Nicholas POV
I uncapped a bottle of beer and proffered it to Luke. “Thanks” He muttered while collecting it.
I picked another bottle for myself, I uncapped it and drank from it.
“If I’m not mistaken, right now Nicholas, you seem happy” Luke said as he dropped the bottle on the table.
“Is it really obvious? I grinned and he just scoffed.
“You’ve not really been yourself since you lost the last contract to Alexander, and all of a sudden, you are happy,” He said, looking confused.
I smile while I gulped from my drink.
“Don’t you want me to be happy?” I asked, wryly.
“Don’t misunderstand me, bro, what I meant is that, what could possibly bring back your old self?”
I slowly stood up from the single couch I was sitting on, and went to sat beside him.
Luke became my personal assistant after I emerged as the CEO of the company. He was the manager of the Human resources department before he became my PA, he wasn’t pleased with it though, and of course who would be? But I had my reasons, and that’s why I purposely made him become my only close friend. Luke is a good guy, he’s always ready to serve the company even while he’s on leave- so committed.
“You remember the slut I told you about last week?” I asked him.
“The one you gave a lift?” He furrowed his brows and asked.
“Affirmative”
“What’s up with her?” He asked, curiously.
“Well, she has finally agreed to become my girlfriend,” I announced, as I crossed my both legs and leaned back on the couch.
“Huh?”
“What’s your plan, boss?”
“Your wife must not hear about this”
“Ava can never know about it, well, unless if she heard it from you” I turned to him and say.
He looked at my face for a moment before releasing a deep breath.
“Ava is the only woman of my heart, she’s my legally wife and to top it all, she’s the mother of my children. I can’t let her go, never,” I uttered softly.
“Then, what’s your plan with your new girlfriend?”
“What do you intend to do with her?” Luke questioned, impatiently.
“Chill, bro” I chuckled, then I watched as he gulped.
“I intended to use her as a weapon”
“Weapon?” His brows cocked in total bewilderment.
“She’s going to serve as my weapon against Alexander, if I can’t win the next contract, then I should be able to bring Alexander down” My jawline clenched as I talked.
“How… How do… You mean?”
“I mean, why… The girl?” Luke stuttered and I laughed.
“We haven’t even started yet, and you’re scared already, huh?” I nudged his shoulder.
“Don’t be a baby, Luke, we are in this together”
“Besides, it’s not like I’m going to have him killed”
“Then what?” He mumbled.
I smiled and rose to my feet.
“We’ll see in my office tomorrow Luke, go home” I told him and proceeded towards the stairs, and I could tell his eyes were not leaving my back as I climbed the stairs.
Alexander POV
The following morning…
I climbed down the stairs with my both hands tucked in my trouser pocket.
“Oh my, here comes my handsome prince,” Granny joked as she watches me from downstairs.
I chuckled softly.
“I’m not from a royal family, granny” I reminded, and she just rolled her eyes.
“Good morning, granny” I got to where she was standing and hugged her.
“Morning, my prince”
“How was your night?”
We disengaged from the hug and I nodded.
“My night was splendid, and how was yours?” I asked her and her face turned crimson.
Huh?
“It was the best night ever Alex, I had a wonderful dream” She hooked her arm with mine and we both started walking to the dining room.
“It’s boldly written on your face, ma, care to tell me about the dream?” I asked her, grinning.
“First” She said and stopped walking.
“Have you spoke with Olive?” She asked, with a non-smiling face.
I scratched my nape, thinking of an excuse.
“You really don’t care if she had arrived safely or not?” She said in a displeased tone.
I heaved a sigh while rubbing my temple
“Granny…”
“Don’t granny me, make sure you reach her immediately you get to work” She cut me off, clearly pissed.
She walked into the dining room and I followed.
“But that doesn’t stop you from telling me the dream, granny, does it?” I asked, smiling widely.
“It really does Alex, I’m not joking right now” She growled, and I quickly raised my two hands in surrender.
“Would you tell me when I return from office then?”
“After you showed me a proof that you truly called her” She said simply, while opening the dishes. “Okay, granny”
Jeez!
Will she ever get over Olive?
Amelia POV
I was cleaning the kitchen when mom suddenly shouted my name. I raced out, still limping.
What’s wrong this time?
I got to the dining table and mom was already fuming.
“What were you thinking while cooking?” She scowled, getting on her feet.
“Why didn’t you add salt to the food?”
Oh, my… I didn’t add salt?
“I’m sorry mom, I completely forgot” I apologized, with a bile in my throat.
“You’re sorry?”
“My husband had only a bite before he left for work all because of your ignorance and stupidity” She scowled, and my eyes became soaked, I glanced at Dad’s seat, and he has truly left.
“Mom, that’s enough!” Callie yelled as she sprang to her feet.
“Everyone knows Amelia is not feeling too well, the least you could do is to do the cooking, Mom. And I really wanted to cook, but you didn’t allow me to,” She shouted at Mom’s face.
“Will you shut up and keep quiet?” Mom cautioned and made to turn to me again, but Callie spoke up.
“I’m not going to keep quiet until you learn how to treat Amelia as your child too mom, for God’s sake, she’s also your daughter!” She shrieked.
“And who said she’s not?!” Mom also shouted.
I just shut my eyes as I listened to them.
“Callie, you’re being disrespectful, and I won’t tolerate that”
“I’m telling truth Mom, I’m not disrespectful”
“What kind of mother are you?” Callie threw the question at Mom.
Mom’s eyes dimmed and Clare just shook her head with an eye roll. She stood up and walked away, without saying anything.
“Callie?” Mom called.
“Answer me, Mom”
Mom slapped her and my mouth fell agape immediately.
Oh my goodness.
What was that?
“That’s your answer, Callie”
“You’re being rude, and I won’t allow that in this house” Mom snorted and walked past me, not after shooting me a dangerous glare.
I quickly rushed over to Callie.
“Why did you that?”
“Do what?” She giggled.
I wanted to hold her cheek, but she held my hand.
“It’s okay, Amelia”
“This pain is nothing compared to watch you suffer in the hands of your mother” She said, while rubbing the cheek Mom had slapped, pain was sensed in her voice.
“You’re so wonderful, Callie” Tears dripped down my eyes as I hugged her, tightly.
She’s unbelievable.