The Heiress Revenge

Four

Elaine

Whispers filled the room upon Alexander's arrival. I'm sure he heard them as well, but he was rather silent, watchful, and calculative. His gaze met mine, and he held it rather tersely. Feeling suddenly timid, I averted my face from his view, but I didn't miss his smirk.

Well... this is what I signed up for, I sighed.

"Call for silence!" I hit my palm on the desk. Their pale, ashened faces pleased me. Edward appeared more terrified than the others.

He stood up, clearly displeased with Alexander's presence. There was no mistake about his reputation; it was evident who would come out a victor in today's election. The one he orchestrated to bring me down.

He looked at me with almost pleading eyes, "There was no prior notice it would be him..."

I caught the smirk on Alexander's lips. He was enjoying this. "I have a name." His voice was heavy with authority. He was well aware of the effect his presence caused.

Edward cleared his throat, correcting himself immediately, "There was no prior notice, Mr. Alexander Derov will be joining us."

I relaxed against my chair. "He wanted it to be a little surprise. Any more problems?" I asked pointedly. He appeared like he was about to protest more, but he kept quiet, aware he had to keep it professional.

Once he was seated, I commenced the election. Edward was perspiring badly, and his accomplices whispering among themselves proved their choices were flexible. Alexander's votes weighed four members, and with mine alone, he could win. Edward had little to zero holdings in the company. He was a mere senior manager who I welcomed into my spaces.

The election was a small affair, and it was over as soon as it commenced. "Announce the results," I ordered; Alexander's secretary walked forward to the box and began.

"Sir Alexander Derov," she counted. Edward was now red-faced as it was revealed his little board member friends had little confidence in him and quickly changed their votes. It reached my vote, which I knew he desperately banked on that it would be in his favor.

My old self would make that mistake. "Ms. Elaine Gregory... Alexander," she counted.

Keeping my cool and a well-deserved smile at the embarrassment Edward was going through currently. I cleared my throat. "Alexander Derov received eleven out of twelve votes; Edward received one vote. Alexander Derov is therefore the new head of the board of directors and might be considered to represent the company as the new Chief Executive Officer." Claps and nods of approval from other board members were lauded.

Red-faced, hurt with enough suppressed anger to steam like a boiling tea kettle, Edward gritted his jaw, but the betrayal he had just experienced from his business acquaintances, and I was the tip of the iceberg. I was willing to put him through more.

"The election is over, and the meeting is dismissed." He was about to walk about like a furious teenage boy, but I called him back. "Edward, please stay back."

With a deep sigh, he stopped and turned to face me. I smiled at him. "To encourage healthy competition over the election today, you'll lead a tour for Mr. Alexander Derov. Being the senior manager, there's nobody more befitting the job than you."

Edward could not bring himself to reject my request. I was no longer at the helm of affairs; Alexander was, and he was well aware of how ruthless he was reputed to be.

Alexander raised his eyebrows at his prolonged silence, a smirk dancing on his lips. Edward appeared heavily humiliated, and I knew he was itching to talk this one out with me. "My competitor appear constipated. I'll have you lead the tour instead, Elaine." He called my name fondly, and anyone could hint at the familiarity we share.

"Me?" I said, shocked.

He walked to me as his secretary cleared his desk. "Is the job beneath you?" Alexander asked rhetorically; his slight jabs at Edward might make him pass out soon enough. I was enjoying this too well.

Edward grew more red-faced as we walked past him. Alexander's words definitely stung like a needle.

***

Alexander

The gentle sway of copper-colored hair as she waddled like a little adorable boss, showing me sections of her company. "This is your new office." She chimed in, standing in front of the double door. Is the tour over already? Gideon did warn me to be careful.

"I want another tour," I demanded, but as I guessed, I couldn't intimidate Elaine. I was older than her by four years, but she can be frightening.

"You've had your fun." She pushed the door open and led me in. I hid my smile and settled on the desk; my arms crossed, my eyes followed her as she observed my new office. "Why is your office suit bigger than mine? I'm jealous now." She pouted slightly.

I spied the adjacent office unoccupied. "Your office is the one adjacent to mine."

She snaps her head at me and scoffs, barely taking me seriously. "Please be joking. I already have an office, which I like very much."

I dropped the playful demeanor on my face and walked over to where she stood; she withdrew till her back was about to touch the wall, but my arm caught her waist instead and pulled her close to my chest. Her big blue eyes widened in shock. "You have a new boss, Elaine, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to be close to my bride-to-be, now, is there?" I let her go gently and walked back to the desk, sitting behind it.

She sighed exasperated, "I made this deal with you, but I had forgotten just how much of an in..." She cut her words off; I could see the struggle curse me the fvck out.

"Go ahead," I smirked. "I might think of creative ways to shut you up. I'll make it enjoyable at least." She reddened, aware of what I meant.

Her eyes narrow at me, and she scoffs, "Have your fun while it lasts."

Funny she thinks this would end when her end of the deal was a marriage.

Elaine

He is a prick; he is a prick. A terrific, handsome one, my heart kept on racing erratically as I walked my way to my present office. Why did he hold me so close like that? It's been two years since I called off our marriage, but my body missed him.

Alexander should not affect me. I had informed my PA about the office change, so my things were being packed, but now I was worried about being so close to him. He does love to tease me and pull my legs, and with the end of the deal being a marriage, there's no saying for now what he might do next.

I pushed the door of my office open and was mildly surprised but not shocked to see Edward. An hour after the meeting, he still appeared butthurt; apparently, the news of Alexander now in my company had hit the office platform. I prevented it from making rounds to the media for now. The majority of women fawned over him, the men were quite displeased, but my vote going to Alexander at the election today was the topic of the day. With multiple speculations making the rounds. It hurt poor Edward's feelings.

"You didn't ask if I had lunch or not?" I pouted, faking sadness. " We should have one together, I've missed hanging out with you." I hung my arm around his elbow, but he shrugged me out, quite upset. Disgusted with him, in actuality I was glad he pushed me away.

"How could you do that at today's election?"

"Do what?" I feigned ignorance.

Infuriated, he slams his fist on my desk and glares at me, frightening the staff packing my office belongings out of my office. "Don't pretend with me, Elaine. You seem unusual; I can't put my hands on it,"

I walked closer to him, a fake concerned look etched on my face. "You appeared overwhelmed by work, and I was simply worried about your health. I love you, Edward. I'll never do anything to hurt you."

A knock interrupted, and Jane's head popped in; she walked in, failing to hide the glee on her face that Edward and I were arguing.

"Elaine," she acknowledged, before turning to face Edward.

"We are ready. I'll ask the team to move ahead now while we arrive later."

He nods at her. They appeared to act professionally, but I felt my memories tingling. I glanced at the calendar, June 5th. The uneasiness in my chest. Memories of me calling Edward's phone late at night, waiting for him to come home.

A tear subconsciously dropped on my face; I quickly swiped it off before anyone could notice.

"Don't wait for me tonight," he said brusquely and walked out with Jane. It was that same night he was with Jane; what happened that night?

***

The same wave of uneasiness spread through my chest. It was dark, most staff members had gone home, and the hallways were dim. I walked into Edward's workspace with his team. His cubicle above them was empty, the workspace scant as well. They hadn't left the office yet. I was about to walk back to my office when I noticed the lights in the company's directory were on.

"It's not here." I heard Jane's frustrated pitched tone. She must think no one is at the office. Edward kicked some boxes, cursing out loud. I peeked from the blinds and watched discreetly.

She held him quite intimately, rubbing down his back. "Don't be frustrated," she said softly and abruptly let go of him. "I should maintain my distance; you are still engaged to Elaine. That night was a mistake. I know you regret it."

What night? My stomach sank.

He held her in his arms tightly. "No, every second of our moments together was beautiful, Jane. I have always thought you were prettier and smarter than Elaine." He claimed her lips, and she returned it quite hungrily. I dropped my shaky hands from the blinds, furious to see tears pouring down my face.

Why was I still so affected? I should leave. I was about to walk away when I stumbled on the trash can, alerting them.

"There's someone outside. Are we being watched?" Jane asked.

"Stay here, I'll check." Edward's voice dropped dangerously.

A flash of the night I died came to me; will my fate repeat itself?