What He Really Wants

EDNA'S POV

Beep! beep! beep! The alarm clock pierced into my dreamless sleep.I resisted the urge to knock it off the dresser beside me. Five more minutes. Beep! beep! beep! Honestly the blasted object was after my life. It was like it read my thoughts. Another terrible day in my already equally terrible life. I groaned as I pressed the button to turn off demon-spawn, then came the inward struggle to get out of bed. I had better get ready before I get late for work and I also have to drop Peter at Mrs Trent's anyways.

It wasn't like the job paid enough to pay my rent and take care of me and my son but a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do. I ran a quick shower and woke Peter up to have his bath. It took a little extra coaxing to get him out of bed and into the bath "What do you want for dinner tonight sweetie?" I asked as I wore him his clothes. He wasn't exactly a morning person and he looked like he was about to doze off. "Pizza." Came his sleepy reply, "and ice cream." As an after thought and then he gave me a toothy grin which melted my heart instantly. He had a sweet tooth and was always trying to get me to give him candy and ice cream. "Nice try. We can have pizza tonight." I said in what Mrs Trent called my 'mom voice'.

He pouted at first then his eyes lighted with mischief. "Peter!" I said giggling as he splashed the bath water on my face. Thankfully I was still in my bathrobe. I would have dreaded having to change into new work clothes. I got him ready for breakfast and while he was at the table, I put on my work clothes. I made myself a sandwich for lunch and downed a bottle of iced coffee. I don't usually have much of an appetite in the morning. "Peter let's go now." I yelled from the front door. He ran down to meet me at the front door.

Mrs Trent was a middle aged African-American woman whose only daughter was in another city for college so she had time on her hands most of the day. It was also great that they both loved each other's company very much. I gave her Peter's lunch when she opened the door to her townhouse and thanked her. "Edna you act as if this is a chore for me." She said rolling her eyes at me dramatically. "I just don't like taking advantage of you and you won't let me pay either." I answered. "You are not a bother sweetheart trust me," she said patting my cheeks assuringly. " Ever since my daughter moved out, hanging out with Peter is what I always look forward to." "Thank you so much. I really can't thank you enough." I said as she smiled "Bye-bye Mommy. I love you." peter said as I kissed him o the head. "Bye sweetie. I love you too. Be good okay?" He nodded and Mrs Trent led them inside before I turned to leave.

****

I looked at my watch as I enter the store where I work. I let out a sigh when I realize that I wasn't late for work. I honestly couldn't afford to lose this job since my former boss made absolutely sure that I wouldn't get a job with my diploma. I loved Peter very much, he was my happiness but the events surrounding his birth really put my life off track. I went from being someone who everyone loved to someone who was nondescript. Things were hard for me and I didn't know were to turn to for help. I couldn't put the burden on my mom. It wasn't hers to bear. I definitely wasn't going to ask help from Peter's Father either. It wasn't like he knew of him and I'd love very much to keep it that way. I did not want him in Peters life, he would just ruin it like he ruins every other thing that comes his way.

* * *

After my lunch break, I took my spot and the customer care section in the store when I heard a familiar voice address my boss and they headed to his office. I was still trying to place a name to the voice when my coworker came to get me. "Edna the boss needs you." She said absentmindedly. I couldn't help the panic that started to rise in my chest at those words. "Do you know why?" I ask even though I already knew the answer she would give me. She shrugged not bothering to look at me.

Why did he want to see me? I checked the time when I got in today and I wasn't late. Did a customer complain about me? The intercom came on again and my coworker answered. "Edna?" She said impatiently. I got up from my desk and walked to the office. Here goes. I knocked on the door and opened it. The person I saw sitting made me stop dead in my tracks. Oh hell no.

Hello!!! Thanks for reading. this is our first work and this is the first chapter, tell us if it sucks or if we should continue.

What were the odds that I would meet Alexander Laurent, one of the richest billionaires in the city after we parted ways five years ago? Well parted ways was putting lightly.

He basically kicked me out of his life and destroyed mine while at it. The olds were nil. Zero. We ran in different circles for one. He had a circle of rich people friends and I had no circle to speak of; also he made it clear that he didn't want to ever see my face and I was more than okay with it.

The very last person I expected to see today was Alexander Laurent, sitting and chatting with my boss like they've been friends from childhood. They were laughing at jokes and everything. "I'll leave you two to it then." My boss said snapping me out of it. He walked passed me and shut the door quietly behind him leaving me alone with the last person I wanted to ever see. The room was quiet and I stayed put. Not a muscle moved. I stared at the man sitting on the table across from me. He had his hair in The ruffled he always did. Knowing him he must have run his hand through it a million times today. "Hello." He started, his deep voice sending chills down my spine. I didn't know what brought Alexander to see me or what he wanted but my guy told me I'd be better off not finding out.

Even still I couldn't force myself to turn around and leave the office. "You look good. For someone doing something like this." He said with that condescending tone he uses to address everybody. Still annoying as ever. "I must say, a departmental store is the last place I expect to see you, given your qualifications. Isn't this a lot like a fall from grace?" He continued mockingly. That was him, Alexander Laurent. He knew where it hurt and never hesitates to strike you there. "Yeah. Given your less than perfect recommendation, I found myself here, but at least they trust and respect me.' I turned the chair aside and sit with my legs crossed. I wasn't going to let him intimidate me. "Sadly." He replied with a tsk. "They will discover it eventually. It's hard to hide so much vile in plain sight." It hurt that he would say things like this after everything. Everything. "What do you want Alex?" I asked a little to sharply. I couldn't let him see how much his words affected me. "You owe me, and it is time for pay back."

***

"Get her out of my building" Alexander said in that quiet voice he always seemed to have when he was angry. All the time I have known him, I was glad that he never addressed me with that tone. Except today. I couldn't help the tears that spilled from my eyes as the security guards led me out of the building. I couldn't help myself. I had to make him understand. He has to know I would never do that to him.

"Alex? Alex! Wait! I didn't do it. I swear I didn't!" My voice echoed in the lobby as the men half-dragged, half-carried me out of the building. I would have never believed that I could be the dramatic type. I guess I had it in me all the while." Someone had leaked vital information of the company to a rival company and it was traced to me. He took no time to order my exit.

***

"It's been four years Alexander," I groan, rolling my eyes. " I told you then and my story haven't changed. I didn't leak your precious documents. What do you want?" I was surprised at myself really. An hour ago, I could not imagine having a conversation like this much less with so much confidence. "A wife. For plainly business reasons of course." He said plainly. "Of course." I scoffed. " And I give a damn how? I don't do matchmaking as a side hustle you know." "Well," he began ignoring my sacarsm, "women are dreadfully materialistic and I figured since you owe me, you might as well make yourself useful, but," he put a finger up when I was about to give a retort, "we are going to sign a prenup and an NDA." The nerve. I was fuming. "How does this benefit me in anyway, business proposal and all." "Becoming my wife of course." He rolled his eyes as though amused that I even asked. "Sweetheart, this isn't a proposal. You owe me it's time to pay up." "You have really lost it. You don't expect me to drop my life and family just because you asked. You are bat shit crazy if you believe you can make me." "Really love? Can I not?" He tone was menacing, daring. "I have a kid and I can't dump a marriage on him." I felt slightly guilty for using Peter as a weapon but with him, all bets were off. He paused and I was beginning to feel like I'd won. "I didn't plan for it but I can provide for his upkeep along with your for as long as it will take. You'd have to help your kid handle the news of the marriage. Lie if you have to." He said it all businesslike, like he wasn't talking about a person's life. When did he become like this? "I assume the father is not in the picture?" "It's none of your business and I'm not agreeing to this." "It is my business wether the father would be trouble. Besides, I know you're still unmarried and you're agreeing to it because I'd make your life miserable otherwise." He was already making my life miserable without even trying. "So?" "The father is not in the picture."

"Excellent. I'll send someone to get you tomorrow. Be ready." *** I tried my best to keep the encounter with Alex out of my head for most of the day but when I have put Peter to sleep and couldn't stop the thought as they assaulted me. With any luck, Peter will take it well and hopefully, so would I. I knew better than to cross Alexander Laurent. He can't know about Peter.

After everything I couldn't let him know. It wasn't past him to take him away from me. I would protect this secret because it's the only thing keeping Peter with me.

*** ***

Alex POV

Hell! Oh do I hate the effect she had on me. Even in her work clothes, even when I did everything to intimidate her, she wouldn't back down. You'd think that for someone who deserves to feel guilty, she'd be quivering in her seat just from the looks I gave her. She stubbornly looked me in the eye and I don't know if I found it sexy or infuriating. Even with the tough exterior she had on, I could still see that my words hurt her. I felt shame for resorting to such pathetic tactics. She hurt me too. Why did she do that? It just didn't seem necessary. It obviously wasn't the money, the witness claimed she just wanted to screw me over. It's been four years already and I still couldn't understand why she was so angry that she'd try to destroy years of hardwork. We were okay I believed. Never fought, just the occasional banter.

I knew that we weren't the ideal couple goal but we held our own right? As petty as s it sounds, I wanted to get back at her. I needed her to feel the hurt I felt. That was the closure I wanted. After fumbling in my office chair for long enough, I pressed a button on the intercom to get a call through to my personal assistant. "Cole, get a call through to my lawyer. I want the contract ready by tomorrow and in the meantime prepare to move Ms Smith from her house to mine." "Right away sir." he answered. I ran a hand across my face and through my hair. What was I going? I wanted to make her life miserable but I didn't see how this would help. I still don't as a matter of fact. The child was definitely a variable I didn't consider.

She said the child's father wouldn't be trouble, she better hopes she's right I could do worse than blackmail. I groaned out loud. "Hell!" I need a visit to Selena's to work out the frustration. Selena was a simple woman. We see to each other's needs and don't expect anything extra. I, an outlet for my frustration and her, enough money for a phantom business idea I have never seen come to life. It was easy and after the whole debacle with Edna, I sought easy when I could. I can't complain. "What?" I gave her a questioning look. I was putting my clothes back on and she was lying on the bed, the sheets drawn up to her. I looked like a mess and I could use a shower but I couldn't help wanting to get home earlier than usual tonight for some reason I have begun to get bored around her. It been a long time coming. I had to admit, the games with Selena was getting old. "I need more money." She said matter-of-factly. "How much?" "500 grand." "I will have a million wired." I said leaning on a table. "After today, I wouldn't be coming here again as I will be getting married by the weekend." "Wait what?" She asked making to leave the bed but thought against it and remained. She reached for a bathrobe instead, tying it around. "Who is she?" "Edna. You know her. We aren't having a ceremony so I can't invite you." "Wow." She said, her tone laced with bitterness. "I've been with fit the past four years and you're just going to get rid of me like dirt off your super fancy shoe." I raised one eyebrow in amusement. Selena didn't come with a truck load of hysteria like other women seem to be born with. Apparently, I was wrong. "You know what is going on between the two of us was just for convenience right?" "When has that been a problem for me huh? After what that bitch did to you, you still pick her over me. A second time." "Alright you have to control yourself. I never had the impression that I needed your input on how I run my life." She looked at me with the same look she gave me when I told her years ago that I was in love and wasn't going to let our arrangement continue. "She will screw you over again.

You know that don't you?" "That's quite enough Selena." I said sternly. As much of a sham as the marriage was, I wasn't going to let her question me. No one has that right. I was putting up with this sham of a marriage anyway because I needed my inheritance and unfortunately, I had to be married to claim it. Using Edna was a safer bet. Someone like Selena would be sly and I cannot deal with the mess that would come with a divorce. "You will come back to me like you did four years ago. You won't be able to help yourself." I had to laugh at that. I usually found drama annoying but this was just amusing really. "Good bye Selena." "Whatever!" She slammed the door in my face. Jesus, she was a lot to have to deal with.