Alpha Billionaire Series

CHRISTOPHER

This was completely unacceptable. Alicia not responding to my texts was one thing, but she wasn't responding to my emails either. I read through her resignation, fine. She could quit, but that wasn't the end of us.

She needed to call me. She owed me.

I pounded out another email and sent it to the ridiculous email address she had.

She had closed her resignation letter by telling me to forget I had ever met her. Didn't she know that was impossible? I hadn't forgotten her after I first met her, I sure as hell couldn't forget her now.

I had questions. She never mentioned any kind of relationship. She didn't wear a ring. Was she married? Who was her son's father?

The more I thought about that little boy the more I wondered. He was about the right age. Our night together in Nashville four years ago was memorable. Including the fact that one of the condoms broke at some point.

Was it a coincidence that he had dark eyes like mine? His hair wasn't curly like Alicia's, it was thick and dark like mine. I had to focus to remember what the kid looked like. Did he look like me?

The more I thought about it, the more convinced I was. I needed to know, was that kid actually mine? I needed to know. She needed to tell me.

I fumed. If she didn't respond soon, I was going to be forced to go to her apartment.

The intercom crackled. “Mr. Hayes...”

“I do not need to be announced,” my Mother did her own announcing as she barged into my office trailing a train of flunkies behind her.

“What is it, Mother?” I let out a heavy breath. I didn’t have time for her and her entourage. She had all of them in tow, the assistants, other members of the board, and random other flunkies that I was never certain who they were or what they did. “I'm here to save my company.”

“It's my company, and it doesn't need saving," I growled.

“I wouldn't be so certain of that. You haven't done anything productive in at least a week. You have a different secretary. She didn't know who I was." Mother waved a pointy finger at me. His nails were pointy and red. It looked ridiculous on her bony finger.

“Fine. You want to know what's been going on?”

She crossed her hands in her lap— she never crossed her arms— and sat up a little straighter. That was her way of saying ye: “I was having an affair with my secretary.”

“I knew it”

“Not that one. The one you never met”

“Just as well," she sneered.

“No, not just as well. You want me to get married. She was that opportunity.”

Mother let out a disgusted sigh. “You should never get involved with the help. It never did your father any favors.”

I closed my eyes and sucked on my teeth before hissing in a deep breath. I didn't need her to drag out my father's infidelities. I learned from them at a young age. I had no intention of being like him when it came to relationships. In business he was brilliant, and I missed him. But as a husband, and at times as a father, he needed improvement.

“Don't” I started.

“If you can't properly run a business and not be distracted by the young women you hire, then maybe you shouldn't be in business”

Iscoffed. “You—"I stopped myself before I said what I was really thinking. My mother earned her reputation with every penny-pinching action. I was costing her money, then I was out. It didn't matter that her son was having a relationship crisis “Fine. Get Dillion. I'm sure his mother will be thrilled.”

“Your cousin—"

“My cousin is a bigger mama's boy than I've been. I understand there is a business to run here, but I can do that without you threats and interference. You can't tell me you want me to get married and turn around and get your nose in a twist because maybe I did find someone you don't approve of. You haven't even met her

With a wave of her hand, her entourage all left my office.

“Nice,” I scoffed. “You have no problem berating me in front of an audience, but the second I argue back and call you out, yo send them away. How about you don't start private conversations in front of them at all”

“Christopher, you seem excitable and distracted.’

“And you are distant and demanding."

“Your father—"

“My father had his issues. I can see why. So don't compare me to him."

“It's clear to me that you need to make a decision.” She looked down her nose at me. A feat since I was standing over her. “Women or the business.’

“You don't want that. We've had record growth and revenue in the past four years. That was my doing”

“Yes, and in the past week our shares have slipped.”

“Iam not responsible for market fluctuations.”

“Take ownership or take leave, Christopher. I see that it was wrong to push you toward more responsibility than you could handle. Introducing the concept of marriage has clearly clouded your focus. That was my mistake."

I laughed. “So, it's work or women?”

She was as still as a statue.

Iturned and grabbed my bag from behind my desk and pulled my coat out of the closet. “Well, I guess you have made my decision for me. You will never trust me. All you will ever do is bully and threaten me. 'm done playing your games.”

I groaned. Her games had become my games. I had pushed Alicia away expecting her to read my mind. That was a stupid game that no one could win. I was done with games.

“You win, Mother"

I stepped out of my office. I stopped in front of what was now Debra's desk. “Not that my word will count for much, but I will let Joan know you have been a very valuable asset in your short time here."

Debra blinked at me in shock. “Thank you, sir”Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Would you please take my mother a hot cup of tea? She prefers Earl Grey. You can just use any old cup in the break room. ¥'m sure she has a favorite but I don't know which one it would be.”

No more games. I shrugged into my coat as I stepped from the building and crossed the lot to my car. I tossed my bag into the passenger seat and slid into the driver's seat. Hopefully, Alicia was home. I wanted answers but she deserved an explanation. If I got an answer that I didn't like I would say thank you and move along.

Ionly hoped that the answer I was looking for did not involve a current husband.

The closer I got to her apartment the more I thought about how this would look to Alicia. She had to know I was on the edge of desperation. I needed her. I fucked up and drove her away. It was now on me— not her, I don't know how I ever thought any of this was her doing— to fix this if I could.

She had not wanted me to know for a reason, and I was pretty sure now that I actually thought about it that it had nothing t do with hiding a family from me. I was so blindsided that I jumped to the wrong conclusions and punished her for absolutel no reason.

I could only hope that she would forgive me. I probably didn't deserve it. I expected mid-day traffic to be better than it was. could have walked faster.

I pulled into her apartment complex and parked. I sat in my car and looked up at the windows that were her apartment. I sa there watching like some kind of stalker creep. Was she even home?

“What the fuck are you doing?” Talking to myself was always a good sign. I got out of the car and headed up the stairs and tc the door that was hidden in the shadows.

I could hear the TV on the other side. She was home. I took a deep breath and knocked.

“Hold on!” she yelled from somewhere inside.

The door opened with a sudden whoosh. I took a breath to start talking and let it out with a confused “huh?”

“Who are you?" The woman in front of me was not Alicia. Alicia was curvy and curly and lush and shorter than average. This woman was statuesque in her height and composure. She had a narrow face and thin limbs.

Itried to look past her to see if Alicia was inside.

“I'm the one who lives here, and you knocked on the door."

“I was looking for Alicia. Is she home? I have the right apartment, right?”

Who was this woman? Was this the roommate? Shit was the kid hers? How much had I assumed from a visit that took less than five minutes when I hadn't asked for clarification?

Ishook my head to clear my head. “Is Alicia home? I wanted to speak with her?”

“Who is it?" someone, Alicia I assumed, yelled from somewhere in the back.

“I'm Christopher,” I said, answering the tall woman's questioning expression.

As I spoke, I saw Alicia appear behind her.

“What the hell are you doing here?”