Chapter 64

Christiana’s POV

Alex was sitting beside me, comfortably drinking my beer like he belonged here. His presence filled the room, and the air felt thicker, somehow more charged. He leaned back in his chair, talking casually to my employees, who were all too eager to engage with him. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye as he removed his jacket, put it over the back of his chair, and began folding the sleeves of his shirt with ease. There was something annoyingly natural about the way he blended in, like he hadn’t been absent from my life for years.

The waitress came over with our food, and before I could even think about it, Alex grabbed the plate, mixing it exactly the way I liked it–just as he used to, years ago. I hadn’t even thought he remembered. How could he still know something so small, so intimate, from a time that felt like another lifetime?

“Here, you’ll like it better this way,” he said casually, sliding the plate in front of me, his eyes steady on mine.

I wanted to push it away, to refuse the meal and tell him I didn’t need his help. But then I felt the weight of every single employee’s gaze. They were watching, curious, perhaps even entertained by the interaction between us. If I rejected the food now, it would look like I was the bitter ex–wife, still holding onto old grudges. And so far, Alex had been nothing but polite. Intimidating, yes, but not cruel. If I made a scene, it would only reflect badly on me.

So, I picked up my fork and took a bite. His smile was instant, spreading across his face like he had just won some invisible victory. And worse, my employees clearly found it cute. I could see the amusement in their eyes, the barely hidden grins exchanged across the table.

“Well?” Alex asked, his voice low and confident, like he already knew my answer.

“It’s fine.” I muttered, stabbing at my food with more force than necessary.

“Glad you like it.” He leaned back in his chair, a smug satisfaction practically radiating off him.

I could feel my cheeks heating up, the flush creeping in against my will. I wasn’t one to blush. I was the strict boss, the one who always kept things professional, yet here I was, letting Alex disarm me in front of my staff. I kept my head down, focusing on the meal, but I couldn’t shake the discomfort crawling up my spine.

Alex turned his attention back to the employees, engaging in casual conversation like he was their friend, not some imposing billionaire. I could see them relaxing around him, which only made me more uncomfortable. How could they be so at ease when I was sitting here on edge?

“Been a while since I’ve had a night like this, Alex said, folding his arms over his chest. “It’s nice. Simple. Real.

One of the employees nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, it’s not every day we get to hang out like this with, well, someone like

you

raised an eyebrow, I’m just a

presence seemed to charm them–But I wasn’t charmed. I was trapped, forced to smile politely as he sat

closer to me. “You

kind of distance. But then I saw my employees‘ eyes.

the glass, took a sip, and watched as Alex’s smile grew even wider. His satisfaction was maddening.

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18:07 Fri, Oct 18

Chapter 64

more force than necessary, keeping my voice low and measured.

he said, his voice smooth. “I’m just here to

I asked, narrowing my eyes at

against my ear as

froze, my fork suspended mid–air. My heart thudded in my chest

that from him even when I didn’t want it

at him, searching his face for any sign of deception,

he sat back in his chair, taking another

world.

his compliment sink in. But I wasn’t about to let him think he

to keep my voice steady. “But if you think complimenting me will make me warm up to you,

chuckle was low, and he took another slow gulp from my glass before setting it down

He might’ve saved the

us with thinly veiled curiosity. “We don’t need to make this any more complicated

soft laugh. “If

he wasn’t

Few minutes later.

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