Alex POV
It has been a couple of weeks since I became the CEO of Dante’s empire, and it has felt so good all this while. Yeah, I love the feeling, considering the people of nobility I have met so far, but that won’t ever get into my head to betray my brother once more. I have given him my word, and he is counting on me to get everything back for him, which is exactly what I’m going to do.
I am having an appointment with the contractors today, and I’m hoping to get his money back for him in no time, and all this shit will be over once and for all.
“It’s time for the meeting, Sir. The client is already here,” My secretary said once she knocked and I ushered her in. Ariel is no longer working here for now, since I have taken over, and also she is heavily pregnant, which will prevent her from working.
“Alright. I will be there in a few minutes,” I say to her before she nods her head and strides out of my office, and I finally leave for the conference room for the meeting. Since it’s only one of the clients I’m meeting today, I could’ve asked him to meet me in my office, yeah? Well, I have my reasons for hosting the meeting in the conference room, and whichever reason is quite confidential.
Stepping into the conference room a few minutes later, I find the middle-aged man sitting on one of the chairs and waiting for me.
“Did I keep you waiting, Mr. Austin?” I ask apologetically as I walk over to the chair beside him, and make myself comfortable on it.
“No, you didn’t. I haven’t been here for long. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Alex,” He smiles at me as he extends his hand for a handshake, which I quickly take.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Austin. I’m glad to do business with you,” I smile back at him, and he nods his head. The meeting kicks off afterward.
“Why did you want to terminate the contract in the first place? What happened to Max didn’t have anything to do with the company, you know?” I ask him, and he sighs briefly.
“Well, I didn’t want to do this, because I never had any business with my client’s personal life, but Mr. Dante asked me to withdraw the contract in the meantime that he was waiting for something,” he explains to me, and I scoff as I bite my bottom lip, waves of anger spurs through me. Of course, I knew from the onset that it was his doings, but it still pains now that I’m hearing it again. What the heck would he gain from ruining his own son?
“Thank you for this, Mr. Austin. It was nice doing business with you, and I promise that you are not going to regret this in the future. I’m looking forward to seeing you again,” I shake hands with him once the meeting is finally over.
“The pleasure is all mine,” He returns the smile before he finally leaves the room, leaving only me here. I feel my legs numb and unable to carry me. I keep drowning in the imagination of that man doing this to me. Max is really strong. I wouldn’t be able to take it if I had found out that I was betrayed by the people who are supposed to be there for me. I won’t be able to move if I had found out my dad and brother who are the only family I have, betrayed and stabbed me in the back.
Pushing all the thoughts to the back of my mind, I finally leave the conference room and head back to my office.
“Sir, you have a visitor,” My secretary utters once I step into her office, and I stop to glance at my office, and there is Alicia, sitting there and crossing her legs elegantly.
“What is she doing here?” I mumble after I scoff. I sigh briefly as I tuck my hands inside my black coat before I proceed to my office.
“Baby,” She squeaks excitedly and rushes to hug me once I step into the office.
“I have missed you so much,” She whines as she rests her head on my chest, and I bet she wouldn’t do that if only she knows how much she disgusts. Well, I have a bigger plan for her, because why not?
“I have missed you too, baby,” I stroke her hair.
“We haven’t talked in a while. I guess you’ve been busy, yeah?” She pouts her lips once she pulls away from me, while still having her arms wrapping around my waist.
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. Why don’t you sit, hmm?” I push her back gently, and she pouts her lips.
“I want to be in your arms, baby. I have missed you so much,” She whines as she hugs me again, and I scoff silently. What a shameless whore she is. Yeah, I used her, right? That is what you will say. But if she truly loved me and wasn’t interested in the money, she wouldn’t have ever agreed to do this in the first place. Yes, I know I’m the bad person here, me and my dad used her, but have you ever thought of the pain I went through then? Have you thought of what I went through when my dad told me to do this, huh? I thought she would at least disagree, and only then, will I have the right to say no. She agreed with just a little persuasion and at the mention of money. Does she still deserve my mercy?
“You are going to choke life out of me,” I chuckle dryly. It’s more annoying, pretending everything is fine in front of her, but I just have to keep up with this for as long as my plans are still intact.
“I’m sorry. I was just too excited,” She chuckles softly as she pulls away from me.
“Let’s sit, then,” She utters as she pulls out the chair and sits on it, while I go to sit on mine.
“How have you been? Where have you been staying, huh? We haven’t had time to talk since I have been busy lately,” I try to sound like I care, but deep down, I don’t really give a damn about this bitch, or whatever happens to her.
“Things have been hard for me. I’ve been staying in a hotel lately, and I’m not comfortable there anymore. I was thinking of moving in with you,” She utters, and I raise my eyebrow.
“Move in with me?” I scoff, and she slowly nods her head.
“Yes… Is there any problem with that?” She blinks her eyes rapidly, and I roll my eyes at her.
“You worry too much, Alicia. I was actually going to call you to go out with me tonight. I have something important to tell you, but for now, let’s leave your moving in with me aside. You will love to hear what I want to tell you,” I grin at her, and she stares back at me with a blank expression on her face.
“What do you want to tell me, Alex?” She asks, and I shrug.
“You can’t wait till then? Come on, baby. Evening is just around the corner. I will send you the dress you will wear later, and I will pick you up when it’s time,” I say to her, and her face beams. I know what she’s thinking, but let’s see what happens later…