CharlieI slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. But something was off. My vision was obscured, shrouded in darkness. I tried to lift my head, but a searing pain shot through my temples, making me wince. What happened? Where was I? What's all this?As I struggled to recall, I realized something covered my head, blocking my sight. Panic set in. I tried moving, but my wrists and ankles wouldn't budge. They were tied to a chair.Fear crept up my spine. I shook my head trying to get the cover off my face. "Fuck!" I groaned out in frustration as the cover refused to get off.Memories flooded back – I was in my home, drinking, trying to numb my pain then... I blacked out. Did someone attack me? Was I drugged? How long have I been here?My heart raced, and I tugged at the restraints. Useless. Anxiety suffocated me. Where was I? Who did this?"Is anyone there!" I shouted, but my voice was muffled by the covering. "Can anyone hear me? Where am I? What is this about?
AlexanderI was startled as Amelia's sleepy gaze snapped open. Her husky voice cut through the silence."Alexander, what are you doing sitting up?" she asked gruffly.I hesitated before answering. "Just going over the document that was delivered last night.""You left me alone just to do that? Can't it be done later?" Her displeasure deepened.I reached for her hand. "I'm still beside you, Am. I didn't leave."Her words remained laced with displeasure. "You're sitting, not lying down. You're supposed to be holding me now, not going through some document."My fingers intertwined with hers, and I offered a gentle smile. "It's a very important thing. Not that you're not important. You're more important." I leaned forward to give her a kiss. Our lips touched and I pulled back.Her mouth formed a pout as she tugged my hand. "Then come back to bed and hold me." "Give me a few minutes," I replied.A playful groan escaped her lips. "Urrrg, Alexander.""Am, I have to do this now. This is abou
Amelia"You should reconsider going to the bachelor's party." I turned to Alexander. He raised an eyebrow."It might be fun." I teased."I'm sure it will be, but it's not for me." His expression remained unconvinced.I knew there was nothing I could do to make him go."There might be strippers," I said with a hint of mischief in my voice."Since when have I cared about things like that? I'm not going." His unwavering stance wasn't surprising. Alexander's priorities lay elsewhere, and frivolous entertainment didn't align with his character."You could start now," I said playfully. "Some men go crazy over things like that. And it's a bachelor party. I wouldn't be upset if you indulged in harmless flirting or touch a few asses. As long as it's the only thing you would be doing." He smirked. "What if it's not the only thing I want to be doing? Touching ass only," He shook his head. "is no fun at all." My brows shot up. "Ass touching is not fun? Look who is talking.""Well, only your a
Alexander I steered my car out of the driveway, my phone pressed to my ear. "Hey, James, I need Mr. Thompson's address," I said, my voice clear and urgent.There was a brief pause before James responded, "Henry Thompson?""No, James. I don't mean Henry. I want the home address of Mr Thompson. Henry's father." I clarified."Oh, I don't have it but I could make a few calls." "Hurry up with the calls, I'm driving without a destination," I said navigating through the quiet street."Alright. Hold on." James instructed softly, placing me on hold.I drummed my fingers impatiently on the steering wheel, waiting for James to return with the information.I wasn't ashamed to admit that I was paranoid. I had to make sure my unsettling thoughts were at ease.My thoughts shifted to Amelia and a smile spread across my face. The look on her face when she asked If I was going to lock someone up. I couldn't tell her where I was going. She would have reminded me of how paranoid I was."Sir?" James' vo
Alexander I let out a sigh of relief as Sarah finally answered my call. "Hello, my handsome brother," her voice slurred through the line.I rolled my eyes. I'd been waiting for what felt like an eternity for her to pick up, and now I was met with her drunk chatter."I've called more than a hundred times, Sarah.""Really? Why, Alexander? Do you want to join my party?" Sarah's voice was laced with a playful giggle. "We are short of strippers. I mean, I have no interest in seeing your body... eww... but my friends seem to think that you're hot and sexy."I placed my hand on my forehead, shaking it in dismay. How was I supposed to have a serious conversation with my drunk sister? "No, I don't want to strip or be a stripper in your party. I called you for something more important.""You want to be among my bridesmaids?" she asked.I tried to steer the conversation back on track, but Sarah's drunken haze seemed to warp her understanding. I sighed inwardly. "No, Sarah. Do you remember wh
AMELIA FRAY“Miss Amelia, you are under arrest for fraud,” the policeman who had walked into my office, held my hands behind me and cuffed it. “You have a right to remain silent—”His words were lost on me as my eyes frantically scanned the lobby, trying to convince myself I was dreaming. My doubts vanished into thin air as the policeman nudged me forward.Beads of sweat formed across my forehead.“Sir, you have the wrong person,” I cried, trying to get the policeman to stop walking. “I've never stolen a dime before. I'm telling you, sir, there must have been a mix-up.”My pleas fell on deaf ears as he pulled me out of my office building into a patrol car, waiting at the entrance. His colleague, a fat man in his thirties sat behind the wheel.The siren went off as they rode through the morning traffic in New York City. My heart pounded heavily beside my captor. Everything felt surreal. Almost impossible.A tear slid down my face as they pulled up in front of their precinct and helped
AMELIA My jaw dropped open, for the second time. His wife? Had the ‘Mr Alexander Smith’ said what I think he said? His wife?! “I didn't… I…” I stuttered and hated myself for doing so. His presence was unnerving enough but his statement made me a blundering fool. “I mean…your wife? I've to be your wife?” “Yes, Amelia... I hope I can call you that. I need you to act as my wife, before all mankind.” Married to him? This was absurd. Today just keeps getting weirder by the minute. “I don't see how that clears my name,” I cried out. “I'm innocent. Why would nobody believe me?” “I see no other way out of your situation,” his voice grew impatient. “I have a company to govern and you or someone else has been bleeding us dry. If you are truly innocent, you'll have no reservations about staying by my side and proving your innocence.” “I've no reservation proving my innocence,” my voice cracked as the word innocence left my lips. “But I don't see the reason why I should get marr
Alexander“Drive to the Paragon Club,” I instructed Dean, my driver, as he pulled out of the curb.A quick glance at my watch informed me that I had thirty minutes to beat the traffic. I was meeting my supposed fiance and her father for a late lunch.I sat back, letting Dean weave his way around. I had an inkling what the meeting was about. It was the only appointment in my schedule for today. Until, I got a call from the police force, informing me of a possible culprit.I had inherited the Smithson & Co from my grandfather; a multimillion-dollar empire. After the death of his only son, my father, he became responsible for the welfare of my sister and me. I've been groomed since I was a baby to take his place, so when I clocked twenty-one, he handed the rein of the business to me.Five years later, he is ready to fully retire and wants everything to be in place—he wants me to settle down. Not just to any girl, but to Selene Rodriguez, the daughter of Paul Rodriguez. One of the bigges