Chapter 5. It's over

Lucas slowly turned to face his father. “Oh, Dad. What are you doing here?”

   “I just ask you the same question. This isn’t the way to your office.”

   “Come on Dad, I know that. It’s  just that…well, there’s this girl I’m interested in, and I was trying to talk to her.”

  His father’s face lit up. “Trying to make her your girlfriend? I like that.” His father exclaimed happily. “Now, you're following. Good job, just let me know if you need my expert advice with that, okay?” His father winked at him mischievously.

   Lucas nodded quickly, forcing a smile just as the person his father was waiting for stepped out of the nearby office. Lucas gave a casual wave and waited until they entered the man's car and drove into the main road.

   The moment they were out of sight, he rushed into the culinary program building.

  “Too close,” he muttered under his breath.

   ***

   Meanwhile, after two years, Alex had become the owner of four extra branches of McBen's eateries scattered across Atlanta City. 

   He sat in an executive chair of an office that exuded opulence with sleek glass walls and polished marble floors. Natural light poured in through the parted curtains of a floor-to-ceiling window. The office was decorated with rich wood and plush leather furniture. The air was crisp and clean. The scent of fresh coffee and subtle hints of air freshener of apple blossom filled the place. Every detail reflected refinement and success.

    He sipped his coffee with his left hand, eyes locked on the stack of files spread before him. The knock at the door barely registered.  

   “Yes, come in,” he muttered, not looking up—until the sharp click of heels on marble snapped his focus.  

   “Oh no,” he groaned under his breath. “Not Larissa again.”

   “Hello, darling,” she purred, stretching the word like silk between her lips.

   Alex clenched his jaw. “Why is she here this early?” Forcing a smile, he finally looked up. She had frozen in her signature pose as always, waiting for his eyes. Once she caught them, she strutted forward, swaying like a model on a runway.

   “Larissa, isn’t it a little too early for a social visit?” His tone was dry, unimpressed.

   She ignored the jab and circled the desk, leaning in for a peck. He tilted away.

   “Relax, darling,” she whispered. “A peck won’t kill you. It’s just affection. And you know I care…”

She said as she reached for his jaw again.

  Without flinching, Alex dropped his gaze back to the files. “Care from a stalker still feels like harassment,” he muttered flatly.

   Larissa's smile faltered. But he was already reading again showing his lack of interest.

    Larissa’s pout deepened as she stood there, unmoving, her eyes fixed on Alex like a disappointed actress waiting for applause. He hated that look.

   With a sigh, he dropped the file in his hand, fingers interlacing tightly on the desk. His voice was low, firm, and controlled. “What do you want now, Larissa?”

   She hissed sharply, flipping her hair. “You’re so damn annoying sometimes, you know that? Acting like a child. Why can’t you just see the full package in front of you?” She swayed over, easing into the seat across from him, crossing her legs slowly like it was a performance.

   Alex raised his head and locked eyes with her. “First of all, stop calling me darling. I don’t like the sound of that coming from your lips. Secondly, I’ve told you, over and over again, I’m not interested. Not in you. Not in your so-called full package.”

   She opened her mouth, but he cut her off.

   “Take it to someone who actually wants it. Plenty of men out there will fall for the act. I’m just not one of them. And for the last time, I’m not looking for a relationship. So stop this—before it crosses the line into harassment.”

   He returned to his files as if she were already gone.

   Larissa’s face flushed crimson. “Come on, you’re breaking my heart, darling. I only have eyes for you. You should know that by now. I don’t want any other man, just give us a little chance, It felt so natural the last time we were together” She said as she reached for his hand.

   “Enough of your whining, Larissa!” Alex snapped, his voice sharp, his patience officially gone. He yanked her hand away. “Last time? It was just a fling, and I was drunk. Stop wasting your time and mine. As you can see, I’m busy. So kindly leave. Now!”

   Larissa’s eyes widened in disbelief, her ego bruised. “Damn it, Alex! What kind of man are you, huh? Do you even have a heart? Are you even a man? Sometimes I wonder if you’re gay! Even gays know how to love. You are frustrating”

   Alex let out a dry, sarcastic chuckle. “Maybe I’m not a man. Maybe I’m a woman. Maybe I’m gay. Who knows? But what I do know is for you to get the hell out of my office before I really lose my temper.”

   There was stunned silence for a beat as Larissa stiffened, then hissed, “Fine. I’m leaving. But you’ll regret this!”

   Alex didn’t flinch. “Get out already. It’s over.”

   She stormed toward the door and bumped right into Jason. He blinked in confusion as she shoved past him and headed down the hall like a hurricane in heels. 

   Jason's brows shot up. “Whoa, whoa, easy lady. Why are you this upset?”  

   She shot him a glare, her heels clacking furiously. “Excuse me, birds of the same feathers, heartbreakers.” She sighed as she continued on her way. 

   Jason chuckled and screamed after her “Wrong, Larissa. We’re not the same. I’ve got three girlfriends.”

    He laughed and watched as she disappeared down the hall. Then he stepped into the office. “Bro, what the heck did you say to her? Her eyes were shooting fire.”  

   Alex leaned back, exhaling like a man freed from a cage. “I don’t care if her eyes fall out of their sockets. I told her the truth finally. I’m not interested, never was. She is exhausting me. Always showing up uninvited, trying to stake a claim. I had to shut it down hard this time.”  

   Jason let out a low whistle. “Well, congrats, dear cousin. Another beautiful woman down the drain. Word of advice for you. If you’re not into women, get yourself a man. That way, at least the ladies will stop hunting you.”  

   Alex shot Jason a look. “Keep your advice to yourself. And unless you’ve got real business, get out before I chase you out as I did her.”  

   Jason grinned. “Alright, alright, message received.”

   Jason chuckled. “Serious and very busy as always, huh? Don’t worry, bro, I won’t steal your day. There’s a birthday party tonight at Club Unite and…”  

   “I’m not going, Jason,” Alex cut in flatly.  

   Jason groaned. “Come on, dear big bro, Jessica begged me to beg you. Just show face, grease the occasion a little. You know I like her a lot, and she says your presence could boost her design career. Just for three hours.”  

   Alex shot him a look. “Three hours in a club? Doing what? No thanks. Tell her I’ll make it up to her some other time.”  

***  

   Meanwhile, Larrisa had stormed into the parking lot, rage radiating off her like heat waves. The second she slammed her car door shut, she let out a furious scream.  

   “Damn you, Alex Benson! How dare you dump me!”  

   She gripped the wheel, breathing hard, but the fury still boiled beneath her skin. She jabbed the ignition and sped off toward her office.   

   The Jerkins weren’t such a big-shot family, but Larrisa was an ambitious type and needed someone with a higher status. Alex Benson happened to be the key. So she wanted him by all means.

   “You think you’ve won, Alex?” she muttered through clenched teeth. “This isn’t over. You’ll regret ever turning me down.”

   The moment Larrisa stormed into her office, she slammed the door and tossed her bag onto the desk, as if it had offended her. She sank into her chair, only to spring back up seconds later, pacing like a lioness in a cage.

   “Damn it! Why do I feel so frustrated?” she snapped, clenching her fists. “He’s not the only eligible bachelor in Atlanta. There are others. Plenty of them!”  

   But the words rang hollow. None of them was Alex. None of them had his power, his name, his presence.

   Suddenly, her expression darkened. She marched back to her bag, yanked out her phone, and dialed a number with deadly precision. The moment the line connected, she spoke coldly.

   “It’s time to treat his fuckup. The man I told you was responsible for your mother's death.” A wicked smile curled her lips as she stared at the wall, her mind already crafting the next move.  

   “Alex Benson… you won’t even see it coming.”