The C.E.O'S shattered heart (MxM, C.E.O X C.E.O)

Chapter 26. Mr. Marquis Part 2

Alexei's P.O.V

The children were delighted when they saw that the chefs had cooked their favorite dishes. They giggled while grabbing their cutlery. Dominique looked startled at Amelia when she suddenly stroked his head. Zachariel pinched Dominique's cheek, then uttered, "Amelia is your grandmother, Dominique. She just wants to show you some love." Dominique took a bite out of his meatball boat, then said while grinning at Amelia, "I like you too, grandma." My heart skipped a beat when I heard Dominique address Amelia with "Grandma." Tears of happiness rolled down Amelia's cheek. I sighed while thinking that if my mother were still here, she would have been proud too.

I had no ill intentions towards Amelia. It wasn't her fault that my father had neglected me. My father should have known what his duties as a parent entailed. My father groaned when the children started chatting with his wife. The children composed themselves when they heard my father say, "Quiet down and enjoy your food, children." The kids giggled then slowly started eating their meals. My father smirked when I scowled at him. I couldn't believe that my father had the children already under his thumb. Zachariel grabbed my hand to calm me down when he saw my reaction. I could see that Chance was not pleased with the way things were going. He probably couldn't wait to tell me that I was crazy for inviting Zachariel into my home.

Briac couldn't care less. He was happy that the family was finally spending some time together. My father kept staring at Zachariel while consuming his food. The oblivious Zachariel didn't even realize that he was getting observed. Zachariel entertained the kids after finishing his meal. The kids kept asking him questions like, "Why do mice like peanut butter?" Jacques leaned against Zachariel the moment he had finished eating. He yawned while rubbing his eyes. Zachariel threw his arm around Jacques, then asked the other kids, "Are you guys sleepy too?" The kids nodded at Zachariel, then replied to him in unison with, "Yes, papa." It was already past the children's naptime. The kids had used up all their energy while waiting for their grandfather. So I could understand why they were tired.

Everyone had already finished their meals. I decided to put the kids to bed before continuing my discussion with my father. I was just about to get up when I heard Amelia say, "Can I ask my assistant to bring something over for me, Alexei? She won't come inside. She will hand over the parcel to the guards and leave." I nodded, then replied to Amelia with, "Permission granted, Amelia. Ask Charlotte to notify the guards. They won't accept anything without her consent." Amelia instantly got up to find Charlotte. I looked at my father, then said, "We'll be right back, father. Enjoy some coffee and dessert while we are gone." Chance and Briac wanted to help us carry the kids to their room, but I refused their offer. I wanted to discuss some matters in private with Zachariel.

Bertha and Ocean carefully led Genevieve and Dominique upstairs. Jacques was already asleep, so Zachariel carried him. Bertha and Ocean made sure that the kids had everything that they needed, then left the room. Jacques woke up suddenly and started crying. We calmed him down, then led the kids to the toilet. We wiped the kid's bodies clean with a wet towel, then changed their clothes. Genevieve grabbed my hand while I was tucking her in. My daughter smiled at me, then asked me, "Are grandma and grandpa going to be here when we wake up, daddy?" I placed a kiss on Genevieve's forehead, then asked her, "Do you like your grandma and grandpa, Genevieve?" Genevieve nodded at me, then responded to me with, "I do, daddy." I chuckled then uttered, "That's good to hear, baby girl. I'll ask them to stay a little longer. You guys can spend some time with them when you wake up." Genevieve placed a kiss on my cheek, then said before closing her eyes, "Thank you, daddy." I had no problem putting my pride aside when it came to my kids. Making them happy was my priority.

Zachariel chuckled when Dominique kicked him in his sleep. He placed a kiss on Dominique's forehead, then said while covering him with a blanket, "Dominique has too much energy. We should enroll him in a martial arts academy later." I nodded in agreement at Zachariel. Dominique was dangerous. I had also suffered fatal blows to the jaw. I hummed in satisfaction when Zachariel hugged me. "How are you holding up, Alexei?" Zachariel asked me while stroking my back. Zachariel pulled away from me when he heard me say, "The fun part hasn't started yet, Zachariel. So I'm doing good for now." Zachariel crossed his arms over his chest, then uttered, "I have a feeling that I'll be the main focus of the conversation today, Alexei. It seems like your father lied to Amelia. I had applied for a job at your father's company too. I never received a reply from them. Your father probably already knew about my past and didn't want any trouble. I'm glad about it, though, because I would have otherwise never met you."