The car rolled to a stop in front of the magnificent tower. The corners of my mouth curled into a smile as I pushed the door open and got down of the car. Walking in long strides, I arrived at the reception and met a young lady who, I assumed, was the receptionist behind a desk. With a warm smile playing around her lips, “You're welcome, Mr. Alexander. The CEO is waiting for you in his office” She spoke proficiently, rising to her feet. “Come with me, I'll lead you” She put in then walked out of her seat and began to walk forward, and I followed closely behind her. Soon, we were both inside the elevator. “Permit me to say this, sir. You're looking more handsome in reality than on the TV and magazines” She praised in a seductive voice. I looked at her briefly from the metal surface before looking away, “Thanks” I said nonchalantly. "Are you married?” She asked after an abrupt silence. The moment I opened my mouth to reply to her, the elevator chimes then unlocked. I sucked in a sharp breath and stepped out first. “Are you married, sir?” She questioned again, walking beside me and peeking at my face. “Yes. I'm a married man” I answered proudly, looking forward to the quiet passageway. She didn't say anything again until we arrive at a door. “I'll go inform him first” She knocked briefly and went In first. She came out almost immediately, then ushered me in.
I paced into the spacious and unique office with a rectangular desk in the middle. “Welcome, Mr. Alexander” The deep voice wafted over to where I was standing, and my gaze fell upon the young man, sitting on a couch at the designated meeting spot around the corner of the office. He got off the couch with a friendly smile on his lips, I also smiled in a dignified way, walking forward to where he was standing. “It's nice meeting one of the top five successors and winning CEO in the whole of Texas” He praised as we both shook hands warmly. My smile only grew wider, “The pleasure is all mine Mr. Torres and of course, I appreciate your generosity” I uttered with a deep sense of gratitude, still shaking hands with him. “Come on, Mr. Alexander, you're worth it,” He said seriously, hinting at me to sit down. Smiling so big, “But we haven't partnered before, Mr. Torres,” I told him, interlocking my fingers and avoiding his gaze. “That's true. However, I made a short inquiry about your business before giving my consent yesterday” He explained, and my mouth immediately opened in an 'O' shape. It makes sense now. “So, what would you like to take? Tea, coffee, wine?” He asked in a normal gentleman's voice. 'To take back my wife' I retorted him inwardly. Smiling awkwardly, “I doubt that will be necessary, Mr. Torres. You're a busy person, and I'm sure by now I've exhausted much of your time” I told him profoundly, looking straight into his eyes. He readjusted on his seat, his smile remained undiminished on his lips and his sharp eyes penetrated me, “Do you want me to be honest with you, Mr. Alexander?” He began, intertwining his long legs. “I don't know why and to be sincere, there's this strange attraction I have toward you already” He acknowledged. My lips curled up in an uneven smile, thanking my stars for I've gotten their ample backing in this. “And I wish we could get along well” He concluded, having a broad smile on his face. “Of course, Mr. Torres, the pleasure is all mine,” I said to him eagerly, my tone full of longing. “So then, will you be able to attend a party at my house next week?” He asked amiably, but then the smile that was radiating on his face faded away at once. “My wife isn't aware of the party yet, and I feel so bad for telling you before her” My hands gathered to a fist of their accord, while my eyes rested on his face. Did he just address Kiara as his wife? “Are you okay?” His voice wiped me out of my little fit of rage. Putting on a self-mockery smile, I shook my head decisively, “Sure, sir. I was just wondering why you haven't informed your wife yet about the party” I spoke my mind eloquently, and I was suddenly fraught with worry when his face turned bitter as if something has gone wrong somewhere. “It's bound to happen, sir. You just have to take things easy with your… wife. Women can be so dramatic at times” I continued, spelling every word tentatively. He slightly lifted his head, looking at me with a wry smile exuded on his thin pink lips.
“I love her so much, so much that I would do absolutely anything for her” He began, getting on his feet and tucking his hands into his trouser pocket. “She's the only woman I've ever felt like this toward and I don't think I'll be able to love another woman as much as I love her, Mr. Alexander” He expressed, walking step by step toward the French windows. I narrowed my eyes shrewdly to his back, all the veins and muscles in my body had tightened into a line, and I couldn't help but think that this man was now treading on ground that was likely to give way beneath his feet. Swiftly, I jumped to my feet in an attempt to walk up to him and confessed the reason I was here, that this woman he was talking about is my woman, but his next words halted my actions immediately, “But I don't think she loves me to be her husband” He input, his back was to me as he continued talking. Curling my lips, a quicker of excitement shot through me upon hearing his last words. Turning around to face me, I quickly formulated the delighted smile on my face then put forward my pace, “Why do you think so, Mr. Torres?” I asked calmly, ensuring a sight of empathy was reaching my face. Vigorously, he shook his head and then walked back to his seat, “It's fine, Mr. Alexander.” He said with a light smile. Nodding my head, I thought of how to broach the question. 'How can I ask him to tell me Kiara's working place?' “Mr. Torres, is your wife's boutique nearby? There are some new tuxedo designs I would love to check out” I blurted my mind. Without a moment's hesitation, he replied happily as he walked toward his desk, “Sure, sure, but let me give you her business card” It took all the strength in me to resist myself from jumping up with excitement. 'This is really going as planned' “Here” He stretched out two cards to me, “You should have my card too, isn't it?” I nodded happily, smiling so big. “Sure, sir. I should get going now, I have other things to take care of” I notified, he patted my shoulder then shook hands with me again. “Give me a call” I nodded directly then turned away, but as soon as I got to the door and jiggled the doorknob, “Please patronize my wife” I tilted my head back slowly, the smile on his face now was not as pleasing as it was earlier. Nonetheless, I nodded twice before opening the door and stepping out.
Half an hour later, the car halted in front of the law firm building. I put on my shade then got off the car. Taking two deep breaths, I retrieved my cellphone from my chest pocket and then dialed Amelia's number. I had barely pressed the phone to my ear when I heard her voice called my name from a distance, “Mr. Alexander” Tilting my head toward the source of her voice, I saw her standing beside a car which I didn't recognize to be hers. Briskly, she walked over to where I was standing before I could even put a pace forward. “Is there a problem, sir?” She quizzed as soon as she got close. Seemingly, she was stunned to see me in her workplace without prior notice. Again, I've never been here before, so it's expected for her to be shocked to see me all of a sudden. “Don't misunderstand my question, sir. What I meant is that…” “It's okay dear. There's no problem at all, but can I seize you for a while?” I pleaded calmly, cutting off her words. She stared at me for five seconds then slowly look back, I followed her line of sight and my gaze fell upon a young man standing by the same car Amelia left just now. I looked back at her face, putting my brows up and smirking. She could only giggle before lowering her head, “Then I'll be seizing the both of you” I announced, and with that, I strode to where he was standing. “Hello” Lowering his head to avoid my gaze, “Hi, sir” His voice was so timid, and I couldn't help but chuckle softly, “Come on, man. You're not a schoolboy, are you?” I poked fun at him, “Anyway, I would like us to spend some time together. Do you mind?” He slowly lifted his head after I completed my sentence, folding his lips and looking at Amelia's, probably for approval of my request. Directly, he looked back at my face then nodded his head twice, “Okay, sir”
As soon as we seated ourselves in the restaurant, which only takes about twenty minutes drive. A waiter came to our table and asked what we would like to have, but I told him we will make our order when we are ready. “Tell me something already, sir. I'm feeling nervous somehow” Amelia pronounced her words, looking quite uneasy. I looked from her face to the man's face, he was looking calm and wouldn't like to poke his nose in our discussion. “I already know Kiara's working place, Amelia” I notified. Instantly, a delighted smile covered up lips, then spread to her face. “This is a good news, sir” She beamed with happiness as she tucked the loose strands of her hair behind one of her ears. “Yes, it is. But I need your help. I don't know, I feel that Kiara will never hear me out” My voice was low this time as I slightly turned my head around. “Please Amelia, Kiara is the only woman I love, and I don't think there's a space for any other woman in my heart” My voice soaked with despair as I continued to proclaim, opening my heart in front of them. Gradually, I felt her warm and fragile hand against mine on the table. I lifted my head to look at her, then she smiled, settling her hand inside mine. “You've absolutely nothing to worry about, sir. I'll make sure Kiara hear me out, and I promise you that no matter what it takes, I'll support you until the end in obtaining what belongs to you” She said persuasively and her tone indicated that she will do exactly what she had just promise. Holding her hand firmly but tenderly, “Thank you very much, Amelia, your words mean a lot” Her smile grew wider as she continued to pat the back of my hand. Suddenly, we heard him let out a discreet cough. My gaze fell upon him in a swift, but the calmness on his face was now long gone, “Is there a problem, young man?” I asked him in a good nature mood, looking at his face closely to fathom his expression. “Nothing” He replied simply, however; his gaze was fixed on our hands. Seemingly, Amelia understood what he'd meant in an instant because she withdrew her hand immediately. “So tell me, young man, who are you? And what's your relationship with my wife?” I made my voice so deep in my throat, donning an aloof expression. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see how frightened Amelia has become already. I smiled inwardly, staring coldly at the man in front of me. He opened his mouth and closed it, without pronouncing a word, “Sir, he's the same man I told you about” Amelia muttered to my hearing since we were sitting next to each other. “Oh, then why is he annoyed that I'm holding my wife's hand?” He looked straight into my eyes for a moment then lowered his head at once, “I'm sorry, sir” He apologized, and I couldn't help my laughter this time. Stunned, they both stared at me, “It's a pleasure to meet you even though we've met before” He nodded his head, “Yes sir, we've met before in an airport several months ago. It never crossed my mind that you could still remember my face, sir” He said gently and cautiously. I stood up, and so they did, “It's really nice to meet you” I stretched forth my hand for a handshake, and he gladly shook my hand. “The pleasure is all mine” He smiled gently, “I'm sure she has told you everything and I want to believe you know how much she means to me” I paused, putting on a bright smile, “Don't even think of hurting her, you will regret it” I concluded, and he only nodded his head vigorously, beaming with happiness.