ACCIDENTALLY HIS MISTRESS

CHAPTER FOUR-HIS CHOICE

Standing before him, I realized how incompatible we were. I was short, curvy, and a little chubby. Perhaps that's why he didn't choose me. I wasn't a model perfect like Nicole, raven hair, piercing blue eyes, slender figure, gorgeous long legs. I was a wallflower in her presence. The comparison was almost too much to bear.

"I was never the one you wanted," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "What nonsense are you talking about?" Steven snapped, his expression darkening.

"I was never the one you could be proud of in public."

"Just leave, Alexa," Steven urged, his voice filled with urgency. "We will discuss this later. Nicole is back in the country, and she doesn't know about us." The mention of her name was like a slap in the face, a harsh reminder of my place in his life, a secret, a mistress, a lie.

I laughed. "I think she deserves to know, Steven. She deserves to know who has been raising her children, putting in the late nights and early mornings to make this company a success, while she was enjoying the world, pursuing her modeling career.” My voice rose, fueled by a mix of anger and hurt. "I want out, Steven. And I am not leaving empty-handed. Remember our agreement when we started this company? I own fifteen percent of the shares, don't I?"

"What are you insinuating, Alexa?" Steven's voice was filled with warning, his eyes narrowing as he took a step closer to me.

"I want a clear picture of what I own, Steven," I said, my voice firm. "I have never withdrawn any of my profits from the company. I want to know exactly what my shares are worth."

“After,” he said, moving closer.

"Have your lawyer send me the documents. Have a pleasant weekend, Steven."

Without another word, I slipped past him, my design manuscripts safely hidden in my dress, taking my dreams and my dignity back with me. The world outside was still gray and rainy, but it felt like a new beginning.

I was just a high school student when I first met Steven. How naive I was back then, turning down a fully paid college scholarship and choosing instead to stay to manage Steven's business while he went abroad to further his studies.

"Good evening, Manager Jones," the familiar greeting echoed through the hallway. I rounded a corner and spotted Nicole. The media followed her like bees; Micheal and Michelle, trotted alongside her, their little legs struggling to keep up with her speed. My heart ached to scoop them up in a warm hug, but I was reminded of my position.

Instead, I walked out of the company, leaving the chaos behind. Finally arriving home, I found my sister sitting in the living room. She handed me a glass of whiskey as I settled beside her on the couch, the amber liquid a comforting sight after today's events.

My brother, clutching his own bottle, exploded in anger, his voice echoing through the room. "I hate her!" he spat, his eyes fixed on the TV screen. "Look at her, acting all high and mighty." The TV showed Nicole, poised and confident, answering questions from a reporter.

"How does it feel to be married to the youngest self-made millionaire, Mrs. Hales?"

"It's not easy, but it has its moments," Nicole replied. "I was beside my husband through countless late nights, I have seen the weight of responsibility etched on his face, the fatigue in his eyes, and yet, he has always pushed through for us." Her voice cracked, and she wiped tears off her face. "Supporting him through college was one of the most challenging times for me, there were times when I felt like giving up, but seeing him achieve his dreams made every sacrifice worth it."

I couldn't help but laugh. My phone kept ringing, but I was too exhausted to care. I was soon leaving the company anyway. They wanted to claim credit for building it? Fine. Let them handle the stress and pressure that comes with it. I silenced my phone and let my eyelids drift shut, grateful for the alcohol that helped me find sleep in the middle of chaos.

I woke up to the sound of raised voices outside my room. In the living room, my mother was on her knees, begging and pleading with Steven and Nicole, who sat calmly on the couch. My sister stood beside them, her eyes burning with anger as she glared at them.

"You can't just kick us out!" Lala exclaimed. "My sister has paid for this house, with everything she has done for you, this house is the least you can give her." Her anger was aimed at Steven.

"I bought this house, my name is on the deed," Steven replied, his tone firm. "And if my wife prefers to live here, then that's exactly what will happen." His gaze lingered on my sister, his eyes cold and unyielding. I laughed at the audacity of his statement.

Lala's laughter was laced with sarcasm as she shot back, "Your wife, indeed your wife?" Her voice dripped with mockery. Steven's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger.

Nicole's eyes welled up with fake tears. "What does she mean?" she asked, her voice trembling. "It looks like she is mocking me." She gazed up at Steven, her expression pitiful.

Lala laughed at the scene. "Of course, I'm mocking you, loser."

Steven moved fast, but before he could lay a hand on my sister, I stepped in front of her and looked him directly in the eyes. My gaze steady, daring him to make a move.

He slowly lowered his hands, his eyes roaming over my short nightdress in appraisal. Shameless, this man was really shameless. He really was openly checking me out, right in front of his precious wife.

"Alexa, can I talk to you?" he asked, his voice was unexpectedly gentle, a stark contrast to the anger that had flared up in him just moments before.

"I think I must have been dreaming," I said, trying to process the previous conversation. "Let's hope that's the case, but I could have sworn I heard you threatening to evict my family just because your wife has taken a liking to our house." I raised an eyebrow, waiting for Steven's response.