We step out and enter the lobby of a building, where I frown at the sight.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Gray,” the receptionist greets. Alex nods in acknowledgment.
“Send me a bottle of champagne,” he requests, and she responds promptly, “At your service, Mr. Gray.” Alex walks past, and my frown deepens.
“Alex, what’s going on?” I ask as we step into an elevator.
We ride to the fifteenth floor and enter an elegant office where a blonde man is on the phone. He turns and greets Alex with a smile.
“I’ll call you back,” he says before hanging up.
“Man, you finally showed up!” he exclaims, pulling Alex into a hug. “You can’t just leave your company in your friend’s hands like that,” he laughs, and I look at Alex, puzzled. “Who is this beautiful woman?” he asks, taking my hand and kissing it. I smile nervously while Alex wraps his arm around my waist.
“This is Nina. Nina, meet Niall,” he introduces us, and I nod. “How are things?” Niall asks.
“Everything’s great!
The Paris office is starting to take off,” Alex replies with a broad smile, Niall says.
“Fantastic! I knew I could trust you with everything,” Niall says, making me gulp as I exchange a confused glance with Alex.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, and Alex just grins.
He signals Niall to leave, and once the door closes, I shake my head.
“Alex, what’s all this?” I ask as he walks toward the desk.
He gestures for me to sit across from him, and I comply as he flips a plate around.
“Mr. Gray,” it reads.
“Welcome to Gray, Inc.,” he says, and my eyes widen in shock.
“You have to be kidding!” I exclaim, and he smiles. “Alex, this is incredible!” I squeal, but then I frown. “But why on earth are you teaching when you have this company?” I question, and he sighs. “Do they know that…?”
“Yes, they do. I actually work there for free-it’s just for fun,” he admits, and I gasp. “I’ve always dreamed of being a teacher. My father always claimed it was a waste of time, insisting that anything that couldn’t provide the luxuries of a Gray wasn’t worth pursuing,” he mimics, with a wry expression. “So I had to focus on business studies.”
“And why did you choose ethics over math?” I ask, tilting my head.
“Honestly, ethics was the easiest to teach, given my lack of time,” he chuckles, and I raise an eyebrow.
“But you always seem free,” I say, to which he laughs.
“I’m only free when it comes to you,” he murmurs, making my heart race. “But we’re about to open another office in the U. S., so I have to recommit to the company,” he sighs, looking down and pouting.
“Are you saying you won’t be teaching anymore?” I ask worriedly. He shakes his head.
“When will you quit?” I probe.
“I already did,” he replies, and tears fill my eyes.
I can’t bear the thought of Alex not being at school; it means I won’t see him as often, and I begin to sob.
“Why are you crying, baby?” he asks, worry evident in his voice as I look up at him, pouting. “Come here,” he says, opening his arms. I move closer, sitting on his lap as he holds me tightly, my tears soaking his chest.
“But I won’t get to see you,” I wail, and he soothingly strokes my arm.
“Of course you will, love,” he whispers, kissing the back of my neck. “I’ll pick you up from school every day; we’ll spend Saturdays together, and my home is your home,” he promises, his voice gentle against my hair. I begin to feel calmer as he continues to caress my arm and leg. “And you can call me anytime, and I’ll come to you,” he murmurs, making me smile as I yawn.
“It’s hard not to fall asleep when I’m so close to you,” I whisper. Alex chuckles.
“Sleep as much as you want, babe,” he whispers, but then he asks, “What do you think of what I just showed you? Has the way you see me changed?”
I laugh. “Of course not. You’ll always be the most handsome ethics teacher in the world,” I tease, and he grins.
“And counselor,” I nod, and just as he leans in to kiss me, there’s a knock on the door.
I start to get up, but Alex holds me in place.
“What are you doing? They’ll see us!” I say, feeling anxious.
“Come in!” he calls out, and as the door opens, I bury my face in his chest, embarrassed. A girl enters, leaving two glasses and a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket.
Alex thanks her, and once the door is closed, he laughs.
“Why the panic?” he asks, and I look at him incredulously.
“I’m on your lap!” I remind him.
“And so?”
“They’re my employees; they need to know who you are,” he insists. “Plus, another reason I left teaching is that I’m tired of hiding us,” he says, and I swallow hard.
“But what are we?” I ask, and Alex’s expression grows serious.
We share a quiet moment until the door swings open again.
Niall steps in, and my cheeks redden.
“Oh, this is Nina,” he says, entering the room, looking at me while I glance at Alex for clarification.
“The one and only Nina,” Alex clarifies, and Niall scratches the back of his neck.
“Dude, there are so many Ninas in the world, and she looks so young,” he remarks, taking a seat. “C’mon, how old is she? Twenty?” he jokes, making them both laugh.
“I’m 17,” I interject, shutting down their laughter. Niall’s smile fades as he looks at Alex seriously.
“Sweetheart, could you go to Berenice and tell her to give me the paperwork I asked for?” he requests. I nod and rise from my chair to exit his office.
I think I’ve messed up.