Edmund's fists clenched at his sides. He took a step forward, his voice low, dangerous. " I 've had enough of this. Just admit you're a narcissist who can't take responsibility. "
" And you're a clumsy brute who can't take a moment to be careful!" Alexa shot back.
He closed the distance between them. " I was trying to apologize ! But you'd rather find a reason to fight."
She snapped back at him," You know what? I'm done. I don't need this."
She turned on her heel , started for the exit. From back , he said, "Fine".
A few feet away, at a small table near the wall, the secretaries watched the scene with practiced calm.
" They're going to scream at each other everytime, " Lionel said, without looking up from his phone.
James smiled faintly. " Nothing is going to happen to these two."
Lionel put his phone down." We'll see. Let's meet next time ."
And without a word, they followed the short distance behind their bosses , slipping back into the crowds like shadow's.
The moment the hotel door clicked shut, the carefully constructed mask of composure fell off. Alexa threw her purse on the plush armchair, began pacing the room, her voice a low, furious hiss as she spoke to her secretary, who was already on the phone.
" I can't believe him. He is the most arrogant, self- absorbed man I have ever met. He thinks he can get away with everything, doesn't he? Spilling wine on my dress, cursing me, then daring to say, ' Yeah, what now'. Who does he think, he is? I hate him."
" Ail, calm down," James's voice was a soothing balm, though it did a little to quell the storm. " He was clumsy, that's all. You'll get it fixed. It's just a dress."
" It's not just a dress. It's the principle. He insulted and mocked me. He deserves to lose everything. "
Across the town, the hotel overlooking the city lights, Edmund was a coiled spring of frustration. He had his suit off, he was staring out the window, his voice a tense rumble as he spoke to his secretary, who stood quietly by the door.
" She's impossible. I said I was sorry. I apologized for the simple mistake, but she just had turn it into a ruckus, didn't she? Calling me clumsy, then a liar, then a brute. All because of a mere dress."
" It wasn't a mere dress, Your Highness," Lionel said calmly. " It was expensive. Just a misunderstanding. You need to let it go."
" I can't let it go, Lionel! She always does this. She finds a way to make me look like the bad person. I tried to be reasonable, but she had to push it. I swear to god, I am not gonna slide it this time."
The fury seemed to drain from Alexa's body as quickly as it had appeared. James waited a moment before speaking. '' Your nightgown is on the bed. You're exhausted. You should get some sleep."
Alexa didn't argue with him. She just nodded, her jaw still tight, went to bed.
Edmund has run out of the steam, the silence of the room now filled only by his heavy breathing. Lionel walked over, holding out a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. "You've had a long day," he said simply. " Get some rest . We'll handle everything in the morning."
Edmund took the clothes without a word. He looked out of the window at the citylights for a moment longer, the anger now replaced by a cold frustration, before he turned, walked towards the bathroom.
The phone vibrated on a sleek glass table, its screen illuminating a face that was obscured by a shadow. A voice calm, detached, spoke into the receiver. " You're telling me they're still at it?" A pause . " No, this isn't working. They're too unpredictable. We need a different approach. Both are furious , they'll eventually make up." The voice went cold." This can't happen. Not this time. No matter what it takes, they must be defeated. Not alone, no ever."
The distant city was a memory, replaced by the hushed whispers of pine trees, the gentle lapping of water on the shore on the secluded lake. Alexa sat on the wooden bench, a book on her lap, the tension from the last few days finally beginning to unravel. For the first time , she wasn't thinking about business, or her fake friendship pr stunt with Edmund. She just existed lost in the quiet.
A shadow fell over her. Not a sudden one, bit a slow, deliberate one, like the sun had been briefly blotted out. She didn't look up,at first. She just felt a shift in the air, a familiar weight she had spent the last few days pretending doesn't exist.
Her head shifted slowly, lips parted , single word escaping in a whisper of shock.
"YOU."
Thank you so much for reading the chapter!☺️☺️☺️I hope you are loving💖the story. Please consider dropping a powerstone🙃. It keeps me motivated to write the next chapters faster. Your support is everything. 💟💟