LEXI"Lexi, is that you?" A familiar voice reverberated across the room I was in, causing me to raise my head, and it turned out to be Ryan, or maybe I was just hallucinating because, at this point, I was extremely drunk that I had no control over myself. Blinking, I presumed I had seen and heard wrong. So I sipped the wine from the glass I was gripping."It's really you. What are you doing in a place like this all alone? Or did you come with someone?" Ryan's voice wafted into my ears again, and that was when I discovered that it was real. He was really here with me."Leave here. I want to be alone," I slurred, stuttering on each word."Alone? I can't. It's dangerous to be here alone, drunk," he explained. Although what he was saying was fact, I couldn't bring myself to agree with him. I was afraid I would mess up in front of him. "And how is that your business? I will be the one to be in trouble and not you, so mind your business," I drunkenly told him, swirling in my seat and flick
LEXI"What are you doing?" I sprang up, my eyes dilating, almost popping out of their socket. Donald had just punched Ryan in his face, making blood spew out of his mouth. The sudden force also propelled him to collapse on the floor."You are crazy!" Donald growled with bloodshot eyes. "How dare you....,""Ish!" Ryan spurted out, standing. He grabbed him by the collar, pulled his face closer, and punched him twice before Donald could complete his statement. Donald staggered backward, blood sliding out of his nose. Wiping the blood from his nostril, he rushed toward Ryan.Before he could reach him, I chipped in, and their middle shrouded Ryan with my body. "What is your problem, Donald? What do you want from me?" I shouted, spitting in his face. My drunkenness had vanished.Donald was surprised by the way I guarded Ryan. With shaky lips, he took a step backward. "Lexi!" he called."I just asked you a question. I didn't fucking ask you to call my name. What is wrong with you? What do y
LEXIRyan's focus was on the road he was driving when a faint moaning sound wafted into his ears, and he was propelled to turn his attention to Lexi, whose eyes were tightly shut."Are you okay?" He asked, causing Lexi's body to stiffen. She froze for a moment, swallowing hard and unsure of what to say. She remained mute without opening her eyes, and that seemed like her mistake.Hearing no response from her, Ryan was terrified because he assumed that something was wrong with her. Precipitously, he rammed his feet on the brake and parked at the side of the dark road. "Lexi, are you okay?" He asked again, patting my bare arms softly. My body trembled slightly the moment his cold hands landed on my skin. It was as though I had been electrocuted. My nipples and clitoris tingled at the cold touch. I was frustrated. I was such a fool. I shouldn't have let him touch me before I responded to him. Now, I had no control over the sensation that was roaming over me.As if I was spellbound, I op
GENERALMrs. Alexandra paced around the compound, panting and dialing Lexi's number on her phone. It was past 2 am, and her daughter hadn't arrived from work. The most annoying part was that she wasn't picking up despite the number of times she had put a call across. Her blood boiled. She was angry and also worried. What if something bad had happened to her? No! She must be somewhere enjoying her life. Or maybe she decided to work overnight in the office.Different thoughts and assumptions sprouted in her head. Since the only person who could give her an answer wasn't around, she had no choice but to be terrified.Just when she was about to dial Lexi's number again, she heard the clanking sound of the gate and stared in the direction. She saw the security opening the gate, and a black Lexus zoomed in. A part of her brows raised in a questioning manner. She was aware that Lexi didn't go to work with her car, which was the reason her curiosity pricked when the car drove in.While she wa
GENERALInwardly, Lexi prayed fervently as she walked toward her office that Donald wouldn't come out from his own office. She didn't think she was mentally ready to see him after what happened between them the previous night. However, her prayers didn't answer that day because the moment she got close to her door, Donald's office door opened, and he stepped out. Their eyes met, and Donald felt his heart tinge.An ambiguous glint flashed across Lexi's eyes, but she swiftly concealed it with a lopsided smile, opened her door, and walked in without saying a word to him.Donald stood in front of Lexi's door with hands on his waist, unsure of what to do. He was contemplating whether to follow her inside or give her some time to think. But he couldn't do that. His thoughts were jumbled. His brain was in chaos. He couldn't think straight. Sleep? He didn't sleep a wink until morning. There were black bags under his eyes. He didn't think he could live his life without Lexi in it. Not after h
GENERALRyan and Donald glared at each other fiercely. Even though they weren't talking, the deadly stares they sent to one another were enough to notice an enmity between them. The atmosphere of the reception grew eerie and cold. Sarah, Lexi's secretary, was forced to look at the both of them, and she could tell that there was something between them.Ryan tried to move to the right side; Donald moved the same way, blocking him. He tried to move the other way; Donald did the same, intentionally obstructing his way. Ryan knew what he was trying to do. He was obviously trying to start a fight, which he would never give to him. He smiled and inched his mouth closer to Donald's ear, "You should act this way, brother. I am not the reason for your misfortune." He said in a calm voice, as though he was sympathizing with Donald.His blood boiled as he glared into Ryan's eyes. With his teeth clenched, he said, "Do not be too happy, Mr. Ryan. She is not going to pick you over me. Ryan scoffe
DONALDWas I hurt because I found out Lexi had been lying to me? No! The reason my heart had been in wrenching pain was because she had clearly chosen Ryan over me. I couldn't stand it. That bastard would have had more reason to insult and tease me. Why can't it be me? Why did it have to be him?Turning the key in the ignition, I stepped a foot on the accelerator and zoomed off like a madman. I didn't know where I was going, but I was certain I needed somewhere to cool off. I was exasperated. I was fuming with anger. Thinking about the whole thing only fueled the fury surging within me, and I was scared I would do something I might regret if I did not distract my mind.Ten minutes into the road, my gaze fell on a bar and suite, and I drove into the place."Welcome to Baneelux Bar and Suite, Mister," A female attendant came to meet me midway the moment I stepped into the bar. She led me to a private corner and asked me to make my orders, which I did, and she returned with them after a
GENERALCinderella stood by the door, holding the bottle of the aphrodisiac spray she had just sprayed in the room. A sinister smile was etched on her lips, and in her eyes were dark glints that anyone would cringe at.Seductively, she took majestic strides to Donald, who was sprawling on the bed and groaning out of pleasure. He was confused. He wondered why his body was acting that way. Could he blame it on his drunkenness? Was it the alcohol that was reacting this way in his body?Grinning evilly, Cinderella climbed on the bed and knelt beside him, wriggling her body seductively. She removed her clothes one after the other, making sure that Donald's eyes were on her.On the other hand, Donald felt a weird yet enjoyable sensation rushing over him. The woman in front of him resembled Lexi, especially when she removed all her clothes, revealing her sexy, hot body to him. Watching the unclad woman increased the tension in his body. He felt hot and sexually active. His cock also hardened
GENERALIsabelle ran out of the classroom when she sighted the chauffeur. "Uncle!" She shouted, running toward him. The chauffeur tilted his head in the direction of the voice and smiled brightly when he saw the young girl running toward him."How was school today, Isabelle?" He asked, holding her hand and taking the lunch box and backpack from her. "It was fine, uncle. It feels good to be in school again," she answered heartily, leaping and reciting a nursery rhyme as they walked to the car.Getting into the car, she hopped into the back seat, and he assisted her to do her seatbelt. Afterward, he went back to his seat to begin the trip.However, before he could do that, Isabelle stopped him. "Excuse me, uncle," she said. The chauffeur's hand froze. He left the key he was about to turn in the ignition and tilted his head to give her the attention she requested. "Is there any problem, Isabelle? Do you want me to do something for you?"Clamping her mouth, she shook her head. "Can yo
LexiDriving into the car park, I turned off the ignition and stepped out of the car. I walked into the elevator, and a ding sound ripped through the air as it reached the floor where my office was located. The moment I stepped out, a loud sound filled the air, startling me and causing me to take a few steps backward. Widening my eyes to look in the direction of the sound, I realized that it was a party popper. Before I could comprehend what just happened, I heard, "Welcome back to work, President Lexi. And congratulations on your recovery," my staff said in chorus, and that was when I saw everyone's faces. Aside from the staff from other departments, the office area is filled with staff from the Presidential Department.My heart tingled with admiration and excitement. I loved that. They all clapped their hands afterward. Donald sauntered out of their midst, holding a bouquet of red roses. "Welcome back to work, Lexi," he mumbled, handing over the flower to me.I narrowed my gaze as
GENERAL"Can you hear me?" Lexi asked again when he didn't answer her previous questions. She stood up and held his arm, her brows raising and her eyes widening.Since he couldn't talk because of the oxygen fixed in his nose, he blinked his eyes and nodded to her question.At the same time, Zoe and Emily ran over and intentionally pushed Lexi away. Thankfully, she was able to maintain her composure with the help of the bed. She knew the two witches were just trying to frustrate her and make her act like a madwoman, but she would forgive them today and deal with them another time."My son!" Zoe called. "Brother!" Emily spurted out, holding his arm. The duo smiled, looking at Ryan, whose gaze was focused on Lexi."How are you feeling?" Zoe retracted her gaze from him and moved it to Emily, "Go and inform the doctor that he's awake," she ordered.Nodding, Emily left the room and returned almost immediately with the same doctor who attended to Lexi. As soon as he saw Lexi, his brows cre
GENERALAnger coursed through Zoe's veins as she heard what Lexi said. It was as though she was slapped hard in the face. Her face turned crimson red with lines of anger scribbled on her facial features. She gritted her teeth and took steps forward. "What! What did you just say? How dare you call me by my name?" She shouted, her veins popping out due to anger.Lexi chuckled nonchalantly, "What was I supposed to call you with? Your daughter's name? Zoe is your name, so I will call you by that. Or... What were you expecting me to call you?...." She paused, raised her brows, and glanced at her quizzically. When she finally thought of something, she erupted into laughter, covering her mouth with her hands, "Don't tell me you are expecting me to call your mother? Oh my goodness! Have you forgotten that you are not my mother? You reminded me many times back in the days," She taunted with her words, ignoring the murderous glares emitting from them. She was less concerned. She loved it. Tha
GENERALLexi darted her gaze between her parents. She found their reactions suspicious and scary. Her mind missed a beat. Has something happened to Ryan? "Mom...? Dad...? Where is Ryan?" She asked again, her eyes dilating in anticipation of what her parents' response would be. She just hoped that it wouldn't be bad news. She owed him a lot. She would have been dead before they got saved if he hadn't intervened and stalked enough time for them. The last thing she wanted to hear was that he was gone. "The doctor said that he was in a more critical situation, and it was only by a miracle that the bullet didn't get to his heart because it was just a tiny space between his heart and the spot the bullet pierced into. He has been operated on and is out of danger, but he hasn't opened his eyes since then," her mother explained calmly. There was guilt in her eyes. Even though Ryan had once maltreated their daughter, they couldn't help but feel indebted to him. It would have been a differ
GENERAL FLASHBACK TO 12 HOURS AGO Ryan sat in his car, resting his arm on the steering wheel and staring at the mansion in front of him. He was contemplating whether to enter or not. He was there to check on Lexi, but he was scared to step in because he didn't know the reaction he would meet. The memory of the humiliation he received at the hospital was still vivid in his head, and he wouldn't want to suffer the same thing again. "You just need to go. Isabelle isn't her daughter alone. She is also yours," he mentally told himself. Shutting his eyes for a few seconds, he sighed and opened them back. Just as he unlocked the door and was about to step out, he sighted Lexi running out of the house with an oversized gown that she clutched to avoid stepping on as she walked. His brows crinkled. Why was she running? Where was she going? She looked like she was in a haste, yet she didn't take a car with her. He suspected something and decided to discreetly follow her to find out what was h
GENERALSilence overwhelmed the atmosphere at the sound of the gunshot. Ryan glared at Jasmine, shocked and afraid. What was that sound? Where did it come from? "Mommy!" Isabelle cried out, her voice lingering in the air with a lot of worry mixed with it. Her voice jerked Ryan out of his reverie, and he looked behind him. That was when he realized what was happening. It turned out that the gunshot that reverberated in the room was real and Lexi had been shot instead. Blood gushed out of her side as she clutched it tightly with her hands. Her body shook. "Argh!" Lexi winced as her body hurriedly wallowed in the pool of pain. An excruciating pang of pain coursed through her like fire on dried leaves. Ryan blinked with his mouth widened, his eyes darkened, and tears rushed to his lids. What! Jasmine really did that...? "How dare you, Jasmine?" He growled. His voice resounded like thunder, sending fears down the spines of Jasmine and her men, but they were smart enough to conceal th
GENERALLexi flinched in fear as she felt a liquid substance splashing over her. Unlocking her eyes swiftly in fear, she was shocked to find Jasmine, standing over her and pouring water over her and her daughter. The craziest part of it was it wasn't clean water, and it was already emitting a stench odor. She almost puked as the horrible smell drifted into her nose. Thankfully, she had shielded Isabelle, which protected her from the water. "What are you doing, Jasmine? What water is this?" She yelled at her, hovering over her daughter. Her voice was shaky and pathetic. None of her words wafted into Jasmine's ears. She didn't stop pouring the water until she finished the one in the bucket. Then, she flung the bucket away. "What do you think I am doing? I am trying to wake you up. Is that a bad thing to do?" She responded to her with an indifferent expression. She was totally not bothered and nonchalant about her actions. "And you think waking me up this way is the best way? How
GENERAL "She is not picking up," Lexi's mother informed with concern in her voice, bringing her phone from her ear and staring at the screen, which was displaying her daughter's name.Mr. Alexandra's eyes skimmed over the clock that was glued at the top of the entrance. It was already 8 pm, and she hadn't gotten back since she left home. She didn't dress extra when she left in the afternoon, so they didn't think where she was going was far. They wondered if she was still with Donald, as she had said before she left the house.Mr. Alexandra picked up his phone and put a call across to Donald, who picked up on the second ring. "Hello, President Alexandra," Donald greeted on the other side of the phone the moment he picked up. For some reason, he found the call surprising, and he was curious. Did something happen to Lexi? It had been days since he last saw her because he had been busy at the office. Since the CEO wasn't around, he had to take over so that there wouldn't be any flop i