Alexander's POV

This trip has certainly evoked some emotions in me that I didn't think I had. I still don't know what to call it.

She brings about this strange feeling in me, around her I feel so weak and powerless as if she has me in her control, yet she also makes me feel strong.

But while I was away, plenty of things happened.

I was the protagonist of the latest scandal. The rumors to Cindy and I 'split' spread like wildfire, not to mention the media as pictures of Zoe and me together so you can imagine the narrative they were going with.

It was like history repeating itself all over again, I'm sure the media will come after Zoe. Cindy can handle herself, she knew the price you had to pay to be a part of this life.

To top it off, I find out from my informants that the board of directors have been plotting against me and the face of this rebellion is non-other than Oscar Miller. The man I was about to meet.

He is a true snake, riding on his wife's money. Today was the day I dealt with him.

Besides all the crazy things happening around me, I found myself at peace, with this calmness I couldn't explain. I'll call it the Zoe effect. Right there, I didn't even need to be a scientist to discover something new.

On the dote at 11 a.m., Oscar walked into my office. Everyone knew I hated it when my time was wasted.

He strutted, keeping his head high as he readjusted his tie.

I called out for my assistant.

"Can you please get us two cups of coffee please?" I asked.

"Right away sir, she nodded with a smile.

"You not trying to smooth me over are you?" He asked with a smirk.

"Not at all," I answered. I crossed my leg over the other.

I studied him as he sat in front of me arrogantly.

I liked to keep everyone in check, once in a while they needed to be reminded of their place. I needed to show everyone that I was in control, otherwise, people would start taking some chances.

"You've been causing quite the racket amongst the employees," I began.

"You mean by telling the truth. Everybody knows that you have been very unstable. There have been a lot of scandals regarding you and your attention to the company has been constantly divided, this causes us to question your commitment to the company," He answered proudly.

If there was anyone committed to this company it was me, I worked twenty-four-seven to make this company the success that it is today.

"So because of that, you thought you could take my company from behind my back?"

"Am not stupid, I know I don't have the power to right now but one way or another I'll make sure that I do. It would be the end of your family's legacy. Maybe if I feel like it, I'll even change the name of the company." He let out a laugh. "It's not personal, we only have the company's best interest at heart. " He added.

I could believe the nerves of this man. This is what happens when you tell your children that they can be anything they want to be when they grow up. They become delusional and get too creative.

'Calm down Alex,' I said to myself. I was trying to be a new person, be a little kinder. 'Just think of Zoe,' I reminded myself.

"It's not your fault, no one should have allowed a kid like you to be the CEO. You are ruining your reputation along with that of the company. I think everyone would agree that it's time you get rid of your little distraction." He added.

That's when he really pissed me off, all the calm and collectiveness I had been trying to maintain went right out the window.

He made it personal.

"And I think that everyone would agree that it's time for you to get out of my company," I said in a more serious tone.

His wife's family, the Rosado's were one of my grandfather's initial investors and good friends when he first started the company. Since then, they have been making millions through the hard work and sweat of my family. All he ever had to do was marry into the family and now he thinks he is untouchable. But this ends today.

"What are you suggesting, that I withdraw my shares." He laughed.

"Yes," I answered keeping a cold gaze on him.

He let out another laugh, he eventually stopped when he realized just how serious I was.

I took a thick folder that had been laying on top of my desk.

'When all else fails, try blackmail,' My father would always say. He never said that but I feel like that is something he should have said.

I laid out the evidence in the folder as I watched his expression change.

"I have a few secrets that I think everyone should know about. How you have been stealing from your wife's family, all those offshore accounts you have. Proof of all illegal business; embezzlement and money laundering. How would your in-laws feel considering their grandson is the Major, a man who swear to protect the city and reduce the crime." I spoke.

It brought me great satisfaction just seeing how he cowered at my words.

"And the cherry on the top, how about I tell your wife about how you got your housemaid pregnant. You've been sending money to her since. You know what the Rosado's will do to you." I threatened.

The Rosado's were old money, everyone knew you didn't mess with any of them. Surprisingly, they had a worse reputation for destroying lives than I had.

"My wife and her family would never agree to that," He stuttered.

"Then convince them," I said firmly.

Just then, Rosie walked in with the two cups of coffee. I had told her beforehand just which ones to order.

We waited to speak until Rosie was gone.

"You should drink a little coffee, you don't look so great," I said.

I could see his hand trembling as he brought the cup to his lips.

I pretended to drink mine as I studied him.

"It is great coffee, isn't it? They make the best coffee and it's just across the street." I spoke after he had taken a sip.

But it wasn't. In fact, it was the worst and most disgusting coffee I had ever tasted. I could tell that he knew it too by the look of discomfort that he quickly tried to mask.

"Yes sir, it's good." He added a nod, trying to convince me.

He used 'sir', that is how I wanted everyone to be, obedient, that meant I had done my job right.

"Thanks to my 'little distraction' I'm feeling generous today, I'll pay you double what it's worth," I said emphasizing each word.

"Sir, I'm sure there is another agreement we can come to. There has to be another way." He begged.

"No, I want you out of my company before the end of the week," I demanded. "Close the door on your way out."

He stood up from his seat reluctantly, I watched as he walked out of my office.

Why did people have to make things difficult, I tried to be nice to him.

"Rosie," I called again.

She was in my office within seconds.

"Please throw out this coffee, do it outside of this building," I said.

She nodded and then took the cups out of my office.

I massaged the back of my neck trying to relieve it from all the tension I had been holding in. I tried to be nice but I'll always be me, it was my nature.

Just then, Justin walked into my office.

Rosie must have been running an errand otherwise, she would have stopped him.

"What did you do to Oscars, I've never seen anyone that crushed." He said pointing to the door.

"He got what he deserved," I answered. I then explained the whole situation to him.

Justin chuckled, "I'm surprised you let him go that easily,"

"No, I'll have it leaked to the press as soon as he withdraws his shares. If his wife doesn't bankrupt him, I'll make sure that I do." I answered.

The key to dealing with your enemies effectively is making sure they never rise again.

"I'm going to do what I should have done a long time ago, I'm going to buy every one of them out of this company," I said frustrated.

"They were never a real threat to you, you are the majority shareholder," he reassured.

"I like to keep my enemies right where they belong. I want to make sure that they don't even dream about messing with me." I said bluntly.

"Wow, he should have never messed with a Forbes."

Rosie returned to my office, reading to me my schedule for the day. With the way things were, it was going to be hard trying to get back home as soon as possible.

I waited until she was finished speaking.

"Rosie, when was the last time you took a day off?" I asked.

"You said you don't give anyone a day off sir, that 'this isn't a flea market for everyone to do as they please.'" she quoted.

I knew I hired the right assistant, I was right in firing the old one.

"You should take some time off," I said.

I studied her reaction, she went from shock to complete terror.

"Are you firing me? Because if this is about your coffee being too strong two weeks ago I can make it a lot better, I'll do it perfectly this time." She blubbered.

"No," I answered. "I'm just feeling a little generous. You should take a week off. You can go anywhere you want to with whomever and I'll pay for the whole trip. You are free to use the private jet." I continued.

She signed. I could tell she wanted to jump around on the spot, but she managed to contain herself. "Thank you, sir," she answered.

She gave me a slight bow before turning to leave.

"You should make that two weeks," I yelled behind her.

"Wow, why not just give her a whole month and buy her a house," Justin said.

I had forgotten he was still here. He worked mostly at night, that's when his clubs were the busiest.

"I could, but I don't want the news spreading that I have gone soft," I answered.

He reached out to touch my forehead.

"What did she do to you?" He asked.

Right now he was only serving as a distraction.

"Why don't you find someone and leave me alone," I said.

"Tell me, how did you get her to fall in love with you. Are you sure you not blackmailing her?" He asked putting his hand on his chin.

He was starting to like gossip a lot more than teenage girls.

"You and I both know I don't have to do that," I said. "I'm planning on making things official, I think we could really work," I added proudly.

"I wonder what she sees in you." His expression changed, he looked as if he had just found out the boring ending to a TV show. "If I were you I would show up with a backup plan, maybe blackmail or some sort of leverage to manipulate her into being with you," he added.

"Good thing I'd never take any of your dating advice," I said.

I tried to regain my concentration but Rosie walked into the room.

Why was Justin even here?

"Sir, I just want to let you know that your uncle Philip invited you to his baby shower," Rosie said.

"I don't have an uncle Phillip," I said keeping my eyes glued to the computer.

"Sure you do, and his girlfriend is expecting." She added.

Was she coming to argue with me about my own family membered?

She approached my desk and showed me a picture on her iPad.

"Isn't he the dead on?" Justin said over my shoulder.

Yes, he is the one Sebastian told me was dead. The whole reason why I wanted a baby in the first place and now he turns out to be alive and expecting a child. I wasn't the last Forbes after all.

"You can go now," I said dismissing Rosie.

"Sebastian lied to me," I said.

"Deep down I knew he could not be trusted, the question is what else could he be hiding," he said.

Why would he lie to me, was this all a trick to get me to settle down? Of all the people, I thought I could trust him.

I was going to find out about all his lies, with just one call.

Justin leaned into his chair, processing the situation. "It's sad though that you thought your uncle was dead, your last living relative and didn't even bother to show up to his funeral." He said.

"I honestly thought that the world had been rid of one less asshole," I answered nonchalantly. "Besides, I was busy."

The only time I ever saw him was his name on birthday cards to expensive gifts. We never had any relationship.

"Cold as always." He muttered.

Just then, I received a text message. I sighed looking at whom it was.

Why did I ever give that girl my number?

I met her at a dinner party, she seemed very interested in my work and said that her father wanted to invest which is why I foolishly gave her my number. Business talks quickly transcendent into an obsession, to even asking me what shampoo I used. I've never met anyone more obnoxious. I've told her in four different languages to leave me alone, but she won't.

"She is threatening to show up at my house too," I said analyzing her text message.

"You know, I'm going to miss our good old days. Do you remember that one time we pretended to be married?" Justin said.

I smiled thinking back at the old memory.

It was just after high school, a few girls wouldn't leave Justin and me so we made a plan to pretend to be married. It didn't work though, it only made them more curious and persistent in converting us.

"I don't have time to deal with a drama right now, could you just help me out. I need this to stop permanently." I spoke.

"You should pray you never have a daughter, that will be your karma for all the hearts you've broken." He answered.

I handed him my phone. "Just deal with it," I said handing him my phone.

Paying attention to his words, I had never really thought about it. What was going to happen if I have a daughter? It would become my full-time job to protect her from guys like me.

I can finally see the consequences of my actions. I've been such an asshole.

Justin types away on my phone.

"You have a meeting sir, in ten minutes," Rosie notified me.

"Thank you," I answered.

Justin read out the text. "I thought I'd tell you this in person, but..."

I stopped him from reading. "Why would you even add that?" I asked.

"To make it sound less like you. A bit more empathetic." He tried to explain.

"I don't need you to be nice to her, I need her off my back. There are just some things that I need to keep in the past, I can't have a different life with every past mistake still hovering over me." I said.

"You sound like JoJo right now, are you sure you haven't aged?" He asked.

"Would you like to date her instead?" I asked.

"Okay, boss. Are you going to leave me to do my job now!" He exclaimed.

I returned my attention to the documents in front of me.

"Okay, hear this," Justin muttered. "I thought I'd..."

"I don't need for you to read the whole thing, just send it." I stopped him again.

"So much for my hard work," he whined.

I saw him roll his eyes as I returned my attention to my work.

"Oops," Justin muttered.

"What did you do?" I asked looking up.

"Nothing," He answered looking away from my phone.

He looked very suspicious, like he had been caught in the action.

Just then, Rosie walked in. "The investors from Thailand have arrived sir,"

I stood up from my chair.

I needed to get through this meeting as quickly as possible, so I could return home.

Just then, my phone rang. Justin dropped it onto my desk as if he had touched a hot plate.

I smiled seeing Zoe's name on the caller ID.

"Hi, could we talk later on? I have a meeting?" I said into the phone.

Without thinking, I hang up the phone. Maybe it was the pressure of everything happening at once.

I searched for a folder on my desk.

"Do you think I was too dismissive?" I asked stopping in my tracks.

"Not at all," Justin answered. "You should probably arrive home with some flowers, maybe chocolates too. To be safe, you should call an ambulance in advance." He added.

He was back to being his usual weird self.

"RIP brother," he yelled after me.

I ignored him and proceeded to my meeting.

~*~

Thirty minutes and twenty-one seconds. That is exactly how long my meeting started. I know this because I was counting every second.

It took another frustrating twenty-five minutes to drive to my apartment.

Maybe I should have brought some flowers as Justin suggested. Scratch that, buy the whole garden and take her somewhere nice.

But Zoe didn't care about any of those things.

Never mind, I was already here. I was probably just nervous.

"There is someone outside sir, he insisted on seeing you?" Mara notified me.

This person chose a bad time to piss me off.

"Tell him to get out, I have no intentions of meeting him," I answered.

"I think you might want to see him, he has been waiting for a few hours." She continued.

I sighed.

I had already waited the whole day just to be here, a few minutes wouldn't hurt.

"Fine, let him in," I said.

I waited with my arms crossed.

A man walked into the apartment. He looked around as if trying to familiarize himself with the place.

I had never met him before. Yet there was something strangely familiar about him.

Wait, I know him from somewhere. What was he doing here?

"You are?" I questioned.

"I'm Rafael, it's nice to finally meet my brother." He reached out his hand.

What was he talking about?

_______________________________

Thank you so much for reading. If you enjoyed the chapter please vote and help me by sharing the story with your friends.

What do you think is going to happen next.