STEVEN HALES

STEVEN'S POV 

I stood frozen, watching the entire scene in anger, my eyes followed Luke's fingers as they tenderly caressed Alexa's shoulders, his touch sending a clear message, he was here for her. He whispered something in her ear and her tensed body seemed to relax, her eyes fluttering closed as she leaned into his touch. I couldn't bear to stay a minute longer. I stormed out of the meeting room, before I said or did something that I might regret.

I burst into the office, the door slamming shut behind me. "Damn it, Alexa, why couldn't she just behave?" She was just a girl from a poor family with no background. How could she be my wife? I have already given her everything she could possibly want, treated her better than most men treated their mistresses. Maybe that's the problem, maybe I have spoiled her too much, made her forget her place. 

How dare she rebel? Everything she had, every opportunity she had ever had, every shred of success she has achieved, it was all thanks to me. I laughed loudly. How can she forget  how I had pulled her and her family out of the gutter, given her a life she never could have dreamed of. And what did she do with it? She rebelled against me. So what if she was intelligent? Ha! What good was wisdom without money? Without my wealth and influence, she would be nothing. “NOTHING”

First I needed to find those sketches and deal with her later. I aggressively searched my office, turning everything upside down but they were gone. The safe was empty, a sense of unease crept over me as I realized that someone had been in my office. Who could have taken them? And why? Alexa's defiant face flashed in my mind.

I threw the glass of whiskey towards the door in anger, I needed to think, I couldn't just sit here and watch as she destroyed me. Alexa Jones Clavelen was born to serve me, to be my slave, my mistress and my ladder to success. And I would make sure she remembered that. My eyes narrowed as I thought of ways to make her submit to my will. She would learn to obey, to follow my orders without question. I would see to it.

Cole stormed into the room, barely avoiding the flying glass. "Calm down, calm down, you almost ruined my beautiful face!"  He exclaimed, dramatically checking his reflection in the mirror several times.

I collapsed into the chair, Cole handing me the bottle of whiskey. But as I looked at the bottle, my mind flashed back to the memory of Alexa, her naked body shining on my desk, drinking from that very bottle. My face twisted in a mixture of anger and desire, the image engraved deep into my brain. I felt a wave of possessiveness, my grip on the bottle tightening as I poured myself a drink, the amber liquid burning down my throat.

Cole picked up a glass of his own. "By the way, I just saw your mistress in the arms of Luke Hunter? She was crying and he was comforting her?" He said it like the most casual thing to happen.

I set my glass down. "So it's really him?" Cole's nod was all the confirmation I needed. He was one of the few that had met Luke Hunters personally. “Damn it Alexa.” How did you get entangled with Hunters?

“By the way, what is the business shark  doing in your company?” Cole asked.

"She invited him," I growled, the words barely escaping my lips.

"What? Alexa invited Luke? Oh my, what is their relationship?" Cole asked, his tone filled with surprise. And then he seemed to piece together the situation and let out a low whistle. "She is indeed something. I can't believe she found herself another worthy suitor immediately after you." He chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice as he sipped his whiskey.

"Indeed she is something," I echoed, my tone dripping with sarcasm. Another glass shattered against the wall, Cole dodged it just in time, his eyes widening. “What's your problem Steven, do you want to kill me?”

"Get out!" I shouted, my anger boiling over. "Fine, fine, I will leave," Cole said, backing away with his hands raised. "I told you not to mess with that woman," he reminded me.

"Or maybe she shouldn't have messed with me," I muttered under my breath as I watched Cole close the door behind him. A cold smile spread across my face. "She doesn't know I play dirty." My eyes narrowed, a plan already forming in my mind. 

I dialed a number, my fingers drumming impatiently on the desk. "Henry, do we still have Brandon Jones among the list of our interns?" I asked, my voice firm. There was a brief pause before Henry replied.

"Yes, sir, Brandon Jones is still with us," Henry replied and I smiled. "He is one of the most capable young engineers on site, and I was actually going to recommend him to you. He has been doing exceptional work, that man has a keen eye for detail." Henry went on to list Brandon's talents.

"Good, good," His excellent work ability will make things easier, my mind was already racing ahead. "I don't need his resume, Henry. Is he in complete control of any construction?" I asked, my voice firm.

“No, sir. No matter how excellent an intern is, we can't put him in complete control," Henry replied, his voice laced with a hint of caution, emphasizing the standard protocol for interns, regardless of their excellence.

"Find a way and give him a full project to handle on his own," I instructed, my voice firm and decisive. "Okay, sir. Does that mean he is formally employed?" Henry asked, seeking clarification. I waved my hand dismissively. 

"I don't care what you do. Just make sure he is in full control." Henry kept quiet for a while before answering "Okay, sir," Henry replied, his tone indicating he will take care of the details.

"Henry, do this fast, very fast," I said, my voice urgent, before abruptly ending the call. I sat back in my chair, a cold smile spreading across my face as I muttered to myself, "Alexa, Alexa, you should have never started a war with me." My eyes narrowed, a calculated glint flashing in them, as I started imagining Alexa on her knees begging me.