Aunt Rose immediately handed me a glass of water.
“Slowly, dear.” After taking a few sips and finally calming down, I looked up.
Almost at the same moment…
Alexander lifted his eyes.
Our gazes met briefly.
There was something unreadable in his expression.
Not cold.
Not angry.
Just…
Difficult to understand.
A second later, he quietly lowered his gaze and continued eating as though nothing had happened.
I stared at my plate.
Ever since I moved into the Livingston family…
I’d always called him “Brother.” Now…
I was suddenly expected to call him by his name.
Just imagining myself saying “Alexander” aloud made me feel strangely embarrassed.
When my adoptive parents first explained the marriage arrangement, I had thought everything would be simple.
We would get married.
Help our families.
And eventually go our separate ways.
But lately…
Nothing seemed simple anymore.
Somehow…
Everyone else appeared to have accepted this engagement long before I had.
Even Alexander behaved as though everything happening between us was the most natural thing in the world.
And for some reason…
That only made me feel even more flustered.
Halfway through the meal, my uncle suddenly spoke up.
“Alexander, I’m glad that you’re here today,” he said as he glanced between the two of us.
“Your mum and I have decided to set the wedding date for a month from now.” My eyes widened.
If I had been eating at that moment, I probably would’ve choked again.
Uncle turned to me.
“You don’t have to worry about the preparations, Alice.
Your aunt and I will handle it.
You just have to concentrate on the company.” For a moment, I was completely speechless.
It still felt like just yesterday when we got engaged, and now they were already talking about our wedding.
“But Uncle…” I forced myself to speak.
“Isn’t it a bit early?
Wouldn’t everything feel a bit rushed?” I asked, but he shook his head.
“The sooner, the better, Alice.
Both our companies need this reassurance as soon as possible,” he said calmly.
“And after all, what’s the use of delaying anything further?” Aunt added softly.
“Now that you’ve been appointed as the CEO of Johnson Culinary Group, what else is left to do but prepare for your wedding?” Instinctively, my eyes drifted toward Alexander.
I was still nervous about the wedding, but what worried me more was him.
What if everything was moving too fast for him too?
I knew very well that he would be more affected by this arrangement than I was.
But Alexander sat calmly, his attention still on his plate even though he wasn’t really eating.
My aunt followed my gaze and looked at him.
“Alexander, do you have anything to say about the arrangement?” she asked softly.
He raised his head.
Our eyes met briefly before his gaze shifted to his mother’s face.
Then he simply shook his head.
Aunt studied him for a moment before speaking again.
“Are you sure?” “Just do whatever is necessary, Mum.
I won’t interfere with your decision-making,” he said calmly.
He glanced briefly at his father before returning his attention to his food.
I lowered my gaze, but the uneasiness in my chest remained.
He hadn’t objected.
But somehow, I still couldn’t tell what he was thinking….
As usual, Alexander stayed the night at the villa after dinner.
It had become an unspoken routine whenever he came over.
The next morning, Uncle Herbert and Alexander left together for Livingston Corporation, while I drove to Johnson Culinary Group.
Everything seemed normal.
Alexander was just as calm as he had always been.
Except this time…
His calmness unsettled me.
He seemed too calm.
Still, I pushed the thought aside and focused on my first official day as CEO.
A few minutes later, the company’s headquarters came into view.
I drove into the underground parking garage and parked my car.
I deliberately avoided the main lobby.
There would be far too many employees and too much attention for my liking.
The private elevator was a much better option.
As it carried me upward, my heartbeat quickened.
Yesterday, my uncle had been beside me.
Today…
I was completely on my own.
The realization made my stomach tighten.
Taking a slow, steady breath, I straightened my shoulders just as the elevator doors opened.
Stepping out, I was greeted by a familiar face.
“Good morning, Ma’am.” I turned to see Mike, one of my secretaries, waiting beside the elevator.
“Good morning.” “This way, Ma’am.” He led me toward my office.
“You have a meeting with the CFO, COO, and CMO at noon.
Before then, there are several documents that require your attention.” I nodded as we entered the office.
I walked behind my desk, gently brushing my fingers across its polished surface before taking my seat.
“Bring me everything I need to review.” My voice came out steadier than I expected.
Mike placed the files in his hands on the desk before stepping back.
“These are the ones that require your immediate attention.” I glanced at the stack before me.
There was a lot.
But no one knew better than I did how long I had been preparing for this responsibility.
“If there are more, bring them as well.” He hesitated.
“But, ma’am…
there are quite a few—” “Bring them.” I cut him off gently but firmly.
After a brief pause, he nodded and left.
I opened the first file.
It contained my schedule for the week.
Among the appointments for that day was the meeting scheduled for noon.
I checked the time, then looked at the growing stack of files on my desk.
There wasn’t much time.
Setting the schedule aside, I reached for the next file.
It contained information regarding the recruitment of a CEO’s executive assistant.
I skimmed through it before placing it aside as well.
An assistant was important…
But the company’s immediate affairs came first….
I’m really sorry for the breaks I’ve been taking but this time I’m back and will try my very best to not disappoint you again.