Chapter Three.
Alicia – a year later.
Famous last words often came back to bite you in the ass.
As I tried to move around the sweaty guys in front of me, they wouldn’t budge.
This kegger wasn’t my choice, but my roommate had insisted.
And this party sucked. The beer was warm, the room was stifling, and it was seething with people.
Somewhere, Dani was lurking, but God knows where.
“Hey, gorgeous,” a guy drawled, getting in the way. He had a sticky name badge that said ‘Kent’.
“Sorry, just leaving.”
“Why? It’s early, baby.”
“Bedtime for me,” I said and winced. Foolish mistake, I sighed as Kent took the obvious route.
“Babe, I’ll come and tuck you in.” Kent flirted and winked.
“Can I get past? Please?”
“Sure.” Instead of moving, Kent placed an arm on the wall, boxing me in.
I scowled as Kent reached out and rubbed a lock of my hair between his fingers. Time to pull out the big guns. “Last warning, let me go.”
“Babe, we’re getting to know each other,” Kent said, shaking his head.
“Are you a Sigma Kappa Phi?”
“Yeah, baby, recognise me?” Kent puffed out his chest.
“Oliver Kensington.”
The guy stiffened. “What about Oliver?”
I pointed at myself, and Kent winced.
“You’re Alicia.”
I nodded with a grim smile as Kent quickly backed up.
“Wise choice.”
“That dude is psychotic, especially where you’re concerned,” he said.
“Yeah. Oliver’s a little overprotective.”
Kent laughed. “Honey, I’ve seen Oliver fight; I don’t want to be on the end of those anger issues. I’ll walk you out. Are you calling an Uber, or should I shout Oliver?”
“Um, I think my roommate has hooked up with someone, and Oliver’s probably busy with a girl. I’ll call…”
Kent began laughing. “Oliver’s with no one. The guy hasn’t dated or slept with anyone since he arrived. His right hand must ache like fuck with all the self-administered hand jobs.”
“Oliver’s not dating?”
“No, he is. You just don’t realise it.”
I fell silent as I followed Kent towards the front of the house. I got the implication. Kent was saying Oliver was dating me, and I’d not realised it. Looking back over the past year, I couldn’t deny Kent was wrong.
“Where are we going?” I asked as Kent waved his hand at the stairs.
“If he’s not here, Oliver’s in his room.” I followed him upstairs and along a corridor. As we neared the end, a door opened and Oliver walked out. My heart kicked, just as it always did when I saw him. Oliver was as handsome as ever.
“What the fuck?” he exclaimed, seeing me with Kent.
“Alicia’s looking for you. Said I’d bring her to your room.”
“Thanks, man. Alicia, come here, honey,” Oliver ordered as he ran a hand through his hair.
“If you’re entertaining, I can call an Uber,” I murmured as Kent laughed and strode away.
“Here, babe, now.”
I walked obediently over, and Oliver hauled me in tight to his side.
“Look, if I’m disturbing you—”
“Shush, Alicia. You’re not doing anything of the sort. To be honest, I’m sick of the women down there. They’re not what I’m looking for.”
“What is?” I asked, holding his gaze.
Oliver smiled and ran his finger down my cheek. “You are.”
Oliver – three years later.
Alicia walked up the aisle, and I grinned. She was gorgeous—and mine. Alicia was literally glowing, and the comments people were making puffed me up. Everyone was saying how beautiful she looked and how in love we were. The compliments about Alicia’s beauty reflected on my choice and taste.
Three months ago, I graduated with top marks and got the degree I needed. I was now learning the business, which, honestly, wasn’t doing great under Dad. He wasn’t a shark, and I was. Alicia finished college a year ago, bought our house, and had been working for a designer, creating a home.
I’d slipped an engagement ring on Alicia’s finger at her graduation, and Alicia had accepted.
Everything was falling into place, and my life was looking freaking perfect.
Today was the start of our future together, and I couldn’t wait.
Dad was handing over Eliganz, and I’d huge plans for the shops.
With Alicia by my side, I was unstoppable.
Happily, I reached out and took Alicia’s hand as she stopped beside me.
“Love you.”
“Love you too,” she replied.
It had been hard work to get Alicia to trust me. And sometimes I hadn’t thought we’d make it, but we had. Today was a culmination of loving Alicia since we were sixteen. Five years we’d been a couple, and we were on the up. Nothing would stop us; I’d not let it. My girl would rule the world.
Four years later.
“Wear something nice but not flashy,” I ordered Alicia.
Alicia nodded as she twisted her fingers together.
“We need this, Alicia. I’ve worked hard to get Eliganz where it is. If I can secure Sinclair’s investment, then Eliganz can expand as I want.”
“Sorry, I’m nervous. Oliver, how do I speak to them? The wives are famous in their own right,” Alicia replied.
“Yeah, but you’ll impress them. You’re perfect,” I said, kissing Alicia’s forehead.
Alicia had struggled with fitting into the life we’d created. She’d had to ditch her wilder ways and learn decorum. That hadn’t been easy, but Alicia had succeeded in taming herself. Now, Alicia looked, acted, and dressed the part of an up-and-coming businessman’s wife.
She’d quit designing clothes two years back, after it became obvious that her career clashed with mine. I’d not forced the issue. Alicia had made the choice. With a few hints, Alicia had realised I needed support, and she’d given it freely.
Alicia hadn’t complained as she walked at my side.
She kept the house neat and tidy, took some cooking lessons, and was wonderful.
While my business life could be chaotic, working from seven to eight, six days a week, my home life was idyllic.
I’d grown Eliganz through hard work and sweat, achieving many new shop openings.
Eliganz now boasted a store in the capital city of every state.
That had been a grind. Sometimes I thought I wouldn’t make it, wouldn’t gain the success I deserved.
During those times, Alicia would soothe my doubts and let me find comfort in her body.
I’d worked damn hard growing Eliganz, and if I secured investment from Aaron Sinclair, I’d make my dreams come true quicker.
Recently we’d moved into a new house. It was much bigger than our previous two and made a statement.
The owner of Eliganz needed it as a status symbol.
Sinclair’s mansion screamed wealth and prosperity.
The furnishings were expensive and ultramodern.
My entire life was perfect, but there was always room for improvement.
If I got Sinclair’s interest, it would advance my long-term plans by five years.
Tonight’s dinner party was vital. I ranked third in the industry; I wanted to be first. Eliganz sold quality clothing for the middle class upwards.
Ripped jeans and tie-dyed tees were not welcome on Eliganz’s shelves.
Not unless they had a designer name on the tag.
That was my aim. Grab a designer’s attention and have them work solely for me; it was unheard of, but I believed I could secure someone.
Most designers spread out amongst retailers or opened their own chain. I was looking to buck the trend. The dream was to have an in-demand top fashion designer and to have only my shops stock their lines. An exclusive which would bring in loads of business. I knew what I wanted, and I’d get it.
There were two chains above Eliganz: Chic Dreams and Zade. Zade was the one to beat. Slowly, I was closing in on them.
“How’s this?” Alicia asked, distracting me from my thoughts.
I glanced over and checked her out. Alicia twisted her fingers again, and I frowned.
I didn’t like that habit. She wore a beautiful cream dress, hair upswept, with a few tendrils curling around her face.
Alicia wore heels and a diamond pendant I’d bought.
Her makeup was natural and not overblown.
Alicia was understated, elegant, and exactly what I imagined.
“Perfect, darling,” I said with a slight frown.
“What?” Alicia demanded, looking worried.
“Just mind the fatty foods, Alicia, you’re starting to look a little hippy, and that dress shows off everything,” I commented mildly.
Alicia flinched, and then smiled. “Of course,” she murmured.
“Come on, let’s go.” I held out my hand, and Alicia placed hers in mine. I rubbed my thumb over her engagement and wedding rings. They weren’t the original ones I’d given her. Those had been the best I could afford back then. Now I could buy better and more expensive things, so I did.
Alicia’s former engagement ring had a half-carat diamond.
This one sported five carats and caught everyone’s eye.
It made a statement. Her wedding ring also held three carats.
Once I’d begun making a profit, I’d taken to spoiling Alicia.
It gave me joy to see Alicia dressed in clothing and jewels I’d bought for her.
I led Alicia out to the car and helped her in. Again, Alicia had learned that women of our class didn’t get in and out of a vehicle themselves. They were handed in and out. Alicia smiled up at me, and I couldn’t help it; I leaned forward and kissed her lips lightly.
“Touch your lipstick up, honey,” I said.
Alicia pulled down the sun visor and did. When I climbed into the driver’s seat, Alicia was yet again perfect. I was so damn proud of my wife.
On entering the lounge of Sinclair’s mega-mansion, I should have been nervous; I was the youngest man here at twenty-six, but I wasn’t.
The surrounding men ranged from thirty to forty-five, all self-made billionaires and powerful.
Aaron Sinclair was a venture capitalist who rarely took an interest in a fast-expanding business.
He went for more long-term prospects, those who’d proved themselves.
Aaron held the power that could make or break a business and a government.
Brock Gardner ran the top investment brokerage business in the states and had as much influence as Sinclair.
If I could secure funding from either of them, I’d be a very happy man.
The third person on the team was Dax Maverick.
He owned a luxury travel company with several cruise ships, private resorts, and trains.
The fourth was famous for his foul-mouthed tirades and for not holding back. Ryder Jasper didn’t care who liked him or who didn’t. Jasper, a corporate raider who took no prisoners, was cold and methodical when asset-stripping those unfortunate companies he acquired.
The fifth was Jude Knox, who ruled a media empire with an iron fist. No doubt about it, I should have been intimidated. The five of them were known as the Funding Five, having helped many businesses succeed.
“Oliver!” Aaron said with a smile, holding out his hand. I grasped it and then accepted the other’s handshake.
“This is my wife, Alicia.” I completed the introductions, knowing they were unnecessary, but I still did them. Alicia would have studied the files I’d given her on these men and their wives and would know the appropriate responses.
“A pleasure to meet you,” she said, smiling sweetly.
“Would you like a drink? Winona is checking dinner,” Aaron replied.
“A soft drink for me, I’m driving,” I responded.
“It’s okay, darling, I’ll drive,” Alicia offered, and I ran a finger down her cheek. It was possessive and claiming, and I knew it.
“Are you sure?” Of course, she was; this was something we’d planned.
“Definitely. Oliver likes whiskey on the rocks.” Alicia smiled shyly.
“Alicia, this is my wife, Winona,” Aaron stated proudly as a beautiful woman approached.
“Hi Alicia, why don’t you come join us in the kitchen? We’ve mocktails,” Winona asked with a warm smile. Alicia glanced over, and I kissed her gently.
“Go have fun,” I murmured as my gaze warmed. Alicia blossomed under my scrutiny and followed Winona.
Alicia
After dinner, we congregated in the lounge again. The men took seats at one end while we sat around a small coffee table. The chatter had been pretty much what I’d expected until now.
“I have to ask, Alicia, where did you get that dress?” Saska inquired as she sipped a mocktail.
“Oh, this?” I asked, looking down. Concerned, I bit my lip. Did they like it?
“It’s stunning and looks fabulous on you,” Winona agreed.
“It’s from a little-known designer I discovered by chance,” I replied.
“Well, I want the contact details. She’s got a great eye,” Saska concurred.
“I’ll let her know.” I smiled shyly.
There was pride in my voice; these ladies liked the dress.
The wives were really nice. Winona was the eldest and a movie star.
She and Aaron had two children. Saska was a singer and was renowned throughout the world.
She had stopped touring because she was raising her and Brock’s children.
Zinnia was a model who now owned her own modelling agency, which was doing well. She was Dax’s wife.
Ryder’s wife was Oceane, a famous TV presenter of the natural world. And finally, there was Rebel, Jude’s wife and a game designer. I didn’t fit in, but they were nice, nonetheless.
“Tell us about yourself,” Rebel demanded.
“Nothing much to say, I’m Oliver’s wife. We met as children. We got married four years ago, and I’m a housewife,” I said, smiling.
“Ah, I see, going with the bland, boring, perfect housewife. Yeah, you’re of no interest to us,” Oceane dismissed me and turned her back to speak to Winona. I was shocked, at the very least. That had been really rude.
“Do you have any hobbies?” Rebel asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
“Nothing particular, reading, cooking, gardening,” I paused, and Zinnia caught it.
“What, you’re hiding something?” she pushed, and Oceane turned back around.
“Keeping secrets?” she murmured, eyes raking over my face.
Winona stared and then smirked. “You designed that dress, didn’t you?”
I paled a little. Did it really look that amateurish?