Chapter 5

Alexa’s P.O.V

After what felt like forever, I finally took a seat on my plush office chair and exhaled out loud. The meeting went on for almost three hours and all because Mr. Hixon kept on arguing with everyone about everything. One minute he wanted to invest in the Upper East Side, then Jackson Heights, then 5th Avenue then Upper East Side again! I had no choice but to sit there with my jaw wired shut instead of telling him how unreasonable he was being.

But I knew better than to poke a bear. He was definitely pissed about something and I sensed it the moment I walked into his office just before the meeting. His eyes were glued to his computer screen in disbelief and his jaw was ticking ominously like a time bomb. So instead of calling him out for his ill temper, I tried to contain my frustration with him.

When the meeting had ended, everybody was damn well exhausted, including myself but no, Mr I-Can-Do-Whatever-I-Please had been turbo charged and told me to follow him so he could acquaint me with his building. If I thought this place was huge from the outside, then the interior was definitely something else. So many floors, so many departments and so many employees! And apparently, he had many buildings just like this one all over California and his empire was getting bigger each day.

The clock on the laptop read 1.13 PM and just then my stomach grumbled. Curses, this was all Araminta’s fault for not letting me eat a proper breakfast. Picking up the landline, I dialled Mr Hixon’s landline to notify him that I’d be stepping out for lunch but even after three rings, he wasn’t picking up. Frowning, I grabbed my purse and made my way to the door of my sweet new office, enroute to my new boss’s office. Knocking his door, he said his usual cold ‘come in’.

“Sir, I’d like to step out for-,“ I stopped midsentence when I came face to face with probably the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid my eyes on. The resemblance between her and Mr Hixon was uncanny; only she had darker caramel skin like my own whereas his was lighter. This was his famous sister, Kaitlyn Hixon.

She smiled at me as she stood and made her way over to me. “And you must be his new P.A. Hi, I’m Kaitlyn but you can call me Kait,” she said kindly and gave me her hand to shake. I took her hand and shook it.

“I’m Alexa, but you can call me Lexi,” I said before Mr Hixon snorted.

“I’d advise you to stay away from her before she pollutes your mind with fairy tales and rainbows, Miss Winston,” he interjected sarcastically, and Kaitlyn shot him a glare over her shoulder. “What were you about to say?” he then asked, his perfect brow rising in question.

It took a second for me to remember my reason for coming here in the first place. “Oh, I was just coming to tell you that I’d like to step out for lunch. If that’s okay with you…” I trailed off, suddenly feeling shy in the presence of these two surreal human beings.

He leaned back in his seat, and tapped his chin. “Of course, just be back by two. I’m sure there are a lot of things you still need to do.”

I huffed and then nodded, smiling nonetheless. “Would you both like anything?” He shook his head but his sister shot her hand in the air childishly. Wow, how old was this woman again?

“Oh! Get me whatever you’re getting darling. Let me give you some money,” she chirped and then moved to make her way back to her seat but I stopped her.

“It’s alright, it’s on me.” I said offhandedly and she squeezed my shoulder.

“Thanks darling. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“Likewise,” with that I left the office and just like last time, I caught a glimpse of Mr Hixon looking at me through his dark lashes. His eyes were penetrative, as though they could see right through my soul. I couldn’t fathom why, for the life of me, he was doing that!

I doubt I will ever know.

***

Alastair’s P.O.V

I had not sat down in my seat when my sister walked into my office. I rolled my eyes at this but continued to assess my new project plans. Gosh, I had no idea that I had a bunch of fools working in my company! They didn’t know what I wanted and were just so hell bent on contending with me, so much that I almost told them all to go to hell right there and then. But I refrained from doing so because I noticed how frustrated Miss Winston was getting and I did not wish to give her any more reasons to dislike me.

Why you ask? I had no idea.

But all I’m glad about is that that meeting and taken my mind off of those two treacherous, vile human beings. Kaitlyn took a seat in front of me, propped her elbows on my desk and gave me a pout. It was very distracting to say the least. She kept it up for some time, as I continued to ignore her. I was still very miffed at her about what happened the day before yesterday.

My phone rang but I was too caught up in ignoring my big sister to answer. A couple of minutes passed and knock came to my door. I told whoever was behind it to come in and in strolled Miss Winston, looking around in her purse for something. When she finally looked up, she saw that I wasn’t alone. At first, she was surprised but her eyes flashed in recognition and I wasn’t the least bit surprised. Of course, she knew Kait. Who doesn’t?

When she finally left after their little interaction, I let my eyes linger on her for some odd reason. Lately I’d been doing that a lot. I just found Miss Winston really intriguing. She is an enigma to me. So mysterious…I wouldn’t be surprised to hear she was the daughter of some billionaire parents. I had a hunch that was the case but for now, I’ll keep my curiosity at bay. I will figure her out sooner or later.

“I like her, she’s nice. And not to mention totally gorgeous,” Kaitlyn said as soon as Miss Winston left the room. She was teasing me. I remained silent. “Oh, come on little brother, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. I see the way you looked at her before she walked out. You’re interested in her.”

I scoffed. “You gathered all that info just from a single look?” I questioned sarcastically. Damn, she was onto me. I couldn’t let her know that she was right or I would never hear the end of it.

She propped her elbow on my desk as she regarded me with her penetrative grey orbs. “You fired your assistant a mere 2 days ago. And I heard you hired this one practically on the spot. If that isn’t interest then I’m a fool,” she reasoned, poking her finger at me.

I remained defiant, my poker face in place. “It annoys me how much you snoop around and know my every move. Sooner or later, I’ll find out who your moles are and you’ll know nothing about me or my business,” I breathed coldly, my eyes narrowed into slits.

She held her hands up in surrender. “Geez, alright I’m sorry. I didn’t come here to pick another fight. I just wanted to apologise for yesterday but I can tell from the way your shoulders are tensed, you already know they are getting married.”

I smiled, ice dripping from my facial expression. “Thanks for reminding me, sis.”

Kaitlyn pinched the bridge of her nose before reaching over and holding my hand in hers. “Alastair, I care so much about you. I’ve watched this destroy you on the inside and it wounds me. I don’t mean to be nosy and hover over you but you’re not well. You’re constantly checking up on them, and it’s killing you slowly. Please stop,” she whispered, rubbing her thumb over my hand. Her eyes held sadness and it made my iceberg of a heart shudder.

“I’ll try to stop,” I whispered right back, eyes closed. I felt her give my hand a squeeze.

When I opened up my eyes, she was smiling at me. I knew she meant well but I was just too damn stubborn. I have tried to move on several times but I just couldn’t. She was the only woman I ever loved…still loved but she chose someone else over me. My own damn best friend. That crap did something to my sanity; it completely screwed me over. I was now a mere shadow of my former self and I hated it so much. But for my sister, I will try to change. She means the world to me.

Afterwards, Kaitlyn stood up and grabbed her bag. “Mum and dad invited you to dinner. You should come,” she announced as she made her way towards the door and I nodded. It wouldn’t hurt to see them, right? “Be there by seven. Also, please play nice with Lexi. I like her,” she winked at me and then exited. I’ll try to do that too…

About half an hour later, my door opened and in strolled Miss Winston with a plastic bag. She froze upon noticing the absence of my sister. “Where’s Kait?” she asked, ignoring the fact that she just barged into my office with no notice. I’ll let it slide for now.

I cleared my throat and reclined in my seat. “She left a while ago.”

She hummed. She took a couple of steps forward until she was right in front of my desk. “Well, I guess you can have her food then,” she extended the plastic bag to me. I was indeed quite famished so I took it from her, and her finger tips brushed mine. They are warm, soft and made an odd sensation erupt within me…hold on, did I honestly just think that?

“Thanks, let me give you the money-,” I made a move to take my wallet out of my blazer pocket but she stopped me.

“No, that’s fine. You don’t have to. It’s no problem,” she said softly but then she frowned at herself. It was cute to say the least. Cute? What is going on with my brain? “I’ll get back to work now. Enjoy your food,” she added with a smile and then left.

Damn, I need to screw my head on right.