Chapter Twenty

Chapter 20: He is the one.

Alexis's POV

ONE WEEK LATER

Krystal Mansion

"Dad. Dad."

"Miss Krystal, you are home!" Hayley beamed as she placed both hands over her mouth.

"Hayley, I have the right to come home now." I hugged her and we stepped in.

"You are getting married?" She took my jacket off for me.

"No. I have a boyfriend and he's dad's pick. Isn't it close enough." I folded my arms feeling on top of the world.

"It is. It is. Your mom left not too long ago to have fun with Mrs. Alokwe. Your dad is currently with some lawyers." She pointed to my dad's study.

"Well, I'd definitely be staying home for dinner today. Cook me something real good Hayley." I wrapped my arm around her hand and followed her to the kitchen.

"Of course." She patted my arm and we laughed

"I want your special brownies for dessert." I opened the fridge to get water and I was greeted with a box of cupcakes. I miss Hayley's snacks. "It's good to be back." I teared up as I hugged the box of cupcakes.

"You can have all of them. Go get changed. We still have five hours till dinner. You can sleep a bit. You are getting little bags under here." She stroked my cheeks.

"Thank you." I pouted.

I skipped to my room. I could already feel my limitless debit card on my palms. Humming a song to myself, I slowed down as I passed my dad's study.

"I'm not bringing that kid into this." Dad yelled and I hiccuped. Freezing, I blanked out in front of the door. The last time he was this angry was when I was almost molested. Those two idiots that tried, I couldn't ever imagine their ending. Who's the kid? Me?

I swallowed a ball of spit and inched closer to the door. Placing my hear on it, I closed my eyes.

"Bankruptcy is the only option then."

"Then lets declare bankruptcy."

What's going on? Why would he?

I heard footsteps and ran off to my room.

"I heard someone was home and has a boyfriend. Talk to me."

"Dad." I flew into his arms. He felt leaner than he looked. "What's wrong dad?"

"What do you mean?"

"You look pale." I fought the tears in with a sniff.

"Fine, I'll go to the hospital for check up. Don't go nagging like your mom." He took my hand and stroked it as we took out seats side by side on my bed.

"I sealed the deal with BRAINSTORM. Our hotel would be their spot." I sniffed

"That's my girl. Congratulations" He pulled me in for a hug again.

" Thanks dad."

"What's this I hear about a boyfriend? Tell me about that instead." He chuckled

"It's Daniel Perkins." I said with a soft smile

"That lass. I thought it ended after the first date." He stroked his chin.

"I didn't call you because I wanted to be sure first. Not because, I didn't like him. He's the one." I laughed lightly " Hayley should have given me the honor of breaking the news to you first" I nagged

"He's in the food industry and you are in the hospitality sector. You'd help each other out a lot." He was definitely not listening to me. re

"What was fist impression of him?" I snuggled my dad's left arm. "You have a really good eye."

He chuckled. His eyes squinted more than ever. "He has a really good foresight. Just listening to him explain his business plans and I didn't sleep half way through it. He sounded really good. He was even able to pick up my gem without any preparation"

"Dad! He seemed quite prepared during our first date even though he tried to act cool." I rolled my eyes. "Serious now dad. Even if he was a multi billionaire, you wouldn't have picked him unless you thought he was perfect for me."

He grinned "I thought of you when I saw him. It was never that way for the others even. He also didn't seem eager. "

"He didn't seem greedy? I don't think he's really versed about things here. Are you sure if he finds out I'm David's favorite cousin, he won't try something crazy?"

"Then I'll turn him into a cripple." He narrow his eyes, chest puffed up. His tone deeper than usual. He looked funny instead of scary "Don't you dare laugh" He warned

I fell flat on my back, both hands over mouth, trying to obey my father's command. My cheeks felt like they could burst from all the smiling. "You ran a background check of course." I tried distracting my thoughts, sitting back up.

"You don't trust him completely? But trust me. I mean when I say, he'd be crippled"

"Dad. No one will be crippled."

"Fine. Fine. What's wrong?"

"I don't know. I just have this huge hunch that something isn't right."

"It's just a bit hard to get an extensive check since he isn't from here. I only know the basics. Once I get everything, you'd be the first to know."

"Thanks dad." I gave him a side hug.

"How is Selena?" He patted my

"What?"

"She had a surgery. How is she?"

"How did you know? Never mind I asked."

We laughed " She's recovering quite fast. You know her, she hasn't made money in a while. She'd be discharged next week friday."

"How are you guys covering her bill?"

"Her boyfriend took care of that?"

"Selena has a boyfriend?"

"He's as good as her boyfriend already. No one can resist Selena's charm."

"You are playing matchmaker?" His eyes wide opened

"It did get me a super hot and considerate boyfriend." I shrugged "Thank you for not giving up dad." I placed my head on his shoulder.

"I can give up on the entire world except from you and your mother." He sighed and placed a kiss on my forehead.

"Dad, is there something you want to tell me now?"

"Is there?"

"Why you suddenly wanted me to get into a relationship for the past two years?"

"Your mom married me at twenty three."

"Dad! She's mom. I'm Alexis"

"Well, I'm getting old and—"

"Dad! You just turned fifty this year."

"Well—"

"You can't say, you think I need someone to take care of me. I an the vice president of Lex Hotel. I can take care of myself perfectly."

"Aren't you happy I did?"

"You are avoiding it. I'm going to let the topic slide for now."

"That's my girl." He ruffled m hair.

"How about the topic of summer vacation? I have a boyfriend and I just secured the hugest deal in Lex history. Can I now go on the vacation with David and the rest this year? I have Daniel now. He'd definitely come as well. I have also always had David and Damien."

"They are too busy. But, fine. Since you have Daniel now. Remember to bring him over to meet your mom before she goes after him."

"Of course dad. Thank you." I placed a kiss on his cheeks, stealing a hug in between.

My dad left my room and I picked up my phone again, I tapped the green button, not a second to lose.

"Alexis?" He sounded confused.

"David, Hi."

"Alexis, talk fast, I'm preparing for a meeting. Put it out straight. "

"How's Selena?" I blurted

"Selena?"

"Oh... I forgot. You hired a nanny for us. You must be busy. I'd leave you be."

"Alexis, what's —"

I hung up on him and screamed into my pillow.

My phone screen brightened up with a ding. A text message from David.

Mean Cousin: You can ask Damien for anything.

How could I forget about that. It'll be easier with Damien.

Me: Thanks

I dailed him.

"Damien!" I squealed into the speaker.

"We haven't spoken to each other for months and the first thing you do is deafen me." He chuckled

"When are you coming back?"

"If you'd call me other than when you need my help, you'd know I'm already back."

"The heavens is helping me. Can we meet up at ALK tommorow. It's super important."

"Baby Lexi has something super important to talk about. What you don't hear everyday."

" How about me, you and David have lunch together tomorrow."

"Me and David has lunch with someone else tomorrow."

"Is it a business lunch?"

"Yes."

"I'd hang around, once you guys are done, we can get desert and coffee."

"You are sounding desperate now. I'd talk to Dave about it."

"Life saver. See you at lunch time. I promise I'd call more."

"No problem Lexi. See you tomorrow."

"Bye."

"Where's my baby girl?" I turned towards the door. The voice that could easily wake me up from sleep no matter how deep.

"Is that Aunty?" He asked

"Sounds very much like it."

"Greet her for me. Bye"

"By—" He didn't even wait for me to finish.

"Mom." I stepped out and waved at her as I glued to stair railings.

"Careful. Come down. Come down. Hurry." Should I be careful or hurried? "You have a boyfriend. He's to your dad's liking. You love him. Invite him for dinner now." She hugged me.

"Mom, it's so good to see you too after a really long time."

"You father and daughter duo always leave me out. Don't sound like that."

"We don't leave you out. You both must have something I don't know about too." My dad took my mom by the waist and placed a kiss on her forehead.

" Do we?" That sounded creepy as hell. She raised an eyebrow and smiled at my father then at me

"Hayley, want some help in the kitchen?" I already turned to the direction.

"Come my daughter. Come."

I shook my head and made eye contact with my dad. He'll be paying big time. He stood behind my mom inspecting the house like it's his first time.

"Name first." Mom placed her hands on my shoulders.

"Daniel Perkins." I answered like a robot

"Mrs Alexis Krystal Perkins. Approved." She made a french kiss to the air then taunted me with her eye brows, up and down.

"Mom!" I have to get out of here.