Apexlux Is Mine

                      Chapter Seven 

               Apexlux Is Mine

Annie's POV 

Grey's words still hung in the air. “Dad, I'm not interested in becoming the new CEO.”

The room went still immediately. Diaman's jaw tightened, his face twitching with disbelief and something else I couldn't name yet. 

Grey still stood unmoved at his words. Then Diaman's voice broke the silence.

“What do you mean you're not interested as the new CEO? Why were you sent abroad to study? Wasn't it for this?”

Grey didn't flinch. He released my hand to adjust his cuff. “I've been building something worthwhile.”

“Worthwhile?” Diaman spat the word like venom. “What could be more important than this position? Do you even realize what you're walking away from? This company, this family, this empire?”

The heat in the room twisted my stomach. I wanted to reach out to stop the tension, but I couldn't move. 

Guests leaned toward one another, whispering with curiosity in their eyes. Before Grey could respond, the CEO of Apexlux walked in and strided toward him in his crisp blazer suit.

Everyone was surprised at what was happening. Grey's parents watched with confusion on their faces. All eyes were just focused on him.

“Today,” he said, his voice steady, “is the perfect day for you all to know the real owner of Apexlux.”

A murmur rippled across the room with confusion, curiosity and shock.

“I’ve waited for this moment. For this exact day.” His eyes moved from one face to another, lingering long enough to make them uncomfortable. “Not because I was unsure but because timing matters.”

He paused, letting the tension tighten.

“I’m done with my studies now,” Grey continued. “No more hiding behind academic walls. No more excuses. I’m ready to fully focus on my company.”

“What do you mean?” Diaman asked him with confusion on his face.

“Apexlux is mine.” Grey said with a steady voice without flinching.

The pause was deafening. Grey's parents blinked, confusion mingling with dawning realization. 

Diaman's mouth opened, closed, opened again. “You… wait,” Diaman stammered. “All this time… all the materials… I… you…”

Grey cut him off. “Yes, brother. Apexlux is mine. All the materials you get for your events are mine. I started it two years ago. It was nothing more than a vision and sleepless nights. I built it in silence. I watched it grow faster than I imagined.” His lips curved. “And seeing how far it’s come… I’m proud.”

“Thank you so much Mr Dominic for taking care of Apexlux like your own,” he said bowing to Mr Dominic.

Silence swallowed the room.

Then he straightened. “So yes. This company didn’t appear by magic. It has always had an owner. And that owner is standing right in front of you.”

I froze. Owner of Apexlux? The words kept echoing in my head. I stared at Grey, searching his face for the slightest hint of a joke. It can't be. I saw how Mr Dominic stood beside him with respect. If Mr Dominic was here, standing like that, then Grey wasn't lying.

Whispers broke loose, spreading like wildfire.

“Did you hear that?” 

“The owner?” 

“Wow… that’s smart.” 

“So he studied while running Apexlux?” 

“What a move. Killing two bird's with one stone.”

I could see everyone's face filled with admiration.

“Brilliant,” someone murmured. “No wonder the company scaled so fast.”

My fingers curled slightly against his arm with pride. 

Diaman's lips pressed into a thin line. He looked around the room, seeking validation, but the whispers and glances were not in his favor. He was suddenly just a man in a suit, standing in the shadow of his brother.

Grey's mum leaned forward with curiosity. “Annie… is this your first time discovering Grey is the owner of Apexlux?” She asked softly.

I forced a calm smile trying to steady my racing pulse. “Oh, no. Ma'am. I've known him as the owner before now.” I said keeping my tone casual.

“First your girlfriend… now your company… she laughed softly. You've been hiding a lot from us. Hope you are not hiding anything else?”

He smiled lightly. “Nothing else mum.”

His Dad moved himself closer on his wheelchair with raised brow. “You built Apexlux? All of it?” He shook his head stunned.

“I'm proud of you. Proud of your brother too for managing Starlight well.”

“Prepare, we are coming for a visit.”

Dominic bowed slightly. “We will be ready sir.”

The room became busy again as guests were striding towards Grey again. Congratulatulating and striking a business deal with him. Grey's parents already stepped away to attend to other things.

My heartbeat hadn't slowed because of the lie I had to let slip so effortlessly. “Oh, no. Ma'am. I've known he owned Apexlux before now.”

God forbid. I didn't know he was the owner until fifteen minutes ago. 

The air in the hall suddenly felt too thick for me. Every gaze that landed on me now was Annie, the billionaire's girlfriend. 

My chest constricted. I needed air. I slipped away before anyone could ask another question.

The hallway felt quieter and cooler. I leaned against the wall and pressed my palm over my heart. God. What had I done? Why did I lie? Why didn't Grey correct it? And his parents accept it so easily?

I inhaled sharply, trying to steady myself. Footsteps echoed behind me. I didn't need to turn because I knew it was Grey. He stopped in front of me.

“Why did you lie?” He asked quietly.

I swallowed. “I–I didn't think. Your mum asked so suddenly, and I didn't know what else to say.”

He raised a brow, a twitch of amusement at the corner of his mouth. “So you lied to cover up the first lie.”

“Ugh… when you put it like that… it sounds worse.” 

He almost laughed. “That's because it is.”

I crossed my arms, trying to salvage the little dignity I had left. “I just didn't want her to think you were keeping things from me. Besides, it was part of our plan.” I said, tilting my head up to meet his gaze.

He stepped closer enough that his cologne wrapped around me. “Annie… My family believes everything you say. Once they accept someone, they don't doubt easily.” He paused. “They just accepted you.”

My stomach tightened. “Meaning?” I whispered.

His eyes softened. “Meaning you are part of us now.”

I opened my mouth nothing came out.

Then Grey moved closer.

He leaned both hands against the wall, one on each side of me. I was already close to him, but now there was no space left. I stood between his arms, forced to tilt my head up.

My heartbeat quickened. Heat crept into my cheeks.

He looked slowly, assessing my face. His gaze lingering on my eyes, then my lips. 

Then his mother's cheerful voice floated down the hallway. “Annie dear, we are about to serve dessert!”

I softened. “See? No suspicion at all.”

My cheeks flamed. “That's…. Are you not supposed to say thank you for saving us there?” 

He smiled. Releasing his hands from the wall. “Well… you handled yourself well.”

“This is not thank you.” I said in a low voice.

He glanced at his vibrating phone. “I'll be back in a moment. Don't move too far.” Then he was out of sight.

Instantly, my body stiffened again when I saw Diaman walking towards me with a weight in his eyes that made my breath hitch. 

“Annie, can I talk t

o you?”

“Talk to me about what?”

I was about to walk away from him, when he dragged me by hand with force.

“Don't you dare walk out on me!”