An Heir For Alpha Roman

2. Maybe Another Time...

Eden's POV:



"Hey Jeremy, it's Eden. I hope you're doing great! I'm reaching out because I need a favor! Give me a call back? Looking forward to hearing from you soon! Bye..." I said, my voice steady as I finished leaving the voicemail. Jeremy Vanderwood is the go-to person for getting s**t done. He has a remarkable network, and his influence extends far and wide.

Jeremy knows everybody! .

Still, I wasn't sure if his influence was enough to track down the Ceo of BlackCreek. I had high hopes, because if Jeremy couldn't get us in, then nobody could...

Taking a deep breath, I collected my thoughts and braced myself for the day ahead. As I scanned the spacious yet chaotic room, I sighed, realizing that productivity was impossible amidst this mess. I quickly got to work tidying up; it had been a week since my last visit, and the place was in total disarray. I couldn’t help but mentally chide Daniel for allowing it to fall into such neglect. Daniel doesn't allow the cleaners in his office; he claims he's afraid they'll steal, which I find absolutely absurd. Yet, I reminded myself that this wasn't technically my office; it was his, and how he maintained it was his choice. Jerry had offered countless times to get me my own office space, but Daniel had flatly refused, seemingly intent on keeping me in a cooped-up, housewife role, even though I found myself at his office more often than he’d care to admit. After all, he was the one who consistently invited me over.

I settled into his chair and tried to make myself as comfortable as possible, stretching my arms over the cluttered desk filled with unfiled papers and old half-drunk coffee mugs. With a final glance at the chaos, I steeled my resolve to tackle whatever the day threw at me. I logged into the company portal, drowning out the bustling noise of journalists clamoring for stories, and prepared myself for the task ahead: securing BlackCreek.

I looked up as much information as I could on the CEO of BlackCreek Enterprise; it turns out that this mysterious CEO owns about 93% of the businesses in Teloma. No wonder he's a bazillionaire! I mean, from spas to law firms to hospitals, his company, BlackCreek, is associated with almost all of them. Still, there were no pictures of him, no information on his age or family details—nothing at all. I've never seen anyone so publicly wealthy be so successfully private.

As I dedicated time to researching the new Chief Operating Officer, Stuart Reynolds, the only unwavering presence in my inquiries, I came across his striking headshot. At first glance, I was captivated by his handsome features – his silver eyes glinted with an intriguing spark, framed perfectly by his thick, jet-black hair that flowed with an almost cinematic quality. His smile was nothing short of impeccable, radiating warmth and confidence, suggesting he was a man both charismatic and approachable, ready to engage with the world around him. However, even with his charming demeanor, I knew it wouldn't satisfy Jerry's expectations. He wanted the CEO, and nothing less.

I dedicated a few more hours to meticulously researching and tidying up Danny's office, my mind racing with thoughts of his impending arrival. As I glanced at the clock, I noticed it was already nearing 3:00 p.m., just two short hours before Danny's flight was scheduled to land around 5:00 p.m. With a thrill of excitement tingling in my stomach, I had something special planned for him. I wanted to make sure everything was perfect before he arrived. I grabbed my belongings and made a quick stop at Jerry's office to bid him farewell, assuring him that I would hunt down a few invitations before tomorrow's grand event.

My heart fluttered as I left the Hudson; the cool Teloma sun felt nice against my skin. As I hopped into my sleek sports car, the engine purring beneath me. I cranked up the radio, letting the pulsating beats drown out my worries as I sped down the bustling highway, the wind whipping through my curls like a liberating dance.

I couldn’t help but smile, envisioning the beautiful beach outing I had arranged for Daniel, right on the water’s edge—a perfect surprise orchestrated to welcome him home. Tomorrow marked our anniversary, and I wanted to ignite the celebrations a day early, especially knowing we would be wrapped up in the high-stakes hunt for the elusive CEO of BlackCreek all night long. So, while he was away, I enlisted a decorator to transform his house into a romantic haven, carefully adorned with exquisite wine, fragrant roses, and flickering candles, each element whispering seduction and excitement. In the kitchen, I prepared a sumptuous roast, seasoned to perfection, accompanied by sautéed vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes—a tribute to a cherished meal from his childhood that.

He had once shared with me. I had nearly perfected the recipe, and I knew this gesture would make him happy.

As I lit the last of the candles, their gentle glow dancing in the night light, I rushed to pull the roast from the oven, my heart racing with anticipation. I plated our meal, pouring two glasses of rich red wine, my excitement bubbling over, as if it were our first date all over again, even though it had been six years.

Dressed in a sultry black dress that hugged my curves, I applied the finishing touches to my makeup, my heart racing as I waited for Daniel. It was nearly 7:30 p.m., and I knew his car should arrive at any moment. The environment around me pulsed with anticipation.

However, as the minutes melted into two agonizing hours, both the food and my spirits grew cold. I'd nearly emptied the bottle of wine by myself, desperately trying to soothe the growing worry gnawing at my insides, with no word from Daniel. Countless calls and messages had gone unanswered, and frustration began to creep in, darkening my mood.

Just as I was on the brink of losing hope, my phone buzzed on the kitchen counter, breaking the oppressive silence. I gulped down the last of my wine, barely able to contain my eagerness, and practically dove for the phone, not bothering to check the caller ID.

"Hello? Babe?" My voice bubbled with joy, anticipation surging within me. "Where are you?"

"Hey babe," a deep voice that was definitely not Daniel's resonated from the other end, "I'd call you more often if I knew you'd pick up like that." A hearty laugh spilled through the phone, vibrating in my ear, making me pull the phone away, my heart sinking as I glanced at the caller ID—Jeremy.

Oh no, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment, grateful he couldn't see my fiery mortification. Trying to compose myself, I took a steadying breath.

"Jeremy, I'm so sorry, please forgive me. I thought you were Daniel…uh," I stammered awkwardly, "how are you?"

His laughter echoed again, and I felt another rush of mortification, but I forced myself to maintain composure. "No worries at all, Eden," he replied smoothly. "I was just returning your call." His voice was velvety, oozing with a kind of effortless charm that hinted at wealth and intellect.

"Is now a good time to talk? Sorry for calling so late,” he continued, a hint of sincerity weaving through his words. “I was engulfed in work and wasn't free until now."

"Oh, no, I’m glad you called!" I brightened at the prospect of distraction. "Now is a great time. I was going to ask—although it's a late notice—do you think you might know anyone, or have a way to get invitations to the BlackCreek hotel that's opening tomorrow?" I bit my fingernail, a nervous habit surfacing as I spoke, the flutter in my stomach heightening with each passing second.

"BlackCreek?" he whistled softly, his voice a mix of disbelief and caution. "I don't know, Eden; they're a very tight-knit group."

My heart sank with a heavy disappointment, a weight settling in my chest. I should have anticipated this; BlackCreek had always been notoriously exclusive, a fortress of privilege that many yearned to enter but few ever did.

"It's alright, Jeremy—like I said, it was last minute," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the flutter of anxiety within.

"Well, of course! My boss knows a guy who knows a guy, and they just so happened to get us invitations," Jeremy said softly, a playful lilt in his tone that toyed dangerously with my emotions. Suddenly, my heart brightened as I clutched the phone tightly, hope blooming within me.

"Do you think they could get two more?" I asked, my voice laced with a desperate hope. "The Hudsons would pay top dollar for them."

"What if I told you I anticipated this call and already have tickets waiting for you?" he teased, his tone mischievous and light, igniting a spark of joy that I fought to contain.

"Oh, Jeremy! If you're serious, I would say you're an amazing angel sent from heaven, and I would owe you a solid for this. But if this is a prank, and you're just playing with me, I swear I’ll cut holes in all your socks!" My voice was playful yet edged with sincerity, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

He chuckled again, the sound warm and comforting. "Meet me tomorrow at noon, okay? You can pick them up then."

"Jeremy, you are the absolute best," I sighed, a genuine gratitude spilling from my heart.

"Don't worry about it. I owed you a favor, remember? Consider us even know."

"Thank you," I said again, my voice soft with real meaning.

"Anything for you... babe," he teased before ending the call, leaving me in a cloud of giddy excitement.

Just as I began to revel in this stroke of good fortune, my phone vibrated sharply against the table. My heart dropped as my gaze fell on the name—Daniel. This time, a text from him not only interrupted my happiness but also soured it.

"Hey E.

Not going to make it tonight, working late—make it up to you tomorrow. Kisses and hugs,

Daniel."

Kisses and hugs? My brow furrowed in confusion. That didn't even sound like something he would typically say, a stark contrast to his usual straightforward tone. Yet, the pang of disappointment overshadowed my thoughts, overwhelming me.

I sighed heavily, blowing out all the flickering candles that once illuminated the remnants of our meal and wrapping up the leftovers. They were destined for the staff, who had grown accustomed to enjoying the meals I cooked—meals that Daniel never bothered to eat.

At least it wouldn't go to waste.

Growing up with the uncertainty of where my next meal was coming from instilled in me a deep-seated aversion to wasting food. After wiping down the counters, I took one last, sorrowful glance at the decorated house, which once seemed a joyous space but now felt hollow. I knew Daniel wouldn’t see it before his cleaners came in the morning, and with a heavy heart, I drove the long thirty minutes back to the city, each mile echoing the bittersweet contrast of my evening. Determined not to let this unexpected shift in mood ruin my night, I focused on the invitations.

*****

As I stepped through the door of my condo, the familiar stillness engulfed me; the lights were off, casting shadows in the small yet beautifully decorated living room. I shook off my jacket, feeling the day's burdens slide away, before tossing my keys onto the marbled table with a soft clink. With a sigh of relief, I slipped out of my shoes, relishing the cool touch of the floor beneath my feet. Releasing the clip that had held my hair captive, I let my sandy curls tumble down my shoulders, a small act of freedom that mirrored my desire to escape the day’s stresses.

I made my way to the bedroom, my mind already succumbing to the allure of rest. The steam from my quick shower enveloped me, washing away not just the grime but also the fatigue that clung to my spirit. I washed my face, brushing away the remnants of the day, and after brushing my teeth, I slipped into my favorite pajamas, the fabric soft and comforting against my skin. The bed called to me like a long-lost friend, welcoming the weight of my weariness.

Just as I sank into the plush embrace of my sheets, ready to yield to the darkness of sleep, two glowing forest green eyes blazed at me from the shadows. My heart raced, panic slicing through the tranquillity I had just embraced. I shot up, breathless, my chest tightening as I gasped, "I didn't hear you come in!"

Those eyes, bright and insistent, belonged to someone who knew me too well. "Sorry, Eden, but I need a run—like right now..."

Their urgency pulled me from the comfort of my cocoon, a reminder that the chaos of life awaited just beyond the safety of these walls.