New beginning: Billionaire love story (Claire and Alex) novel Chapter 243

There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end of the line. Alexander’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wait, did I hear you right? Did you just say you’re on a date?” he asked, sounding more incredulous than he intended.

“Yeah, that’s right,” Christian’s voice came through the phone, sounding way too relaxed. “I’m on a date.”

Alexander’s jaw practically dropped. “You’re on a date? Right now? While you know you’re supposed to attend tonight’s banquet?” He could hardly believe his ears. Christian was the one who had been nagging him about the importance of this event for weeks. Now, he was ditching it for a date?

Christian sighed, clearly not in the mood for a lecture. “Yes, Alex, I ditched tonight’s banquet. Can’t a guy take a break every once in a while?”

Alexander was still trying to wrap his head around it. “But… you were the one who reminded me about the banquet! You made it sound like the world would end if I didn’t show up, and now you’re not going?”

Christian chuckled softly, unbothered by Alex’s shock. “Look, just for tonight, I wanted to do something that doesn’t involve work or business. I needed a break, man. It’s been ages since I went on a peaceful date. I’ve earned this.”

Alexander was torn between being annoyed and amused. It was hard to stay mad at Christian, especially since he’d done so much for Alex over the years. Still, the thought of being tricked into going alone was irksome. “I guess I can’t really blame you,” Alex admitted with a sigh. “You’ve pulled me out of enough fires to deserve a night off. It’s fine, I’ll manage. It’s not like it’s your event anyway.”

Christian felt a twinge of guilt but was still smiling. “Thanks, Alex. I really appreciate that. Sorry to bail on you, though.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Alexander replied, trying to sound casual. “You have every right to do whatever you want. But next time, maybe give me a heads-up before you decide to ditch an event. I wouldn’t mind joining you in ditching.”

Christian laughed heartily. “Deal. Next time I’ll make sure we both get a break. Thanks for understanding.”

With that, the phone call ended, and Christian slipped his phone back into his pocket, heading back to his table. He spotted Talia looking at him with a smile, her eyes sparkling under the dim restaurant lights. The sight of her made his heart beat a little faster, and he couldn’t help but smile back. This was exactly the kind of break he needed.

Meanwhile, Alexander placed his phone back inside his suit jacket, feeling a mix of emotions. He glanced around the grand ballroom, taking in the sight of the lavishly dressed guests and the elegant décor. He was about to make his way to the bar to grab a drink—something strong to help him loosen up a bit—when he heard a familiar voice calling his name.

“Alex!”

He turned around to see his father approaching him, a broad smile on his face. “There you are, son,” his father said, patting him on the back. “When did you get here?”

“Not too long ago,” Alexander replied, trying to keep his voice light. The last thing he wanted was to let his father know he was contemplating sneaking out for a quick drink.

“Well, it’s about time we make our rounds and greet the guests,” his father said, nodding toward the crowd. “You know how these things go.”

Alexander heaved a small sigh, knowing there was no getting out of this. He hadn’t even managed to get a sip of alcohol yet, and he could already feel the tension building in his shoulders. But he nodded, putting on a polite smile. “Of course, Dad. Let’s go.”

As he walked behind his father, he noticed a waiter passing by with a tray full of champagne glasses. Without hesitation, Alex reached out, snagging a glass and downing it in one go. The bubbles tickled his nose, but the cool liquid was a welcome relief. He quickly placed the empty glass back on the tray, feeling a little better.

That’s right, Alex, let’s see how you pull this off, she thought.

Realizing he was still in front of a crowd of people, Alex cleared his throat, chuckling softly. “I, uh, wasn’t expecting to speak tonight, so you’ll have to forgive me for being unprepared. My father has a knack for keeping things... spontaneous.”

The guests chuckled, easing some of the tension Alex felt. He smiled, relaxing a little. “I just want to say that it’s incredible to see so many of you here supporting this cause. Your generosity truly makes a difference, and we are so grateful for each and every one of you. Let’s make tonight a night to remember, and here’s to making a positive impact together.”

Applause filled the room as Alex stepped back, relieved to have gotten through it without any major blunders. Michael took the mic again, his voice booming with pride. “Thank you, Alex. And now, everyone, please enjoy the rest of your evening. The bar is open, the music is playing, and we have plenty of delicious food, so make yourselves at home!”

The guests clapped once more, and the trio made their way off the stage. As they walked, Michael turned to his son, raising an eyebrow. “You didn’t prepare anything, did you?”

Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve been busy, Dad. You know I don’t have time for this.”

Michael’s expression turned slightly stern. “Alexander, we have an image to uphold. This is important. Don’t let it happen again.”

Alex nodded, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I got it,” he muttered before making a beeline for the bar. If he was going to get through the rest of the night, he definitely needed a drink.