Love And Secrets

CHAPTER THREE

Alexandre's POV

“Congratulations to the latest groom”, Dmitri’s voice boomed through the office, “I’m pissed man, you didn't invite me to your wedding” He teased patting me on my back. As I stood up to hug my best friend.

“Michael started threatening me. I needed to act fast, I'm sorry man”. I said as he took a seat. “It's alright man, is she beautiful?” He asked, smirking. I knew the game he was playing at. Dmitri is a manwhore and the thought of him thinking of Yasmin in that manner made my blood boil. She was Mine.

“She’s offlimit Dmitri '' I grit out through clenched teeth. “Slow down bro, I just wanted to be sure your Father would approve of your overnight wife” He smirked knowing he had pushed my buttons.

Dmitri and I have a rough history with women, but he knows Yasmin is off-limits. I had chosen her the moment I caught sight of her auburn hair years ago and he knew not to mess with me.

“I don’t care what Michael thinks, my grandfather’s criteria was we settle down and start our family as the last step to get the company. and I have, he has no choice but to hand it over. Aaron isn’t getting married anytime soon” I stare at Dmitri smirking, knowing my Father would lose the company has been my lifelong goal.

“You know a lot of questions are going to pop up, and your woman will be exposed” He tosses out. “I have everything under control, Tri,” I said as he extended his arm to admit defeat. “How about, celebratory drinks, to mourn your status of most eligible and the new CEO of Milkanoff’s conglomerate”.

“That sounds like a plan-” The sound of my phone ringing cut me off and my father’s name flashed on the screen. “Hello Father” I greeted curtly, I was pretty sure he had seen the news.

“Alexandre what the f**k are you playing at and don’t think I’ll eat up that sob story of you secretly tying the knot. This isn’t a f*****g game” I could hear him heaving over the phone. “You’re scared to work for me Dad and you know the company is slipping out of your hands” I hissed at him.

After our mother’s death, he took over her shares, and my granddad hated him for it and we know the reason why.

“I am going to bury you, Dad,” I said hanging up on him. “The press ate the story up, and oh boy is he pissed, '' Dmitri said laughing as we exited my office. “Michael wouldn’t know what hit him”.

******

Yasmin's POV

“Hey, Isa'', I leaned in to kiss her forehead “How are you feeling?” I adjusted her wheelchair to touch the bed.

“As good as new” she beamed her bangs covering her upper lid “I didn’t know you were running off this morning to get married”

“How did you know?” I asked, but she looked at me like I had grown two heads.

“You haven’t seen the news have you?” she asked, holding out the TV remote and switching channels.

What the hell! I stared at the TV with shock as images of me and Alexandre splayed on the screen. The headlines say the most eligible bachelor and secret fiance tie the knot after two months of dating, with more pictures being displayed.

“Isa I can explain” I turned back to my sister grinning from ear to ear. “You have nothing to explain Yas, remember I am living vicariously through you, and bagging Alexandre Milkanoff is f*****g badass” she sighed dreamily. I smiled and smothered her with kisses. The doctor had cleared her to go home.

“I wonder if Dad has seen the news,” She said as we left the hospital building to meet Vanel outside who was waiting to drop me off at Alexandre’s house.

“If Mr Milkanoff finds out we took a detour I might lose my job,” she said, staring at Isabella. “He already knows about her so don't bother, "I said, smiling sweetly at her as Isabella got into the car while I folded up her wheelchair and stuffed it into the back.

I packed a few of the dresses I had taken from Keith’s house. I wonder if he saw the news and what he thinks of me. I shook away the tears pooling in my eyes.

My dad wasn’t at home but he hadn’t apologized for the hurtful things he said to me. I hated leaving Isa at home but he was a perfect father to her and a better caregiver.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” Isa said, clutching me from behind. “Who’ll make me tacos at two am when I can’t sleep” I could hear the pain in her voice. We started two am tacos to take her mind away from the pain from her legs.

“You can visit whenever, I’ll miss you too” I hugged her back inhaling the faint smell of her strawberry shampoo, and kissed her goodbye.

A loose tear threatened to fall off my eyes, as I stepped into the car, with Vanel’s eyes glued to the screen of her laptop. I tried to gulp back every raging emotion that came crashing down, leaving Isa, this loveless marriage, and disappointments— but it was too late for that as the tear rolled down my cheek. In just a few minutes, I was crying silently.

“Thank you” I opened my eyes at the sound of Vanel’s voice as we stopped in front of Milkanoff suites. I was very aware, I looked like a panda.

“I thought we were going to Alexandre’s house?” I ask taking my box out of the car.

“Mr. Alexandre owns the penthouse” Vanel replied, “There is a private elevator, here’s the key card. Everyone has been briefed about your arrival.” She handed me the key card before turning back into the car.

Of course, he lives in a penthouse. And it’s the most gorgeous space I have ever seen. I prop my luggage in their sitting room and head over to the foyer, standing in this high-rise building. it’s just dawning on me how rich Alexandre is.

“Welcome, Mrs Milkanoff” A soft feminine voice echoes behind me, as I turn to see a fairly older lady smiling at me, she reminds me of my Mama.

“I’m sorry, Vanel just dropped me off and I didn't see anyone when I walked in” I stepped back into the apartment. “Mrs, it isn't necessary, please call me Yasmin”.

“It’s alright dear, Alex already informed me and had me prepare your room” she beamed. “Oh my where are my manners, I’m Bertha and I am the housekeeper.” She led through the massive kitchen with lots of food items on the table.

“Excuse the mess love, I didn't know what you would like so I prepared a bit of everything” she finished as we got out of the kitchen taking a load of the mess. “It's alright kinda reminds me of home” I smiled softly at her as she chuckled.

There's no way Bertha didn't have a hand in the decor of Alex’s home. Especially in the kitchen, cabinets fill the walls from top to bottom. At the other end of the room, there's a large refrigerator, a cute coffee machine, and two ovens that take up the entire space. It looks very nice.

We exit the kitchen and make our way upstairs to another large hall with rooms and abstract art pieces decorating each space on the wall.

“Here’s your room,” she leads me through large doors into a very spacious room larger than my whole apartment.

“There's an en suite through the left door, and there’s a walk-in closet to your right,” she explained. I was too mesmerized to say anything.

“Alexandre sleeps in a room downstairs so feel free to call me if you need anything.” My excitement dropped, knowing he didn't even want to be in the same hall with me.

“Thank you, Bertha” I smiled weakly as she dropped off my boxes in the middle of the large room.

“Thank you, darling, I know Alex might seem tough, but I've known him since he was a toddler. He will come around” She smiled leaving me in the empty room with my thoughts.

Like hell, he will. He hates me.