Alexander’s POVRichard, sitted in his usual position at the opposite edge of the imposing oval table of the grand Clifford boardroom broke the quiet hums and anxious murmurs.“We have a 24 hours window to sell off our shares from ULTRA before the stock crashes” I fumbled with my palms that only itched to shove a right hook into his blanching arrogant face.I roll my eyes over to George Baker, the oldest on the board but not the wisest as I have come to notice, pitching in. “I agree with Richard the ULTRA market is showing signs of an impending crash.If we do not sell now, we are looking at a devastating loss”And then Alan Walker, with his usual avid response, chipped in, “24 hours is too hasty a time; we could end up selling our shares for less than nothing. I mean we've weathered storms before. If we sell, we'll be abandoning our long-term vision and the hard work…. again, for less than nothing” “I think it’s better we sell for less than nothing, than lose everything all together
Alexander’s POVI push my door open and I am greeted by Olivia Clarke.“Hey baby” She is in my robe, in my bed.Her seductive voice, the faint scent of her perfume mingling with the cool night air, creating an intoxicating ambience.I shut the door as my eyes cruise the bulge of her breasts glaring through the un-girdled robe.She stood, revealing more of her voluptuous body, “I have missed you baby….” She purred her voice low and inviting. She leaned back, letting the robe slip slightly, revealing a glimpse of smooth, bare skin. Her eyes sparkle with mischief, a seductive smile playing on her lips.“Come here” Her finger signal me and I respond like I’m hypnotized.My legs motioning, my eyes unflinching. “Come here my boy” Her voice softening, becoming more intimate as she cups the sides of my face, bringing my head down to the valley between her breasts. I inhale her intoxicating vanilla scent, like a wolf picking a scent. Holy shit! I pause, a whiff of cherry. I sniff more inten
Simon’s POVI burst into the Clifford Manor, blazing through, drooling of rage and shame, my heart thudding loudly in my chest, my hands fisting, itching to send a deathly hook into Alexander’s jaw.“Simon…” Olivia’s voice cuts into the darkness, I hear her footsteps hustling after me but I do not stop, charging into my room, slamming the door forcefully behind me.How could I have lost now? Now? When Catherine’s heart was at stake, how could I have lost her, to him? To that fucking brute who didn’t even care about her. The creak sound of the door interrupts my thoughts, I turn and it’s Olivia, as expected, ever the meddling sister.“Simon…” She reaches closer, cupping my chin, scrutinizing my busted lip. “Who did this to you?”“Fucking Alexander Clifford!” I heave, through gritted teeth.Her brows furrowed with a frown, assessing my face further. “Alexander did this?”I am pacing, panting, steaming with rage, my words come with heavy breaths. “Yes”Focusing her unflinching gaze. “Wh
Catherine’s POV“Simon….” I call, rushing out the door after him. He is just about to pull open the car door. He pauses but he won’t look at me.“What’s going on Simon? Why are you running off on me?” I ask with a tint of humor.“I’m not running, I just have a busy day” His voice, tight and cold.“Is something wrong Simon?”Something’s wrong, I know something’s wrong.“No, Catherine, I just have have a busy day” He responds sharply, still not looking at me.“Look at me Simon….” I hear his mumbles of reluctance.“Simon, look at me….please”His head, slowly, hesitantly, stir towards me and my jaw drops in a gape of astonishment.“What happened to your face?!” I exclaim, taking his face in my hand.“It’s nothing” He says, easing my hand off his face.My voice seasoned with concern, “Your lip is torn Simon, it’s not nothing” “I said it’s nothing Catherine; would you just leave it” His head titled sideways, slightly sneering.“I thought we were friends” I pout.His head makes a reluctant
Alexander’s POVI was addressing Sussex as the President of Clifford Enterprise for the first time at the annual Clifford new models Launch party. The grand hall of the convention center was packed with delegates, wearing their skepticism like sleeves on their shoulders. Go on Alexander, you are king now and they must bow, my clutch charges me.“I am not Harry and I do not have the makings of Arthur, so do not seek for them in me. I am Alexander Clifford….” With a slight head tilt and a tinge of humor, I add. “Rebel of Sussex if you might…” Their grim faces break into laughter and I sniff the air of affirmation that now floats in the room. Before Arthur and Harry's demise, I had only ever attended Clifford functions as a fly on the wall, hanging in the outskirts of the invisible and loathing myself for even making an appearance. Banging Olivia afterwards and basking in Arthur’s obliviousness was the only thing I looked forward to but now, the tides had changed, I was not just a fly
Simon’s POV As I watched him haul her over, I clenched my fists tightly, my gaze fixed on Catherine, currently perched on Alexander’s shoulder, a sight that grated my nerves. I felt a stiffness in my chest, a mix of jealousy and frustration. I could feel the piercing bite of my nails into my palm and the heavy pang on my eyes for staring too hard. Olivia had strolled to where I was, her face a mask of bitterness. Her eyes were locked on Alexander who was strutting off which Catherine on his shoulder. “What the hell was that?” Olivia muttered,her eyes shooting rage at their disappearing back view. I let out a bitter laugh. “Alexander marking his territory” “Gosh, he looks so pathetic.” Her voice reeked of anger and disdain. “Pathetic or not, he just dumped his Auction and an entire delegate for her…. you still think she’s just a boring Pigeon?” I grab a glass of scotch from an usher’s tray, tasting the bitterness of my anger in my scotch. A rustle behind us makes us turn; it’s
Alexander’s POV“I don’t want to go anywhere with you” Catherine’s grumbling continued, the car humming softly as it cruised through the scanty dark road. My tracking eyes shuffling between her and the road and suddenly, her shoulder slumps, the fight draining out of her, her eyes spinning and watering. “I saw you with her, kissing her…in public," She said, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and vulnerability.My eyes furrow, entreating my thoughts, I conclude swiftly that she is referring to Olivia and that long kiss she gave me on the cheek.I glance at her, my hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. "This is not a normal marriage Catherine; I never promised you all of me…. you knew what you signed up for”She let out a bitter laugh. "Then why did you ask Simon to stay away from me?”I sigh, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Because I don’t trust him.”“Bullshit Alexander, Bullshit," She snapped. "You asked him to stay away because you are a chauvinistic bastard who can’t
Alexander’s POV It had been 10hours, 15minutes and 5 seconds since I kissed her and all I have wanted to do since then, is kiss her again. It was not solely, because she was the first woman I had ever kissed on the mouth, it was hugely because it was an in-exhaustive, unyielding, consuming kiss that only left me longing for more. I could still feel the warmth of her lips against mine, the taste of her kiss, fresh in my memory, the gentle gliding of the car, her body pressing into mine. Damn! Catherine Kent was combustive. Shit Alexander, you are swooning over a kiss? A kiss? I try to shake off the flashes of the images in my head and Catherine springs back, unwavering in my head. You should not have let her kiss you Alexander; you should not have kissed her back. A sharp knock on the door jolts me from my thoughts, the door swung open, it is Simon. “Good morning Alexander," Simon greeted, forcing a smile that did not reach his eyes. Still pining over Catherine, obviously.