Christian stood beside the bed, knotting his tie when Kayla walked in with that all-too-familiar pouty expression. He sighed inwardly, already wondering what was wrong this time.
"Are you okay?" he asked, attempting to sound concerned, though his mind was totally elsewhere—on Ashley.
After several restless nights, kept awake by the fear of impotency, christian had visited a fertility doctor who confirmed his greatest fear. Despite his love for sex, he couldn't impregnate women because he was suffering two ailments; Oligospermia ( low sperm count) and Asthenospermia (poor sperm motility). He was enraged, recalling that two years ago, Ashley had tried to trick him into believing she carried his child.
"How can I be okay when all she does is cry every time I try to touch her?" Kayla complained, explaining the reason for her sour mood. "It's obvious she prefers that old, dirty nanny to me. It's so annoying."
Her scrunched-up face and disgusted tone told christian she was talking about Jennifer, their newly adopted daughter.
"She's just a child, babe," Christian tried to reason with her. "And I think she's getting more used to Veronica carrying her since you're not always around..."
Kayla's glare cut him off. "What are you insinuating? That I'm not a good mother figure?" Her voice rose with each word, and Christian knew he had to tread carefully. He didn't have the luxury of time to deal with her temper at the moment.
Not wanting to escalate the situation, he apologized and resumed adjusting his tie. Kayla glared before stepping in front of him to finish the job herself.
Kayla's continual absence was making their little daughter distant herself from her. But the new mom didn't seem to care—she was more interested in monitoring Christian's every movement and interaction with other women than being present for Jennifer.
Her hands went around Christian's neck in a possessive manner after she finished with the tie, her heart-shaped lips curving into a seductive smile.
"What do you want, Kay?" Christian asked, his tone neutral. But his thoughts had already drifted back to Ashley—how to win her back, how to punish her for trying to deceive him.
After careful consideration, Christian's mind had latched onto the possibility that Ashley had indeed been pregnant two years ago—but not with his child. The thought that she might've cheated hit him harder than he cared to admit. It fueled his need to teach her a lesson. And now that Ashley was the heiress to such a large organization, he saw an opportunity. It would benefit his companies greatly If he succeeded in reclaiming her.
"Can't I take care of my fiancé without a price?" Kayla cooed. "I miss having you deeply buried inside of me, baby."
Biting her lower lip, she slowly reached for Christian's belt, but he caught her hand before she could advance further.
"Have you forgotten we're on a break, Kayla?" Christian asked impatiently. Ever since their disagreement at Nova City—caused by Ashley—Kayla had denied him access to her body.
"But I want you now," she pouted, her gaze locking onto his. Almost immediately, she tried again, but like the previous time, Christian stopped her.
"What's wrong with you? You said we were on a break." He repeated through clenched teeth.
Christian had received word that Ashley had resumed office a week ago, and today he planned to pay her a visit.
"I've changed my mind," Kayla nearly snapped, her fingers gripping Christian's zipper with more force than she intended. It frustrated her that she could almost feel herself with need and her and yet, Christian remained indifferent, refusing to do anything with her.
"And I'm late for the office." He once again peeled her off him.
"You're the CEO. You can't be late," Kayla finally lost her cool.
"It's not a fight. I have a meeting to catch up with. When I return we can do whatever you want."
Kayla scoffed, crossing her arms. "Or you can't stop thinking about her. You think I haven't noticed how you've been spacing out since that event?"
Christian ignored her, walking past to grab his briefcase from the desk.
"You're not saying anything now, huh? You can't even defend yourself. You're disgusting– still thinking about that pathetic ex who humiliated us just a week ago."
'Why did she always have to create a scene? Can she not use her brain for once?' Christian thought, his grip tightening around the briefcase handle.
"I'll see you when I return," he said, pecking Kayla's cheek before attempting to leave. But she swiftly stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
"Kayla, can we not do this right now?" Christian sighed. He had more important things on his mind—like deciding what kind of flowers to get for Ashley. The drama unfolding before him only made it harder to think. He wasn't even sure if Ashley liked flowers; he had never bought her any during their marriage. But he assumed all women did.
"I'm sorry," Kayla drawled suddenly, her gaze shifting to something softer, almost apologetic.
Christian raised an eyebrow. "For what exactly?"
"For accusing you wrongly," she admitted, making his expression ease. "I know you can't possibly be thinking of her when I'm still here. You left her for me, and I'll always be above her, no matter what she thinks she's achieved." She gazed up at him with wide, innocent eyes.
"That's what I've been trying to make you understand, but you keep accusing me," Christian murmured, putting on a pathetic expression as he caressed her cheek lovingly, though his patience was wearing thin.
Kayla's lips curled into a slow smile. "Then why not show me on the bed?" Her voice turned sultry again, and Christian couldn't help but wonder if that was all she ever thought about.
Ashley had just become CEO of a leading enterprise, yet here Kayla was, thinking about nothing but sex, sex, sex.
"I'll do that when I return from the office," he said, brushing past her toward the exit.
She followed. "Okay, just give me money then. Micah said she needs some school materials." Micah was Kayla's younger sister who was being sponsored through the university by christian.
Christian stopped, eyeing her. "I gave you $5,000 two days ago for that."
"Mom needed money urgently, so I gave it to her instead," Kayla replied with a nonchalant shrug.
Christian's jaw tightened. "But I sent your mother $10,000 just last week." His irritation spiked. Kayla's family had been squandering his money recklessly, and she couldn't even manage the restaurant branch he'd given her.
"Why are you complaining? Just say you don't want to give." Kayla stormed past him toward the stairs. "Forget it. We'll survive without you."
Running a frustrated hand through his hair, Christian followed. "I'll have the money transferred when I get to the office."
She cast him a fleeting glance before turning away, disappearing up the stairs.
Christian wanted her family to be comfortable, but their extravagance worried him.
Once inside his car, he pulled out his phone and called Katherine, his secretary. "Transfer $10,000 to Kayla's account and cancel my schedule for today," he ordered.
Katherine hesitated. "Sir..."
"If she happens to call, tell her I'm in an important meeting. Have Gabriel fill in for me," he added before hanging up.
Starting the car, he drove off, searching for a flower shop.
******
At Flynn Enterprises, Christian parked his car and stepped out, clutching two bouquets of sunflowers and a fancy bag containing a medium hot Cheetos.
The vibrant yellow petals reminded him of how beautiful Ashley had looked at the event two days ago. One bouquet didn't seem enough to make an impression, so he had bought two. The hot Cheetos—one of his favorite snacks—had also been Ashley's weakness when they were together. He could only hope her taste hadn't changed.
As he entered the building, the blonde receptionist eyed him skeptically, her gaze flickering between him and the flowers. After he smoothly lied that he was her new boss's boyfriend, she directed him to the CEO's office. He noted how beautiful the petite receptionist was, making a mental note to get her contact on his way out.
The elevator doors opened on the top floor. Taking a deep breath, Christian stepped out. He knew Ashley wouldn't be thrilled to see him at first, but he was confident that would change with time. He thought about the way she had looked at him at the event, despite her harsh words.
'It was all just an act—a facade to make me think she was over me,' he thought.
Two years wasn't enough time for her to completely move on, especially considering how head over heels she'd been for him. There had to be lingering feelings—ones he planned to exploit.
Stopping just outside Ashley's office, a slow smile crept onto Christian's face as he unknowingly watched her through the glass door. She was engrossed, flipping through paperwork on her desk. Even while sitting, he couldn't miss how her pink outfit accentuated her curves.
His gaze dropped to her cleavage, peeking out from her gown—fuller than he remembered. A rush of heat pooled in his stomach at the sight, sparking a restless tension between his legs.
"It's only a matter of time before she's mine again—before she crawls back, and I devour her the way I used to," he muttered to himself, subtly adjusting his pants to hide the evidence of his thoughts.
Without further hesitation, Christian pushed open the door, stepping inside with a sly smile.