Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Emotional Blackmail

Alex sat in his simple office, where the only sound was the quiet hum of his computer.

The day was still very bright, but the sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows did little to ease his restless mind.

Was Emma and Claire still out with that guy? Should he call them and say he was just checking on them?

What about the boys? Why was there still no calls or update from them? Did that mean Emma was fine and the guy wasn’t a threat?

His gaze flicked to his phone again, resting face up on the desk, its screen blank. No calls, no updates.

He exhaled heavily, leaning back in his chair. It had been hours since Emma left for her lunch with Chris, and the guards he had stationed to discreetly watch over her had yet to report back.

What was taking so long? He wondered, a knot of worry tightening in his chest.

Alex had instructed them to notify him of any unusual behavior or interaction, but so far, silence. The lack of information was beginning to grate on his nerves.

Although it could be that Emma was fine but their silence could also mean that everyone including the boys was in danger.

Since they weren’t calling, and it was over three hours now, it was time he called them. He couldn’t wait any longer.

He reached for his phone, wanting to dial Harry’s line but before he could, the sharp sound of his office door opening without a knock made his head snap up.

“Who—” he began, irritation flickering across his face. But the words died on his lips when he saw who it was.

Instead of his initial irritation, a smile spread across his face as his eyes met that of the person at the doorway.

Standing in the doorway, a wide grin on his face, was a tall man with dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt and gray slacks—the epitome of effortless charm.

“Chris!” Alex said, his smile widening as he stood and walked around his desk.

Christopher Jacobs strode forward, his arms wide. “Alex! You look as stiff as ever,” he teased, pulling him into a friendly embrace.

Alex chuckled as they stepped back. “What the hell are you doing here? You swore you’d never step foot in Florittle again. Didn’t you? I was surprised when I heard you told me you were in town,” Alex said looking Chris over.

Chris gave a mock shrug, his expression tinged with humor and something more serious beneath it. “What can I say? Life’s full of surprises. I lost my dad, Alex. Someone had to come back and take over.”

Alex’s smile faded slightly as he nodded. “I’m sorry about your father. I know you didn’t have the easiest relationship, but still…”

Chris waved it off, though a flicker of sadness crossed his face. “It’s life, right? I guess we all have to grow up sometime. Just like you did.”

Alex raised an eyebrow, smirking. “I didn’t exactly have a choice. But I thought you’d sooner sell the company than return here.”

Chris chuckled. “I thought so too. But here I am and I’m glad I am.”

The two men sat down, the easy friendship between them evident in their relaxed postures.

They had both become friends after Chris saved Alex from an unwanted admirer at a mall and since then, they had become best friends.

He had been unable to reach or talk to Chris because unlike him, Chris had loved working in the sea and whenever he was there, he neither received calls or texts.

Though the circumstances surrounding Chris’s return were great, Alex was glad he now had a friend. Someone he could lay his burdens on.

“So,” Alex said, folding his arms. “How are you doing with all of this? Really. Running a company isn’t exactly your style. How did your mom manage to convince you to leave your passion and become a CEO?”

“Emotional blackmail?” Chris replied, leaning back in his chair and Alex laughed.

“I wouldn’t say I didn’t think of that,” Alex said and Chris chuckled before waving it off.

“That’s all she ever knows how to do. But if I’m being honest, I’m glad she blackmailed me into coming back,” he said looking at Alex.

Alex tilted his head, intrigued. “Glad? That doesn’t sound like you. What changed? Is there something you’re finding interesting here?”

Chris’s grin widened, and he leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Yes. Actually…. I met someone.”

Alex blinked, momentarily thrown off. “What? You met someone? You’ve been back for, what, two days?” he asked and he chuckled when he realized he had a similar situation save for the fact that he had only wanted to help.

“Two days is enough when it’s fate,” Chris said, his tone light but sincere.

Alex shook his head, laughing softly. “Fate, huh? Sounds serious. So, who’s this lucky lady?”

Chris hesitated for a moment, his smile softening as if savoring the thought of her. Then, with a steady voice, he said, “Claire. Claire Sterling.”

The room fell silent that instant. Alex’s heart skipped a beat, the name echoing in his mind like a gong.

That was his sister’s name. Could it be a coincidence? Or was Chris talking about his Claire—the fiercely independent, sharp-tongued woman who had been his pillar through so many storms?

Was he talking about someone else? It had to be someone else. Alex told himself but even he couldn’t bring himself to believe such thoughts.

What were the chances?

He stared at Chris, trying to keep his expression neutral, but his mind raced.

Was it Claire? My Claire?

Chris, oblivious to Alex’s inner turmoil, smiled warmly. “She’s incredible, Alex. Smart, beautiful, confident. I can’t believe I didn’t meet her sooner. But I have a problem. She ran off when I confessed that I liked her. Maybe it’s because she’s older or something but I honestly don’t care,” Chris continued thinking the frown on Alex’s face was because of his explanation.

Alex’s throat felt dry as he struggled to find the right words. “Wait, did you say Claire Sterling?” he asked slowly, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside him.

Chris nodded. “That’s right. You know her?”