An Heir For Alpha Roman

1. As Pretty As You...

Eden's POV:

“Good morning, Mr. Hudson,” I greeted warmly, stepping into his extravagant office. The room was a study in luxury, with rich mahogany furniture and tasteful art adorning the walls. He was seated at his grand desk, deeply engrossed in a mountain of articles. I could see the furrow in his brow—the telltale sign of stress. His meticulously styled white hair was slicked back, while his tailored blue suit exuded an aura of authority and refinement.

From his office window, a breathtaking view of the vibrant city of Teloma stretched out before him. The sun reflected off the glistening water, casting a golden hue that contrasted sharply with the daunting tasks that kept him cooped up indoors all day—a pity that beauty was wasted from behind these four walls.

"Here, I brought you a coffee," I said, placing the steaming cup carefully on his desk. He hardly glanced up from his papers, prompting me to roll my eyes in playful exasperation. In a bold move, I snatched the document from his hands, determined to break through his work-induced haze.

"Eden," he said, a warm smile finally breaking through his concentration, as if he had only just noticed my presence, "How is my favorite daughter-in-law?”

I beamed back at him. “Good morning, Mr. Hudson, I'm doing well, and you?” I reiterated, a playful smile on my lips as I rolled my eyes again. I was his only daughter-in-law, though technically our union wouldn’t be official for another six months, when his son and I finally tied the knot. Just the thought of it sent delightful butterflies swirling in my stomach.

"Eden, how many times must I insist you call me Jerry?” he chided gently, his eyes twinkling with affection.

"Not at work... Jerry," I replied, meeting his gaze with a cheeky wink before returning my focus to the documents before me. As I scanned the numbers from this month's magazine issue, a sinking feeling washed over me—the figures weren't great, and I understood all too well the source of his unease.

He chuckled—a hearty, genuine laugh—as he reclaimed the paper from my hands. "You technically don't even work here," he said teasingly, kissing my forehead softly. “Though I wish you did, instead of that degenerate son of mine... where is he, anyway?”

"Daniel's working out of town to secure that billionaire Rafi Zenguina, who made a fortune off the oil industry, for next month's cover." I smiled tightly.

"And who the hell authorized this?" Jerry snapped, glaring at the floor as if the smooth marble tiles were the source of all his problems. I shrugged, unwilling to engage. I loved Jerry, but his tanking relationship with Daniel, his son, created a toxic mess, and I hated being caught in the crossfire of their drama.

Daniel is set to take over his family's prestigious media outlet company, The Hudson, from his father, Jerry Hudson, in the next few months.

Their magazine stands as one of the most distinguished media publications in the country, a beacon of excellence that draws the attention of elite clients. The impressive roster of high-profile clients has solidified the company’s status and cultivated a prestigious reputation that demands respect in the industry. Securing a feature in the Hudson is no small feat—only the crème de la crème are granted this honor.

Despite this success, Jerry remains resolute in withholding the reins of business from Daniel until he can definitively demonstrate his capability to lead without the crutch of paternal support or influence. I’ve dedicated significant time and effort to help Daniel attract potential clients, yet Jerry harbors lingering doubts about his son’s readiness to shoulder the immense responsibility of being CEO.

Jerry's father, a self-made man who established this company from humble beginnings, had built a legacy. When Jerry took over, he didn’t just inherit a business; he transformed it, elevating it to unprecedented heights and ensuring its continued success.

I sense that Jerry is grappling with fears that Daniel, nurtured in an environment of extraordinary privilege and indulgence, may lack the grit needed to steer a multimillion-dollar enterprise. However, if Daniel could secure an interview with an elusive and enigmatic CEO who could help push The Hudson further than his father, I know Jerry would have no choice but to hand over the leadership to him.

"Who?" Jerry asked with a scowl etched across his handsome face.

I smiled lightly, "Rafi Zenguina, he's the CEO of—"

"Ah, to hell with him, " Jerry reluctantly uttered, rolling his eyes as he spoke. "I don't want Rafi Zenwing—or whatever his name is— we need someone grander—like the CEO of BlackCreek for our cover. He's notoriously private and has never done an interview. If we could lock in an opportunity with him and his team, we'd be making serious waves...

I sighed, unsure of how to tell Jerry that getting the CEO of BlackCreek would be like trying to get a million toddlers to sit and smile for a picture at the same time—impossible and even stupid to try. Nobody ever got an interview with this man—hell, I didn't even know his name. This CEO, shrouded in mystery, has never graced the public eye, neither walking a red carpet nor giving an interview, preferring to maintain a veil of anonymity that only deepens the intrigue surrounding him. My efforts to unearth information about this elusive figure have proven fruitless; every attempt leads me back to his enigmatic COO, Stuart Reynolds.

I smiled softly, knowing Jerry hated the words No... and Can't ... but how else was I to break the news to him, "Mr Hudson... the CEO of BlackCreek is off the books, he doesn't do interviews, everything goes through his team, but I'm sure they would love to give us a quote we could use for the cover,"

"That's not good enough, Eden," he scolded. Our numbers are down again, and I haven't work this hard just for my company to go to s**t in my golden years..." he groaned, running a hand through his hair. Mr. Hudson was in his late 50s but could pass for being in his late 30s, especially if he ever dyed his hair. He kept himself in great shape, and it paid off.

"Daniel isn't working hard enough."

"Sir, I assure you, Daniel has been working so hard trying to secure this client, but it's just not going to happen. The CEO lives a private life." I tried to defend him, but it was disregarded. Mr Hudson did not want to hear anything I had to say if it meant protecting his son. "That's why he's been gone all week... he's getting information and securing the final ties, with Mr. Zenguina."

"Where is it you said he was? Overseas? and with whom?" he asked, tapping his foot rapidly, his fingers strumming against the desk.

"He took Ivy, sir, his assistant." I smiled tightly. I liked Ivy; she was a nice girl, but I knew she wasn't ready for the workload that comes with the Hudson; she constantly makes mistakes and hasn't helped Daniel bring in any clients.

"Ivy, that dumb bimbo," he scoffed. She couldn't tell her right from left if it was painted on her hands. What the hell did he take her for?" Jerry was fuming, his face red as he paced around his office. When's that i***t coming back?"

I smirked. "Calm down, Jerry. He only took Ivy because he knew it would take time to seal the deal, and he wanted me to have more time to plan the wedding," I said, hoping that would make him smile, and it did—barely.

"So why are you here, Eden?" he raised his brow...

I smiled. "Because I couldn't resist seeing you," I winked, "and Daniel asked me to work on a couple of documents," I added quickly...

"That piece of s**t!" He rolled his eyes, in exasperation, "everything he does is s**t, and don't think for a second that I don't see it's you who brings in all those incredible clients. That useless son of mine! Why couldn’t I have had a daughter like you to whom I could pass on my legacy?" Jerry said, coming over to hug me, I hugged him back. He was the closest thing to a father I had ever known, a figure who filled the void in my life with warmth and affection, and I loved him deeply.

"Maybe you are my father," I teased, a playful glimmer in my eyes, "You know I don't know who my parents are."

He chuckled softly, squeezing my hand as if to reassure me. "No," he replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief. I could never make something as pretty as you," he added with a wink, causing me to roll my eyes in mock exasperation and wave him away.

As he strolled back over to his desk, he slumped into his seat, the day's weight seemingly lifting off his shoulders. He clicked through new emails, the screen flickering as he muttered low to himself. Then, as if struck by a bolt of inspiration, he suddenly leaned back, his voice ringing out with excitement.

"Eden!" he exclaimed.

Startled, I rushed to his side, my heart racing as I leaned closer to peek over his shoulder at the glowing screen. There, in bold, eye-catching letters, I read that the BlackCreek Resort—a lavish, exquisite hotel nestled in the city's heart—was hosting a surprise grand opening that night. My pulse quickened with the thrill of possibility, the prospect of the unknown beckoning me into what could be an unforgettable evening. I frowned, reading further. It's invitation-only, and at 7:30 PM, the press will not be allowed inside. The attire will be black tie, and the CEO will make a public appearance for the first time...

"EDEN, are you reading this?" Jerry exclaimed, yanking my arm with infectious excitement.

"I am, but don't you see what it says: 'invitation only.' We don't have those."

"I'm sure you could get some," Jerry said, scrunching his face.

"This CEO is off the grid, and this event is strictly invitation-only. Are you expecting me to receive an invitation by tomorrow night, Jerry?" I replied, my frown deepening as I looked at him.

He looked at me, skepticism dancing in his bright blue eyes, and said, "Of course you can, Ms. Eden Monroe! You are practically magical; everything you touch turns to gold! This is our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and if anyone can secure an invitation to this exclusive event, it's you. Nobody has ever told you no, and you know that all too well!"

I felt a surge of truth in his words; nonetheless, I tried to suppress my smile, whining, "But tomorrow night is my sixth anniversary with Daniel. Come on, Jerry, don't put me in this position. I had plans tonight, special plans I can't just toss aside."

"Eden," he said, tracking my gaze and enfolding my hand within his. His deep blue eyes searched my golden ones, pleading for understanding. "Have I ever asked you for anything? This event is monumental—a true game changer. Your talent and connections make things happen, which could open doors for both of us! Don’t you want to seize this opportunity?"

My heart raced as I weighed the importance of Jerry’s request against my commitment to Daniel. But could I let the chance slip away?

"Yes," I frowned, rolling my eyes in playful exasperation, and he chuckled in response. Jerry, a friend with a penchant for relying on my help, had always made it a point to involve me in his errands and side projects. He was notoriously selective in whom he trusted, so being among the few he leaned on felt like a significant honor. But amidst this camaraderie, I hesitated. I didn't want to interfere with Daniel's work, nor did I wish to overstep my boundaries with him. After all, the CEO of Black Creek—whatever that enigmatic figure might be—was a man Daniel had chased after for what seemed like an eternity. I couldn't help but wonder how he would react if I were the one to secure yet another client for him. This uncertainty lingered in my mind, possibly explaining why Daniel had encouraged me to take a considerable amount of time off.

"Have I ever asked you for anything without a good purpose?" Jerry's voice cut through my thoughts, firm and earnest.

"No," I sighed, realizing there was an undeniable weight to his request.

"Please get the invitations. Use your connections, your charm—whatever it takes, Eden. The Hudson depends on this. I have an exceptional feeling about it."

His confidence sparked something within me. I smiled, feeling a renewed sense of purpose, or perhaps it was the fact that I had always found it hard to say no to Jerry — like I said, he was like a father to me. "Okay... drink your coffee; it's getting cold," I replied teasingly as I walked toward the door. My phone was already in hand, ready to make the call that could change everything.

I knew exactly who to contact...