HE'S RETURN

Amelia’s eyes widened at the news, her face a mix of surprise and confusion. “Alexander is coming back?” she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

Mark’s heart sank. This was the worst possible timing. He watched as Amelia processed the information, her mind clearly racing with thoughts of her husband’s imminent return. Any chance he had of confessing his feelings seemed to evaporate in that moment.

“I... I didn’t know,” Amelia said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “He didn’t tell me anything about this.”

Mark felt a sense of sympathy for her. It was clear that Alexander’s return was unexpected and had thrown her off balance. 'Amelia, are you okay? ' He gently asked, pushing aside his own feelings for the moment.

She looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of emotions. I'm not sure. It's been so long since I last saw him. I don’t know what to expect.”

Mark nodded, understanding her predicament. “If you need someone to talk to or just need a friend, I’m here for you, Amelia. Whatever you need.”

Amelia gave him a grateful smile, though it was tinged with sadness. “Thank you, Mark. I really appreciate that.”

Mark observed Amelia going through the motions of work throughout the day, clearly distracted by the news of Alexander's return. He wanted to be there for her and support her in any way possible, but his own feelings had to take a back seat. Alexander's return was looming over them, making it impossible for him to confess his love at this time.

As the office began to empty out for the day, Mark found himself lingering by Amelia's desk once again. “Amelia, if you ever need to talk or just get away from everything for a bit, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always here.”

Amelia looked up at him, her eyes softening with gratitude. “Thank you, Mark. That means a lot to me. I might just take you up on that offer.”

Mark nodded and offered her a reassuring smile before heading home. Although his heart was heavy, he knew that he had done the right thing. Amelia was in need of a friend more than ever, and he would be that friend for her, even if it meant hiding his own emotions.

Mark had no choice but to wonder what the future had in store as he walked away. Alexander's return would certainly bring change, and he could only hope that he would have the strength to navigate whatever awaited him, both for Amelia's sake and his own.

Later that day, Alexander was stepping out of his private jet, flanked by his bodyguards. He was shocked to see the crowd that had gathered to greet him. The public's enthusiasm took him by surprise; it seemed he had become more popular during his time away.

Reporters jostled for position, microphones and cameras thrust toward him as they bombarded him with questions. The barrage of inquiries overwhelmed him, making it difficult to respond.

"Mr. Sterling, what are your plans now that you're back?"

"Alexander, can you comment on the rumors about your business ventures?"

"How do you feel about returning home?"

The noise and chaos of the crowd left Alexander speechless. He exchanged a quick glance with his lead bodyguard, who nodded and began to clear a path through the throng.

Alexander moved through the crowd, his mind racing. He had anticipated a quiet return, but it was clear that things had changed. As he made his way to the waiting car, he couldn’t help but think about the adjustments he would need to make now that he was back.

His bodyguards efficiently made a path for him through the crowd, ensuring his safe passage despite the throngs of people and the press gathered at the front of the airport. Alexander remained silent, not uttering a single word as he moved with purpose towards his waiting car. The flashing cameras and shouted questions faded into the background as he focused solely on getting inside the vehicle.

Once inside, he let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. The door closed behind him, shutting out the noise and chaos. The car pulled away, and Alexander allowed himself a moment to gather his thoughts. His unexpected popularity and the intense media attention were just the beginning of the adjustments he would need to make now that he was back.

When Alexander arrived home, he was greeted by a warm and intimate welcome party prepared by his mother, Evelyn. The house was aglow with soft lighting, and the aroma of his favorite dishes wafted through the air. The sight of his mother waiting for him, her eyes filled with love and anticipation, brought an immediate sense of comfort and happiness.

“Welcome home, Alexander,” Evelyn said, her voice trembling with emotion as she embraced him tightly.

“Mom, it’s so good to see you,” Alexander replied, holding her close and feeling a wave of relief wash over him.

Evelyn had gone out of her way to make sure everything was perfect. The living room was decorated with fresh flowers, and a cozy fire crackled in the fireplace. A table was set with an array of delicious home-cooked meals, each dish meticulously prepared to his tastes.

“Come, sit down,” Evelyn urged, guiding him to the dining table. “You must be exhausted from your trip.”

As they sat down, Alexander took a deep breath, feeling the tension of the past few months begin to melt away. Evelyn poured him a glass of his favorite wine and sat across from him, her eyes shining with warmth and concern.

“You’ve been away for so long, Alexander. I’ve missed you,” she said softly, her hand reaching out to hold his.

“I’ve missed you too, Mom,” Alexander replied, squeezing her hand gently. “There’s so much to tell you.”

Evelyn smiled, her expression filled with patience and understanding. “Take your time, Alexander. I’m here to listen.”

As they began to eat, Alexander recounted his experiences overseas. He spoke of the challenges he faced in expanding his business, the sleepless nights spent negotiating deals, and the cultural differences that both fascinated and frustrated him. Evelyn listened intently, nodding and asking questions, her support unwavering.

“I met so many interesting people,” Alexander said, his eyes lighting up as he remembered. “And I learned a lot about different cultures and business practices. It was both challenging and rewarding.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened with interest. “It sounds like you had quite an adventure. Did you have any time to enjoy yourself, or was it all work?”

“There were definitely some fun moments,” Alexander replied with a smile. “I got to visit some beautiful places and try new foods. It wasn’t all work.”

Evelyn chuckled. “I’m glad to hear that. You deserve to have some fun after all the hard work you put in.”

After dinner, they moved to the living room, settling onto the comfortable couch with mugs of hot chocolate. The conversation shifted to lighter topics—memories from his childhood, the latest happenings in their hometown, and shared laughs over old family stories. The warmth of the fire and the familiarity of the home made Alexander feel grounded again.

“Do you remember the time you and your friends built that treehouse in the backyard?” Evelyn asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Alexander laughed. “How could I forget? We thought we were so clever, but it was barely holding together. You and Dad were so worried it would collapse.”

Evelyn shook her head, smiling. “It’s amazing how you managed to stay up there without it falling apart. Those were some of the best times.”

As the evening wore on, Evelyn looked at her son with a gentle smile. “I know this is just the beginning of many conversations we’ll have now that you’re back. But tonight, let’s just enjoy being together.”

Alexander nodded, feeling a profound sense of peace. “I couldn’t agree more, Mom. It’s good to be home.”

Afterwards, their night went well, filled with warmth and shared memories. The next day, Alexander woke up and got prepared for his first day back at work as the CEO of Sterling Enterprises. Evelyn had already made him breakfast, a spread of his favorite morning dishes.

"Thanks, Mom," Alexander said, savoring the food. "This is exactly what I needed."

Evelyn smiled. "I just want to make sure you start your day off right."

After finishing his breakfast, Alexander stepped out, giving Evelyn a kiss on her forehead. "I'll see you later, Mom."

"Have a great day, Alexander," she replied, her eyes filled with pride.

His driver was already waiting by the car, holding the door open for him. Alexander nodded in thanks as he slid into the back seat, and they drove off to the company.

As they approached Sterling Enterprises, Alexander couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and determination. It was time to face the challenges ahead and lead the company with the strength and vision he had developed during his time away.