The CEO's Kryptonite - S01 E56

5 months ago

The CEO's Kryptonite - S01 E56

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 56

Alex

When Christian returned us to our table, his mothers eyes were practically glued to his hand in mine. I moved to pull my hand away, but Christian just held it tighter.

Before either Anna or Slav could comment on my earlier outburst, or the fact that their son and I were holding hands, Miles was the first to speak at the table.

"Well look at that familiar face. Feels like it's been a while since we've last seen each other, ay? I'm glad to see your face has since returned to its original state. My apologies for dragging you out into the wild like that." Miles smiled warmly at me. I gave him a smile back. I had forgotten how much I liked Miles.

"Technically, it was Christian's fault for not listening when I told him I was highly allergic to the outside." I shot back. Christian, Miles, and John all laughed at that.

"Sounds like the ignorant Christian we know." John chimed in. "I'm glad to see you again, as well. The New York trip was far too short, you and Christian must come to visit again soon." I glanced over at Christian, and he gave me a casual shrug.

"Whenever Alex has some free time, I'll make sure to make a date of it." He replied. John's face lit up at that.

I glanced over at everyone sitting at this table. It felt good to see familiar faces. Miles and John had both made me feel incredibly welcome over the span of working with Christian. I couldn't fully understand how all these guys had become so close with him, but it made me feel a level of warmth to know Christian had such great support.

In a way, I guess we both did... I thought, as I panned over at Joan, Derek, and Brad. Christian had been right, sometimes it was okay to lean on friends.

When my eyes finally landed on my mother, all that warmth I had felt, was annihilated. Pain and anger filled the void instead. She was wearing a dress far too elegant for her. I knew it must have been something provided to her by the Ivanov's. I leant over to Christian and whispered in his ear.

"Please make sure you collect that dress before my mother leaves. I know she's going to try and pawn it for money."

He gave me a stern nod almost immediately. "I already let her know our security team was cleared to take her down if she tried to leave with it."

"Thank you." I whispered back, before glancing up to pay attention to what everyone was suddenly applauding for. It looks as if Slav had stood up to take the stage.

"No worries, love. That's my cue though. I'll be right back, I'm just going to introduce my father." Christian whispered before his hand eventually left mine. It felt cold when it wasn't in his, but I watched on proudly, as Christian took the stage. Brad's suit jacket looked fitting with the rest of Christian's attire.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

"Why is Christian wearing your suit jacket?" Anna asked Brad.

I felt myself seize to breathe entirely as I glanced over at Brad. I couldn't help but wonder what he was going to tell her.

"I accidentally spilt wine on his." Brad replied. Anna looked irritated by that explanation, but said nothing else as Christian made it to the stage. I made a mental note to thank Brad for that one later.

Before Christian could start out on his introduction, my mother leant over towards me. She had been seated at the other side of Christian. "He's a very handsome man." She whispered. I ignored her.

"I want to thank you all for coming out tonight in support of Ivanov Corp, my family, and the firm foundations we are building here with each and every one of you. While Ivanov Corp has held these celebrations for many years now, tonight, I have the special pleasure of introducing one of the co-founders of this company. I know there are many here tonight that will recognize this familiar face. He has since stepped down from the CEO position within the company, to bestow that responsibility upon myself. While he continues research abroad, my father managed to carve some time out in hopes of attending tonight's Gala.

"Of course, he has tasked me with the strenuous work of introducing him tonight. But for those of you that know how great this man is, you know there isn't much of anything I can say up here tonight that will do him justice. This is why I would like to welcome my father, Bohuslav Dmytro-Ivanov, up on this stage to talk to all our current and new investors. He was always better with words, anyways." Christian finished.

Everyone stood from their seats to applaud the introduction. There were a few laughs that rang through the center from Christian's words. I, too, couldn't help but laugh. The energy that Christian and Slav brought when they were up on stage together, was unmatchable. Christian really did look like his fathers son.

"I'm just going to head to the bathroom to freshen up." My mother whispered before Slav could start his speech. I glanced over at her in acknowledgment, but said nothing as she left.

"Good evening ladies and gentleman. I am honored to be here tonight, and to see so many familiar faces. It has been such a blessing to witness the growth and love that is blatantly evident here in this room. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to have continuously received support from some of my very first investors. Imagine, it's been this long, my friends. Tonight, we honor and appreciate each and every one of you that has built this company from the ground up, with me and my beautiful wife. We have gathered here to honor both old and new investors.

"I wish to specifically highlight our recent collaboration with Mavericks Corp, and the work my son has done to establish that relationship. Tonight is a celebration of what we've done. I ask that if you haven't yet, you find me before tonight's end so I can specifically thank you for all that you have done for my company, and my family. My continued goal is to make you all feel as appreciated as you deserve. I may not be steering this boat anymore, but it brings me nothing but joy to pass this success onto my son, Christian Ivanov. So please: eat, drink, celebrate." Slav finished.

Everyone stood to their feet for an even louder round of applauses. I was surprised by how much thought Slav had put into that speech. When I looked around, I noticed a table that stood out from the rest. Instead of white tablecloth that the other tables had, this one was gold. There was a group of men and woman seated there that each stood give Slav a hug as he stepped down from the stage.

As if Brad could read my thoughts, he leant over and whispered "Those are Ivanov Corp's original investors."

I made a small o shape with my mouth while I watched the investors interact with Slav.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The live musicians took the stage again as celebrations went on in full swing. Christian made it back to our table, and gave John a hug, congratulating him on their partnership. He then took his seat besides me and slid his hand back in mine. If no one knew Christian and I were an item before, I guess they all did now.

I noticed we received a few stares from some attendees as they passed us, but most made it to our table to congratulate Christian and John for the their future work together. Once the number of guests had died down, Christian turned to me.

"Where in the sweet fuck is your mother?" He asked. I glanced over at the empty chair.

I hadn't even noticed she had been gone this long.

"She said she was freshening up in the bathroom." I replied. As soon as those words left my lips, we heard one loud crash echo through the center. Towards the middle of the room, there was now a large tray of champagne glasses that had been knocked down to the floor. Some of the guests got up in horror as a few glasses spilt all over their table and on their attire.

The Gala went completely silent. Even the live musicians stopped playing.

And in the midst of all this chaos, stood my mother. Well, stood was an overstatement.

She was drunk.

Her legs barely held her as she staggered from side to side in an attempt to make it towards our table.

"Get her the fuck out of here now." Anna hissed at Christian and Brad. Those words came through so cold, it sent shivers down my spine. Brad leaped into action first as he all but sprinted to my mothers side to guide her out of the room.

Because not another soul had said a word in the convention, all you could hear was my mother screaming at Brad to "get the fuck off her" and "don't touch her." Brad went from guiding her, to dragging her out of this event. Christian was next to spring to his feet as he followed Brad out. Joan, Derek, and I all got up from the table directly after that.

Before I could make it to the side doors of the convention entrance, I felt someone stop me with a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around to see who it could be, I noticed that I hadn't seen this guest before.

"Hi, I was looking for a Brad Stevenson?" The man asked.

"Hi." I smiled warmly back at him. "It looks like they might be a little occupied. I can show you to him in a little bit, just give me a moment."

I didn't wait for the man to respond as I bolted out of the room to find the gang. This was not a good time.

Sure enough, everyone was gathered in the same office Christian had pulled me into earlier. As soon as I entered the office, the first thing I saw was Joan removing her long dangling earring that she had worked hard to pair with her gorgeous dress.

"I know Alex might not be about it, but test me bitch. Imma baptize your face into that fucking table." Joan snapped at my mother. She was getting ready to beat my mothers ass. Brad was doing his best to keep them separate as my mother continued to hurl insults Joan's way.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I shouted at my mother. That got her attention. She looked over at me with those glossy familiar eyes. It was the first words I had spoken at her all night. "You come to my motherfucking company event and you want to make a complete fool of yourself like this? Embarrass yourself in front of me and every single fucking sole I care about? Are you fucking kidding me?"

My mother fell silent at my words.

"Do you see what the fuck I meant, Christian? Do you fucking get it now? She doesn't give a shit about anyone but herself. She will never give a shit about anyone but herself."

Those words cut through the silence in the room like a knife. We almost didn't notice the office door opening again.

"Excuse me?" A man called out from the doorway entrance. When we whipped around to see who it was, I recognized him as the man who had tapped me on my shoulder earlier.

"Can we help you?" Brad asked.

"Yes. I'm looking for a Brad Stevenson?" The man replied. Brad furrowed his eyebrows.

"That would be me." He said hesitantly.

"Brad.." the man trailed off as he looked at Brad with some weird ass intensity. "I know your mother probably never spoke of me. Hell, I guess she had every reason not to." He mumbled that last part to himself. "My name is Vadik Ivanov. I'm your mothers brother. I believe I'm also your biological father."

The glass of champagne Derek was holding in his hand, slipped through his fingers and crashed to the floor.

To Be Continued Below

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Introducing:

The CEO's Addiction

Christian Ivanov and Alexander Hamilton have finally found each other.

But it wouldn't be love, if every universal force imaginable wasn't hell bent on breaking these two lovers up before their romance has really even begun.

Among the lies, the family secrets, the revenge, and the addictions... Will Christian and Alexander have what it takes to hold it together when shit really hits the fan? Or will they fall victim to their own self a sabotage?

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