DLD.

Chapter Five.

"Oh great, babe! You're just in time for my big reveal. Come look at this!" Alaric exclaimed excitably.

Hissing faintly, I closed the main entrance door of the Benjamin estate and dawdled over to my husband lazily. I stepped into our home literally seconds ago, and was already being summoned before I could catch a breath. It's been quite a long day for me, because after my playtime with Ace I returned to work to review, edit, plan meetings and so much more. Being tired was the biggest understatement, so whatever Alaric was gloating about better take less than a minute.

Roaming over to the living room area where my husband was, I collapsed on a small sofa near him. He sucked his teeth at me softly, as I clearly wasn't matching his exhilaration nor did I have any plans to. My Debby downer approach didn't bother him for too long though, as he moved happily from where he was to sit beside me, handing me a sizable box with great anticipation.

"It's my official plaque from the board for my new position as COO." Alaric explained while I hefted the box from one hand to the other. "I was hoping you'd be here when I opened it. Seeing that it's in your hand, why don't you do the honors?"

Alaric certainly knew when to turn on his sweetheart button, and I smiled at him kindly before I unraveled the content of the box. Sliding the considerably weighed token of Alaric's latest accomplishment onto my lap, I looked on with pride as my husband read aloud the description of the plaque in a very glorious, upbeat tone.

"You did it baby." I squealed, finally finding some energy that could compete with Alaric's. "You've been working so hard for this and it's finally yours. I'm so proud of you my love."

Alaric leaned over, kissing me softly on the lips. "Thanks D. I couldn't have done it without your support. I'm serious. I know I haven't been around much and I can't say it'll get any better due to the fact that the top spot as CEO is next on the agenda, but I love you dearly. And I'm so grateful to have a wife that exudes as much tolerance and encouragement as you do. Thank you, honestly. I've managed to lock down a real one."

Folding my lips in, I nodded my appreciation. Usually I don't allow guilt to consume me, but this unexpected expression of gratitude spun me for a loop. Oftentimes I felt unseen by my own husband, which attributed to me wandering elsewhere to fill that void. Hearing this proclamation from him was amazingly refreshing, because for the first time in a long time I was getting a glimpse of the man I married.

Alaric's phone dinged twice, and judging from his reaction to the notifications I reasoned our tiny breakthrough was being placed on the back burner. He seemed just as ecstatic, if not more at whatever he was looking at on his screen, and that only meant I could kiss goodbye whatever reconnection I thought my husband and I was potentially having.

"We're going to dinner tonight with the director of the board and his wife." Alaric demandingly broadcasted. "Be ready at seven."

"Alaric, hold up." I spoke, trying to keep my aggravation at bay. "You can't just order me around like that. It may be hard for you to notice, but your wife is extremely exhausted. Honey, I'm gonna have to skip out on the dinner. I'm sorry."

Alaric glanced over at me in such confusion, one would've thought I just insulted him. He cleared his throat several times which is something he did when he wasn't getting his way, and closed his eyes momentarily as if he was gearing up restraint to deal with a small child.

"Dana, what are you tired from? Seriously." Alaric sassily answered. "You sit at your desk every day, all day, and do the same things. Over and over again. Sweetheart, think of the bigger picture here. This dinner is just the start of the many dinners to come now that I'm COO so you're gonna need to get used to it. These board members are inviting me into their inner circle and best believe I'm accepting. It'll benefit me greatly, and you too dear. Imagine being able to say your husband is one of the most prominent executives in this state. Shit, that sounds like a damn good piece to write in your blog. Listen baby, we can't miss out on this. It's all apart of the process that'll take me to the next level. I got a lot riding on this and I need you by my side. Please don't disappoint me."