The FIRE in You

Chapter 4: Superwoman

Lawrence's POV

Seeing Aubrey looking happy and carefree was the highlight of my day. She always had an optimistic aura that made me feel like I could do anything and I love that about her. Yes, I still love her. I know that I made a mistake by saying things without thinking and also undermining her, thinking that she would come back to me because she couldn't exist without me and I regret it. I think it's time I tried a different approach considering she's not the same Aubrey I was dating all those years ago that's for sure.

She has a distribution company that serves 5 countries and is doing an amazing job running it.

I go to events and men are ogling at her, I can see that they want her. Her aura makes me crave her even when she's wearing an oversized t-shirt and a pair of jeans. She's still perfect.

"Hey, man. Is everything ok? I've been calling you but it's like you're on a different planet", Alfred asked making me turn to look at him. He was handing me my drink. Fuck! I zoned out and now he won't stop bugging me.

"I saw Aubrey last week. She looked happy", I said making him smile. "She's living her best life. Do you know she secured a deal worth millions last week? I bet that's the reason she was in such a mood. She'll give you and the boys the run for your money", he said sipping his whiskey.

"You're kidding me. With who?", I asked pulling my phone out and searching on Google. It didn't take long, she had the best PR team in the industry of course it was everywhere. It was a new oil and gas company and they had signed a contract in which she was going to manage their product transportation. That was massive even for her. I only know a handful of people who can pull out that kind of deal.

"Would you look at that", Alfred said with pride and I didn't blame him. He was close to her because of his wife, Denice. The two ladies were inseparable. I remembered how they used to make us go on double dates and even do vacations together and of course, I had to endure having her sisters come along as well.

I don't have a problem with family, I just need my privacy. If you ask me, they're a distraction, always asking for money, and attention and always nosy.

Simone and Maya are great but I just needed them to give me and Aubrey some space. They're old enough to have their own lives and yet they're still stuck with Aubrey, controlling where to go and whenever I did something nice for Aubrey, I had to do it for them too. Just to make sure they don't feel left out. It was draining. I tried to endure it but man, it was just not ok anymore. I can't believe that Aubrey chose them over me but I can't blame her either.

I wasn't around when McGren announced that he wasn't the owner of the Fiducia. My secretary sent the link to me and man was I surprised. Aubrey never told me anything. I knew she was working on her career but to know that she owned Fiducia almost gave me a heart attack.

Having the President of Fiducia as my wife would have given me the extra mileage I need in the industry. She deals with clients that are way beyond me. Imagine getting 2 countries under my portfolio. It would have put me on the map in a way that would have made my competitors tremble.

If that was not enough she made it in the top 10 billionaires list.

The only female!

I need to win her back and I'm going to use Maya. She has a weak spot for me, she likes being spoiled and that's how I'll make my move.

"If I knew you loved her this much I would've made Denice put in a good word for you man", Alfred teased while calling a waitress to bring us more drinks this time around. "No sightseeing?", I teased. "Naah! My pal needs me. If I leave his side he'll become a love-sick puppy and I wouldn't want that", he said making us both laugh. If he only knew.

We drank for what seemed like hours then went our separate ways.

I passed by one of my mistresses and got a quick blow job before heading home. She was good with her mouth and I needed a release so why not?

"Good morning beautiful. I'm here to see Miss Kendriks", I told the receptionist at Aubrey's HQ and instead of following procedure as a good employee, she smiled and gave me security clearance.

My charms worked every time.

"She's finishing up a meeting in 5 minutes so you might have to wait in her office for a bit", she said batting her eyelashes at me, I winked making her blush as I walked in, following her directions.

The place was massive and hectic, i went to the third floor and as soon as I walked out of the elevator, I saw Aubrey shaking hands with two old men who looked very happy with whatever she said. She was wearing a pencil skirt with a white top that exposed her cleavage. It made my blood boil. I walked up to them, not able to resist cutting their conversation short. To my surprise, Aubrey was very calm.

"Mr. Columbus, I was not aware we had a meeting today", she said nicely as the men were escorted to the elevators. She waited until the doors closed then her mean face returned.

"Columbus. Are you in need of our distribution services?", she asked with a raised brow. If I didn't live with her, I would have been intimidated but I did and there was nothing that she could say to make me cower from her. "Sort of... can we talk in your office?", I asked making her turn to look at Jenkins who appeared out of nowhere. "Come on Aubrey. I just want to talk to you that's all", I said with my hands up in surrender.

She led me to her office. It was very professional and the color patterns were just incredible. She sat on her Queen chair and then turned to listen to me. "This place is amazing. Congratulations Aubrey", I said sincerely. "Thank you, Lawrence. I have a very busy day, may I know what I can do for you?", she asked opening her laptop. I had to do it now before it was too late.

"Aubrey, I'm here to apologize for everything and I would like for us to start over... I want to reconnect with Maya and Simone, if that's ok with you", I said keeping eye contact. "Lawrence, You don't have to ask, you can go ahead just make sure they don't get the wrong idea", she said making me smile. "I won't, I just need to catch up. They have been a part of me for so long and I feel that it's only fair for us to stay connected", I said earning a nod.