JENNIFER

The sound of his phone ringing echoed in the penthouse bedroom, he groaned and blocked his ears as if waiting for the sound to miraculously disappear but it kept on going for a few more minutes. Knowing his sleep has come to an end just like the person persistently calling him, he stood up and went to the phone where he'd threw it on the sofa earlier when he came back from the club with his best friend, Peter.

Through sleepy eyes he viewed the person calling his phone and his eyes suddenly widened at the name of his father sprawled across his screen. The thought of sleeping the day off and not going to work vanished instantly from his head because there is no way his father isn't going to the empire now to see what is going on in his place. The place he's left under his care to see whether he is fit to be the leader there or not.

"Fucking shit! Of all days, father." He muttered inaudibly then answered the call, blinking hard to erase all sleepiness and alcohol in his system.

"Good morning, dad." Came his quiet greeting, making sure not to make his voice husky so his father won't know that he was still asleep before the phone call probably made by his personal assistant that is always behind his tail.

"Good morning, Alex. Why aren't you at the empire?" The man questioned in a casual tone, it sounded too casual that Alexander's stomach hardened at the thought of his father being disappointed with him yet again.

"I was just getting ready when you called, that is why I didn't answer the call immediately but I'll be there in no time." He started making his way to the en-suite to take bath while on phone with his father knowing the man expect to see him in ten to fifteen minutes.

A small chortle came from the other side and the sound isn't filled with humor but the exact opposite. "I'm not at the empire, son. I wouldn't have know if you were there or not but you just dug your own grave. You were supposed to be at the empire an hour ago but look, you're just getting ready."

It was quiet from both sides with Alex knowing it'd be better if he keeps his mouth shut and allow the man to talk. "You were wasting yet another weekday night with those ugly bimbos dangling off your arm. When will your taste change, Alex? You and I both know that those women aren't for you or anyone from respectable family…"

"You know what? Come down to the mansion and not the empire, I'm waiting for you." And then the old man hung up the phone without waiting for any response from him.

"I am fucked!" He groaned out loud inside the shower cubicle while thinking about many ways to make it up to his father this time around. Thinking about other excuses that his father will accept apart from the billion ones he's given already.

He quickly got dressed professionally in frost crisp shirt, a jade neck tie that's been tied already in his walk in closet and his favorite best jade Giorgio Armani skinny suit came atop his matching slacks followed lastly by cap toe Italian leather shoes. He went to the dressed and sprayed Dolce & Gabbana perfume all over himself then place his Rolex gently on his left wrist. His father should be impressed with the way he's dressed before he starts criticizing the women in his circle.

He left his room hastily while tucking a silky handkerchief inside his suit's breast pocket. He saw a long figure sleeping on his couch and recalled he came back home with Peter. Not bothering to tell the man where he is going or he is heading out, he made coffee and ran out of the house. He shouldn't add more to his already piling problems and end up on the brink of precipice. His father would love to have his head.

Settling in his Zenvo TS1 GT, a limited edition production sports car, he maneuvered out of the lot and straight to his father's mansion where he lives with his mother and younger brother who refused to move out even after coming of age. It's something Alex never understood about his brother topping it up with the fact that they were never too close. They are brothers yes and have this bond but it's not tight with their age difference too.

Arriving at the huge white mansion, he walked through the doors while answering a few hearty greeting with the butlers and head maid as they've been working for the Santos ever since before he was born. He loves them like his own family too.

"It's been awhile." Mrs. Juliet smiled at him after pulling away from the hug he's pulled her into even as she reserved her space away from him.

"I know. Things aren't going too well. We'll catch up later! Dad wants to see me now." He rushed up the spiral staircase taking two at a time to reach the study room in time but he is already late.

He slowly walked into the study where he found his father sitting behind the large chair that is now starting to swallow him in. He was such an energetic man before old age came to ruin each bit of it from him while leaving him frail. He had such vitality in his that Alex can clearly recall from his own childhood. His father was a strong man who could carry both his mother and him at the same time. Now he looks like he won't be able to lift a small baby.

That was totally exaggerated! He is as old as any other fifty eight year old man or maybe even younger because of how much he watches his diet and exercises whenever there is free time.

That is Andrew Santos, his father. The man who's brought a dying company up to an empire. The same man who's had to join both business and personal life in order to make both ends meet. But he's made it at long last. He has the greatest empire now known all over the world with it's amazing products. Alexander has always been proud to be his father's son for no other child won't be.

"Alex. You came just at the right time. I was just reviewing my will and now I see I have to change so many things that won't be to your favor."