[Four years later]
Issabella spun around to look at the women in the room. “How do I look?” Nervousness was evident in her voice. She was wearing a professional outfit, her hair tied into a bun, with light makeup accentuating her beauty.
“Fantastic!” Tatiana responded. “You’re really made for this.”
“President Issabella, right on track!” Jolene exclaimed, a ring glittering on her finger. She had married Jaxon last year. In her arms was little Elsa, dressed in a blue fluffy dress.
“Gosh, I feel nervous,” Issabella exhaled, fanning herself several times.
“You’re fine,” Tatiana approached and adjusted her shirt.
Jolene added, “Just be yourself.”
“Are you okay with this? I mean, you’ve been handling it for a year now…” Issabella asked Tatiana.
“With you by my side. You’re way more capable than you think. Besides, handling it with my career is stressful,” Tatiana said.
“Especially when Tatie won the Best Actress Award three times in a row,” Jolene added.
“Drama queen,” Tatiana mumbled.
“And she’s the queen of the entertainment world,” Jolene continued.
“Drama queen,” Tatiana repeated.
Jolene’s phone buzzed, her father’s name flashing on the screen.
“Dad,” a smile lit her face. “How’s the shoot going?”
Rowen replied from the other side, “Great, Jo. My artist is doing well over here.” It turned out Jolene wasn’t the only one good at managing artists. “My regards to Issabella. Congratulations.”
As the call ended, Jolene said to Issabella, “My dad sends his regards.”
Issabella took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, I got this.”
The lights on stage shone, and the men and women below began to clap, welcoming the new CEO of NeroSpark on stage.
Issabella Xander.
Xander was their mother’s maiden name. The hall erupted in cheers, and as Issabella gave her speech, Dylan sat in a corner watching her with his friend.
He was still as handsome as ever, the black retro suit making him look even more dashing. He spoke little and mostly stayed with his father while he worked. At the company, they referred to him as “Little King.”
Even at his young age, his gaze was sharp.
“I wish we were home right now. I wouldn’t have come if it wasn’t for my persistent father,” his friend Bran spoke beside him. Bran was one of Cassius’s business partners’s son. Since Dylan loved visiting the King’s company, he met Bran many times, and they grew fond of each other.
“My mother’s words are final. I couldn’t argue with her about not coming because she always wins,” Dylan said, spotting Tatiana seated with Jolene.
Being one of the most famous actresses in the world, Tatiana had a lot on her plate. Many artists wanted to follow in her footsteps. Of course, she never stopped bringing down those devious men or women in the industry. She was respected, just like Cassius.
“Dylan!” A tiny voice called, and his eyes snapped toward his three-year-old sister, her adorable face contorted into a scowl.
“What is it, Dawn?” Dylan asked, a small smile on his face.
“Mother said I should get some cookies from you,” Dawn said, blinking her big round blue eyes. Unlike Dylan, who had a striking resemblance to his father, Dawn carried their mother’s traits. She was surprisingly good at acting, but Dylan never fell for it.
“Mother has been in sight the whole time. When did you meet her?” Dylan asked.
“Last month,” she replied, and Dylan’s lips parted. She continued, “She said it while we were having dinner. Remember? She said you should give me cookies whenever I ask.”
“How come you like cookies too? Father finally stopped bothering me, and now you too?” Dylan sighed. Maybe he should buy a cookie company when he grew up.
“I want some cookies, big brother,” she pouted, a sign that she was about to destroy the entire hall with loud cries. She was so good at that… acting.
“You shouldn’t eat cookies. Now go and sit,” Bran scolded, and Dylan’s eyes turned cold, snapping toward him.
“What did you say?” Dylan asked, his voice icy, confusing Bran.
“I thought you didn’t want her to eat coo-”
“That doesn’t give you the right to command her, or use a cold voice. Only I can do that. Understand?” Dylan asked, and Bran quickly nodded. “Watch your tongue”
Dylan took Dawn by her hand. “Let’s get you some cookies.”
Bran’s eyes widened. “How protective.”
Indigo, who had been watching the scene the whole time, was surprised too. She was the one who had brought Dawn in. Hudson chuckled.
“Both are the replicas of their parents,” he mumbled.
“I know, right,” she glanced down at her plump tummy. A ring on her finger signaled she was already married to Hudson and expecting a child. “I’d like our child to look just like you.”
Hudson ruffled her hair, and Indigo laughed. “You’ll never stop doing that, will you?”
“I won’t” Hudson pecked her cheek.
Jaxon also went to sit beside Jolene, giving her a little kiss on her forehead.
___
“Congratulations, Issabella,” Stacy said over the video call.
“Thanks, Stacy,” Issabella replied.
“Sorry I couldn’t come over,” Maya said from another part of the screen. It was a connected video call.
“Our new president is glowing. I’m so happy for you, baby!” Catelyn said cheerfully.
“Thanks, guys,” Issabella smiled.
After wishing Issabella good luck, Maya returned to her work. She ordered her employees around, making sure everything was in place.
“Miss,” a deep voice sounded behind her. As she turned to look at him, her breath hitched. She had no idea why she was crushing on a man five years younger than her.
“I’m done feeding the horses,” he said with a handsome smile. He’d gotten into the neighborhood months ago, a son of a rich businessman in the city. He loved coming here to help her, and she didn’t know why.
“Okay,” she nodded and started to leave.
“Can I talk to you?” he asked, and she halted, turning to look at him. “Can I take you on a date?”
“Yes,” Maya blurted, quickly covering her lips. Fuck
“Alright then. Wow, my heart was racing like crazy thinking you’d reject-”
“I’m not going out with you,” she quickly corrected and started to leave, but he pulled her back and pinned her against the wall.
“Don’t take that back,” his eyes stared into hers intensely, and then he swiftly claimed her lips with a quick peck. “See you tomorrow,” he said and left.
“Oh my God,” Maya released a huge breath. She tapped her chest gently. “Calm down, little heart.”
___
That night, Cassius returned home after a three-day business trip, and to his surprise, he found his whole family awake.
“Dad!” Dylan and Dawn exclaimed in unison, running to hug him.
“Little man, Kitty,” Cassius threw his briefcase to one side and hugged them both. As he stood, he carried Dawn in his arms and kissed Tatiana on the lips.
“They refused to sleep until they saw you,” Tatiana said.
“Father?” Dawn gave him a scolding look. “I told you not to do that.”
“Do what?” Cassius asked.
“Mother, come closer,” she demanded, and as Tatiana did so, she pecked her. “That.”
“She’s my wife,” Cassius blinked.
“She’s my mother.”
Dawn was way more stubborn than Dylan.
“I do that to Grandma whenever we visit her during the holidays. You can do that to Grandma too. It’ll be even,” Dylan suggested, shocking both Cassius and Tatiana.
This little….
Wrong! Dylan was way too cunning. Dawn blinked, not fully grasping what Dylan said.
“Now go to bed, sweetie. Your father is home,” Tatiana said.
“Goodnight, Mom, Dad. I love you so much,” Dylan yawned and left for his room.
However, Dawn wrapped her tiny arms around Cassius’s neck. She mumbled with sleepy eyes, “I want to sleep in Daddy’s arms. I miss daddy.”
Tatiana’s eyes welled up at the sight. She was getting emotional again.
Dawn fell asleep within two minutes and was taken to bed with the help of Butler Conrad.
After Cassius finished eating, they went upstairs, and as they did, he kissed Tatiana again, this time passionate.
“Cash… what are you doing?” Tatiana chuckled as he pulled her closer.
“I’ve missed my favorite. It’s been three whole days without you,” he said, leading her to the bathroom, where they would have a warm bath together.
“I’ve missed you too, Cash. Hubby,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Bless the night I met you, Little Rebel. I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you,” she whispered back as they both relaxed in the bathtub.
With each passing day, their love grew stronger, their hearts bound together in a way no one could ever part them. Each day felt like a dream she never wanted to end. The tranquility of being around her family was worth dying for.
One night had brought them together. The battle was tough, fierce, and challenging, but they never gave up on each other. Their hearts, minds, and souls remained one.
They remained the King and Queen of the entertainment industry.
It all started with… ONE NIGHT WITH MR. KING.