Jake stepped out of his car and walked briskly toward the glass doors of Ling Corp's Real Estate branch.
The sky above was a dull gray, mirroring his mood. Emma with her nagging attitude had dampened his mood, now he was just going to have to work, trying to keep his emotions in check.
He wondered why he was still married to her even though he no longer felt any iota of love for her again. Pushing Emma's thoughts out of his mind, he headed into the office building.
As he entered the building, the receptionist greeted him with a polite smile. "Good morning, Mr. Thompson," but he only gave a curt nod in response, his mind already racing ahead to the day's challenges. He didn't have time for pleasantries.
He made his way to his office, a space that was efficient and functional, yet nothing like the grand corner office he had always envisioned for himself.
The room was small, with beige walls that seemed to close in on him more each day. A modest mahogany desk sat in the center, flanked by a simple filing cabinet and a leather chair that creaked whenever he leaned back.
Jake sat down heavily in his chair, running a hand through his neatly combed blond hair. He looked around the office for a moment, his blue eyes narrowing in thought.
When will I finally get back what belongs to me? He wondered bitterly. I'm tired of working in this subsidiary branch when I should be sitting in the head office of Ling Corp, running the entire company as the CEO.
His fists clenched at the thought. All his hard work at Ling Corp, all his effort to show his aunt that he was a true Sterling even though from the mother's side, more worthy than that adopted fool his aunt and late grandfather wanted to carry on the family business, it all seemed to be for nothing.
The news of his uncle's imminent return was a blow he hadn't anticipated. His uncle, the man who had always overshadowed him, who had been out of the country for over five years, was coming back tonight and it made him even more angrier than Emma had.
Although he has been calm enough all these while since his Uncle had only been the president of the company even from Paris, his return angered him now because Alex was returning to be the CEO.
He had thought Alex wouldn't return again when he didn't show up for his father's burial but now it just seemed out of place. He couldn't even understand anything.
His thoughts were cut off when the door to his office opened without warning. Jake looked up ready to pounce on whoever that was but his gaze softened when he saw Vanessa walking in, her heels clicking softly against the hardwood floor.
She was dressed in a tight, red pencil skirt that hugged her curves and a black silk blouse unbuttoned just enough to hint at what lay beneath.
Her long black hair was swept to one side, and her lips were painted a shade of red that matched her skirt perfectly. She moved with a feline grace, every step calculated to draw attention.
"What's wrong? Why the frown, Jake?" Vanessa purred, leaning against his desk, her body angled toward him. She trailed a finger along the edge of his desk, her chocolate brown eyes locked on his.
Jake let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back in his chair. "My godforsaken uncle is returning to the country tonight. And he's not just returning but will be the CEO," he said, his anger barely contained.
Vanessa arched a perfectly sculpted brow. "Your uncle? Why haven't I heard of him all these while and why are you so sure your aunt will pass the company to him if he's just returning from the State?" she asked and Jake shrugged.
"Because it's what was in her father's will. Their father passed the company to that stupid adopted son of his," Jake snapped, his frustration bubbling over. "He always had my aunt and grandfather wrapped around his finger. She practically worships the ground he walks on. I've been slaving away here, trying to prove my worth, and now, with his return, none of it matters now," he said and Vanessa looked at him.
"But you said he was adopted. How can he inherit the company when your mom has you, a true born?" Vanessa asked, confused.
"That is exactly the problem," Jake said and Vanessa narrowed her eyes and then smiled when an idea hit her.
She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "Since you're so worried about him, how about I help you take care of him?" she asked and Jake raised a brow.
"How?"
"Well, we could work on getting me married to your uncle. That way, I could marry him and then take everything from him and hand it over to you, my love," she said and Jake narrowed his eyes, not sure if it was a good idea.
But the more he thought about the more he began to like the idea. He would just go over to his mom's place and convince her he had someone for Alex.
Deciding this, Jake's eyes lit up at the suggestion, a slow smile spreading across his face. He reached out, pulling Vanessa onto his lap, his hands gripping her waist possessively.
"Now that's the kind of thinking I like. You're so smart, baby. Nothing like that stupid wife of mine. All she knows how to do is play housewife," he said with a tone of irritation.
Vanessa let out a throaty laugh, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Didn't you say you were going to divorce her anyway? What are you waiting for?" she asked with a pout.
"I certainly will," Jake said, his tone holding a tinge of determination in it. "She just doesn't seem to get it that I'm tired of her. She's so damn stupid, always fussing over breakfast and trying to play the perfect little wife," he complained and Vanessa rolled her eyes, tracing a finger along the collar of his shirt.
"Well, you better hurry up and get rid of her. We've got bigger plans now and we don't want her finding out about it."
Jake nodded, his mind already spinning with possibilities. "Don't worry. It won't be long now. She'll be out of the picture soon enough," he promised as he turned and kissed Vanessa deeply. His frustration was momentarily forgotten as he focused on the woman in his arms.
The kiss was filled with a hunger that he hadn't felt in a long time, a hunger that Emma could no longer satisfy.
As they pulled away, Vanessa smirked, pleased with herself. "Good. Because once we get rid of her, there'll be nothing standing in our way."
Jake grinned, feeling more in control than he had since he heard of Alex's return. "Exactly. And once my uncle is out of the picture, Ling Corp will be mine. Everything will be mine."
All he had to do now was head to his mother's place and find a way to talk her into this plan so she could pitch it to his Aunt Claire.