In out and back in love with you.

2. The biggest shark

Alexander McIntyre was looking out the window of his abroad office down in New York, he’s been traveling more than usual lately. When he started his company twenty years ago he had a dream set to be the biggest crude oil trader in the country, and he’s closer to his goal than his ever been, what’s more, he deserves it, he gave up he’s fair share of dreams for it, he gave up the dream of a steady office job to travel 4 days a week, gave up living close to his parents and brothers to fulfill his career, all ‘cause he believed on international trading’s future, but he’s greatest renounce is still that he gave up on ... her. His baby girl. That was so many years ago, but the heaviness in his chest is still there whenever he thinks about that unfulfilled promise: “I’ll come back for you”. He knows she’s not waiting for him anymore, why would she? He never came back, he got so messed up he could not face her. He met someone else and was trading lightly on the relationship when he heard from his mother that his forever dream woman was in a stormy relationship with some good for nothing attempt of a man. It got to him, that’s for sure, yes, he was with someone, but there were no deep feelings involved, at least on his part; and word on the street is that she is suffering from heartache, so to hell with it, right then and there he decided to take the next step in his relationship and make his current girlfriend his "official one”, leave the childish promises stored in a black box very deep in his mind. So he did, and decided to actively open his heart. He was really surprised how quickly he fell in love with his girlfriend "Narcy" or that's what she called herself, her name is Narcisseia, something to do with her deep Greek family roots or something. She was kind and sweet, a good listener and easy to be with, they got along just fine in each and every aspect, not fireworks or anything, but good enough, so when people start asking about wedding dates he realized how deep in he was already; then Narcy suggested move in together instead of getting married, he saw no reason to object, he was living a good enough life so as years went by, he hardly visited that little black box anymore. He didn't allow himself to.

After a few years of living together he decided to finally get married, through the years he only saw his “baby girl” very few and apart, mainly in family o friends events, every sight was the equivalent of an earthquake and he couldn’t keep on trembling ground anymore. It was time to settle, to feel like he finally moved on, to calm Narcy fears caused by the simple memory of his old platónic love; Narcy was ready to be his wife, to give him a family and she did, two wonderful Kids, Alec and Kyle were so active they could hardly stand still for five minutes in a row. Narcy was patient at first, wait for her husband to come home and raise their children without complaining, but as years went by and Alexander business got bigger and better, Narcy started showing more anxiousness about regular bank deposits than the arrival of her dear husband on the weekends, thus Alec and Kyle started spending more and more time with nanny’s or relatives than with their newly found shopaholic mom.

That’s one of the reasons Alexander knew that his long lost love was not waiting for him anymore, if not even his wife waited for him anymore after so many years of travelling, why should his baby girl wait for him? He left her behind and did not look back. The other reason is, he was well aware she got married, not to the useless junior thank God, but married just a few months after his eldest son came to this world. He knew by his mother’s gossip she also got a couple of Kids and was doing well. So it all turn out for the better right?

All and all one thing was thriving in his life and that’s business, both his sons were relatively stable and his wife's relationship with his new sports coach, well, there would be time to deal with that matter, he would have to investigate because the checks to said coach were getting higher and higher and his wife's dresses have not decreased even a size, so worst case scenario he will fire the conniving man before he does more than his wife's abs. Is not that he doesn’t care about infidelity, but he’s not sure she’s unfaithful plus he do loves his wife, and its true Alexander is a proud man, he has always been but now there are two children involved and he must recognize that despite trying to be detail-oriented with Narcy, the time he spends traveling abroad does not help his case and he does not remember the last time a hot homemade dinner was waiting for him when he arrived, he has come to terms with that in a you win some you lose some kind of situation. His overwhelming wave of thoughts is interrupted when his business partner enters the office announcing the supplier has arrived, it is a good change to see him here, he usually stays back home waiting for the good news, Alexander usually solves things impeccably and will only have to tie a few loose ends for the operation to run smoothly.

- I think this will be the biggest deal we've ever made- Edward says, they’ve been business partners for eight years now, he was Alexander first friend when he first move in Houston from North Carolina adamant on making his mark on international trading but first months were not easy, he couldn't helped but to feel homesick , even if his grandmother and dearest cousin did live in Huston, but he missed his friends, his brothers, and... her. Edward supported him during that time, so when a few years later his business went downhill, Alexander did not hesitate for a second to bring him on board.

- Yeah I know, I’ve been doing this for a while you know - It was a remark full of pride and humor, just like he is, “Alexander the great” his employees call him, and for all good reasons too, he’s the biggest shark out there, and his achievements can only be equaled by the fierce loyalty he has always shown to his loved ones.

As always the meeting goes smoothly, just a small trap clause of the contract that Edward had not seen, but was masterfully negotiated by Alexander and once the terms were agreed, it was decided everyone would go to a nearby bar to celebrate their future collaboration.

Upon entering the bar Alexander immediately goes to their assign table, the one overlooking the entrance, but, when he is about to reach his seat a beautiful woman with short bronde hair passes by him and for a second the air escapes from his lungs and before he can stop himself, he stretches his hand and takes the beautiful stranger by the arm, he is not rough, he can’t be, not with her, and from his mouth involuntarily comes out the word that he has not allowed himself to pronounce in seven years:

- Cassie??- the stranger turns around and fixes her brown and scared eyes on him, her fearful expression lasts only a second before seeing the attractive man, and after composing herself, she puffs out her chest a little giving him a huge smile; her excitement is short lived when she sees something similar to confusion flash in his eyes and then unmistakable disappointment.

- I’m so sorry, I mistook you for someone else.

- I’m Melina, if you want to mistook me again I’m right at that table- she says pointing at a table next to the lady’s room where four more girls are already heavy on drinking.

- Thank you Melina but I won’t be taking any more of your time.

Knowing a lost case when she sees one the girl just gave him a shrug and go back to where she came from. Alexander took a deep breath and turned his hand into a fist, he didn't notice before he was shaking, most be the adrenaline of a new closed deal, yeah, if he repeat that enough he might even believe it, he hurried his step to his seat and once there orders a straight up cognac, he looked at the women dancing and allowed himself the indult of getting lost in a memory.

(Flashback)

It was late in the spring when he came back to his birth hometown, Charlotte in North Carolina, it was probably the second time he took Narcy to visit his parents, and just arriving his mother, Linda, ask him to the very last thing he would want to do, assist a social gathering, and not just any social event, but a late brunch with his father college friends, which means to go face to face with his kryptonite AKE Cassandra Donovan and not just that, but the brunch is because of her birthday, of course he knows today is her birthday, every year he writes about fifty text messages to congratulate her, key word he writes them, not send them, in all honesty, what can he say?? What about: - Sorry for leaving and never call back, have a happy birthday P.S. The asshole who loves you???- Not a chance in hell.

As soon as he stepped into the restaurant for the bloody bronch; cause there is no way to escape it and not look weird or suspicious with Narcy about a woman who she knows nothing about; he immediately spots Cassie, her hair is particularly short now and her eyes an intense deep olive green that just seems to look straight in your soul. Or that’s just how he feels whenever she looks at him. He goes straight to her, forgetting for a moment the presence of a now pretty stoned Narcy, who with no other choice than to glare at him scoffs, he nears the birthday girl and hold her tight, burring his face on her neck while whispering in her ear “Happy birthday Baby Girl”

Which was just answered by a most tímid - Hi- Needless to say the rest of the brunch was spend between unpleasant looks from Narcy towards the birthday girl and gestures of reproach towards Alexander. When they were invited to a club and dancing it all went downhill, Alexander spent the night watching Cassie dancing with her friends, he was not trying to be disrespectful to his girlfriend but he simply could not look away, she looked so alive, so happy, so sexy, that not even Narcy claims being shouted directly into his ear could erase that image from his mind and instead of look away he just told his girlfriend “stop nagging me”. That was the source of Narcy's insecurities, and understandable at that, but what can be done? Even if he had wanted to, Alexander could not control the electricity in the room.

(End of flashback)

- Hey Alex? You ok men? I never saw you drinking cognac before. Took you for a whiskey man- Edward inquired pulling him out of his reverie.

Her favorite liquor , he didn’t even registered he had ask for her favorite strong drink.

- Yeah, I’m fine, but I think is time to get back home you know.- Alexander replied. Yeah that will take him out of his memories, go back to his wife and children, to his choice.