All Chapters of Straight Until Him: Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

Micah’s POVThe sun was soft against the tall windows of the Romano mansion dining room.Alessandro and I were sitting at the long breakfast table, plates full but largely untouched. Sandra was seated across from me, sipping her juice quietly, throwing small glances at Alessandro and I.“I hope this is not too early for serious business talk,” Alessandro murmured, leaning back, a smirk tugging at his lips.“Too late,” Mr. Romano said, taking a sip of his coffee. “You are here already.”“Okay… Firstly, Micah is stepping down as CEO.” Alessandro began. “He wants to build something.”“Stepping down? Who will now…” Mrs. Romano inquired but got interrupted.“I ma. But Micah… what exactly are you building?”I glanced at Alessandro, who gave me a small nod, and I leaned forward, resting my arms on the table.“This is it, Sandra. As you know, I am stepping down from Duvall Enterprise so I can start something new. Something Alessandro and I will build together. A business that is meaningful, d

Sandra’s POVThe others had gone inside, but I stayed. The garden was too peaceful to leave; especially with the smell of roses everywhere.I did not expect anyone else to be there until I heard a soft voice behind me.“You like roses, do you not?”“I… do. They remind me of home.”“Ah, then your home must have been beautiful.”“Not really. My mother loved orchids. Roses were not… her thing.”“Orchids are elegant, but roses are honest. They bleed when you touch them, but they still bloom.”“That is… poetic. Do you talk to everyone like this, Mrs. Romano?”“Only the ones who look like they are hiding a storm behind their smile.”“So I look like a storm?”“More like someone who survived one.”“…I guess that is close enough.”“Come, sit.”“I do not want to intrude…”“Nonsense. You are Alessandro’s past, are you not? That makes you part of our story too.”“That is one way to put it.”“And yet you are still here, sharing brunch with us. I take it that means bridges were not entirely burned?

Alessandro’s POV“Okay, I am not gonna lie, this place smells like ambition and burnt coffee.”“You sure that is not just your cologne?”“Please. My cologne smells like success. This smells like someone has been trying to build a startup on four hours of sleep and cheap caffeine.”“That is… exactly what we are doing.”“Touché.”Micah drops his bag on the table and grins. “Still can’t believe it, though. Novaré. It is happening.”“Feels surreal, does it not? One idea, one revolutionary conversation in you’re the penthouse, and now…”“Now we are sitting in a co working space that costs more per month than my first car.”“Your first car was a death trap with wheels.”“It had character!”“It had smoke coming out of the hood.”“Tomato, tomahto.”I shake my head, trying not to laugh. “You sure this is the right spot though? We could have gone for something smaller, less flashy.”Micah leans back, scanning the wide glass windows overlooking the city. “Nah. This is perfect. Look at that view.

Sandra’s POV“Stop fixing my tie, Micah. I can do it myself.”“You say that every time, and every time you do it wrong.”“I am not a child.”“Then stop acting like one.”“I hate you.”“You love me.”Alessandro laughs from the couch. “If this is how you two act before a press conference, I am terrified to see what happens at board meetings.”I glare. “You do not get to talk, mister ‘I own five ties and still borrow Micah’s.’”He lifts his hands. “Fair.”Micah straightens my collar one last time, then nods. “There. The new CEO of Duvall Enterprise.”I exhale. “Feels weird hearing that.”“It suits you.”“You sure?”“Absolutely. And for the record, Dad already said he is proud of you.”“I know.” My voice softens. “He is the only one who always said that, even after everything.”“You earned it this time.”“Do not make me cry, idiot. I have mascara on.”“Then stop being sentimental and go conquer the media.”Later, at the conference hall.“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It is an honor

Micah’s POVI am presently at Duvall Enterprise to visit Sandra. The employees bow when I walk by, guess habits do die hard.I enter the elevator, get out and walk into Sandra’s office which was my former office and I was stupefied.“You redecorated the whole office.” I utter as I took a seat.“I did. You hate it?” She looks up from whatever it is she was doing before I stepped in.“No. It looks… alive.” I answer her.“I wanted something brighter. The old color scheme was too stiff.” She eyes me.But she did not stop talking. “That is because you designed it like a war room.”“And you are turning it into a garden.” I retorted.“Oh yeah. At least it is a peaceful garden. You are welcome.”“I am welcome for what? Well …You have gotten good at this.”“You sound surprised.”“Not actually surprised. Just proud.”“Proud? Of me? Wow, the world must be nearing its end.”“Do not ruin it. I am serious.”“So am I. I did not think we would ever stand in this office and talk without trying to stab