Chapter 18 - Xander

I just got out of the phone with Lola, she got a salary raise and she was very excited about it, i had enough money to take care of us but i didn't think of telling her to quit. She loved her job at the advertising firm and she was good at it so yeah, i had to be a bigger person. I was on my way to have a meeting with Mr. Reeves. I had to make sure that Leo was doing what he was supposed to do because i invested in their business and i hated seeing the spoiled brat ruin something that his father holds dear.

I was welcomed by a flirting receptionist, honestly i was getting tired of facing such situations but it seemed like something that i had to get used to. A thought of having a ring on my finger crossed my mind, having a ring on my finger would probably help solve this situation and the other one, yes it still bothered me that men kept ogling at Lola.

"This way Mr. Tan", the receptionist said leading the way to one of the rooms that i was hoping to be an office. She kept flashing her fake boobs at me. It was very disturbing. She led me to Mr. Reeve's office where he was waiting for me along with a nervous Leo. "Good afternoon Reeves, how are you?", "Am great, it's good to see you son. What brings you here?", he said leading me to a chair, i got comfortable, still ignoring Leo. "Well i have noticed some changes in management so i thought we should catch up making sure we are on the same page, considering your son was not part of the initial agreement so you know, telling him what role i play in this business", i said still focusing my attention on Reeves. "That is a brilliant idea", the old man said happily turning to his son. "Leo, remember your Las Vegas incident?", Leo nod his head, guilt all over his face. "Good. Well we have Xander to thank for fixing that, he offered to invest in our business so that we can thrive and keep our market share and it was his guidance that pulled us up from the gutter", he explained and Leo was shocked at this moment making me chuckle. "Reeves it was a team effort and you know it", i said smiling at him. He smiled back, "ok, if it helps you sleep at night", his answer was so unexpected that i had to laugh which he joined too.

Leo was quiet as his Dad told us about the company progress and how the transition was going to take place. "Xander, Leo is still new to this so i hope you don't mind keeping your doors open for when he needs your help", he said patting his son's shoulder, i turned to face Leo, finally acknowledging his presence. I smirked making him swallow hard. I loved the was people trembled at my presence. "Reeves, we are family and this is a partnership so my doors are always going to be open for Leo. Speaking of family, are you married?", i asked even though i knew everything about him. He cleared his throat, "not yet", his answer made his father chuckle. "But you are working on it right? I have seen so flower deliveries happening. Come on son, whats that about?", his father asked with curiosity. "They were for a friend", he said struggling to keep his confidence but failing miserably. "Reeves, stop cornering the guy, it's hard to get a woman's attention now days", i told his father with a smile. "After what you did at Xavier's part i doubt it, you had the attention of all those you women, it's a shame that your already taken huh?", he said making me recall how i was literally hands on Lola that night. "Yes i am. Lola is it for me. Reeves and a very jealous man when it comes to things that i love", i said looking at Leo. "Oh! You love her?", his father sounded surprised, yes i had a reputation but it was my past. This was my present and future. "Yes, yes i do. I love her and business of course", "good man", Reeves answered and we laughed. Love and business was always something that connected me and Reeves. "Well, thank you for meeting me in such short notice Reeves, Leo. Looking forwards to doing business with you, let's show this man what you are made of right?", i said shaking his hand while holding it tighter than necessary. I had to make a point. "S-sure thing", he said as i released it.

I returned to my office at the club only to find Nick waiting for me. He looked troubled. "Whats wrong with you?", i asked bring him back to reality. He released a breath. "Dana left", "Ok, is that a good thing or a bad thing?", i had to know where he stood for me to proceed. "I don't know. I just always considered that she will not leave you know", "do you love her?", "No, i never thought about love before or settling down. I just don't know what to do", i poured a drink for us and sat next to him. "Bro, i think it's time that you find someone worth settling down with, someone that will help you become better that who you were the day before, we are not getting any younger", i said and he smiled. "I will try, thanks for this, i know i've been a pain but you always make time for me and i appreciate that", "You are welcome. Is Venga still a problem?", "Noup! Haven't heard from him again, but we are keeping an eye on his whereabouts", "good", i said returning to my desk and started working. The idea of marrying Lola came to my mind again. It made question if we were ready for the next step. I knew that there was only one man would help me make sense of what i was feeling.

"Hey old man, lets go grap a beer", i told Dad when i found him at home just finishing his swimming session. "Ok...lets me go change", he answered walking in inside the house. I waited for him and after half an hour we were sitting at his favourite diner waiting for our steaks. "What did you do now?", his question surprised me, was i that transparent now days? "Nothing i promise, honestly am worried of what am about go do", "and what is that?", he said taking a swing of his beer. "I want to marry Lola, but am not sure if it's the right time", my Dad was speechless, huh! This was not what i expected, he always had an answer for everything. "If your thinking about it then it's the right time, so when do we go find a ring?", if i didn't know any better i would have thought that he was more excited than i am.