As Isabella and Kia enjoyed their drinks in the VIP lounge of Club Eden, the lively atmosphere around them took an unexpected turn. Ruben, who had discreetly followed Isabella from her house to the club, approached their table. Isabella's gaze shifted to him, suspicion lining her eyes. "What are you doing here? Are you stalking me now?" Ruben raised his hands in a defensive gesture. "No, I'm not. I came here with a few friends."
Isabella arched an eyebrow, her skepticism apparent. "But this is a male strip club." Ruben chuckled, his gaze meeting Kia's. "Yeah, I know the owner of the place, so it's not a problem." Isabella glanced at Kia, a silent exchange passing between them. "Hello there," Ruben greeted Kia. Kia quirked an eyebrow. "Hey hi. I thought you're into men for a second."
Ruben laughed. "You got jokes. I'm Ruben." He extended his hand for a shake, an
As Ruben guided Isabella to his car, the city lights reflecting off the glossy surface, Isabella couldn't help but voice the nagging question that had lingered in her mind. "Why are you always following everywhere?" she asked, her words slurring slightly from the effects of the alcohol.Ruben, focusing on the road ahead, smiled. "Because I care about you," he replied, his gaze briefly meeting hers. Isabella, perhaps feeling the weight of the night and the unexpected twists it had taken, sighed in response. The gentle hum of the car's engine and the rhythmic sounds of the city outside created a cocoon of tranquility, and before long, Isabella succumbed to the drowsiness that alcohol often brings.In the quiet confines of the car, Isabella drifted into a peaceful slumber. Her head rested against the window, and the subtle rise and fall of her chest signaled the deep sleep that had claimed her. The cityscape blurred as Ruben continued to navigate through the streets, his eyes occasionall
As Alex settled into the house, he was greeted by the lingering aroma of an exquisite meal that awaited him. The memory-laden scent beckoned him to the dining area, where a spread of delicious dishes graced the table.Savoring each bite, Alex felt a sense of comfort in the familiar taste of his mother's cooking. The flavors transported him back to simpler times, where the family gathered around the table, sharing stories and laughter. After the satisfying meal, Alex retreated to his room. The room, adorned with memories and remnants of his past, held a certain nostalgia. As he surveyed the space, his gaze lingered on a framed photograph capturing a younger version of himself, a mischievous glint in his eyes.Lost in thought, he recalled the times when he used to sneak into his room, trying to avoid the watchful eyes of his mother. One particular scenario stood out vividly in his memory.Late one night, after a party that had stretched into the early hours, Alex tiptoed into the house,
In the charged atmosphere of the living room, Alex, reluctant to open past wounds, attempted to steer the conversation back to the present. "Mum, can we just talk about what is important?" he implored, hoping to redirect their focus.Grace, however, seemed unwilling to let go of the underlying tensions. "What is important? So Dave wasn't important to you, is what you're saying?" she retorted, her words carrying a sharp edge.Alex, sensing the conversation veering into familiar territory, responded with a hint of frustration, "Are you making this about Dave? Need I remind you about everything that happened to this day, how you both treated me like I'm not a member of this family?" Grace, defensive, countered, "How did I treat you, hun? All I did was to make sure you kids get along just fine, but you always, always make flimsy excuses to reject your role.""Mum, before you start blaming, please find your facts well," Alex urged, his patience wearing thin. Grace, feeling the weight of th
After the emotional storm in the porch, Alex, feeling utterly miserable, made his way upstairs and collapsed onto his bed. Thoughts swirled in his mind, a chaotic whirlwind of broken dreams and shattered illusions. He lay there, staring at the ceiling, grappling with the harsh reality of his life.Amidst his contemplation, a gentle knock echoed through the room. "Come in," he called out, the weariness evident in his voice. Grace entered the room, her presence somehow both comforting and unsettling. "You have a minute, son?" she inquired, her voice carrying a tone of both concern and authority. Alex sat up, looking at her with a mix of exhaustion and apprehension. "What is it, Mum?"Grace walked up to him, taking a seat on the bed. Alex mirrored her actions, waiting for her words. "Have you been crying?" she asked, her gaze searching his face for an answer. Alex remained silent, neither confirming nor denying the evidence of his emotional turmoil. Regardless, Grace continued, "Anyway,
Alex's gaze fixed on the distant horizon as if contemplating the unfolding plan. "Well, while considering that, I want to bring in new people," he declared, his eyes reflecting determination. "What?" Grace inquired, setting down her pen."They are capable, Mum. I can assure you of that," Alex replied confidently. Grace raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. "Who are these people?" "Just leave that to me. I won't do something to harm us, you know that, Mum," Alex reassured her.Grace sighed, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "I won't even allow that." "So, that's a yes?" Alex pressed, hopeful. "Not inherently. I will need to see these people of yours and know their qualifications before I can say yes," Grace insisted, unwavering. "Okay, Mum, but while I do that, I'm not taking no for an answer," Alex asserted, a glint of stubbornness in his eyes. "Just do what you have to do," Grace conceded, her tone softening.Alex nodded, appreciating the concession. "You won't be disappointed, Mum.
As Maria introduced Alex to her friends, he greeted them with a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you all," he said, acknowledging the new faces around him. The atmosphere was lively, and the group seemed to be enjoying their time together. Just then, Chloe, a member of Maria's circle, eyed Alex with recognition. "Aren't you Fitzgerald?" she asked, her eyes widening with surprise.Alex, caught off guard, nodded hesitantly. "Uh, yeah." Chloe's excitement was palpable. "Oh my God, it's really nice to meet you!" Maria, looking a bit perplexed, chimed in, "Well, Alex, do sit. Let's have a drink together. It's been so long since we caught up."Alex, though appreciative of the offer, hesitated. "I wish I could, but I don't want to interrupt your thing here. I'll just be at the counter there." "Really?" Maria raised an eyebrow. "You know it's totally fine to join us, right?" "I know, but I'll just be there. It's so good to see you, though," Alex replied with a warm smile. With that, he gracefull
Alex, searching for the source of Maria's concern, asked cautiously, "Did Isabella put you up to this?" Maria, with a hint of surprise, replied, "What... no. I haven't even seen her since all this went down." "Okay... looks like she's really moving on," Alex mused, a mixture of emotions playing on his face. Maria reached out, gently holding his hand."You'll be okay," Maria assured him. "Yeah... sure," Alex responded, his tone betraying a touch of skepticism. Maria, sensing his inner turmoil, continued, "So what are you doing here?" Alex explained, "You know, just to cool off some steam." Maria raised an eyebrow. "Okay, but I thought you said you do that with your boys."Alex sighed, "Yeah, most of them are married, so I let them be." "Right. Listen, if you need someone to talk to, I'm here," Maria offered. "I know, thanks Maria, you're a good one," Alex acknowledged, appreciating the genuine concern in her words. Maria stood up and hugged him, saying, "And take it easy on the drinks.
Amidst the quiet serenity of the park, Alex, feeling a need to clarify his intentions, insisted, "Look, I just want to be nice to you, is all." Bambi, still processing the unexpected offer, replied cautiously, "Okay, but I don't know you like that."Respecting her hesitation, Alex decided to reveal a bit more about himself. "Okay, you know what, look up REED Group of Company. My dad owns it, and now, I'm the acting CEO. And a position is open for you, if you're interested." Bambi's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and skepticism in her expression. "Who are you?" she questioned.Alex, with a warm smile, revealed, "I'm Alex Fitzgerald." Bambi, realizing the magnitude of the situation, said, "I think I'm gonna have to look you up when I get home." Alex nodded, encouraging her to do so. "You do that." Bambi, feeling overwhelmed, asked, "Okay, but can I at least think about this? It's too much to process right now.""Hey, hey, take your time. You don't have to give me an answer right away,