleep. Who is banging on my door by this time? I get up to open the door just to see Ethan’s mother. Perfect, I’m waking up to her drama.“Good day ma'am do you need anything?” I greet her even though she looks anything but happy. Her face is still fully made up which is weird to see. Is she ever not dressed up?Without responding to my greeting, she went straight to verbally attack me “What was the meaning of that display at the dinner, do you want to embarrass this family?” she yells, I sigh, longing to having a break from all the drama.“I didn’t do anything wrong ma’am; I just couldn’t stay by our table because what your guest said hurt my feelings” I tell her calmly“You need to get this in your brain Alexia, no one cares about your feelings. What matters here is the family name which is why you need to stop acting like a spoilt brat and grow up” I stay mute not being able to find the right words that wouldn’t lead
Alexia’s POV“Well, we could also bring up you leaving said event with your very good friend Melinda” I retort“Nothing happened” he defends himself quickly. For an innocent person he does look a bit jumpy“I didn’t ask if anything happened because you are legally allowed to do whatever but I can say the same for myself. Nothing happened between me and your best friend” I assure him even though he doesn’t deserve it.“Good because that would be a very big conflict of interest” he says and I nod“You can leave now” I tell him and he nods. When will this awkward stage end? I am tired of doing this back and forth with Ethan every single bloody day. If I am not sorting a misunderstanding with Ethan then I am tolerating his mother or something. There is always one thing or the other. I just miss when things were normal. Speaking of normal, the twins will be graduating soon and then it will be their birthdays. I haven’t even thought of what to gift them.“Hey pretty lady” Bridget walks in a
ETHAN'S POVIt was already past 9:00pm when I finished perusing the report from the security and technical department about the Embezzlement allegations against Alexia. This is the second report they are sending to me and yet nothing new has unfolded. I sigh, feeling frustrated.I have always seen myself as someone who can unravel any complications and come to the bottom of it. However this Alexia’s is proving to be very difficult.On one hand I know within me, though I do not have any proof yet, that Alexia is not the person embezzling the company funds. Which is the reason why I need to catch the real culprit. In a few months from now, I will be taking over from my father as the new CEO, and I don't want to take over a company where there is a clever thief running free and framing others to cover up for their crime. I will get to the bottom of this no matter how tricky it may be, I silently vowed, not just because of the promise I made to Alexia's but to bring the person involved
Ethan's POVMy phone keeps ringing incessantly on the drive home. I wonder who will be calling so frequently at this time of the night. After the stunt Melinda pulled the other time, I doubt she would try this same thing again. But very few people have my number, so I am wondering who this caller could be. I searched for a space to park the car until I saw a relatively good place by the roadside. I parked the car and turned off the ignition. Picking up the phone, I accept the call as I see Ryan's name on the screen.“Hey, Ethan! Where are you, man?!” He yelled over the phone. I pulled the phone from my ears before he blew off my eardrums. I could hear loud noises in the background.“I'm on my way home Ryan” I replied without bothering to greet him. Let's just say I'm still a little peeved about how he spent more time with my wife at the party than I did with her, and I am her husband!“Get your ass over to Club 360 there is a bi..big…part…y going on here,” he said slurring“Ryan, are
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