Chapter 5

Alexander's POV

The drive  back from the shoot was quiet, but the silence between us wasn’t calm—it was electric. I could still feel the heat of her lips on mine, the way her body had trembled against me even though she had tried to fight it. Valda was seated at the far end, her eyes looking outside the window with her arms wrapped around herself.

“You keep saying you hate me,” I finally broke the silence, my voice low, “but your body tells me something completely different.”

She didn't say anything, nor glance at me which made continue.

"I still wonder why you disappeared years ago, if you still want me like this." 

Her head snapped towards me, her eyes blazing red with years of anger. Till today, I still wondered what I had fine that made her hate me so much. It was all fun five years ago just with everyone else, but Valda had taken it personal.

Valda let out a sharp hiss, the kind of sound that was pure venom. “Don’t flatter yourself, Alexander. What happened back there was part of the contract. Nothing more.” she rolled her eyes.

"Really?" I asked. "Nothing more, but your body said otherwise when an inch of my body was away from yours."

"You think so highly of yourself." She retorted. "I'd say same for you too."

I smirked, leaning back against the seat, but I felt the sting of her words anyway. “If you say so.”

She rolled her eyes, and before I could add another word, the car stopped in front of the penthouse. She pushed open the door and stormed out without waiting for me.

 I watched her retreat, jaw tightening. Damn her. Damn me for still wanting her. I didn’t even have the chance to go after her. 

My phone rang loudly in my pocket. A call from the office. I cursed under my breath—I had been so wrapped up in the shoot, in her, that I’d completely ignored my responsibilities. I already knew what awaited me.

By the time I arrived at the company, the boardroom was already buzzing. Jason was there, leaning casually in his chair like he owned the place, and the moment I walked in, his eyes cut into me with that familiar smirk.

“Late again,” he sneered, loud enough for everyone to hear. “What was it this time, Alexander? Another one of your... distractions?”

Jason, I glared at him. My very annoying stepbrother that shouldn't be in this world, only if my late father had controlled what was between his legs.

I ignored him, walking to the head of the table. “Let’s get started.”

But before I could even sit down, Mr. Carter, one of the senior board members, cleared his throat. He looked uneasy, shuffling through the papers in his hand. “Sir… there’s been a development. That overseas investment deal you approved last month—it’s a scam. The company doesn’t exist. We’ve lost millions.”

The words hit me like a blow to the chest. My fingers curled into fists on the table. “What are you talking about? That deal was vetted—”

“It wasn’t vetted enough,” Jason cut in, his voice sharp with triumph. “This is exactly what I’ve been warning everyone about. Alexander isn’t fit to run this company. He’s reckless, careless, and now he’s cost us everything.”

I turned to him, his words made my blood boil. Who did he think he was to judge someone's character like he was any better?

The room filled with murmurs, the board shifting uncomfortably in their seats.

I straightened, glaring at him. “You think you could’ve done better, Jason? Don’t act like you’ve never made mistakes.”

Jason laughed bitterly, standing now, his voice dripping with venom. “Mistakes? This isn’t a mistake—it’s negligence all because you didn't sit to think. You were too busy chasing skirts, and you neglected your position as president while the company burned. You’re nothing but a fraud.”

That did it. My temper snapped. “Say that again.”

“Oh, I’ll say it as many times as it takes until they all see the truth.” He pointed a finger at me. “You don’t deserve that seat. I should’ve been the one running this company from the start. Not you.”

The board tried to calm us, but the tension in the room was unbearable. I moved toward him, chest to chest, and before I knew it, his fist connected with my jaw. I staggered back, tasting blood.

Rage exploded in me. I moved forward, grabbing his collar, and slammed him into the table. My fist met his face, and the sound of the impact echoed through the room. He fought back, landing a blow to my ribs, and suddenly we were locked in a brutal brawl, fueled by years of hatred.

“Enough!” someone shouted, and several men rushed in, pulling us apart. I was breathing heavily, my chest heaving, blood trickling from my lip. Jason’s eye was already swelling, but he was still smiling at me.

“This isn’t over,” he spat, adjusting his jacket. “I’ll take this company from you, Alexander. Mark my words—you’ll lose everything.”

I wanted to tear him apart right there, but I forced myself to stand tall, wiping the blood from my mouth. I couldn’t give him the satisfaction.

The meeting dissolved in chaos, and I walked out without another word.

By the time I got back to the penthouse, my body ached and my head pounded, but the pain inside me was worse. Everything that I had worked hard for was slowly slipping away.

I went straight to the bar, pulling out the bottle of whiskey. I didn’t bother with a glass, just twisted the cap and drank straight from it. The burn in my throat was sharp, but it wasn’t enough to drown out Jason’s words, the accusing looks of the board, or Valda’s cold stare from earlier.

I sat down on the bare floor, the bottle in front of me. My head was aching but I didn't care. I had to forget this immense pain.

But no matter how much I drank, one truth lingered in my mind—Jason wasn’t going to stop until he destroyed me. And Valda… Valda was under my roof, her hatred eating at me, her beauty haunting me.

Two enemies. Two battles. And I wasn’t sure which one would break me first.