Chapter 18

Chapter 18

ALEXANDER STONE

I watched Diana in the silent hospital room with only the sound of the heart monitor beeping. I had a lot of questions for her and they needed urgent answers. I wanted to hear her side of the story. What was her reason? Why did she do it? Shit, that is tautology. Was this a pre-meditated plan from the beginning? Is her plan similar to other girls trying to siphon as much as they can milk from me? So many questions that need answers and the woman with the mouth is in bed, still unconscious.

Although I had been told she's stable but the test results aren't in yet. I'm about to head out to the Doctor's when my phone rings. It's a call from Davis and anytime he calls, I get this agitated feeling that something is wrong.

"Yes, Davis"

"We have a big problem," Davis said over the phone.

"What?" I stepped out of the room into the hallway.

"Someone just anonymously leaked the identity of the woman from the ball. I'm afraid it's Diana Thorton, your assistant"

What the actual fuck?

After the call ended, I immediately clicked on the link he sent me and fortunately enough, Davis has been able to block off the news from some media outlets but a few still have it online.

Was this her plan all along? I read on.

Little Miss in Red has been revealed!!! It looks like the boss has been in the wraps of his assistant, Diana Thorton...

I couldn't bring myself to read further. I am all shades of angry and that woman better wake up this instant. I storm into the room to meet a nurse inside. Diana is also up.

"I was just telling her to be careful from now on because it might affect the little..." Diana stops her halfway by clearing her throat.

"Affect what?" I asked, not taking my eyes off any of them for more than a second.

The nurse looked confused.

"Tell.me." I enunciated. Fortunately, it made me get the effect I wanted from the nurse.

"The little one. She's pregnant, sir" She sounded scared.

I stare in disbelief. Pregnant? That's not my child, right? She's probably been with other men and the bouquet of lilies I saw on her desk earlier was probably from one of them, or even from her boyfriend.

"Do you know what's happening right now?" I try to remain calm.

How do I even talk to a pregnant woman?

"I'm really sorry. I swear I didn't mean for any of this to happen"

"Who sent you? Was it Sophia? Are you in cahoots with her? Was this your plan from the get-go?" The tone of my voice was increasing.

"I swear this wasn't pre-meditated"

"You knew who I was and still went through with what happened that night. If that isn't desperation, I don't know what is. I need not to tell you that you're fired." I know I'm not acting rationally but what else could I do?

I have done all that I could and successfully stayed off the media for any negative reason that could jeopardize the public image of my company, my tool of revenge.

I'm so fucked right now. How the hell do I deal with this?

I hit the steering wheel of my car as if it were the genesis of my trouble.

Wait a minute, the condom broke. What if...what if the baby is mine?

I contemplated going back in for a hot second and after a few minutes, I decided to get this doubt off my chest once and for all.

Social media is eating me alive right now and this scandal better not get worse with a baby.

"That child isn't mine, right?" I said the moment I stepped back into the room.

After what felt like a never-ending silence, she finally responded.

"No, the child is not yours" she fumbled with a handful of her dress

Phew! I released a lung full of breath I did not even know I was holding. Very good, the less the controversy, the better control I have. Davis is still going around trying to kill the article from all blogs and by tomorrow morning, he will have come up with a solution.

The sight of Diana is pitiful but I can't get past the idea of her lying to me. What did she want in return? Money? Position? Power?

I was such a fool. She was right under my nose and I had no idea. Women sure are the same. To think that she tricked me after knowing who I was and decided to go through with the intimacy is some level of desperation I have never seen.

Disappointed is not even the word I need right now- I need something bigger than that.

I received Davis' call and it made me feel antsy and relieved at the same time.

Antsy because his calls put me on the edge and relieved because he always has a solution for anything the company faces.

"Speak to me," I say as I drive on the free express.

"We have the perfect article that'll clear everything off. In the press release, we stated that you initially didn't want to expose her identity because she was your assistant and was drunk at the party. The kiss was a result of her tipsyness and she did apologize the next day at work. You both are over it. There is no such thing as an office romance. We only need to keep Diana's mouth shut for the entirety of this controversial period"

That sounds like a good idea but, his last words hurt me afresh. Was this what she wanted? For me to pay her?

Half of a man's problem is indeed solved if he can keep his third leg in check.

With the countermeasure, I'm safe, my company is safe, hopefully.

I usually don't give a shit about what people say about me or the opinion they have but the moment it affects my company, I'm submissive. My plan to take over that bastard's company is drawing near and I need to stay afloat to buy it off and soon, watch them crawl and beg me.

Right now, their company is on the brink of bankruptcy and I intend to buy it off that cheap chump they'll be offering. I want to show them just how much power money can buy.

I know it doesn't solve the years of pain I went through but, it is a good headstart to see the end of their destruction.

After the call with Davis, Sophia's call comes in immediately. To think I've been trying to reach her for a long while.

"Sophia"

"So what? If you were into office romance, you could have just told me. I would have been your assistant or something, anything to have kept our marriage."

I am not in the mood for this gaslighting!

"First of all Sophia, whatever damn thing I decide to do with my private life is none of your fucking business and second of all, it is time to set boundaries. You cheated, remember? And I have tried to keep that off the media because I respect you regardless and now, you've taken that gesture for granted and are putting my company at risk. If after all of this, you still play dirty, I will roll in the mud with you, Sophia. And lastly, do not call me ever again"

I hang up. Call it a transfer of aggression, but I have been wanting to put her in her place and hopefully, this should put her fucking head straight.