ARE YOU JEALOUSY LITTLE ONE

(ALEXA'S POV)

A week had passed since Luke's sudden disappearance, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. I had barely got anywhere with questioning him about his connection to Moon, he claimed he had got the tattoo on a whim at sixteen. And about the orchid and the shooting he had purposely dodged those questions, leaving me frustrated and confused. 

After that incident, I have decided to stay close to Luke, afterall I wasn't sure whether he was friend or foe. Maybe it was also because a part of me still clung to the hope that he might be Moon. Either way, I was currently in his office, fulfilling my end of the bargain by working as his assistant. If I had thought working for Steven was extreme I was wrong, Luke's company was burning with workload, documents flying everywhere, unending meetings, various sectors and employees to keep track of. I was drowning in a sea of paperwork and deadlines.

Today was the final meeting with Hales Enterprises, before I decide to go to court. I have just received the news that Owen Hales would be attending in person. I guess it was expected.

"Are you ready for this?" I turned to face Luke, who was dressed in a black shirt and casual jeans. He looked so comfortable and relaxed that I felt envious of him. "So, you're finally back," I said with venom dripping on my tongue.

"Of course I came back yesterday evening, little one," he said, sipping his coffee with an air of calmness. "I am quite impressed with how you have managed the company in my absence." I stepped closer, my eyes narrowing. "Is that a tan? Were you on a fuckin vacation while I was slaving away in your company?" My voice rose, barely contained.

"Ohh! So the tiger shows her claws," he said with a smile as he pulled me closer. I landed on his chest. "You, you…" But before I could finish, his lips crashed down on mine, demanding and possessive. His kiss wasn't gentle, he kissed like he was starving. His lips moved against mine in a possessive way.

"Ahhh, get off me,” I pushed him back only to come face to face with Ethan, who stood there with an impressively cool expression for someone who had just witnessed his boss kissing someone. 

I quickly made my way around to the other side of the vehicle, my face still flushed with embarrassment. After sometime Luke also slid into the car immediately becoming engrossed in his phone, his expression unreadable as if he hadn't just kissed me like he was dying.

“Bastard” I muttered under my breath.

"What did you say?" he asked, his voice low and even. 

"Nothing," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. His eyes narrowed. 

"Do you want me to punish you again, little one?" He said as he put his phone down, his words sent a shiver down my spine.

"You can punish me, who knows how many women you have punished like this. I bet you had a different woman in your bed every night for the past week." He turned to face me, unsure what was driving my anger. "Did you enjoy their company? Huh!" I asked as I turned away from him. 

"What’s wrong with you?" he asked, his brow furrowed in concern. I shrugged, trying to brush it off. "Nothing. Don’t mind me." 

In a swift movement, I was on his lap, he pulled me closer and whispered, his voice low and husky. "Have you forgotten our last meeting in this very vehicle, or do you need me to remind you?"

“Don't touch me,” I replied, squirming around trying to free myself. “Who knows how many women those hands have touched.”

He chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Are you jealous, little one?" 

I shrugged, trying to free myself from his grip. "Why should I be? You don't belong to me." 

His smile faltered for a moment before he replied, "As far as I know, I haven't touched a woman in years." 

I raised an eyebrow. "Liar." He leaned in, his voice taking on a teasing tone. "Why do you think I am lying?"

"Well, well….. " I murmured, but couldn't form a sentence.

He laughed, his voice low and soothing. "Come on, let's hear your source of anger, mi alma," he said, his fingers tracing gentle paths across my face. I hesitated, unsure how to explain that I felt like just another repeat performance. "Ahhh, nothing," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, trying to brush it off.

He looked deep into my eyes before brushing a soft kiss on the tip of my nose. He whispered something I didn't hear as he opened the car door, indicating we had arrived. 

I jumped out of the car very fast, checking to see if anyone had witnessed my compromising position in his car once again.

 We walked hand in hand towards the boardroom, my mind a mess as I passed through the walls I had built brick for brick the past eight years. I got a few greetings here and there after all I had almost employed most of the staff here, Luke's voice cut through the momentary chaos. "You ready?" he asked, his eyes questioning as we stood outside the boardroom.

"I have to be," I replied, my voice steady despite the racing of my heart. “I have come too far to turn back now."

"You are strong, Alexa. You will get through this,"  I felt a gentle squeeze as he reached for my hand. We made our way to our designated seats. My gaze swept through the room. First I spotted Nicole, realizing only now that she was free. I will have to ask Lala, I have been so preoccupied last week that I had forgotten to follow up on her situation. Beside her sat Steven, impeccably dressed in a navy blue suit. My attention was then drawn to Owen Hales, who was currently engaged in a silent staring competition with Luke. The air seemed to vibrate with tension as the two men locked eyes, their expressions unreadable.

I gripped Luke's hand tightly for a moment before releasing it to take my place before the board. I stood tall, today I was dressed in crisp white slacks, a fitted white shirt underneath a rich brown coat, and my brown hair pulled back into a sleek bun. I had kept my makeup minimal. 

The meeting had officially begun.