012 THE HEIR TAKES THE STAGE
1369 Words
CHAPTER TWELVE
"I'll consider your request, Lauren."
Her face lit up, like someone just told her she won the lottery.
"Did... did I hear you wrong? Am I..." She was stuttering, pushing herself up on her knees.
"You heard right." Alex shrugged, and kept his voice even.
"Thank you." The words rushed out of her. "Thank you so much, Alex."
He nodded. "You can rest here for a bit if you need to. I'm going upstairs. I need to get some sleep."
"No, it's fine." She was already getting to her feet, brushing off her knees. "I should go. Emma probably needs me right now. She doesn't have anyone left."
She bowed deep, her head nearly touching the floor.
"Take care, Lauren."
Alex turned and headed upstairs. Xavier followed close behind.
Lauren was escorted out.
Back in his bedroom, Alex walked over to the bed and sat down hard.
"Will you actually do it?" Xavier's voice came from behind him. "Consider her request?"
Alex didn't answer right away. He just sat there staring at the wall. "Lauren has a point," he said finally. "If I'm cruel to Emma publicly, especially now that she's pregnant, it might backfire. Sooner or later."
Xavier chuckled. Low and quiet. "You really do have your father's brain, don't you?"
He probably didn't mean for Alex to hear that, but he did. Couldn't help the small smile that pulled at his mouth.
"I'm not a bastard," Alex said, half-joking.
"Sure, sure." Xavier was already heading for the door. "Get some rest."
The door clicked shut.
Alex climbed onto the bed, reached over and turned off the lamp. Darkness swallowed the room. His eyes adjusted slowly and he let out a heavy breath.
All of this, everything, was overwhelming. But somehow, somewhere deep down, he had this confidence he wouldn't fail.
His mind drifted to Emma. Her pregnancy. The baby growing inside her that is not even be his.
Three yawns later, he gave up thinking and passed out.
10 AM the next morning.
Alex was in the car on his way to meet the investors. He kept checking his watch. He'd slept soundly last night. Maybe too soundly.
The meeting was supposed to start at nine. Everyone would be waiting already. That thought alone made his chest tight.
His very first meeting with the investors and he was late.
The car jerked to a stop. Alex pushed the door open and stepped out. He completely forgot there'd be paparazzi and reporters already camped outside.
Cameras flashed. Voices shouted his name.
He straightened his shoulders, composed himself fast, and walked inside.
The conference room was too bright. Every seat was already taken.
Everyone stood as he entered.
Alex rubbed his palms together, then stopped when he realized what he was doing.
He was sweating. No doubt about it.
He'd held meetings before, addressed people, spoken in front of crowds. But not his father's investors. Not the board of trustees.
He glanced around the room and his knees threatened to give out.
He walked to the microphone. "Good morning, everyone. I'm really sorry..."
His eyes caught Thomas's across the room.
Thomas was giving him this stern, almost cold look. It screamed no one cares about an apology.
They all stared at him. His hands were shaking visibly. And they were about to go live.
One. Two. Three.
He breathed in quiet through his nose.
His father's voice echoed in his head. "You can do this, boy."
That gave him what he needed. He adjusted the microphone and cleared his throat.
"I know this is sudden," he started. "For everyone. I can assure you, it's sudden for me too." He paused. No one spoke. No one reacted awkwardly either, so he kept going. "But if there's one thing I want to address, it's this. I'd like everyone to cooperate with me."
Another pause. Still nothing.
"I'll do my best to follow my father's legacy. I won't undermine myself or this company. The only direction we're going is forward. Growing, establishing more resources." His voice steadied. "I hope we all have a great relationship moving forward."
Silence.
He couldn't breathe.
Then applause broke out.
Thomas smiled at him. Alex returned it, feeling some of the tension drain from his shoulders.
"We hope working with you will be productive, Mr. Kane." The voice came from a woman, probably late twenties, sitting near the front.
Jessica Torres.
Alex looked in her direction, scanned her face. He'd checked the list of investors early this morning. Part of the reason he was late. She wasn't on it.
Who the hell was she?
"Who..." Alex glanced at Thomas. Thomas gave him this look. Half warning, half plea.
"Be nice to her."
"Oh. Okay." She must be someone important then.
"It'll be my pleasure, ma'am," Alex said.
She beamed at him. This wide, unnecessary smile that rubbed him the wrong way.
He decided right then he didn't like her. Why smile that big at someone you just met?
The rest of the meeting dragged on for thirty minutes. He greeted the other investors politely, shook hands, made small talk.
Finally it was over.
Thomas told him he'd be following him back to the mansion. Alex didn't respond.
They'd been stiff with each other since yesterday.
Everyone dispersed.
Thomas and Alex climbed into the car and headed back in silence.
Thirty minutes later, Alex was in his room drying his hair with a towel. Thomas sat on the edge of the bed.
Neither of them spoke.
Thomas cleared his throat. "You know..." He trailed off, like he was measuring his words carefully. "I'm just trying to protect you." He raised his hand in defeat. "It's fine. I'll accept the fault. I know I'm too secretive."
"What's this?" Alex's voice cut through the room.
He was standing by the nightstand now, squinting at a piece of paper. The one the maid left yesterday.
He'd been in such a rush this morning he hadn't even noticed it.
"What's that?" Thomas was already moving toward him.
Alex didn't answer. Thomas snatched the paper out of his hand.
"Money looks terrible on you. It would be a pleasure if you were the useless heir again."
Thomas read it out loud. Then again, quieter this time.
"Is it the consortium?" Alex's voice climbed higher.
"Did they send this? Right here. On my nightstand, next to my bed..."
"Hey." Thomas gripped his shoulder. "Calm down. The consortium doesn't work like this. This message isn't their style, Alex. They don't send threats like this.
Alex sank onto the bed. That seemed to calm him because when he spoke again, his voice was steady. "Then who? Ryan?"
"Can't be. He's been arrested." Thomas scratched his forehead, other hand resting on his waist.
"Who could it..." Alex looked up sharply. "Wait. Could it be Logan?"
Thomas snapped his fingers. Jackpot.
"Where is he? How did he even get in here?"
Alex's brows pulled together.
"He's got someone on the inside." Thomas's eyes scanned the room slowly. "I'll have all the maids replaced. Xavier will drive you from now on. I'm moving in too."
Alex shook his head. "You don't have to..."
"Get some rest." Thomas cut him off. "You'll probably have to interview Ryan yourself later."
"Sure."
Thomas looked around the room one more time before heading out.
Alex closed his eyes.
Enemies were crawling in from every direction. If he wanted to feel safe, he'd have to earn it.
He wouldn't just act. He'd think deeply.
Inside the prosecutor's office, Ryan wouldn't stop making noise.
"You can't keep me here! I didn't do anything wrong!" His voice echoed down the hall.
"You're being held on multiple charges, Mr. Fletcher." The officer's voice was flat and bored.
"Stop making a scene."
A reporter passed by the holding area. Clearly someone who'd bribed their way in.
The second Ryan saw her, he sat up straight in his chair and composed himself.
"Want to know a secret?" He didn't wait for anyone to respond. "You all want to know why I decided to bless Alex with a child?”
He laughed. Manic, unhinged.
"It's because that bastard has a low sperm count."
The room went dead silent.
- Writer
