As we sat down to a Chinese takeaway, Alex picked at his food, looking uncomfortable before he spoke. What he told me was heartbreaking and distressing.
“I’d joined up at eighteen, and I was sent abroad several times, and the last one was a clusterfuck. Shit went south, and I was the only survivor. My best friend died on that tour. Katy, I don’t want to go into it; the nightmares are barely held at bay as it is.”
“That’s fine, Alex. Don’t go any deeper,” Katy said, holding my hand.
“When I came home, my family expected me to take over the company business and go back to normal. Their expectations were high, and they didn’t realise what pressure they were putting on me. Finally, I fled after losing my temper at my cousin.” Alex paused and held my eyes.
“Aiden,” I guessed, and Alex nodded.
“In sheer anger, I punched and hurt Aiden in a fight. That night, I left and never returned. The ghosts were stronger than me. Katy, I’ve got to speak to Aiden and make things right.”
“You own the company?” I asked, shocked.
“Yes, Aiden runs it, but the business is actually mine. My parents handed it to me and retired. They expected me to walk into their lives and step into their shoes. They wouldn’t even give me time to adjust to civilian life. It didn’t matter what I’d suffered. My parents wanted to quit, and I was home. The temper display didn’t stop them from leaving as Aiden’s running it now.”
“That’s pretty selfish of your mother and father. But I don’t believe Aiden is angry. Aiden’s shown lots of concern,” I mused. Deep inside, I felt Aiden cared about Alex.
“We were close as cousins. Aiden trying to give you food money was about him looking out for me. He’s older. But I don’t want to run the company. Aiden can have it, but there’s a few things I need Aiden’s help with,” Alex said.
“Then talk to him. Explain what you want, and hopefully, Aiden will make it happen.”
“Will you be angry if I don’t take up the CEO reins? Or work at all? I don’t think I can; I’d feel like I’d be walking on eggshells, in case my temper erupted again.” Alex looked concerned.
“Hell no. I earn good money; we can live decently.”
“You misunderstand, honey. I’ll pay my way. Heck, I’m rich and have a very pretty bank balance. But I can’t work. I’d have strangled that Tiffany bitch,” Alex stated bluntly, and I laughed. He wasn’t alone. It grated on me that Tiffany was still working there.
“Call Aiden. Have a meeting and talk. Anything else can be resolved as we go along,” I said.
Alex nodded, shyly pulled me into a hug, and kissed me. Wow!
Alex
Anxiously, I poked my cheek with my tongue. I’d met with Aiden on Sunday afternoon, and we’d hashed out some stuff. He consented to stay on and run the business. I’d no interest in it. Aiden was also amused by my request for Wednesday morning and agreed.
Later that evening, some of my old clothes were delivered to Katy’s apartment, including an expensive suit. It probably wouldn’t fit me as I’d lost weight. Actually, it hung off my frame, and on Monday, I went shopping for a new one. Katy had returned to work and was grumpy because Tiffany, Sami, and Emily were employed. Not a problem, because her worry would soon end and she would be happy.
Katy told me the office was flooded with rumours about the company owner coming in on Wednesday morning, and I’d winked. Katy plagued me with questions, but I refused to answer, knowing she’d love my plan. When Wednesday rolled around, Katy was pretending to be in a snit with me, which was funny. We drove into work together, and I left Katy to go in alone, and she just shook her head.
When I entered, Tiffany was sitting at the reception desk. She looked up, and her eyes widened as she checked me out.
“Can I help you?” she purred.
“No, I’m being met.”
“I can call them,” she offered, batting her eyelashes. Annoyed already, I sent her a disdainful glance.
“Do you greet every male visitor with flirting?” I asked coldly, and Tiffany turned red, dropping her head. She pretended to be busy as my eyes drilled into her.
“There you are!” Aiden exclaimed, approaching and clasping my hand.
“Cousin,” I said, and Tiffany’s head lifted with interest again.
“Ready to view your realm?” Aiden teased, and I pulled a face.
“Guess you can take me on a tour. Is the meeting scheduled for this morning?”
“Yes. I’m looking forward to it,” I replied with a glance at Tiffany.
