Chapter 27 chapter 27
Chapter 27 chapter 27
In Love with the CEO
Chapter 27
Author:
ALEX
I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to know what was inside. Curiosity gets the better of me. I have to know what’s in there. When I open it, I nearly faint. What is this?
There’s a photo of me, my mother, my father, Robert, and another man named Chris.
It contains all the information about me—where I lived, my childhood, the schools I attended, even my medical records. It’s the same for my father, my mother, and my brothers. Why did he do this?
Why did he feel the need to dig so deeply into my life and those of my loved ones? I’m lost. Is he still messing with me? Who does this kind of thing? What kind of person is he?
I’m engrossed in the documents when I hear someone open the door.
Alexander, opening the door: “What are you doing here? It’s been forever. I had to come down myself to get it.”
Me, my voice trembling: “What is this?”
From the look on his face, I think he realizes what I’m holding.
Alexander, running his hands over his face: “It’s not what you think.”
Me, trying to control my voice: “What am I supposed to think, then? Tell me.”
Alexander: “I can explain everything. I never opened it. I never read it, I swear.”
Me, raising my voice: “Then why the hell did you dig into my life like that?”
It feels like my head is spinning. I try so hard to stay calm and not get angry, but I can’t. Everything seems to be spinning around me. I’m struggling to stay on my feet. It’s a blackout.
ALEXANDER
I just got a call for work and needed a file I worked on recently to share some information. With Alex next to me, I couldn’t focus, so I sent her to get the file. But she took so long that I had to go down myself to find it.
The scene I walk into convinces me I made a huge mistake sending her here. I forgot that dossier even existed. I never should’ve brought it home. I just made a massive error that’s going to cost me dearly.
I try my best to explain the situation, but how can I make her understand something like this? She was so angry. How could I make such a rookie mistake?
She was talking when she collapses. Damn it. I rush to catch her before she hits the floor, pick her up, and head to the car, shouting for the driver. My mother follows, asking questions, but I’m so panicked I can’t stop or answer her, so I leave without explaining what’s happening.
When we arrive at the hospital, nurses immediately take her, barring me from the room. I don’t object since I know nothing about medicine, and the priority is getting her help quickly. I try to keep it together, but my stress keeps rising. Could she have heart problems?
What are they doing in there? No one’s bothered to tell me what’s going on with her. When I see a man in a white coat come out of the room, I run to him to find out what’s happening.
Me: “Hello, sir. Is she okay?”
Man in the white coat: “Are you family of the patient?”
Me, getting impatient: “Yes, I’m her husband. How is she? Can I see her?”
Man in the white coat: “Yes, you can see her. It’s nothing serious. I’m coming with her results.”
Me: “How is it not serious? My wife faints, and you dare tell me it’s nothing serious?”
Man in the white coat: “Do you want to see her or stand here and keep me from doing my job?”
I give in and go to see her. When I get there, she’s lying in bed, staring blankly into space. I’m a bit stressed about what’s coming in the next few minutes, but I muster my courage and approach her.
Me, taking her hands in mine: “Are you feeling better? I was so scared for you.”
Alex: “…”
Me: “Please answer me, my heart. Say something.”
Alex, pulling her hands away: “What do you want me to say? You should hire a detective. They’ll tell you how I feel.”
Me: “I know I messed up.”
Alex, cutting me off: “Of course you messed up. What kind of person does something like this?”
Me: “The kind of person who’s afraid of being betrayed.”
Alex: “You don’t trust me enough to ask me directly what you want to know. The almighty Alexander had to get someone else to do the work for him, right? Do you realize you dug up things even I didn’t know about? And you chose to keep quiet. To think you dared play the jealous husband when you saw me with my brother, when you knew exactly who he was. What do you get out of playing with people like this? Answer me, damn it…”
Me: “Calm down, my heart.”
Alex: “Don’t tell me to calm down, and stop playing the innocent guy because it doesn’t work with me.”
Me, in a calm tone: “I never opened that file.”
Alex: “On top of being dishonest, you’re a liar. I discover new hidden flaws in you every day.”
Me, getting impatient: “Will you shut up and listen? I never opened that file because it felt like violating your privacy. Yes, I have investigations done on everyone who comes into my life, both personally and professionally. I had it, but I didn’t have the courage to open it. Back then, I didn’t know I already loved you, and that love stopped me from invading your privacy and pushed me to discover you myself. I thought I’d gotten rid of it. You weren’t supposed to find it. I’d forgotten it even existed because what you show me about yourself every day is more than enough. I’m so sorry for disappointing you. I’m so sorry for hurting you—it’s the last thing I wanted to do.”
She starts crying now. What can I possibly say to make her believe me?
Me: “Please don’t cry. I don’t want to see you shed tears because of my mistakes anymore.”
Alex, sniffling: “I’m really sorry for getting carried away and not trusting you. I should’ve let you talk and listened to what you had to say. I’m sorry.”
Me: “You don’t have to apologize, my heart. So, does this mean I’m forgiven?”
Alex, smiling: “I have nothing to forgive, my love.”
I get up and kiss her forehead. Phew, I thought I was in for a real scolding…
Me, continuing: “But since when do you have a brother?”
Alex: “It’s a very long story…”
Me: “I’ve got all the time in the world.”
She tells me everything—how they met, the dinner I ruined, and the letter her father wrote her. I feel so stupid for acting like a jerk last time. I let my jealousy blind me. How could I think this girl could look at another man? This woman is as madly in love with me as I am with her.
Me: “I’m sincerely sorry for ruining your reunion dinner with your brother. I never could’ve imagined he wasn’t a guy interested in you. To me, every man who looks at you is hypnotized by your charm, just like you do to me. But can I give you my perspective on this?”
Alex: “Of course, go ahead.”
Me, in a serious tone: “Your father—we can never fully put ourselves in his position. No matter what, he would’ve disappointed some of his children, and unfortunately, it was you. But the choice he made that day made you the strong, independent woman you are today. Because of that choice, I met you, and I’m grateful for that.
As they say, parents sometimes fail their children, and when they acknowledge their mistakes, we should forgive them, just as they always do with us. No one can deny he was crazy about his little girl. I’d ask you to find a place in your heart to forgive this man who regretted his actions for the rest of his life.
Forgiving him means accepting what he’s giving you—the fruit of his hard work, his life’s labor. He wanted you to have a share, so I think you should accept what’s rightfully yours. Don’t see it as compensation but as another act of his love for you. Even if you don’t do it for yourself—since you don’t need it because I’m here—do it for your mother. Despite everything, that woman fought to give you an education, to take care of you from your earliest years. Even if she didn’t give you the luxury your father could’ve provided or, in your view, the love you deserved or that your father could’ve given, she gave you what she could. She loved you in her own way and helped make you the woman you are today.
For everything she did for you, even though we parents don’t expect our children to repay us for what we’ve done, I think it’s time for her to live without worrying about bills and month-end struggles, to live with dignity without always feeling like she’s begging. I’d ask you to weigh the pros and cons carefully before refusing.”
Alex, in a small voice: “Okay, I’ll think about it…”
I tenderly kiss my wife. I’m glad we sorted things out, and I hope she’ll accept her inheritance to give her mother the life she deserves.
Doctor: “Sorry to interrupt. May I come in?”
Me: “Yes, yes, come in. I was starting to get impatient. What’s wrong with my wife?”
Doctor, smiling: “Everything’s fine with your wife. It’s common for some women to faint under stress in her condition.”
Alex and I, at the same time: “What condition?”
Doctor: “Your wife is pregnant, sir. Congratulations to you both!”