Caught In Between The Lycan Heirs

Pauper yesterday, CEO today

Riya’s POV

I wrapped up breakfast shortly after and Hiram led me to his black limousine that was parked and waiting in front of the house. We hopped into the limousine and Hiram’s chauffeur drove us away. It was my first time riding in a limousine and I was fascinated by the interiors. Never in my life had I ever dreamed of being in a limousine. Even when I had dated Casper, he had never even picked me up in his car, talk more of a limousine.

A few minutes later, we arrived in front of a tall and grand glass building. The chauffeur alighted from the car and opened the car door for me. I dropped from the car, unable to take my eyes off the building for a single second.

Was this….

“Do you like it?” Hiram’s voice came behind me as he alighted from the car. He stood beside me and watched the building. I stared at the elegant building, too awed and dumb founded to say a word. Never in my life had I imagined that I would own a fashion house this grand. It felt as though I didn't even deserve it.

“Come. Let’s take a look at the insides.” He said before walking into the building. I followed him into the glass, revolving door. As we walked into the building, I gaped at the spacious and elegant interiors. There was a high-end marble staircase that led to other parts of the fashion house. There were a few ladies lined up, waiting for us with welcoming smiles on their faces. A middle aged woman amongst the ladies walked towards us to close the distance between us.

“Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Jax.” She bowed before Hiram and extended a handshake to me. I reciprocated her smile and accepted her handshake. “My name is Elizabeth Greene. You can call me Lizzy. I shall be your manager henceforth.”

“Behind me are your employees; Annabelle, Emily, Josephine and Maureen. We are all honored and looking forward to working with you, Mrs. Jax.” She gestured to the ladies behind her as she spoke. I was left speechless. I couldn't believe that Hiram had even gone the extra lengths to hire employees for me already. Or that I was now a CEO. An employer. It felt like a dream.

“Please, come with me while I take you on a quick tour inside the building. This way, ma’am.” Lizzy said and led the way as Hiram and I walked closely behind her. She walked us to the showroom, the studio, the retail space and lastly, to my new spacious office. As she did so, my heart was heavy with disbelief and I didnt even know how to react to all of these.

“Thankfully, it will be the spring season very soon. A perfect opportunity to create and showcase your new collections and most importantly, to celebrate the opening of your new fashion house and create buzz and excitement around it. What do you think about this new idea, Mrs. Jax? Have you thought about a name for the fashion house? We are yet to set up a signature logo for the fashion house.”

All the while that Lizzy spoke, my mind was blank and my brain couldn't come up with a response.

“Thank you for your time, Lizzy. But I think my wife isn't feeling so well. I’ll take it from here.” Hiram jumped in to save my ass and Lizzy nodded, the smile on her face never wavering for a second. She bowed before us again and finally left us alone. Hiram turned his attention back to me as soon as she was gone.

“Why weren't you saying anything?...”

Before he could finish talking, I burst into tears and his eyes narrowed in surprise. I cried and buried my head into his shoulder.

“Why are you crying?’

“Why wouldn't I, when you just opened a grand fashion house for me? Never in my life have I dreamed of something as huge as this. Not even for once.” I said into his suit as I kept my head still buried into his shoulder.

“Uh…I am sorry. I didn't know it was too big for you. If I knew you didn't like it, I’d have gone for something smaller.”

I raised my head from his shoulder and narrowed my eyes at him ridiculously. “Something smaller? I am saying that this is incredible!”

“Then why were you crying?”

“Because it was too good to be true.”

He sighed in relief as I clarified his assumption. “Fine. Since you like this place, let’s move to our next stop. The boutique.”

“Aye, aye, captain.” I sent him a wide toothy smile and he rolled his eyes at me. I gasped and laughed at his gesture. “Did you just roll your eyes at me? You do eye rolls too?”

“Your eyes must have been deceiving you.” He lied and walked ahead of me, heading towards the staircase. “Let’s go.”

I followed suit behind him and we drove from the fashion house to a luxury boutique where Hiram asked the attendants there to help me make sure that I was buying the best clothings in the house. As the ladies helped me test out and select the clothings, I managed to see the price tags and my eyes protruded in total disbelief. I refused to believe that anyone would pay such a ridiculous amount for a single dress. My annual income was barely up to that amount.

After we were done shopping and back into the car again, I turned to Hiram and asked;

“Five thousand crescent notes for a single dress? How could you spend such an amount on a dress and not bat an eyelid?”

He gave me a look as though I didn't know what I was talking about.

“And what’s wrong with that?

I was surprised that he didn't see a big deal in that. With a sigh, I gave up and leaned my back comfortably against the seat.

“All I’m saying is that I am going to make my dresses affordable to everyone, regardless of their social class in the pack. Luxury fashion houses or not, it’s open to all. No one is going to spend five thousand dollars on a single dress in my fashion house.”

“All the best.” He replied dryly as if he was tired of hearing me talk. Deciding to let him win this once, I kept my silence all through the ride until we arrived at our destination. A big restaurant.

“Let’s have lunch here.” Hiram said to me as we stepped out of the car. I followed him and was a little surprised when he held my hand into his. I felt the unwelcomed fluttering of my stomach and cursed at myself internally for being so weakened by something as little as a small touch from him.

“Everyone in the pack believes we are a couple now. It is only wise we act as one.” He explained and I nodded, finally getting the whole picture.

“Okay.” I gulped and whispered, trying my best to control my stupid hormones from acting up in front of this dead gorgeous man.

He led me into the restaurant and as soon as we stepped inside, I could feel the hundreds of eyes that pricked into my skin like tiny stings of needles. A wave of nervousness washed through me and my legs suddenly felt like jellies, almost as if they were going to give way and let me lose my balance and fall to the ground.

“I cannot believe how shameless she could be to double time two cousins at the same time. I can swear that she had been f*****g Hiram even when she was still with prince Casper. Greedy poor bitch.” I heard someone whisper behind me but I chose to ignore the snide remarks. I rubbed my sweaty palm together and followed Hiram obediently.

He drew me a seat as soon as we got to our table and the waiter rushed to him, as if scared that any second he wasted could be the death of him. Well, based on how dangerous Hiram was speculated to be, the waiter could be in trouble for keeping him waiting.

“Can I take your order, s…sir?” He had a shaky smile on his face and looked like he could piss on his pants any minute from now, just from standing so close to Hiram. But Hiram’s attention wasn't on the waiter but rather, on me. His eyes had grown dark and cold as he stared deep into mine as if he was trying to read through me.

“Is everything okay?” He asked me and I nodded and faked a smile. I blinked away a small tear that was already gathered in my eyes.

“Yes. Sure.”

He didn't look like he believed me. Instead, he looked behind us and stood up from his seat the next second.

“Where are you going?” I asked him as he brushed and straightened his tuxedo lightly.

“Just give me a second.” He said and walked away from our table. I didn't press on much because his new dark and cold aura scared me out of my shits. He clearly looked upset and I wondered what could have gotten him so upset. He looked perfectly okay a couple of minutes before we had our seats.

I was surprised to see him walk towards the table of the girl who had made that hurtful remark about me a short while ago. Just when I was wondering what it was that he wanted from her and her friend, I heard his voice come. Low and commanding.

“Repeat those words.”

The girl looked surprised and scared by Hiram’s tone. From where I was seated, I could see her go red in the face from fear.

“Wh…what words.”

“Those words you said about my wife. Repeat them.”

The girl’s eyes darted to my table before she looked back to Hiram again. From the look of her eyes, it seemed she knew she was in a hot mess. I felt the same fear for her? What was Hiram going to do to her? I hoped he wouldn't do anything to hurt her because of me. That would only worsen the gossip about me.

“I…I…I am sorry, sir.”

“That wouldn't be enough.” He growled at her. “If you are sure that you want to step out of this place alive and with that sorry face of yours intact, take your apology to her. Now.”

Without being told twice, she ran towards me and knelt on the floor. My eyes widened in shock. There were tears and fear in her own eyes.

“I am so sorry, ma’am. Please, forgive me for saying such disrespectful things about you. Please forgive me. I don't want to die.”

I couldn't fully comprehend what was happening and I only stared at her with a frozen brain. Why did Hiram go this length because of me? What was really happening here?