Just My Hockey Roommate’s Filthy Desires by Esther Pen novel Chapter 223

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09:02 Thu, Jul 9 d

Chapter 223

Chapter 223

ARIA’S POV

The morning of the press conference started very early. The sun had not even risen yet, and the sky outside the window was still a dark, deep blue.

I woke up before my alarm went off, my mind already racing with thoughts of the day ahead. My stomach was tied in tight knots, and a heavy feeling of anxiety hung over me.

This was not just any ordinary business meeting. It was my very first major press conference as the CEO of my late father’s company.

I wanted to show the world that I could protect his legacy and lead his business into a bright future, but the fear of failure kept creeping into my mind. I wished he was here with me.

He would have known what to do. What if I messed it up? What if something bad happened. A million things could go wrong today. What if I wasn’t good enough.

The thoughts plagued my head as I released a breath. I reached to touch Brandon but his side of the bed was already cold. quietly slid out of bed, and walked down to the kitchen to get a glass of water.

To my surprise, the soft yellow lights of the kitchen were already on. Brandon w comfortable t-shirt and sweatpants.

was

by the stove, wearing a

The rich, warm scent of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air. He looked completely at peace, moving around the kitchen with ease.

Hearing my footsteps, he turned around and a warm smile spread

“Good morning, beautiful,” he said softly, setting down a spatula

I across his handsome face.

a

“You made breakfast?” I asked, looking

He wrapped his strong arms around

me close, pressing warm kiss to my forehead. “I figured you my and pulled

waist would be up early today. Your mind never rests before big event.”

to walk over

to

me

a

eggs, crispy bacon, golden pancakes,

past his shoulder at the counter. He had laid out a beautiful spread, fluffy scrambled

of fresh fruit. d a bowl

“Of course,” Brandon murmured, leading me over to the kitchen island and pulling out a stool for me. “You need your strength today. I am not letting my queen walk into a den of reporters on an empty stomach.

Just then, we heard the sound of little footsteps pattering down the hallway. Amelia stumbled into the kitchen, rubbing her sleepy eyes with her small fists.

She was

her favorite cartoon pajamas, her messy curls bouncing around her shoulders.

“Good

Mommy. Good morning, Uncle Brandon,” she mumbled, yawning widely.

Brandon immediately walked over, lifting her up into his arms with a bright laugh. “Good morning, princess! You are up early too. Come eat some pancakes.”

He placed her gently on the stool next to mine, and we sat down to eat together. For the next half hour, the heavy weight of my anxiety seemed to disappear.

We ate like a normal, happy family, laughing as Amelia told us a silly story about a dream she had the night before.

Watching Brandon cut up her pancakes and wipe a smudge of syrup from her chin filled my heart with pure warmth. This was my real life now. This was the family I wanted to protect.

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09:02 Thu, Jul 9 T

Chapter 223

Once breakfast was finished, I went back upstairs to the vanity table to clear my head and start getting ready. As I was sitting there, my phone began to buzz on the counter.

I picked it up, surprised to see Blake’s name flashing on the screen. I pressed answer and put the phone to my ear, “Hello,

Blake?”

“Hey, Aria! I hope I am not calling too early,” Blake’s cheerful voice rang through the receiver. He sounded tired but genuinely happy. “I just wanted to call and wish you good luck today. I know your big press conference is this morning. want you to know that I’m rooting for you. You have worked so hard for this, and I know you are going to do an amazing job.”

A soft smile finally broke across my face. Hearing his kind words made me feel much better. “Thank you so much, Blake That means the world to me. Especially today.”

“Of course! You deserve the best, Aria. Go crush it,” he said warmly before hanging up the phone. I set the device down, feeling a small sense of relief.

It felt nice to know that people were supporting me. Before Julian and I had the fall out, Blake was a good friend. After we cleared up the air on why he helped his father try to steal my company, we weren’t that close but he was still there.

A few minutes later, Brandon and I packed up our things. We drove over to drop Amelia off at her morning activities. My hands were slightly shaking on my lap as I stared out the window at the passing city buildings, the nervous energy returning to my chest.

When the car pulled up, I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned around to look at my sweet little girl in her car seat. “You are going to do great today, Mommy!” Amelia said, her little voice full of pure excitement. She gave me a huge, bright smile that instantly warmed my heart. “You look like a superhero in that coat.”

I chuckled softly, leaning back to press a warm, lingering kiss on her forehead. “Thank you, my sweet angel. Mommy is going to do her very best. Be good today for your nanny, okay?”

“I will!” she promised, waving her small hands as she walked safely inside. Seeing her smile gave me a sudden burst of much- needed strength. Brandon reached across the center console and took my hand, squeezing it tightly.

He rubbed his thumb over my knuckles, his dark eyes locked onto mine. “See? Your biggest fan already knows you are going to conquer the day. Relax your shoulders, Aria. You are the boss.”

By the time we reached the office headquarters, the heavy pressure was back. I stood in front of the tall mirror in my private dressing room, smoothing down the edges of my sharp blazer.

I wanted to look strong, professional, and completely in control. But inside my heart was still hammering loudly against my ribs. Suddenly, a pair of warm, solid arms wrapped around my waist from behind.

I looked up in the mirror and saw Brandon standing right there, pulling my back against his broad chest. He looked incredibly handsome in his dark, tailored suit, his eyes full of pride as he looked at my reflection.

“You look beautiful, my queen,” Brandon whispered, bending down to press a soft kiss against my neck. “And you are

is

no need to be nervous.” completely ready for this. There

I turned around in his arms and rested my hands against his chest, letting out a long, shaky breath. “I just want to make my father proud, Brandon. This company meant everything to him. I want the board members and the public to see that it is in safe hands. I don’t want anyone to think I am weak.”

Brandon smiled, his thumb gently tracing my jawline. It was the same calm, steady touch that always made my fears melt

away.

“They will see your strength, Aria. You have worked so hard for weeks. I will be right there in the front row watching you the entire time. You are not alone.

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