Definition Of Beauty

It was late at night when Jaxton finally stepped out of the conference room. The weight of the long meeting was evident in the way he walked. His usually sharp, commanding presence dulled by exhaustion. His suit jacket felt heavier than usual, and the tightness around his collar only added to his discomfort. 

With a quiet sigh, he reached out his hand, tugging at his tie, loosening it just enough to breathe better. There had been too many arguments, too many stubborn investors, and far too many unnecessary discussions. His patience had been tested all day. 

Without looking at anyone, he muttered, "Water" 

Dana, who had just walked out of the room, immediately understood. She didn't need further instructions. She had worked with Jaxton long enough to know what he needed. Whenever he had meetings that lasted for hours, he always drank warm water afterward to soothe his throat. She quickly turned and walked out, heading to get it. 

Jaxton didn't wait. He walked straight into his office, shutting the door behind him with a firm click. The moment he reached the couch, he sank onto it, stretching his long legs out. His head leaned back against the soft cushion, and he shut his eyes. 

The silence was a relief. 

The tension in his temples was persistent, and he raised a hand to rub his fingers against them. The stress of the day was clinging to him, but he wasn't the type to complain. He would handle it, just like he always did. 

But then, his phone rang. 

His brows pulled together. 

At this hour? Who could it be? 

Still leaning back, he reached into his pocket, pulling the phone out and glancing at the screen. The second he saw the caller ID, the hardness in his face softened. 

Mom.

Without hesitation, he swiped to answer. 

The moment the call connected, a warm, affectionate voice filled the silent room. 

"My baby"

Jaxton closed his eyes for a brief second. No matter how much time passed, no matter how powerful he became, his mother's voice always had the same effect on him. It brought a sense of warmth. 

A small, rare smile appeared on his lips. "My happiness," he murmured, his voice softer than it had been all day. "Why are you calling this late?" 

"Late?" Celia scoffed lightly. "I wanted to call earlier, but I was busy…shopping"

Jaxton's brows lifted slightly. "Shopping?" 

His mother was a businesswoman to the core. She was always handling her company, always focused, always busy. Even when he and his siblings tried convincing her to slow down and retire, she refused. Work was her second love, and she never had time for anything else. 

"Yes," she confirmed with a little laugh. "For my daughter-in-law." 

His expression shifted slightly. "My wife?" 

"Of course!" Celia's voice was filled with excitement. "I haven't met her yet, but after seeing her pictures, I can't stop myself from loving her already. That girl is a definition of beauty." 

Jaxton didn't reply immediately. He was still getting used to the idea of being married, of having a wife. The word itself sounded foreign on his tongue sometimes. He and Aneira weren't exactly a love-filled couple, at least, not yet. 

The door to his office opened. 

Dana walked in, carrying a glass of warm water on a small tray. She moved with quiet precision, placing it on the table in front of him without saying a word. 

But then, as she looked up, she saw something she wasn't prepared for. 

Jaxton was smiling.

Not the usual smirk he gave in meetings. Not the polite, professional smile he wore in public. This was different, real, genuine. His entire expression had softened, his normally sharp features relaxed. 

It took her a second to realize… that smile wasn't meant for her. 

It was meant for his mother. Or maybe even… his wife. 

Dana's fingers curled slightly at her sides. She had met Aneira at the wedding, had seen how beautiful and delicate she looked in that white dress. She had known that Jaxton was married. But knowing it and seeing it were two different things. 

Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest. 

She quickly lowered her gaze and turned away, walking out of the office as silently as she had entered. She shut the door softly behind her, her stomach twisting with emotions she refused to name. 

Inside the office, Jaxton took the warm water from the table, his mind barely registering Dana's presence at all.

"Yes, she's beautiful," Jaxton murmured, his voice low, almost distant. 

His fingers tightened slightly around the glass in his hand as his mind drifted back to the call he had received earlier that day from her.

It had caught him off guard. He hadn't expected it. She wasn't the type to say things she didn't mean, and for her to admit she was wrong, to acknowledge that she had spoken harshly in the morning… It was unexpected. 

And yet, it stayed with him. 

The sincerity in her voice. The quiet hesitation, as if she wasn't sure how he would react. The way she had urged him to return to his meeting, not wanting to take up his time. 

He had frowned at that. He wanted to talk to her longer, but she had pushed him away so easily, as if she didn't think she mattered enough.

The thought unsettled him. 

Celia, on the other end of the call, immediately picked up on the change in his tone. 

"Oh?" her voice teased lightly. "That's the first time I've heard you sound like this about a woman. So? What is it? You already falling for her?" 

Jaxton scoffed lightly, shaking his head. "You're getting ahead of yourself, Mom." 

"Am I?" Celia chuckled. "Darling, I may be busy, but I still know my son. If you weren't thinking about her just now, then tell me, what was going through that sharp, brilliant mind of yours?" 

Jaxton didn't answer right away. 

His mother was too perceptive. Too sharp. 

He leaned back against the couch again, staring up at the ceiling. "She apologized today." 

Celia paused. "Oh? For what?" 

He exhaled. "We had a little misunderstanding." 

Celia frowned on the other end. "You both just got married and you are already having misunderstandings?"

Jaxton rubbed his fingers against his temple. "We are fine now, Mom"

Celia sighed dramatically. "You know, I really can't wait to meet her. I want to see the girl who managed to make my son actually care about what someone thinks." 

Jaxton shook his head, a faint smirk pulling at his lips. "You're overthinking this." 

"No, darling. You are." 

He rolled his eyes. "I should've known calling this late meant getting psychoanalyzed by my mother." 

Celia laughed. "Oh, stop complaining. Now, listen—" 

A sudden knock at the door interrupted their conversation. 

Jaxton glanced up, his expression instantly returning to its usual serious form. "Come in," he called. 

The door opened, and Dana stepped inside, looking more composed than earlier. "Sir, your car is ready. Should I inform the driver you'll be leaving soon?" 

Jaxton checked the time on his watch. It was later than he thought. 

"Yes. I'll be out in five minutes," he replied. 

Dana nodded and turned to leave, but before she stepped out, she hesitated for just a second, as if wanting to say something. But whatever it was, she held back and walked out, closing the door behind her. 

Jaxton barely paid attention. He brought the phone back to his ear. 

"Mom, I'll call you later. I need to head home." 

Celia hummed. "To your wife"

Jaxton's lips quirked slightly. "Goodnight, Mom." 

Celia chuckled. "Goodnight, my love." 

The call ended, and Jaxton set his phone down, exhaling deeply.