Chapter 2: A Widowed CEO.

Alexander Harrison observed the screen of his cell phone, which wouldn't stop ringing. Seeing his mother’s name light up the device produced a strange feeling of anguish and unease in him. He knew what was coming, and it suffocated him. He mentally prepared himself for what was to come; his mother was the only woman who could rattle him like that.

“Mother, it’s so good to receive a call from you,” he said in a gentle tone.

“Let me tell you that it doesn’t seem that way, Alexander. If it weren’t for the fact that I’m calling you, I wouldn’t know anything about you.”

“You’re exaggerating, Mother. We talked two days ago,” he said affectionately.

“Considering that I’m sick and could die at any moment…”

“Stop,” he sighed. “Don’t continue with that, Mother, please. You can’t leave me. You know I need you, Regina needs you. You can’t do this to us…”

“My son, the only thing we can be sure of in this cruel life is precisely death. We are born with it following us closely, giving us a slight advantage to think that we’re getting ahead, but that’s not true. So don’t be afraid and take it with the naturalness it deserves. I’m old enough not to be concerned with trivialities.”

“Death is no trivial matter, Mother,” he said, containing his exasperation.

“Let it go, Alexander. Give me the good news that you’ll be coming soon and, of course, that you’ll bring along that girlfriend of yours, whom I don’t even know.”

“If all goes well, she’ll be my wife, Mother.”

“That’s precisely what I want, Alex. I want to die knowing that you’ve found a good woman and that Regina will have the maternal figure she deserves,” Alexander sighed heavily.

“I’m going to propose to her today. Perhaps we can celebrate a small civil wedding, and while we’re there with you, organize a church wedding with the appropriate celebration.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to get married here? I mean, with your daughter and me as witnesses.”

“Mother, if I’m going to take a trip of several months with her, the most appropriate thing is to take her and present her as my wife, at least in legal terms.”

“As you wish. The only thing that matters to me is that you get married, and soon,” she emphasized her words.

“Mother... better tell me, is there already a date for Regina’s vacation?”

“Next week, so I expect you then. You know Regina is…”

“Yes, yes, I already know. I promise you, Mother, I’ll be there next week with my new wife,” he assured her determinedly.

“Make sure she’s the right one, a wife that Iliana would approve of for raising her daughter. I’ll be waiting, son…” and with that, she ended the call. Alexander took the device from his ear and stared at the screen with narrowed eyes. His mother always had to mention Iliana, and it wasn’t that the memory of his ex-wife left him with a bad taste; he had been very happy with her during the brief two years he enjoyed his marriage—two of the best years of his life, filled with joy and happiness. When Iliana announced her pregnancy, he couldn’t have been happier; it was the fruit of the immense love they shared. He never imagined that upon having Regina, he would lose Iliana. The tragedy had struck him—a complicated childbirth that delivered him his new love but took away the only woman he had ever loved... until he met Adara Black. She had restored his hope in love; a stunning brunette with long, straight hair and breathtaking curves, dedicated to the runway. If Adara had a rival in love, it was precisely her job; she was very dedicated, always modeling at new venues, new runways, new photo campaigns. She had a rather hectic lifestyle.

He opened the drawer of his desk and took out the black velvet box. Upon opening it, he found the precious jewel: a beautiful white gold ring with a large diamond in the center, and small diamonds decorating its sides. It was gorgeous and had cost a small fortune—nothing that his beloved Adara didn’t deserve. In fact, she deserved everything, all the best the world had to offer. That afternoon, he would take her out for a stroll, then a romantic dinner, a marriage proposal, and end the night tangled up in her sheets. It was the plan for a perfect day. He thought of her exotic gaze filled with desire, her beautiful emerald green eyes shining like those of an eager feline stalking its prey. She had completely enamored him.

They had met just over a year ago at a charity auction, where a mutual friend introduced them... He was a renowned CEO, dedicated to his business, a widower for seven years, wholly committed to making his companies the number one in the country. She was an exquisite model—young, beautiful, endowed with a unique grace, delicate movements, and subtle elegance, belonging to an important family. Initially, they saw each other as a possible momentary distraction but soon melted into wild passion. Shortly after, Alexander had officially asked her to be his girlfriend, and from that moment on, they were seen together in many places; she always accompanied him on his arm, and he adjusted his schedule to always be present at her most important modeling events. They had formed a formidable couple.

Adara had taken the news that he had a little daughter wonderfully. In her upcoming plans, she didn’t wish to be a mother due to the physical changes that would bring to her body—not for the moment, while her career was at its peak, filled with contracts and requests. Although she hadn’t yet been introduced to either Alexander’s mother or daughter due to work commitments, with Regina’s presence, she could experience motherhood in some way. Alexander had warned her that it wouldn’t be easy; Regina, despite being very young, could be considered spoiled, pampered, rude, and a bit haughty. Alexander always justified the child’s bad temper with the absence of a maternal figure. Even though Alexander’s mother had made great efforts to fill the void left by Regina’s late mother, it was still very heartbreaking for Regina to grow up without her mother. Therefore, Alexander tried to please her in every way to avoid causing his poor daughter more sorrow.

He had every intention of throwing his cell phone onto the desk; however, he decided to call Adara to confirm she would be free and that they would go out. He dialed the number and waited. On the third ring, Adara’s sweet voice filled his ears, bringing a smile to his face.

“Hello, baby.”

“Darling,” he said tenderly. “How are you?”

“Good, baby. I was trying to rest a bit.”

“You didn’t tell me you’d be free today.”

“There were last-minute changes; they canceled my photo shoot for the magazine, baby, so I was able to take a day off after God knows how long.”

“You work too much, beautiful. You know you could quit if you wanted to, right?”

“Of course, baby, I know, but you know how much I love modeling. No matter how exhausting it is, it’s something I enjoy a lot, my love.”

“I know, darling, it’s just that sometimes I think you rest too little, and that worries me. For me, your well-being and stability are paramount.”

“But I’m always here for you,” she said in a sensual tone. “Invite me to dinner at a nice restaurant.”

“You’ve read my mind, darling. I’m calling to invite you to dinner.”

“Of course, I accept, baby. What time will you pick me up?”

“Around eight, I have a busy day. Does that work for you?”

“Yes,” she said cheerfully. “I’ll put on a beautiful dress.”

“And I’ll enjoy taking it off you…” he said with a voice full of deep desire.

“I’ll be waiting anxiously. Until then, my love, see you at eight. Maybe I’ll decide to skip the underwear,” she said and giggled like a mischievous girl.

“I love the idea, darling. Now I must go; I’ll see you tonight.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“I love you, Alexander.”

“And I love you, beautiful,” he heard her blow him a kiss, smiled, and ended the call. He left the phone on the desk and, sighing, leaned back in his chair... He hoped Adara wouldn’t be too surprised by the proposal; it made him a little nervous to be rejected. He loved her, so it was obvious he wanted her to say yes. He was sure his mother would accept her as soon as she met her, and with a little luck, Regina would approve as well.

Regina... his little, stubborn, spoiled daughter; how difficult it often was to deal with her. He didn’t want to imagine all the rebellion that would come with adolescence... but he didn’t judge her; he tried to give her all the love possible. For him, it was hard to lose his wife; for Regina, it was terribly painful and frustrating to grow up without a mother. He hoped she could find in Adara a mother figure and that Adara could also find satisfaction in the life of his little daughter.

He sighed.

Living wasn’t easy; in fact, it was very complicated. He wished he could have more free time to share with his little girl. He loved her, but he was clumsy—a single father who still didn’t quite understand how to manage his relationship with his daughter, even though eight years had passed. He hoped to form a stable family where his daughter could leave the boarding school and live with him, build unforgettable memories, and give her all the love he felt for her, but didn’t know how to express.

Adara...

Adara was free, her first day off in a long time. So, what was he waiting for to go get her? Her schedule was unmovable; her days off were few. On his part, he could reorganize his agenda to spend the day together. He took out his phone to call her and tell her he was coming, but he decided to surprise her instead. On his way, he would buy roses, a good bottle of red wine, and they would spend the day wrapped up in the sheets. He tossed his cellphone into the pocket of his suit jacket, turned off the computer, and left his office. His secretary looked up, and his two bodyguards approached him with expressionless faces, waiting for orders.

“Ava…”

“Yes, Mr. Harrison?” she stood up.

“Cancel my schedule; I won’t be back until tomorrow.”

“Understood, sir,” she nodded. Then he turned to his men.

“We’re leaving, right now.” Both men nodded silently, and Alexander left his office feeling the anxious joy of anticipation at spending the day with the woman he loved.