The C.E.O'S shattered heart (MxM, C.E.O X C.E.O)

Chapter 31. I surrender.

I could feel a headache coming on. I quickly took aspirin to reduce the pain. I managed to finish Triston's request by the end of the day. I emailed the new logo of the beer and the sales pitch to Tristan. Tristan instantly summoned me to his office to do an online presentation. I was glad that I was feeling better. I would have otherwise requested to do the presentation on another day. I was surprised when I saw that Tristan's friend's office was full of people. I composed myself, then delivered a stellar performance. I received a round of applause after I had completed my task. Tristan's friend was very grateful to me and granted me a year's supply of beer. I graciously declined his offer. Tristan handed an envelope to me after logging off.

Tristan chuckled when I looked in bewilderment at him. He patted my back, then uttered, "Take the money, Zach. You deserve it. It's for handling a private matter for me. Buy something nice for yourself with it." I chuckled while looking at the envelope, then said to my boss, "You made me feel like a kid again, sir. Thank you so much for compensating me. I truly appreciate it." Briac had left by the time I returned to my desk. I was just about to clear my desk when my phone started ringing. I put the envelope that Tristan gave in my bag, then grabbed my phone. I quickly answered my phone with, "Yes, Alexei?" Alexei sighed in relief, then responded to me with, "Thank God you picked up your phone this time, Zachariel. I have been calling you for a while now." My eyes widened in shock when I saw that I had five missed calls from Alexei. I quickly apologized to Alexei by saying, "I'm sorry, Alexei. I was busy doing a presentation in Tristan's office and just returned to my desk. Is there something wrong?"

Alexei chuckled, then responded to me with, "It's okay, Zachariel. You always answer my call right away, so I got a little worried. I had a feeling that you were busy, but I couldn't wait. I have an urgent meeting with a foreign client right now. I won't be able to make it home till nine o'clock. My father and Amelia are at the house at the moment. They are pretty impulsive. So could you hold down the fort until I return?" I snickered, then answered Alexei with, "Don't worry, Alexei. No man, woman, or child will get injured while I'm there." Alexei burst out laughing, then stated before cutting off the phone, "Now, now, don't go all Spartan on me, Zachariel. I love you, bye." I could hear Chance calling out to Alexei in the background. The foreign associate had probably arrived. I put my phone away, then cleared my desk. The lobby was already empty by the time I left the building. It seemed like everyone was in a hurry to get home that day.

It started raining the moment I got into my car. I turned on the radio, then drove straight to the mansion. It, fortunately, stopped raining when I reached the house. I could hear a dog barking in the living room the moment I opened the front door. I realized how accurate Alexei was about Alexandre and Amelia when a golden retriever ran towards me with the kids in tow. I almost lost my balance when the dog jumped me. The kids squealed while petting the dog. Charlotte quickly came to my aid. She grabbed my bag and coat while glaring at the dog. I chuckled when I heard Charlotte say, "This monstrosity has been terrorizing everyone since he set foot in this house. He couldn't go outside, so he created a mess on the indoor patio. It took the maids twice as long to finish their jobs today. I like him, but he needs proper training." Jacques hugged me, then asked me, "Do you like the doggy, papa? His name is Maverick." I looked at the giant panting dog, then responded to Jacques with, "Yeah, I like him, Jacques." Genevieve threw herself at me, then yelled, "That's great, papa! Grandpa said that we could play with him as many times as we want."

I could already envision Alexei flipping out for no reason. I shook my head when I saw Dominique gazing at the dog with a twinkle in his eyes. I stroked Dominique's head, then asked him, "Is everything alright, little penguin?" Dominique grinned, then answered me with, "Maverick is so magical, papa. I love his beautiful fur." "Oh boy, what a dilemma," I thought to myself while petting the dog. Amelia walked into the hallway with a smile on her face. She grabbed the dog's collar, then uttered, "Let's give Zachariel some breathing space, Maverick." The dog yipped happily. Maverick ran towards Alexandre when he heard him whistle. The kids followed Maverick like little minions. The whole scene was quite funny, but I was sure that Alexei wouldn't like it.