Chapter 31
Alec and mood before my parents‘ front doo, dressed in formal atine. I wore a striking red dress, while Alec sported slacks and a button–up shirt that complimented my outfit perfectly. Dui coordinatedaitire made for the perfect photo op, which I promptly posted online, elining a flurry of swing comments from my followers. We didn’t often march colors, but when we did, it seemed to dive people will. It was all so virtual seeing them sween oven a man they hadn’t heard of before. Leven stumbled upon fan pages for Alec when åler himself didn’t even
as my mother opened the door, her face linke into a warm si
simile. “You two came,
“Talk, Mtes, pardan, Alec greeted her with a die and presented her with a fine bottle of wine and a bouquet. “These are for you.”
Mom’s eyes sparkled with delight as she accepted the pên, hoh my, there are goprous, thank you somnich.“
“We alus made these,added, persenting a small box containing the strawberry cheesecake Aler and I had buked while watching our favorite show.
“Ah, Lana. Per missed you taking.” Mam exclaimed. She hadbeen my loyal taste tester when I was perfecting my recipes and had endured my mishaps of mistaking sal for sugar or baking soda for baking powder)
adhri, Richard, appeared behind Stork and greetedos Herested bis hand on her wet and oper
“Good to see you again, Mr. Jordan,” Alex said politely, his contidoter unwavering
Please, jest call me Richard,” Dadinsked, extending his hand for a lundikake
“Of course, sir. Alec replied with a warm smile.
Mom excused berwell to put away her new gilts.
“Hey, Dad” | greeted, and he reached over to hug me a gesture that didn’t happen too often.
How have you been, Alana?” he asked.
I’m doing great, thank you, Dad1eplied, following inside the bo
“How’s your agency coming along? 1 heard you got a big deal,” he inquired, opening the door to the dining table, which always seemed a bit too large and empty
“It’s in the work. Dad I should be official next werk,” I replied, cautious not to get him too excited in case Daniel had a change of heart about signing.
I’m glad to bear that “Dad mumbled pointing to the chairs “Come on take a seat.”
Then he Tuined fus mentions to Alec “alec, from what I’ve heard, you’re doing quite well with your own businnsins.“
Tam si Thing are prep pray,” Alec responded proudly.
Dat the broached the subject of our mattlage. “About your, uh, marriage. People seem to penuinely believe it. I want to congratulate you two on it.”
This complament was somewhat care, as my father was not known for showering praise so readily. I couldn’t help but wonder it there was more to his words or if perhaps he’d had a drink two. Was he becoming an Alec tan?
“Munka, Det ” I said my brow furrowing slightly as I glanced over at Mom.
“The posts, the interview–everything is going great, and some are starting to ser Daniel as the soumis, tomchimed in
Dinner with my parents had exceptionally well Alec’s charm seemed to work wonders on my father, who was not the adest person to get along with. The fact that he and Alect along stortlessly spoke volume after a delightful dinner, we retired to the couch to continue our conversation and indulge in the cheesecake Alec and i had made desse
“Alana, can I speak work you privately?” Dad suddenly asked, rising from the couch and gesturing for me to join him. I glanced at Alec and then at my mother. Whenever my father requested a private conversation, it cately went well. The last time this had happened, he had expressed his disappointment in me for participating in a college prank.
origen abead. I’ll show Ale your baby photos,” Mom exclaimed, grabbing Alec’s hand with an impath grin. I could already see the mischievous glint in her eyes. I knew I’d be subjected to endattarling childhood plats Kn
crady dached off to retire the album.
Hon. Alana,” Dadanged, parting my shoulder, and 1 octantly followed him to his office. Ja Tentered, took in the dark wood and forest green decor of his office. The bookshelves were hlied to the brim with booku, dictionation, and var jour offer volumes. A scratched–up metal globe one comer of the room marked the places my father had traveled On his larg
malagany dedica glay parker held his fateur whiskey–Flow that because, during my rebellious teenage phase, I had almost been caught sneaking a sip.
“Well, you and me, Alana,” Depled heeled into his office chat. He leaned closer to the desk. “Do you still emember the terms and conditions to earn your place in my
“You’re still quite serious about busighed hoping this stance might have softened a bit low my change of groom.
case that you and Aber harte great potential to
när fin proudest man alive But, Alana, I’maware of the Lisks that come with being owly work–focused, and I don’t wish that tos you.”
eikis a reality,” Dad responded cately 1 truly want your to inherit my empire. Trust me, hearing you
be the first timer Thad seen a hint of emotion from bảo, Was this what my mother had been talking about? I feel more like you’re making excuses,”
know you think l’an zen y with you,ad began, but keep my thoughts bleup ay kungen.
Tieleased all the pent–up feelings that had weighed the patter are “Dad, you be the id, All my life, al more like a spectata in your and Atom’s lives. Dusing all
dlagt me hidden, and it was challenging to remain so comunaled for so long ”
spelight, audi maslomond to take over my father’s company. I kun it brought me great lostate and provided you and your mother with the life you wanted, which I (rary,” Badde tended his action with a touch of understanding “Nothing about my life was private, and your grandfather pushed to work tirelessly. Eneatly That his, I realize term that I wouldn’t have you —I wouldn’t have anything,” he sighed, and for the first time, I saw fear and pain is his
parinderiangle mindedly formedun one thing, and you’ve excelled at it. But I don’t want you be the same thing with this,” he coutimed, his tone
I want puu torxperience a tral marriage. You don’t have to worry about anything. I’ll always be here for you, and the company will
mer to say much, I have you,” fur armarked, his head crating on my alemdes as he is bril eyes with
