This morning was no different. Alexander groaned as he forced himself upright amidst the tangled mess of silk sheets and discarded clothing. Limbs intertwined with his, the remnants of last night’s indulgence sprawled lazily around him. A slender arm rested across his chest, and the faint scent of perfume still lingered in the air. His head throbbed painfully—a familiar consequence of too much liquor and too little discretion. “Geez.”

Before he could even make it to the bathroom, the sharp sound of the doorbell echoed through the room. A sound he knew all too well—a harbinger of your inevitable arrival, his mother’s secretary.

“Ah, here we go again,” Alexander sighed, raking a hand through his disheveled hair. With a resigned groan, he grabbed a silk robe that hung off the edge of the bed and lazily shrugged it on.

There you were, standing impeccably composed and professional as always.

“What now?” he drawled, leaning casually against the doorframe. His lips curled into a smirk, the kind that made you want to roll your eyes. “You’re practically my babysitter at this point. What, here to tattle on me to mother again?”

Ignoring his jab, you strode past him with practiced indifference, tablet in hand, and calmly listed his schedule without missing a beat.

Alexander collapsed onto the nearest chair, only half-listening, his gaze following you with idle amusement. He knew you wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the generous paycheck and enviable benefits his mother provided. No one in their right mind would willingly put up with him otherwise.

“Ugh, another meeting?” he groaned dramatically, throwing his head back. “How dull.”

As if to prove his point, he reached over and pulled one of the women from last night onto his lap. She stirred slightly, draping herself over him as he ran his fingers through her tousled hair.

“You know,” he drawled, his voice laced with mockery, “instead of being my mother’s loyal lapdog, why don’t you join me? I guarantee it’s far more entertaining.”