A NEW MEMBER OF THE FAMILY?

THREE DAYS LATER....

Alexei arrived at the office before seven. The halls were dark and quiet as he moved up with the lift. He strode from the lift and walked into his office.

Opening the door, he walked across the antique rug and set his laptop bag on the large wooden desk.

He settled at his desk, firing up his computer and immediately sent an email to his assistant, Gavin, that he would be at the warehouse later to care of matters there. with this, he included a note that this was a confidential matter which no one must know about.

Gavin wouldn't be in until eight, but he had a corporate smartphone. Alexei was certain he'd have everything handled before he arrived.

That done, he turned to the steaming hot cup of coffee and the bagel he picked up on his way in. The coffee shop was close to the office and was always open well before most people stumbled into BKS for the day.

Alexei spread cream cheese on his toasted bagel as he watched his inbox fill with new messages. Most were unimportant, although one caught his eye. He clicked on the mail and scanned through the message. It was an interview sent by Jeremy Gallagher. He is celebrating his birthday next month.

A chime sounded on his phone and the notification was a text from Gavin. "There is a problem at the port", stated the message.

Kimberly took an afternoon leave to visit her apartment in the city. She needed go talk to her father. It was urgent. As soon as she arrived at her apartment, she took out her laptop and settled in the sofa.

She called Don Luis through video call and after 3 seconds, he picked it.

"Hi papa"

"Kiah, we are running out of time, you need to find the box quickly." He didn't even bother to return her greeting or ask for her welfare. All he does is to criticize her.

Is the box more important than her life? she does not even know what is in the box. He only said the box held her future.

"Dad, finding the box is a hard task." "There are eyes all over the house."

"But you've not been putting in effort, you have to find the box quickly... I have to go now because I'm having a meeting."

Don Luis said as he ended the call. Kiah closed the laptop and rested her back of the sofa thinking of how to get the box. After some minutes, she removed her clothes and went to the bathroom. She soaked herself inside the jacuzzi closing her eyes and enjoying the silent ambiance.

She stayed still for a long time before she got out and dressed up.

Kiah got back to the Kincade's mansion around 5pm. She met with maria in the quarters.

"Head maid carly announced that there would be a visitor and a welcome party." Maria informed kiah what she missed while she was away.

"Liam Kincade is the expected visitor, the only son of Louis and Tia Kincade. He'll be arriving tomorrow, it's going to be a busy day." Maria told kiah.

"Oh! alright then, I'm off to the kitchen." Kiah said to maria as she left the room.

She walked slowly enjoying the cool breeze, her hands in her pocket as she walked thinking of where the treasure box could be. Could Amie know where it is? Amie Kincade, a lonely lady who thinks the way out is to mingle with social rich kids, or is it Alvin Kincade?

Alvin Kincade is a final year high school student who loves music, games and enjoyment. No! it cannot be him. He's just someone who has no idea of what to do in his life.

Louis Kincade; An alcoholic gambler, womaniser and a person who does all sorts of illegal things.

"I know what to do", kiah muttered to herself entering the main house.

Kiah planned to go into Alexei's room to check if she could find a clue that can lead to the box tomorrow when everyone is busy at the party.

* * * * * * *

"I like this one" Tia Kincade said to the decorator.

She had been rejecting the designs until she finally picked one. She chose go be the event planner because it was her son's welcome party so she has to make sure everything was set before 2pm.

Few minutes later, she left for her room to dress before the guests start arriving. Louis kincade had already gone to the airport to pick his son.

Each of the Kincades were in their rooms, decking up to look their best for the party.

"what do you think?" Tia asked Adrianna gesturing towards the theme of the party.

"can you make one like this for me if I'm having a party?" Adrianna asked.

"sure, i can!" Tia said slowly. she released an uncertain breath.

"but are you sure you want me to?" A hard laugh gurgled up Adrianna's throat and her eyes were like stars in the sky.

"Auntie", she said. "I'm sure".

They both left the room to welcome the first guests as they arrived.

Soon, guests started trooping in and wine was served by the maids. Not long after, Louis Kincade pushed Bryon on a wheelchair.

Kiah had sneaked out of the hall before Bryon came in. She went to the kitchen and dropped the empty glasses on the counter.

There was no maid in the kitchen and all the Kincades were at the party.

She went straight to Alexei's room. she stopped in front of the door and checked if there was anyone nearby before entering the room.

She went into Alexei's study and searched the drawers. She then moved to his closet.

After searching for some minutes, she left the closet. She stood in the room, her hand on her waist thinking of where she could search when she remembered that she saw a glimpse of a black bag at the corner of the closet.

She went back there and drew out the bag. It had a lock with a open space in the center like a heart shape.

it is a type of lock which cannot be opened by with a key. She had seen something similar to the shape but couldn't remember.

Kiah raised her head as she had footsteps coming towards the room. she quickly put the bag back in its place and went straight to the room and then, the door opens.

"what are you doing here?"

EARLIER IN THE MORNING

Alexei hovered in that murky place between awareness and sleep, clinging desperately to the dream. He didn't know why it was so important and why he so fiercely resisted the pool of consciousness.

But he knew when he gets up, he'd be thrust unwillingly back into a very real nightmare dream.

Ahh, the dream was so much nicer. Soft womanly skin greedy feminine muscles tightening around him the delicious draw and drag between the joined bodies.

A hot lust mouth against his skin, sliding over to his neck, her finger in his hair, her smallfoot moving up his right calf, eliciting a shiver, as it brushed the sensitive skin behind his knee.

Alexei gasped awake as the wonderful dream abruptly ended and the harsh unfair truth of his reality took its place.

How could he dream of her?

Regret burned the back of his throat as he let the blanket fall once again into place.

The panic he'd worked so hard to keep at bay suddenly reared up and threatened to pull him down.

He stood up from his bed and walked to the bathroom. He removed the clothes on his body and stood under the shower, letting the water run through his body.

"Shit!" he groaned banging the wall.

This was the first time he would dream of a woman apart from his mother. How could it be her? How could he dream of having s*x with the maid who cleans his room.

After a while, he came out of the bathroom and wore an Armani suit - a blue shirt and a purple silk tie with a pashmina.

He checked the time on his watch before wearing it and left the room. He went outside the house and met his assistant standing beside the car.

He walked to the car and Gavin opened the door for him and shut it when he was in. Gavin took the seat beside the driver.

"Good morning sir", Gavin greeted turning to Alexei.

Handling him a tab, he said, "this is your schedule for today". I made sure to fix the ones from 2-3pm for another time due to the party.

Alexei collected the tab and checked it. he returned it to him and brought out his phone. Mr Hoffman is still on words that he wouldn't sign the contract, Gavin reported to him

Alexei smiled and said, "I will make him sign the contract with trembling hands".

Gavin smiled, knowing what Alexei is capable of because his boss never goes back on his words.

They arrived at the restaurant where he had 10:30 reservation. The restaurant is one of the most sought-out, high-end restaurants in Manhattan.

They entered and a waiter led them to the reservation. Mr Hoffman was already there waiting for Alexei's arrival. Alexei was opposite to him while Gavin stood beside him.

"Mr Kincade, you're late." Mr Hoffman said despite Alexei's strong aura.

"I don't think so mister Hoffman because our meeting is 10:30 and this is exactly 10:30" Alexei said checking his watch.

Gavin smirked inside, thinking of how his boss will deal with this man.

"Mr Hoffman, you're too early and I came at the right time", Alexei said collecting a folder from Garvin dropping it on the table.

"I will not sell my company to you no matter what happens."

"Mr Hoffman, I heard you have a hidden daughter named Laney in New York". Alexei leaned on the table closer to mister Hoffman who was already shivering with fear.

"Do you know where she is at the moment?" "she's in a club I own or should I do the unquestionable?"

"No...No please I will do anything you want." Mr Hoffman pleaded on his knee holding onto Alexei's leg.

Alexei shook him off and through the folder in front of him.

"Sign it and accept the money."

Mr Hoffman took the folder and opened it with trembling hands

He took out a pen from his pocket and signed the file.

"Thanks for your cooperation", Gavin said taking the file from his hand.

Alexei sprung up straightened his suit.

He smiled and wore his sunglasses and walked out of the restaurant with Gavin at his back.

When they got out, having brought out a sanitizer from his pocket. He poured some on Alexei's and and close the lid. They got into the car and the driver drove away.

He closed his eyes and rested his head on the seat. As soon as he closed his eyes, the memories of the dream flood into his brain. he opened his eyes and looked at Gavin asking him a question, "boss, are you okay?"

"Take me home", he said looking outside the window.

Not long after that they reached home and Alexei went to his room straight to his study.

Opened his drawer and brought out some files and his laptop.

He sent a message to Gavin telling him to set someone to watch mister off man's movement and then worked on files some files before it was 2 p.m.

Closing his laptop, he stood and stretched his back.

Two minutes after two, he said checking his wristwatch.

He went to his closet and changed into another suit and then, he proceeded to the hall for the party and noticed most of the guest had arrived.

Some guest came over to greeting and some tried to bring up business which he boldly declined.

Before he left his room, he stumbled upon and earring on the floor.

He picked it up, examining it.

He had seen it before..... Yes, it belongs to the maid who cleans his room.

Why does she keep appearing to him?

"How clumsy of her to drop her earring in his room", he thought.

He searched for her at the party but couldn't find her.

He then decided to go back to his room before anyone would come around to talk about business. As soon as he entered his room, he saw someone looking under his bed.

"what are you doing here?"

Kiah turned and it got to be the person he was looking for. "But what was she doing in his room?" he thought.

Kiah stood up dusting her clothes, then their eyes met. She quickly removed her eyes .

"I ask again, what are you doing here?"

"Uhmm sir, i was actually searching for my earring."

She said moving backwards as Alexei proceeded towards her till her back hit the wall.

He put his hand on the wall and used the other to lift her face up.

"Should i suspect you coming up to my room when nobody is around?"

He then noticed she was wearing only one ear of earring. "This is a real goody thing to do, do you know?"

"I'm sorry sir", she said and slipped out under his arm. she moved away from him and turned to leave.

"Wait", he called removing the earring from his pocket. "Here, this is what you're looking for, isn't it?"

Kiah hurriedly collected it from him and bowed.

"Thank you sir", she wore the earring and excused herself.

Kiah came out of Alexei's room feeling unsettled. Thank God she had dropped her earring while she was on her way to his room in the morning.

Still unsettled when she reached the grand sala, Kiah managed to step through the open double doors into the hall filled with tall potted palms and heavy spanish furniture, wrought iron candela brass illuminated the long hall.

"Hi kim" maria smiled walk-in towards her. She mumblya reply to Maria's greetings and smiled at her back. "seems like I'm late"

"You're just right on time, let's go refill the guests cups." she said handling over a bottle of champagne to Kiah

They both moved around the hall serving the guests more wine

While doing this, kiah looked around for Alexei but didn't catch a glimpse of him.

"maybe he's still in his room" she thought.

She couldn't let Alexei get suspicious of her to complete her mission.