You are my life

Business

(Alex's POV)

It was now Wednesday and I'd been at my new job as CFO for three days now.
My bosses were pleased with my work and my progress and so was Piper.
Much to my happiness, her pride in me earned me great sex for the past couple of nights so I planned for this to continue.
Little did I know though that my plan to keep Piper as my own and only my own would come into fruition in the form of none other than Zelda.

Ever since I started, my bosses have been telling me they've been trying to invest in Zelda and her non-profit organisation for months.
Lightbulb moment.
Not only could I invest in Zelda and keep my bosses happy, but I could invest in her cause for Piper which would keep her happy and the sex going and I would secretly beat Zelda, the best woman won after all and I'd be able to keep her at arm's length, away from my Piper while also keeping an eye on and control over her.
Zelda, not Piper.
Brilliant.
So I jumped at the chance.
Who could refuse that opportunity when it was presented to them on a silver platter?

For the past two days I've been telling Piper about it and asked her to call Zelda to meet me in my office today.
Piper was pleased that I was seemingly making an effort with Zelda.
However, she needed to sweeten her up since it was me she was meeting and not Piper which stuck in my throat but needs must.

So now, I was sitting in my office, waiting for her.
Then my assistant buzzed my phone.
"Mrs Vause-Chapman, she's here."
"Good, let her in." I reply.
At that, Zelda nervously walks in and I stand, in politeness and also hoping my height would intimidate her.
"Alex." She nervously says as she comes in.
"Zelda." I say as I gesture to the two leather seats opposite my desk then sit in my own leather swivel chair as she sits opposite me.
I sit back.
"Look, Zelda, I'm just going to cut to the chase because that's just how I do business. I hate the unnecessary formalities. My bosses tell me they've wanted to invest in you for years, so, putting our love rivalry aside, you fundraise for good causes and I want to prove to Piper that I completely trust her, especially around you and go back to a life where I spoil her where she trusts me in return. It's the least she deserves. So, I want to be your investor and I want 45% of the profits." I tell her, lifting the contract from my drawer for her to sign and placing it with pen on my desk in front of her.
Zelda simply leans back in her own chair so I defiantly do the same.
"Piper told me you were a good businesswoman." She tells me.
She was trying to bait me by using my weakness.
Piper.
So I raise an eyebrow and bite.
"Did she now?" I ask.
She nods.
"She did. She told me, in her words, that 'Alex is a great businesswoman. I've seen her in action. If she were to ever ask you for an investment or an endorsement or anything businessy, take her up on her offer. She can smooth talk her way out of any dilemma, except with me, I like to give her a challenge, especially when I'm punishing her.'" She tells me.
I smirk.
That's my girl.
I was also blushing internally but Zelda didn't need to see or know that and Piper likes to give me a challenge? I hadn't noticed.
She then continues,
"Well, you were also a high ranking drug dealer apparently but I'll trust her, you have a deal." She says, picking up the pen and signing her name on the dotted line.
Excellent.
"Oh! I'm hosting a fundraising event tonight. Another ball. I've already invited Piper, well actually I was hoping she would be my plus one again but she's got you back now so she was asking if you could come too so I told her I'd invite you." She tells me.
My tongue goes to my cheek in jealousy and silent anger.
She did what?
This was clearly a reluctant invite forced on her by Piper.
Going into business with her to keep an eye on her it is then.
I flash her a false and dangerous smile.
"We'll be there."

When I get home, Piper is already ready for this ball that Zelda had apparently invited her, us, to.
I have to say she looked breathtaking.
She was wearing a flowing yet figure hugging royal blue gown that accented her eyes with a sparkling bracelet and matching necklace, currently putting on her earrings in the mirror by the door.
I close the front door as I scan her.
"Well hello to you too." I say appreciatively as I walk up behind her, wrapping her in my arms and placing a kiss on the side of her neck.
She chuckles.
"Go get ready. We have a party to go to."
I take her earlobe in my mouth,
"Hmm, so I heard."
I say as I nibble it.
And at that, I swiftly walk to our bedroom and get dressed.
I put on a black dress myself.
As I said, panther.
Once I'd just finished my winged eyeliner with red lipstick, Piper calls,
"Alex, are you dressed yet?! We're going to be late!"
I smirk.
"Coming babe!"

X

At the party, I had Piper on my arm all night.
The panther had her mate and she wasn't letting go.
Not this time.
Not again.
Until.
"Mind if I borrow her for a minute? I want to show her what you're investing in." Zelda asks me as she places her hand on the small of Piper's back.
I watched that hand like it was acid burning Piper's skin before putting my mask back on and slowly looking back up at Zelda, my first clue that I was a possessive predator tonight.
"Of course."
As Zelda began to lead Piper away I said,
"I'm going for some air."
Translated to, I need a smoke.

Once outside, I find men testing fireworks so I go to stand near them if Piper came to find me and saw the orange glow.
I shove a cigarette into my mouth and cup my hand over the lighter and light up, blowing out a puff of smoke and begin contemplating my relationship with Piper.
Being at Zelda's party with her intentions with Piper being made clear made me worry.
I was thinking how my life with her had panned out and how I now had this problem when I saw her coming out in search of me so I hastily try to hide the evidence of my smoking.