Five

"Hey dad. I'm so sorry that I'm late." I announce as soon as I get into his office to find my mother giving my dad some water in a glass.

"Morning darling." Mum smiles and I give her a small smile before looking at dad worriedly. Mum whispers something to him and walks to me with a small smile. "It's the migraine. He's in the aura stage and I need you to take care of things here. He needs to go back home and rest before the attack starts." Mum turns and looks at dad worriedly. Dad has had cases of migraines for years now and it has been manageable for almost a year now. I let out a breath.

"Don't worry. Ill take care of things until he's fine as always." I promise with a smile and mum nods then gives me a small smile. I walk to dad and kneel in front of him. He raises his arm and cups my cheek.

"I'll be fine. There are only two important meetings today, a contract to review and some..."

"I got this. Dave will tell me everything." I assure him and his weak smile broadens.

"I know you do. Now tell your mother I'm ready." He commands playfully before kissing my forehead. I get up and leave the office trying to guess where my mother might be but I immediately spot her talking to an investor, Jada Williams. I put on a bright smile and walk to them.

"Good morning Mrs. Williams. Mother, dad is ready. He'd like to see you." I say and they share a goodbye hug. "I'm sorry but dad can't meet you today." I start explaining as I look at the beautiful older woman in front of me. Jada Williams and her husband Jayden Williams are good friends of my dad and one of the shareholders of the company. Come to think of it, they are Ryans parents!

He does have Jada's features and the black hair. "The meeting is this way Mrs. Williams." I say and she only gives me a curt nod before following me. I've always loved how Jada Williams carries herself the few times I've seen her. Her elegance, confidence and wardrobe. She's just so classy and chill. Mum had once mentioned that Jada Williams only has a few people in her circle.

Jada and I walk in silence to the conference room where I find Dave waiting for me outside. I nod at him in acknowledgment and he does the same. I usher Jada in and we sit at our respective places. Dave follows us inside where three more investors are and soon, we start the meeting.

The meeting takes about four hours and since then I've been working non-stop. I attended another thirty-minute meeting which was even more draining since the men were questioning everything I said but dad had always prepared me for this. By the time I leave the office, its ten thirty at night.

Just as I arrive outside of my apartment, I see a car leave but I dont even pay mind to it. I pick up my bag and leave then walk to the apartment. I expect to find the television on and some food on a plate and Kelly sleeping on the couch but I don't. Instead, I find a very much awake Kelly clearing the table but stops and looks at me angrily.

Oh, you finally arrived. She says sarcastically and I look at her in confusion.

"Why... why do you say it that way? Did I do something?" She scoffs and continues picking up the dirty plates leaving the one unused. 'How about dinner with Tim tomorrow? I'll cook.' I remember asking her that yesterday night and it completely slipped off my mind. I take out my phone and see seven missed calls and a voice mail from Kelly.

"I'm so sorry Kells. I've been s..."

"Save it. Its always excuse after excuse. I had a date with a hot guy, a hot guy invited me for a drink and I can't come, I'm so sorry I forgot. It's always the same excuses. It's always about you." Kelly says and for the first time I really feel bad.

"I love Tim and I've always tried understanding that you now have trust issues because of Sean and Diane but you have to realize that I'm none of them. Tim was so excited that you invited him for dinner. I was so happy you did but I guess I shouldn't have trusted you with that. I thought you'd at least be happy for me." Kelly says as a tear trails down her cheek. I never knew I hurt her that much because of my personal insecurities.

"I'm so sorry Kelly."

"Yeah, me too. Tim asked me two months ago to move in with him and I've decided that I should do just that." I heard her and Tim speak about it on the phone a few weeks ago but she had declined. Hearing her say that made me panic.

"Please don't leave. I'm so sorry Kels. I'll be a better friend. You can move in with him here if you want but please don't go." I plead but she shakes her head negatively.

"I can't. I'll be here whenever you need me. We don't even hang out that much anymore. We live like roommates instead of friends and I really want to be with Tim without you around." What she says stings but I understand. I wouldn't want me around.

"I understand." I say with a small voice and she nods.

"I'll move my things during the weekend." Kelly says then walks to the kitchen. A minute later I hear water running and I know she's washing the dishes. I walk to my room, not in the mood for dinner. For a minute, I feel betrayed. Kelly knows that I can't live alone. A guy once followed me and would stalk me for months. Pictures of me in my house were found when he was arrested and since then I couldn't live alone. Having someone else around always gave me the comfort and security in a way. But if she wants to leave I can't stop her.

I discard all my clothes and get dressed comfortably in my sleep wear. I am so tired and I need to sleep. And thats what I do.

I had set my alarm earlier than usual since I had a meeting in dad's office and I had to host the show in five hours but I really didn't want to move. I'm always a morning person but working in dad's office usually drains me. I wake up with a grunt and walk to my bathroom where I take a cold shower do my morning routine to help me wake up. I start searching for something to wear ten minutes later feeling more alive and better as I think about the day ahead of me.

I had talked to Troy who agreed to make the episodes with Aiden Kings special. He too thought that it was a good idea since I too would be working in it. We had agreed to find another cheater and expose them as we work on exposing Aiden. We would be two days behind schedule but the team had found an easy case that was too obvious. It would be easy to catch the cheater.

I get dressed into a navy blue dress with a white coat and white louboutin heels. I find a hot cup of tea on the counter and Kelly drinking her coffee as she looks at her phone which is unusual. Kelly never wakes up early.

"Hey." I greet and she looks up muttering a small hey as she sips on her coffee. Whats the occasion? I ask as I take the cup of tea and inhale before sipping. Its a bad habit I have and cant rid of.

"I'm sorry about last night. I just got emotional and..."

"No, I'm sorry. I'm selfish and I've always known that but I had no right to treat you and Tim that way. I heard you talk to him weeks ago about moving out but you never went through with it because of me. I don't want to hold you back Kels and I'll be fine." I say and Kelly looks at me with a smile. We'll always be fine. Fight a little and get back sometime later.

I thank her for the tea and get out of the house as soon as I can. I can't let dad down. He wants to invest in a rising company that shows good potential. Lots of other companies have shown interest in inventing in it but we just have to be the best. I drive to the company as fast as I can thankful that my show is hosted in the same building. I find Dave waiting for me with the slides that I made yesterday already set up.

"Direct them to the office as soon as they arrive." I instruct and he nods then leaves. I go through the slides one last time to make sure that everything is set. Midway, my phone pings with an incoming text from an unknown number telling me to get ready for dinner tonight. Aiden Kings.

I leave the message on read and continue looking at the presentation. Dave comes in a few minutes later and tells me that Mr. Kobe is here. Mr. Kobe shows some sceptism when he finds me instead of my father and I make sure to prove him wrong. As always. Two hours later, he signs the contract with a contented smile and a friendlier face. Seems like I warmed into his heart.

I work for an hour after the meeting and walk to the show room where Carla updates me on everything as always before starting. I announce the changes and the expectations in the show and we start on finding a new cheater.

"Mr. Kings. What are you doing here?" I asked with a forced smile when I get into my dads office after the show. Dave had told me that he had insisted of seeing me and he got in.

"To take you out for dinner." He answers making me roll my eyes.

"I remember telling you that you had to ask appropriately and I don't remember saying yes to any dinner with you." I retort and he looks at me with a raised eyebrow.

"You seem to forget that I'm doing you a favor Alexandra."

"I can't forget that Aiden Kings but even so I expect to be treated in a specific way. With respect." I say looking into his eyes. "I'm not one of those girls that you can just decide to..."

"Take your things, were leaving." He says authoritatively cutting me off. He doesn't say anything else and leaves the office. What the?