The Billionaire's Secret Affair.

Prologue

Lexie's POV

I was not supposed to be clubbing that day. I had just moved to New York because I had landed a job opportunity when I met him. Thinking back, maybe I never should have let him get into my head but then, maybe it was the best thing that could have ever happened. Besides, for every advantage, there is a disadvantage.

I still remember everything like it was a movie playing directly in front of me. I remember every move and every word we exchanged.

I was excited about my move to New York because not only had I secured a good job, I would have been able to finally close the distance between my boyfriend and I. Daniel and I have been dating for five years. We first met in England where I lived previously. He had come for a tour with his friends and I was so taken by his demeanor. He was everything I wished for in a partner. But there was only one flaw, he had a life in New York.

The long distance was hard at first but we made it work. We visited each other at every chance we got but it still wasn't enough which was why I started looking for jobs in New York and there was also the bonus of my dream company which was located there.

Immediately I arrived in New York, I paid a surprise visit to my boyfriend and guess who I caught with his tongue down his co-worker's throat? Yes, my boyfriend. And it wouldn't even hurt this bad if he was cheating on me with someone I didn't know. The co-worker happened to be one of his friends. Someone he had travelled with to England. The same person who had made Daniel speak with me. The same person who claimed he had a boyfriend he was very much in love with.

Turns out the boyfriend he was in love with was my boyfriend. Or...I don't know. Maybe they were both cheaters. And yes, Daniel cheated on me with his male coworker, Austin.

I saw red that day and I should have seen the signs....I did see the signs but I ignored it, refusing to believe that Daniel was interested in males.

But long story short, I decided not to feel sorry for myself because I was a catch and so I went clubbing wearing the sexiest gown in my closet. It was a black gown with a v-neckline and a slit that showed enough of my thighs. I curled my honey-blonde hair and applied some make-up before wearing my heels.

I knew nobody in New York but I was ready to let loose which was why I browsed for the best nightclub in the area and needed it in Lush.

Damn, this place was lush. It was everything one could have asked for and I now understood why there was a long line outside. A line which I sadly had to stand to get into the club. It was a Friday night so I understood why it was packed.

I flagged down the bartender. "Whiskey, neat."

He gave me a wink and placed my glass in front of me. I drank it once and ordered another before slowing down. I knew I was a lightweight and if I kept on drinking, then I wouldn't enjoy myself or even know what I would do next.

I held my glass close, nursing my drink when someone bumped into me. I turned and he smiled at me.

Maybe if I was into young boys I would have thought the smile charming but I'm past that.

"Sorry about that beautiful." He said to me with a wink.

I gave him a nod and returned to my drink. I should never have come out. I was not the partying type, I only enjoyed parties when I was with Sarah, my best friend who happened to be in England with her family. She had encouraged this bad decision. I was still second-guessing myself when the boy spoke up.

"How about a dance?" He asked me.

I gave him a smile which I hoped was polite. "No, thank you."

"Why do you have to be like this?" He asked me as he stepped closer. I could smell the drink from his breath and it was suffocating. "Just one dance." He said as he tried to snake his hands on my ass.

I twisted his hands immediately and he let out a scream. "No thank you," I said to him as I released his hands.

He was annoyed. I could see how his whole countenance changed from charming to fury.

"You fucking bitch." He screamed as he tried to approach me but before he could do so, someone stepped in front of me and the drunkard was escorted out by security.

My saviour turned to face me and I was taken aback by the colour of his eyes. Blue-grey eyes captivated me. He had a little scruff and he wore all black. The black long sleeves were rolled up to reveal the tattoos swirling around his arms and the trousers were tailored to his perfection.

He smirked and it looked really good on him. "This is where you're supposed to say thank you."

I frowned. He was fine and above six feet a good upgrade from Daniel who was just a few inches taller than me. But he was cocky.

I frowned at him. "I never asked for your help. I could have done that myself." I told him.

"Sure." He said to me but just from his tone of voice, I knew he was not taking me seriously.

I ignored him and turned my attention to my drink. There was no point in giving him any attention. And I thought that was the end of the conversation but instead, he stood next to me.

I frowned and turned to him, about to say something when he flagged down the bartender and ordered for a scotch.

"You thought I was after you?" He asked me.

I scoffed. How many cocky assholes do I have to meet in a lifetime? And why was what he said the truth? I thought he was about to make advances on me just like the drunk boy but he wasn't and just ordered a drink.

I returned my attention to my drink. "You wouldn't be so far off the mark. I've been watching you and you are too beautiful to be in this bar alone." He told me.

I scoffed. "Is that a pickup line or something?"

He gave me a laugh. "Nope. I'm honest, I don't need pick-up lines."

"Honest in?" I asked him.

"I'm interested in you. Why are you alone at this club?" He asked me.

"Who said I was alone?" I asked him.

He just gave me a blank look before adding. "I've been watching you, I noticed when you walked into this club, blonde."

I scoffed. "A nickname? If you are so interested in me you could have just asked for my name."

I should not be enjoying the conversation with this mysterious man. I should not be excited at the fact that he was interested in me but there was just something about him that drew me closer. There was something about him that pulled me in.

"And what is your name?" He asked me.

I decided to play coy. "I'll tell you mine after you tell me yours."

He smiled and his eyes roamed about my face before going to my neck. It was like a caress down to every part of my bone. I knew better but I was attracted to this man and maybe this was why I was here. Maybe a trust with someone else would get the betrayal I felt at Daniel out of my veins.

"Ethan. Now, can you tell me yours, blonde?" He asked me.

"I'm Alexandra. Lexie for short." I told him.

"Alexandra." He said.

I loved the way my name rolled from his lips. It was like it was made for him. Ethan bit his lips and gave me a nod just as Cardi's WAP came up in the club. I decided to do something unlike myself. Tonight was about me.

"Wanna dance?" I asked Ethan.

"I'm not very good at dancing," Ethan told me.

"That's too bad," I said to him as I moved towards the dance floor.

I ensured our eyes were locked as I moved my ass to the song. I wasn't skinny like most girls. I was what people referred to as thick and I knew my best asset was my ass or so people claimed and maybe that was why I decided to use that.

I had no idea how long I danced. But suddenly, I felt arms on my body. We had just met but I knew that scent. I wondered when he would approach me. And I wondered if he enjoyed the show which was why I asked.

"Did you enjoy the show?"

"Just as much as you enjoyed yourself." He told me.

I swayed to the music, it was like we were the only ones on the dancefloor. Ethan's hands traced my body. Moved down the slit to my exposed legs and I enjoyed his touch on me. I enjoyed the feeling of his hands on me. His other hand traced my stomach up to my ample breasts. I was breathing heavily now and I could feel Ethan's hard-on.

"How about we take this somewhere else?" He asked me.

He hadn't kissed me. He only touched me but I was already wet for him and maybe that was what clouded my judgment because I went with Ethan. A man I knew nothing about. But one thing I knew, was the fact that he learnt about my body and I came numerous times. No one had given me an orgasm like Ethan had done but I also knew what a one-night stand meant which was why I sneaked out of the hotel but not before commuting his sinful body to mind.

I still remember his lips on mine. The feel of him inside me. I remember everything and maybe I should have known that Ethan would be my undoing. I should have known my life would never be perfect. I should have and maybe if I had, I would have prepared better for what was to come but then again, what is life if it doesn't throw you in for a loop?

My name is Alexandra Thompson and this is the story of me and Ethan Blackwood.

Chapter 1

Lexie's POV

It's been a month since I started working at Blackwood Enterprise. And while I've not done any major work yet, I have to say it's okay. Blackwood Enterprise happens to be a big company and a huge name. It wasn't just rooted in architecture but also the hospitality and gaming industry having built hotels and casinos in various countries. The hotel in England happened to be one of the best if not the best right now.

And the funny thing about all this is the fact that they branched into this industry just shy of ten years ago. And while most people would say ten years is a long time for what they have achieved, no. It's not a long time. But I liked it.

I was working in the architectural industry and while I was never very good with drawings, I had a knack for making my clients' ideas or visions come to life. And maybe that was why I was hired by Blackwood Enterprises along with a recommendation from my last client who was overjoyed. My position as senior design manager-client relations made me speak on behalf of my client. I made sure they got what they wanted and made sure it was perfect.

To be sincere, I had no idea why a company like Blackwood Enterprise which always provided satisfactory results for their clients would hire someone like me but I did not care. An opportunity like this only came once.

I had just taken a seat when my coworker, Elizabeth, who was a member of my very small team, approached me.

She was a small woman with a whole lot of attitude and sass which was why I clicked with her. She said things as they were and never bullshitted anything or anyone. And the fact that she was approaching me now could only mean one thing, we had work to do, Finally.

"Where is my coffee?" She asked me with a raised eyebrow.

I gave her the take-out mug I bought for her. I have no idea why she was obsessed with coffee. And she drank it without sugar, eww. I prefer tea by the way because it's more classy and maybe I'm partial also because it was a habit I got from my grandmother before she passed away.

Elizabeth took a sip before turning her brown eyes to me once more.

"I have some gossip." She told me.

I relaxed in my chair. There was something awfully sweet and enticing about office gossip.

"I'm all ears," I told her with a smile.

"I heard the new CEO is going to show up today." She told me.

"Seriously? Is this the son of the president or the other one who was rumoured to take over?" I asked her.

Elizabeth made a tsk sound. "You don't keep up with the trends. The cousin is heading the hospitality industry while the son is coming here."

I frowned. I wondered if the company would be okay. The previous CEO was the first son of the president but an accident had taken him away too fast. He was one of the reasons why this company was where it was.

And no one knew who the second son was. There were only rumours. No one knew who he was because he stayed out of the limelight allowing his brother to rule or maybe he just wasn't a fan of all the attention. Who knew?

But that's beside the issue. No one knew him and no one knew if he would be capable of even running this company. If he was even qualified for it.

"Do you think he's good enough?" I whispered to Elizabeth who shrugged her shoulders.

"I have no idea. I only know he wants to meet with each department head today." She said to me,

I nodded. "He needs to get a feel of everyone. Know what he is getting himself into."

She shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows? I thought maybe you received an email regarding the meeting." She told me.

"Nope." I shook my head. There was nothing regarding a meeting with the new CEO.

I wasn't even thinking that he would want to meet with my group. We were a subgroup that was a combination of both the architectural part and human relations. If he wanted to get a feel of how things worked, he had to meet with the major groups first.

I sighed. "Well, that's that then. Let's focus on our jobs now, right?"

Elizabeth chuckled. "I'm going to love this." She said as she moved to get a folder from her desk.

"Where is Felix?" I asked her as she gave me the folder.

Felix was the last person in this team and he was being transferred from human resources.

"Wrapping things up. I think he'll be fine by today or maybe tomorrow." Elizabeth told me.

"Does he know about this job?" I asked her.

"I can fill him in or you can do so later. And besides, you still haven't gone through the folder to see the client's request." Elizabeth told me.

I gave her a small smile as I went through the folder. It was ridiculously empty and very small. Most clients I've worked with have an idea they want to come to life and they are mostly specific about it even if sometimes, it tends to be over the top but this client was the opposite.

It seems like he was leaving the work for us to figure out. Everything about his request was vague. I could not come up with anything to support his ideas. How was I to create something that would suit his taste if he wants even being open and specific about what he wants?

"There should be at least something that would give me a hint, don't you think?" I asked Elizabeth who chuckled.

"You were so eager to get work started complaining about how idle you've been for the past month. At least now you have something to do." She told me.

"We." I corrected her as she chuckled again. "We have something to do and I think it would be best if we meet with this client directly," I told her.

Elizabeth smiled. "I had the same thought. I've contacted him and he said he would be available around ten."

I loved working with competent people. I smiled at Elizabeth. "You have the venue also?"

She gave me a nod and I smiled.

Chapter 2

Lexie's POV

I never expected that our client would want to meet in a coffee shop. Wendy's was a coffee shop that most people frequented. They also had a small bakery nearby and the combination brought customers from both far and near. From the rumours about him, he was a weird person and he hated associating with people. Perhaps that was why he gave us a vague request also.

Dr. Elliot Thomas was a renowned scientist and visionary who has spent his career pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. He was a scientist who was well-acknowledged at the time and I'm pretty sure everyone, even if they had not gotten the opportunity to meet with him, knew exactly who he was.

He was seated inside the coffee shop, but he took a seat close to the windows and I loved the spot. It was good for people watching him. One thing about Wendy's was the fact that it had a welcoming vibe. There was soft music playing and the green-coloured uniforms of the workers were hard to miss. The chairs gave off a relaxed vibe and just some seats away, there were board games people could indulge in if they wanted. And their muffin happened to be the best also. Students and workers frequented this place and maybe that's why I wasn't too surprised when Dr. Elliot suggested we meet here. It was very relaxing and a good spot to have a conversation.

To be honest, when I first found out the request was from him, I wasn't too surprised because that was just how the rumours claimed he was but I could not work with something as vague as 'I want something that feels like the future. I want something that challenges the status quo.'

In what aspect? Did he want a museum a gallery or even a hotel? I had no idea. It was too vague which was one of the reasons why I was currently here. And yes, Elizabeth was with me because as much as she hated to admit it, I knew she was curious about what kind of person Dr. Elliot was.

He was very easy to identify especially since he had pepper red hair and he looked out of place with his long-sleeved shirt and slacks. To be sincere, even with how out of place he looked, it was obvious that Dr. Elliot was around my age. Now that was something I had failed to notice. Was this information on the internet?

"Hello," I said in greeting when I approached his table.

He gave me a look before going back to the iPad in his hand. He wasn't going to say it but I knew he was nervous.

"Take a seat." He said to me and Elizabeth.

Elizabeth wasted no time in ordering a coffee while I requested water. Don't ask me why because I do not have a reason for ordering water.

There was an awkward silence and I watched as Dr. Elliot adjusted his glasses before finally speaking up.

"You requested this meeting." He stated.

I gave him a small smile. The professional one I always wore when speaking with clients. "Yes. Dr. Elliot, you reached out to our company regarding a project. But your request doesn't give any insight as to what exactly you want." I told him.

He frowned. "But I sent everything like you guys requested. I gave you my request." He said to me,

"And we need you to throw more light so we know what we are working on. Do you want a hotel..."

He frowned. "Why would I want a hotel?"

His blue-green eyes stared at me with obvious confusion. It was like he did not understand why I would ask him if he wanted a hotel.

I took a deep breath before explaining. "Our company focuses on all buildings but most times people come to us for hotels and you did not specify if you want a hotel or not," I told him.

"I do not want a hotel."

"Then you need to give us something to work with," I told him.

"I thought they said you guys would be able to get me what I want if I just put in a request?" He asked me.

"There is only so much we can do with so little," I told him truthfully.

"But that is your job." He pointed out.

Elizabeth released a sigh that I knew was annoying and frustrating but this was just a minor part of the challenge I had to face with a job like this. I was the one who applied for this position so I was going to cope with it in whatever way I could.

"Then please give me something more. What do you want to gain from this project? Why do you want it?" I asked him.

"What do I want?" He asked me.

"Yes."

He blinked in surprise. "Do you need to know why I want this building...wait to forget I asked that."

I nodded and waited for him to speak. It was like he was mulling over what to say, thinking about what it was he could say to me.

"I want something different. Something that beats the status quo. Something influenced by the idea of fluidity and transformation. Something for science but something different from what others have been doing. A space that can adapt and change like a living organism." He said to me,

I had an idea coming up and I wanted to make sure it was within his expectations but before I could speak up, he checked his wristwatch and stood up immediately.

"It was nice to speak with you and I hope you would do something interesting. I can't wait to see what you come up with," he said to me.

What the...?

"Dr. Elliot, we still have some things to..."

"Send me an email." He told me hurriedly.

I watched with an open mouth as he walked out of the cafe.

"Well...that went well" Elizabeth chuckled.

To be sincere, it went better than I expected and besides he did say we should send him an email right?

I smiled at Elizabeth. "We have work to get to and an email to send."

She laughed out loud when she heard my words. We made our way back to the office when I was informed that the new CEO was asking for me.