The One And True CEO Of Astra-Z

The One And True CEO Of Astra-Z
I watched from a corner near the fixed stage as guests and staff walked into the company's large function room. I had invited my employees from other branches, even my personal designer had come all the way from Italy.
Jared stood with me and Zion who looked immensely cute in his custom-made suit, just like uncle Pete's and Jared's own. Their relationship has grown so tight and I knew it was time for Zion to know who Jared truly was.
Uncle Pete was taking the stage as guests and employees crowded the big, luxurious space.
I smiled when I spotted Dr. Dylan, my brows rose when Celine walked beside him, I nudged Jared. "Would you look at that."
"Aunt Celine looks beautiful just like you, mommy." Zion's child-like compliment had my heart swelling with joy and the knowledge I was raising him right, though I had help from others.
"I'm proud of you, champ." Jared hoisted Zion onto his hips and high-fived him, earning a pleased giggle from Zion.
The picture they painted warmed my heart before it quickly morphed to a painful tug as I remembered my daughter. My Zaya.
I hope you're happy wherever you are, my baby girl.
Jared's hand rubbed my back affectionately, pulling me out of the fog of pain I'd found myself in.
He took one look at me and understood. He knew what I was thinking. Pain and regret clouding his eyes, he drew me tighter to himself, squeezing me between him and our son.
"I'm sorry." His voice was a shaky whisper, he kissed my perfectly styled hair.
"It's not your fault." I struggled back tears.
"I miss her." A sad sigh effused from him. "I know that sounds ridiculous seeing as I had met her only once or twice, I knew next to nothing about her. Still, I miss her."
"Zaya's fine." Zion looked at us both like he didn't understand why we were being emotional and in public.
"Yes, she is." I nodded, appreciating Miss Nancy for not traumatizing Zion with the truth.
"Hello, aunt Celine. I was telling mommy that you look beautiful like her."
I turned to see Celine come to a stop before us, a big smile on her face, Dr Dylan beside her, his conservative, shy self observing rather than partaking. "I have your mommy to thank for having her personal designer make this dress for me. And you look extraordinary cute today, Zion. So gentlemanly. When will you take me out on a date?"
"I can't date until I'm older. You'll have to wait for me to grow this tall." Zion replied, measuring a specific height with his hand just hovering over Jared's head.
We chuckled.
"You're worth the wait, handsome." Celine winked playfully at him.
Zion blew her a kiss and giggled when Celine caught it mid-air. This was their private, innocent joke and it made me all the more grateful that my son had so many people to love and care for him.
"Hello, Dr. Dylan." Jared balanced Zion on one arm and offered Celine's date a second.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Johnson. Or maybe I should say Senator-elect Johnson. Congratulations are in order by the way." The man actually had a charming personality if he loosened up a bit.
I wriggled my brows suggestively at Celine who flushed and promised me, with her eyes, that we would talk about it later.
"Miss Nancy!" Zion called excitedly, waving at Miss Nancy as she made her way inside.
Uncle Pete had said she had a quick errand to run, she was back.
"Hey, my little Einstein." Big smiles on her face, she hastened towards us and easily plucked him off Jared who was now in a conversation with Dr. Dylan and few other men that had joined in.
Uncle Pete had his own crew of invited guests swarm him. The President wasn't present. Surprisingly, he'd been unavailable for few days now. But no news had surfaced the internet or media houses about anything.
The First Lady had promised to come so I was waiting for her. Some politicians were seen as well. I'd asked uncle Pete to invite the media platforms, tonight was a big night.
All those who had looked down on me would no longer. Also, I hoped Jared's twin brother would grace the party, it would serve me well. Plus, I bet he would be shocked at what was waiting for him.
Waiters were beginning to walk about with silver trays of drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
"You look stunning in that dress, Miss Nancy." I complimented her.
"Yes, she truly does." Celine agreed, sticking with me since her date was neck deep in men talk.
"All thanks to you, Hailey. Heavens knows how much this must have cost you." She ran a hand down the red silk dress.
"She's a wonderful soul." Celine agreed, looking beautiful as my son had said, in her own royal blue dress.
Zion just listened in, looking at all three of our faces. When a waiter carrying canapés and croutons passed by us, Zion stretched for some.
The waiter stopped to let him have some. He began to pick food and offer to the three of us, we let him feed us and appreciated him for it.
"Thank you, my darling. Remind me to keep waiting, you are a good man." Celine winked, chewing the canapé he'd fed her.
For himself, he filled his mouth and then both his hands, drawing chuckles from us, even the waiter.
"He truly has the appetite of a Johnson." Miss Nancy commented.
"Hello, everyone." Uncle Pete was standing on the stage, his acknowledging gaze roaming the room.
"Hello, daddy." Zion responded with mouthful of food before anyone else could in the room.
Laughter echoed through the room as eyes settled on him, glasses stretched his way, showing cheerful acknowledgement.
But Zion didn't pay any of them paid, he offered uncle Pete half-eaten food. "Do you want some, daddy?"
More laughter.
Uncle Pete chuckled. "Not now, buddy. I'll join you later."
Zion nodded, swallowing before replying. "Okay."
Just as uncle Pete began his speech, I spotted Christian, he was trying to stay far back.
"I'll be right back." I excused myself from Celine's and Miss Nancy's midst, walking up to him.
He saw me and spread his lips in a smile. The bastard! Thinking I wouldn't know what he'd done.
"Hey, gorgeous."
I plastered a phony smile. "Hey. You disappeared, what happened?"
"Uh... nothing. I just thought to lay low for the main time."
"Hm. I'm glad you could come." I kept the phony smile.
"Anything for you, baby." He went for my hand and I let him, struggling to keep my anger from showing as he kissed it.
I didn't want to cause a negative reaction that would make him leave. The bastard had tried to siphon cash from my company but I'd gotten wind of it and stopped it without his knowledge.
"You know, I regret leaving you for Denise, she's such a witch." He effused a sigh, I could see anger brewing.
"Oh." I quirked a brow, feigning surprise as though I'd never heard it from him before.
He shook his head. "It's not what you think though, I didn't do it. It was her. She wanted to ruin my friendship with Jerome. She just wanted to humiliate me. I..."
My brows went from a pretentious knit to a befuddled furrow. What was he talking about? I waited for him to continue as it seemed to me he was talking about something else.
Something I was supposed to know but didn't?
"Tonight is a special night as I want us to welcome Hailey Codza, the one and true CEO of Astra-Z Corporation."