Chapter 9: Dinner
The Launch of Dunice's new product has been a huge success….and they have recorded millions of pre orders in less than twenty four hours. She decided to throw a dinner party within her company to celebrate her success.
She invited some of her business partners and her best friend Madison. She also decided to invite Alex since she would be bringing Alix.
Alix has been asking of Alex so she used this as an opportunity.
Alex was busy watching Dunice's launch in his office, he didn't even notice he was smiling at her when he heard a beep on his phone. Picking the phone up to check the message his eyes widened
"Oh my goodness," Alex exlaimed the moment he saw the message.
"Dunice is inviting him to her company for dinner?" Alex was More than happy.
Alex quickly finished up his work and changed into something better. A hopeless smile grew on his lips when he realizes that he is dressing up to impress Dunice but he doesn't care. He'll do anything to have her back.
****
Dunice Jasper looked like a vision in her black dinner gown, her wavy hair cascading down her back in loose spirals. The dress hugged her curves, enhancing her figure, and the plunging neckline revealed just the right amount of cleavage.
She looked confident and radiant as she graced the occasion, her aura exuding elegance and grace. Heads turned as she walked into the room, and people couldn't help but stare at her beauty and poise. She was a force to be reckoned with, and everyone knew it.
In the dimly lit restaurant, Dunice's eyes widened as Alex walked in, a bouquet of flowers in hand. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the weight of unspoken words lingered in the air.
"Congratulations," he whispered, breaking the silence, and handed her the flowers.
A smile spread across her lips.
"Thank you," she said, accepting the flowers Alex returned her smile, and the air between them seemed to lighten.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world," he said, and they both knew that there was no other place he would rather be.
The waiter appeared with a bottle of champagne, and they clinked glasses.
"Let me take you to where Alix is, she's been asking of you," Dunice said as she led Alex outside the restaurant.
"Thank you, I also miss her," Alex said as he trailed behind Dunice. He was more than happy to see his daughter again.
As Dunice approached the play area behind the restaurant, she spotted Alix and Jeffery playing in the sandbox. Alix was laughing and having the time of her life, and Jeffery was happily digging away. Dunice walked over to them and smiled.
"Alix, honey, your dad is here to see you," she said, placing a hand on Alix's shoulder.
Alix looked up, her eyes lighting up as she saw Alex standing there.
"Daddy!" she squealed, jumping up and running towards him.
Alex caught her in his embrace and picked her up in his arms.
"How is your health darling," Alex asked concern evident in his voice.
"I'm doing very okay now that you are here Dad," Alix said as he smiled at him and Alex smiled back at her.
Seeing what seemed like a happy family reunion, Jeffery decided to exuse himself but Alex stretched his hands toward him for a handshake.
As Alex extended his hand for a handshake, Jeffery simply crossed his arms and sent him a cold glare.
"Is everything okay, Jeffery?" Dunice asked, with a frown coming to settle on her forehead.
Jeffery shrugged his shoulders, still not looking at Alex.
"It's fine, Dunice," he muttered.
Alex looked at Dunice and raised his eyebrows, clearly confused by Jeffery's behavior.
"I'm sorry if I've offended you in some way, Jeffery," Alex said, trying to make peace. But Jeffery only glared at him harder, his jaw clenched tight and he walked out of them.
"What's wrong with Jeff?" Alix asked innocently.
"It's okay sweetie, I'll talk to him later okay?" She said as she smoothened Alix's hair where Alex was still carrying her.
"l will have to exuse my self," Dunice said to Alex and she left him with Alix because she still had guests to attend to.
Alex and Alix played together for some time and they grew closer in the process.
"Why did you abandon me?" Alix asked her father with a sad expression on her face.
"I'm so sorry baby" was all Alex said.
He still haven't forgotten what the third rule says and he didn't want to get on Dunice's bad side again.
Later, near the end of the event, Alex approached Dunice with a bag of toy.
"For our daughter," he said softly. Their eyes met again, a silent acknowledgment of the shared responsibility they still held.
Despite the lack of verbal communication, the exchanged glances and gestures spoke volumes.
Dunice battled with conflicting emotions, torn between the past and the possibility of a shared future, as unspoken words echoed in the space between them.
"I should get going now," Alex said to Dunice.
"Let us see you off to the car then so Alix can say goodbye to you," Dunice said as she held Alix's hand and began to walk out of the restaurant where the dinner was held.
They bumped into Jeffery immediately after they got out and Alex decided to asked Jeffery about his problem with him.
"Uhm, Jeffery do you have any problem with me?" Alex asked him and Jeffery sent him a glare.
"No issues, just avoid me," Jeffery said his gaze hardening.
"But aren't you just a P.A, so why do you behave like you are Dunice's husband or something?" Alex asked challenging him.
Dunice eyes darted between Jeffery and Alex not knowing what to say to ease the tension that was starting to build up.
Just as Jeffrey was about to reply they heard a voice from behind.
"Aren't you a scumbag, why behave like you are innocent?"
It was Damien.
"Damien!" Dunice yelled his name.
"What?" he said looked at her as if he just said the sky is blue and Roses are red.
"Who the hell are you" Alex asked taking a step towards Damien who had come to stand beside Jeffrey. And Damien also took a step towards Alex, with the look of hatred in his eyes.
Alex never got to know Damien because he never cared about Dunice and her relatives when they were still together.
Hearing this question Dunice's heart sank. Reminding her that Alex never really knew much about her. She was reminded of the harsh treatment she got from him.
Her blood boiled when she head Alex ask her brother who the hell he was.
"Damien Jasper of course, you asshole!"
Dunice yelled frustratedly at Alex.
Time seemed to freeze as their gazes and everyone else outside the at that time restaurant gazes shifted to Dunice.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone