Chapter 341
At Lancaster Group Building
The moment Alexander stepped into his office, he instantly noticed the changes. His eyes landed first on a painting hanging prominently on the wall. It wasn’t exactly a masterpiece, it looked more like an amateur’s attempt at capturing something meaningful.
“Boss, that’s your greatest masterpiece!” Tyron chimed in enthusiastically from beside him. “You painted Mrs. Lancaster yourself, and you’ve always admired this piece p>
Alexander’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief. “I painted this?” he exclaimed. His eyes examined the painting more closely. It was unmistakably a side profile of a woman, clearly Rain. Though crude in technique, the raw emotion in the strokes gave it an undeniable charm.
His gaze shifted to a framed black-and-white photograph on another wall. It was of Rain, serene in sleep, her hair messily framing her face. Despite the simplicity of the shot, it captured her beauty in a way that made his breath hitch.
“This Alexander trailed off, his voice softer now. As he stared at the photograph, a sudden vision flashed through his mind. He could see himself crouching at the edge of their bed, camera in hand, capturing this very moment while she slept peacefully.
But then, a sharp, piercing pain lanced through his head. He winced and staggered, one hand clutching his temple.
“Boss! Are you okay?” Tyron asked, his voice filled with concern as he stepped closer to steady him.
Alexander took a deep breath, his vision clearing slowly, though the ache lingered. “I’m fine,” he murmured, though his tone was uncertain. He glanced back at the photo, his mind a whirlwind of emotions and fragmented memories.
The sense of familiarity was overwhelming. Somewhere deep inside, he knew these moments, even if they felt like a distant dream.
“Boss, are you sure you’re okay?” Tyron asked, watching as Alexander made his way to his seat.
Alexander didn’t answer immediately, his eyes catching another frame on his desk. It was a picture of him and Rain, both mounted on a horse. His arms were wrapped possessively around her waist, and the joy on their faces was undeniable.
Another photo caught his attention, a solo shot of Rain, smiling softly while riding. Tyron chuckled, noticing where Alexander’s gaze lingered. “Boss, you’re so in love that you’d just stare at those photos blankly in the middle of work. Like, all your stress just melts away whenever you look at them p>
Alexander smirked faintly at the comment and quipped, “I see you’re still a chatterbox, just like William.” Tyron grinned sheepishly but didn’t deny it.
Turning his focus to the files on his desk, Alexander said, “Let’s get to work now, Tyron. Brief me on anything important I’ve missed, and skip the unnecessary details p>
“Yes, Boss!” Tyron replied enthusiastically, sitting in the chair across from him and tapping on his tablet.
Alexander leaned back in his chair, trying to push aside the lingering headache and focus. The photos, however, remained in his peripheral vision, a reminder of the life he was still trying to piece together. For now, work would serve as his anchor.
Hours passed, and just as Alexander was about to head out for lunch with Tyron, he heard a familiar voice calling his name.
“Xander!” He turned around just in time to see Carla running towards him. Without warning, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.
He quickly tried to push her off, but Carla only held on tighter. “Oh God, thank you so much! You’re finally awake. I’ve been so worried about you,” she exclaimed, her voice laced with genuine relief.
“Carla, let go,” he said, his discomfort growing as he noticed the growing number of bystanders watching. He pushed her away more forcefully this time and shot a knowing glare at Tyron, who quickly stepped forward to help stabilize Carla when she almost lost her balance.
“I’m sorry, it’s just that it’s been so long since I saw you,” Carla apologized, her voice softening. “I wanted to visit, but I p>
“You should be more careful about your actions now,” Alexander interrupted, his tone firm.
“You’re too famous now, and I’m a married man.” He knew that their interaction, especially with her sudden and unguarded appearance, was bound to have been captured by onlookers with their phones.
Dion, sensing the tension, stepped in to redirect the conversation. “Miss Carla, are you here to discuss the company’s ambassador issue p>
“Yes, I wanted to talk about that, and I also wanted to check on you to make sure you’re fully recovered,” Carla said, her voice slightly more businesslike now. “How about we have lunch outside p>
Alexander’s expression turned conflicted. He remembered Carla well, and despite the tension, he couldn’t ignore the history they shared. Still, he couldn’t allow her to overstep.
“William is in charge of that now, Carla,” Alexander replied firmly, his gaze never leaving hers. “And I’ve already decided not to renew your contract.” He gave a pointed look, making it clear that the matter was closed.
Carla’s face faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure, knowing there was little room for negotiation in this situation.
“I understand,” Carla said with a small smile. “How about lunch for old times’ sake p>
Before Alexander could respond, Renzo approached with paper bags. “I brought lunch we could eat in your office. Tyron and Milet can join us too, along with Renzo since I brought plenty,” Carla said, trying to convince him.
Alexander hesitated, his discomfort palpable.
A few onlookers, still nearby, whispered to each other. “Have you seen the CEO’s wife? Is she comparable to Miss Carla Cartier p>
“Do you think the CEO will agree? I mean, I don’t see anything wrong with it, right? It’s just a lunch between friends p>
“Maybe the CEO’s wife is a jealous one. Who wouldn’t be? His ex was Carla Cartier p>
Alexander’s face darkened as he overheard the gossip. His eyes narrowed and he shot a glare at the gossipmongers, who quickly scurried away, sensing his displeasure. The atmosphere turned tense as he fixed his attention on Carla, not bothering to hide his discomfort.