Chapter Three

Presently 

Alex watched as Bella Bella shared documents around at the board meeting. His eyes roamed lazily over her body and he felt a delicious rush of blood to his groin. 

Bella might have rejected him but he wanted her. He had always wanted her and he wants going to listen to her excuses. It just seemed like, Bella was avoiding him.  For the past 3 weeks since she resumed. He had not seen her. Today would make it the 3rd time he had seen her, since she began working for him. 

 Bella, she felt tingles on her skin as Alex stared. She looked away, suddenly reminded of her many insecurities. There was nothing that made Bella so uncomfortable than being stared out. She looked away as If Alex continued to stare at her with some ravenous intent, people would start talking. They would say she had seduced him.

As Alex stared on, Bella stared at her outfit. She wondered if she was okay. More presentable. She should be. Becky had taken her shopping for cooperate wears. She made her wear more skirts and Bella didn’t like skirts. It made herself conscious because she had an ass and was curvy. 

When Bella cut a glance at him, Alex’s eyes were still on her. She took in a breath and waited for the meeting to be over. As soon as the lights were back on, Bella found her way out of the room. She whispered into Laura‘s eyes and she nodded. 

Alex stood up. His eyes roamed the room and there was no sign of Bella. 

“Sir” he turned around to find Angel. She smiled and leaned in her body at him. “I saw you looking around do you need anything?” she asked.

“No not at all” he said and began walking away. Angel had always thrown herself at him but he never saw her attractive. Red heads were not his thing but no matter how many times, he tried to send her off on her way. She always found a way to appear in front of him. Last week, she wore something quite inappropriate to the office. Immediately she was reported to the HR. now she had a button open and her boobs were peeking out of her shirt. 

When Alex made it to his office, he turned to stare at the little office, which now belonged to Bella. He saw her working and when she looked up and saw him, she gasped. Alex smirked at him and continued walking. He was not ready for her now. He just wanted to clench the Barlow contract first.

That morning, while Alex went through some files, he had a knock on his door. He looked up to find Laura. 

“I told you I didn’t want to see anyone now” he said deadpanned.

“I’m sorry sir” she said guilty. “But there is a call on the second line. “It’s your mother”  

Henry rolled his eyes. His mother was his mother but often times, she was a pain in the behind.

“Alright I have heard” he dismissed her. Alex stared at his laptop and shut his eyes. Slowly he reached for the telephone.

“Hello Mother” he said.

“Alexander Charles Kendrick, where did it take you so long to answer the phone’ she spat.

“Mother I—“Alex began but his mother interrupted.

“You know what?  I want to see you in my house right this minute” and just like that the line went dead. 

 Alex sat motionless for a few minutes. He knew one way or the other, he just knew that he had been cursed to have the worst mother on earth.

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“Why did you reject the last girl I sent over to your house?” she asked as soon as Alex got into her house. Alex had not messed around lately because he was keeping his profile on the low. Anything from him will spark the internet. He went ahead to tell her about the Barlow contract.

“So you no longer care about me? I have always some grand babies but you keep rejecting any advances made by girls” his mother began to cry. Alex couldn’t understand what was going on. He thought he had just explained it all to her now. 

“Mum I told you, I will get married but it’s not now” he said.

“Get out of my house. I regret the day I gave back to you. You are the reason I am unable to get back in shape and you made your father leave” Louisa said. Her voice dripped with disgust and contempt. 

Alex walked out of the house and sat in his car. He sat motionless for a while before tears began to cascade down his cheeks. His mother had been saying this since he was a child. It hurt so much. Even though he looked alright on the outside but deep down he was hurt. And nothing could hurt more than the rejection from s mother. Alex called his driver to come drive as he was not in good mental health to do sp. He put on some shades as he saw his eyes were now red. 

By the time Alex got back to the office, it was already closing time. He went straight to his office and sat in the sofa. Alex wanted to forget. After that talk with his mother. He began to feel inadequate. His self-esteem dwindled. These were his demons. He decided to seek refuge in a whisky glass.

3 glasses drained of whisky, Alex was already tipsy but he could walk and do other stud. He rolled up the sleeves of his sheet and just then the knob to his door turned. He squinted. He checked the time. It was 10: 30pm. The cleaners don’t arrive until its 11pm. He took a sip of the whisky and waited as the unknown person made it into his office. 

As soon as he saw the face of the person, a slow smile began to spread on his lips. The universe had smiled on him.

“Bella” he rasped. She heard him because her shoulders stiffened. She slowly turned.  He beckoned on her to come closer.