Christiana’s POV
Alex was sitting beside me, comfortably drinking my beer like he belonged here. His presence filled the room, and the air felt thicker, somehow more charged. He leaned back in his chair, talking casually to my employees, who were all too eager to engage with him. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye as he removed his jacket, put it over the back of his chair, and began folding the sleeves of his shirt with ease. There was something annoyingly natural about the way he blended in, like he hadn’t been absent from my life for years.
The waitress came over with our food, and before I could even think about it, Alex grabbed the plate, mixing it exactly the way I liked it–just as he used to, years ago. I hadn’t even thought he remembered. How could he still know something so small, so intimate, from a time that felt like another lifetime?
“Here, you’ll like it better this way,” he said casually, sliding the plate in front of me, his eyes steady on mine.
I wanted to push it away, to refuse the meal and tell him I didn’t need his help. But then I felt the weight of every single employee’s gaze. They were watching, curious, perhaps even entertained by the interaction between us. If I rejected the food now, it would look like I was the bitter ex–wife, still holding onto old grudges. And so far, Alex had been nothing but polite. Intimidating, yes, but not cruel. If I made a scene, it would only reflect badly on me.
So, I picked up my fork and took a bite. His smile was instant, spreading across his face like he had just won some invisible victory. And worse, my employees clearly found it cute. I could see the amusement in their eyes, the barely hidden grins exchanged across the table.
“Well?” Alex asked, his voice low and confident, like he already knew my answer.
“It’s fine.” I muttered, stabbing at my food with more force than necessary.
“Glad you like it.” He leaned back in his chair, a smug satisfaction practically radiating off him.
I could feel my cheeks heating up, the flush creeping in against my will. I wasn’t one to blush. I was the strict boss, the one who always kept things professional, yet here I was, letting Alex disarm me in front of my staff. I kept my head down, focusing on the meal, but I couldn’t shake the discomfort crawling up my spine.
Alex turned his attention back to the employees, engaging in casual conversation like he was their friend, not some imposing billionaire. I could see them relaxing around him, which only made me more uncomfortable. How could they be so at ease when I was sitting here on edge?
“Been a while since I’ve had a night like this, Alex said, folding his arms over his chest. “It’s nice. Simple. Real.
One of the employees nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, it’s not every day we get to hang out like this with, well, someone like
you
Alex laughed. “Someone like me?” He raised an eyebrow, I’m just a guy who knows how to enjoy a beer.
They all laughed along, and I couldn’t help but notice the way his presence seemed to charm them–But I wasn’t charmed. I was trapped, forced to smile politely as he sat there, acting like nothing had ever gone wrong between us.
The waitress returned with more drinks, and Alex slid my beer closer to me. “You didn’t finish this,” he said with that same smile.
I wanted to tell him off, to push the glass away and maintain some kind of distance. But then I saw my employees‘ eyes. again, waiting, watching. I couldn’t cause a scene. Not here, not now.
So, I picked up the glass, took a sip, and watched as Alex’s smile grew even wider. His satisfaction was maddening. “You’re awfully quiet,” he murmured, leaning closer so only I could hear. “Something on your mind. Christiana?”
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18:07 Fri, Oct 18
Chapter 64
I set the glass down with more force than necessary, keeping my voice low and measured. “What are you doing, Alex?”
“I told you,” he said, his voice smooth. “I’m just here to celebrate You did a great job today.”
“And that’s all?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
He leaned in even closer, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered, “And I think you look beautiful tonight.”
I froze, my fork suspended mid–air. My heart thudded in my chest at his compliment.
Why did it feel so good to hear that from him even when I didn’t want it to?
I turned my head slightly to look at him, searching his face for any sign of deception, but all I saw was a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
Before I could say anything, he sat back in his chair, taking another sip of my beer like it was the most natural thing in the
world.
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his compliment sink in. But I wasn’t about to let him think he could just waltz back into my life like this.
“Thank you” I said quietly, trying to keep my voice steady. “But if you think complimenting me will make me warm up to you, you’re wrong
His chuckle was low, and he took another slow gulp from my glass before setting it down with a satisfied sigh. “I wasn’t expecting it to. Just telling the truth, that’s all
I clenched my jaw, determined not to let him see how much he was affecting me. He might’ve saved the night, but that didn’t mean he had a place in my life again.
“Well, you’ve done that. Now, go. I glanced at the employees, still watching us with thinly veiled curiosity. “We don’t need to make this any more complicated than it already is.
He leaned back with a soft laugh. “If that’s what you want, Christiana”
But something told me he wasn’t planning on leaving anytime soon.
Few minutes later.
The tension had been building all night, and as I sat there, the weight of Alex’s presence beside me was suffocating. Every sip of beer I took only seemed to heighten my frustration. I tried to keep my cool, to maintain that composed image of the boss who had everything together. But deep down, I was unraveling
“More drinks!” I called out to the waitress, louder than I intended. The employees exchanged glances, their unease growing as they realized I wasn’t just sipping for fun anymore. I was trying to drown something. Maybe the past. Maybe my anger. Maybe the way Alex’s smirk kept digging under my skin.
The shots arrived, and I didn’t hesitate. I downed one, then another, each burning a path down my throat but doing little to numb the emotions swirling inside me. Alex watched quietly, his eyes narrowing as I pushed through another round.
“You should slow down,” he said, his voice calm, like he thought he could still control me.
“Don’t- I pointed a shaky finger at him, my words already slurring. “Don’t tell me what to do, Alex”
He leaned back, raising his hands in mock surrender, but I could see the concern in his eyes. “I’m just saying
“Yeah? You think you know everything, don’t you?” I laughed bitterly, the alcohol making me bolder, sharper. “You always think you know better, but you don’t know me. Not anymore.”
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18:07 Fri, Oct 18
Chapter 61
I grabbed another shot, downing it quickly before standing up abruptly, wobbling on my feet as I raised my arms. “Who’s ready to celebrate?!”
The employees were silent, unsure of how to respond, but I didn’t care. The alcohol was coursing through my veins, making me feel invincible. 1 stumbled toward the middle of the room, grabbing a half–empty bottle of wine from a nearby table and raising it high
“To freedom!” I shouted, spinning around. “To being your own damn person!”
“Christiana, sit down, Alex’s voice cut through,
