Chapter 137 IXORA AND ALEXA
\[MORNING, VAUGHN'S HOUSE\]
Tanya tossed herself on the couch, grinning, as she stared at her nude photo on her phone.
"I'm so sexy. No matter how reserved Eric is, I'm sure he wouldn't be able to resist this body. All men are the same after all," she laughed, sipping her drink.
Her fingers hovered on the send button, a smirk appearing on her lips.
Before she could press the button, the door burst open.
The force of the door made the phone fall to the floor, the screen facing upward.
Her brow contorted in anger as she snapped her gaze to the door, standing on her feet.
"You don't come in here like you own the..." The rest of the words hung in her throat, her mouth refusing to close as she saw the person who walked in.
A gun was in her hand.
"Alexa," Tanya said, feeling air leave her lungs.
Alexa chuckled, her eyes reddened with hurt and anger. Not only because of Tanya, but also the house that still smelled the same way.
Her eyes landed on the couch, and the scene played in her head.
She came back to reality only when Ixora held her shoulder.
"It's fine," Ixora gave her an assuring nod.
Alexa nodded, fixing her gaze back on Tanya, who looked like her breath had been seized.
"Alexa, you are here." Tanya spread out her hand and came towards her. "I can't believe I'm seeing you..."
"If you want to die, go ahead and lay the tip of your finger on me," Alexa threatened dangerously.
Tanya's hand froze in the air before lowering it, trying to hide the fear in her eyes.
"You are happy to see me, right?" Alexa cocked the gun.
Tanya's eyes grew wide with fear. "Put the gun down, let's talk this out."
Alexa chuckled tearfully. "What if I say there's nothing to talk about? Your husband raped me when I was only fourteen. Instead of supporting me, what did you do?" Her eyes burned with hatred. "You made your husband the victim only because I wasn't your daughter. Fine. I accepted my fate and ran away. You came after me! You tried to kill me! You feared I'd expose your husband's doing! But what could a helpless girl like me do? I had no one to back me up. You had all the power. Then, your husband died. You then tried to kill me, but my doppelgänger died instead." She sniffled. "What did I ever do to you to deserve this!"
"S... Sorry," Tanya muttered, tears sliding down her cheeks.
For the very first time, she feels guilty of her actions for taking her husband's side.
Yes, she knew their marriage was loveless. She trapped him just like she does with other rich men, and he had an affair with Georgia.
She tried touching Alexa, but Alexa stepped back.
"It's fine. I have my sister who loves me and a man who has accepted me as his daughter, despite not being my biological daughter."
"What are you saying? You are part of us now. Don't ever say that again," Ixora said, fighting back her tears.
Alexa flashed her a smile, concentrating back on Tanya. Her finger curled around the trigger.
"Alexa, don't..."
"I understand, I am not your daughter. So, who am I to decide your fate when you weren't the one who wronged me?" The gun slipped out of her hold and landed on the floor with a clattering sound.
The door creaked open. The police walked in.
"Mrs Tanya Vaughn, you are under arrest for making an attempt on Alexa's life, and for the murder of Ariel. For deceiving rich men and making away with their money. Whatever you say or do now will be used against you in court. Handcuff her."
As they wore her handcuffs, Tanya's eyes met with Alexa's. She saw pain, and then she began regretting all her actions. Why didn't she support her? Why did she live like she owned the world and everyone, most especially men in it?
The police nudged her. "Let's go."
"I'm sorry," she mouthed before lowering her head in shame.
Ixora picked up the phone and deleted the nude photo before handing it over to the police.
They watched the door closing Tanya out of their lives, forever.
Alexa smiled, feeling relieved. A huge burden has been left on her chest. Though she didn't kill Tanya with her hand like she had intended to, she's happy she was blessed with a new family. A sister and a father.
An alarm dinged in Ixora's pocket. "I almost forgot. They must have reached Castellan's house." She hung her arm on Alexa's neck. "Let's go. After that, Dad's event."
\[CASTELLAN'S HOUSE\]
"It's nice doing business with you, Miss Ixora." He stretched out his hand.
Ixora smiled. "The pleasure is mine." Ixora accepted the handshake.
"Rest assured, the Castellan's property will be used to help the needy. I'll take my leave," he closed the file and left.
"You didn't have to give up the whole of Castellan's properties to the government," Alexa said as they headed out of the house.
Ixora exhaled. "They hurt a lot of people. Trafficked people's children. Castellan's empire was built on trafficking people. The best thing to do was to use it and help the poor. I'm happy doing it."
"Hmm," Alexa nodded. "Now that's sorted out, the company is next. Dad must be waiting."
\[ERIC'S ENTERPRISE\]
A soft, glowing chandelier threw light on the hall, painting it with a yellow symphony. The chairs were decorated, tablecloth was spread neatly on the table. Fine China and silver glassware weren't left out on a single table.
Few people were present, but people of important caliber. They were standing in twos, threes and some large numbers.
Upstairs, Eric stood in front of a mirror, fixing his bow.
His gaze darted towards the wall clock. "Why aren't they here yet?" He muttered, picking up his phone to text Ixora.
The door creaked open, and Cecilia walked in.
"Sir, the stage is set."
Eric turned to her, his breath hitching momentarily. She wore a black off-shoulder gown that stopped at her knees, both sides slit up to the mid-thigh. The dress hugged her body in the right places. Her hair fell on her shoulder, and her light make-up was perfect.
She looked different—ethereal.
"Sir..."
Eric cleared his throat and looked away.
"And... The guest?" he asked, his tone coming out slightly awkward.
"No complaints so far, and I'm sure they won't. You've worked so hard to make this event worth it," she replied, giving out her usual bright smile, as every problem in her life solved itself.
Eric nodded, texting Ixora.
Cecilia wanted to leave, but stopped and faced him.
Noticing her not leaving, he raised his brow, looking at her.
"Sir... Do you really have to go? The employees haven't fully adapted to you as their boss, and you're planning to leave again," she said, slowly.
"Do you want me to stay?" he teased.
She met his eyes, lips parted, but she was not able to say a thing.
"I have to leave for my daughter. They have been through a lot, and I just want them to be happy. I only came to this city to stay for a while. I know I should stay, but I can't imagine staying far away from my daughters," he replied, his voice sounding so very sincere.
Cecilia blinked, feeling her chest twisting. She doesn't know why, but she wants him to stay. Throughout her life, she's always been so focused and has never asked anyone to stay in her life. She never cared about anything else but her work. But today, she's wishing someone would stay, but the person loves his daughters more than anything else.
"I... I understand," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Keep managing the company like you've always done. I will work from..."
She cut him off by wrapping her arms around him.
Eric's muscles stiffened. For the first time since Georgia left him, he hadn't felt his heart beat. Not the regular heartbeat—beating because of someone. Everything felt—strange.
In slow motion, he hugged her back. One arm on her waist, the other pressing her head to his chest. Their soft heartbeat echoed faintly in the room.
The door burst open.
"Dad! We're here!"
They quickly disengaged as teenagers caught in an act they weren't meant to be doing.
"Sorry. We didn't see anything." Ixora and Alexa turned their backs to them, giggling like children.
Cecilia's cheeks burned. "I'll take my leave, sir." She slipped out of the room and closed the door behind her.
Eric cleared his throat. "You are both late. I was about to text you. You should have been here on time."
"Well, it didn't look like it," Alexa faces him. "You were having the time of your life, and we had to interrupt the sweet moment." She palmed her forehead. "You're so foolish, Alexa."
"It's not like that... We... She slipped and I..." He scratched the back of his neck.
"Really, Dad?" Ixora gave him the 'you're lying look'.
Eric gave up knowing he couldn't change their minds.
"You don't have to worry about anything. For our approval, you have it. Just go ahead and marry her. Can't believe I'll be having a mum." Alexa jammed her hands together, squealing like a child.
Eric's jaw dropped. "Xora, what is she saying?"
"She's right, Dad. You have our permission to marry her. Besides, you've been single almost your whole life. If you feel something for her, then we can start the wedding preparations," Ixora said, completely supporting Alexa.
Eric shook his head. "What exactly do I do with you both?"
"We love you too," they said simultaneously and hugged him.
He pecked each of their foreheads. "Get ready. I will go and come down. I will go and join the people."
They nodded.
Eric left.
\--
Eric has exchanged pleasantries with the people, and the camera flashes, captivating every nook and cranny of the event perfectly.
"Thank you, everyone," he started, and the hall went silent.
Cecilia stood in a corner, admiring the way he spoke and addressed the audience like he was made for it.
"Do you like him?" Nelly asked beside her. She was also looking very beautiful.
Cecilia looked at her. "Do I?"
Nelly shrugged. "From the way you are staring at him, yes."
Cecilia looked away, slowly.
Eric's eyes traveled to the stairs.
"So, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce to you all the heiresses of Ronald's Enterprise," he said, pointing at the stairs.
Claps erupted from the crowd, camera flashes becoming heavier as the spotlight landed on the two figures that stood on the stairs.
First, their black heels, which looked like they cost the country's fortune, to their mermaid gowns that hugged their bodies down to their ankles, diamond stones glittering, almost blinding the place. Ixora in red and Alexa in black.
Alexa's front hair was packed with tiny locks, falling beautifully at the sides of her face. Ixora's hair was curled up to her shoulder, exposing her smooth back. They both had enchanting smiles playing on their lips as the spotlight revealed their entire bodies.
Ixora and Alexa.