Chapter 2

The moment Alexander stepped out of her house, a quick thought dropped in his mind to trick her. He held his phone, typing a message that can aid his ambitious plan of subjecting Sophia to submit to her offer.

He hid his contact and texted her this message, “Good day, Miss Sophia. I'm using the medium to inform you that your mother has less than five days to live if the treatment is not done on her. Kindly do the needful by prompt payment. Thank you.”

He pressed send and the message sent. He chuckled slightly to myself as he stared at the sky, having confidence that it would trigger her to respond. 

“I'm such a monster.” He mumbled to myself, as he strode toward my luxurious car and drove off. 

………

Alexander Blackwood is a son of the famous billionaire businessman, Williams Blackwood. He is one of the prominent business leaders during his time on earth. Upon his demise, his son Alexander, succeeded him and took control of his company.

Now that he has taken control of the business, he has many influences to decide the decision of the company.

One this particular day, he was in his luxurious office when he lost in thought.

The city stretched out before Alexander Blackwood like a shining fabric, the golden lights from the skyscrapers dancing against the dark exhibit of the evening sky. His office, sat high above the bustling streets, was a fortress of glass and steel, every detail designed to reflect power and opulent.

He stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, his hands kept deep in the pockets of his tailored trousers. His gaze moved across the skyline, the faint hum of the city below a constant reminder of the empire he had built. Yet, for all its opulence, the view failed to quiet his restless mind.

Is this really the best course of action?

His jaw tightened as the thought hung around, unwelcome and persistent. The idea of a contract marriage was unconventional, even for him. It wasn’t the first time he’d influence situations to achieve his goals, but this felt... different.

His reflection in the glass looking back at him, calm and composed, but the flash of doubt in his eyes deceived the storm rising below the surface.

Alexander breathed out sharply and turned away from the window, walking to his desk. The surface was clean, save for a single file that lay waiting for his attention. He sank into the leather chair, the burden of his decision resting heavily on his shoulders.

He opened the file, his eyes scanning the contents. His expression was unreadable, but his fingers tapped lightly against the edge of the desk, a subtle sign of tension. The numbers, the names, the details—they were all single out perfectly, just as they always were. Yet, a sense of uncertainty haunted him, a feeling he hadn’t experienced in years. He rested his gaze on a particular statement which states;

“Mr Williams Blackwood is hereby authorised to work with Mr Carter, who owns a pharmaceutical distribution company which the later personal Mr Carter, is subject or have an allegiance to Mr Williams………….” He stopped, closed it and leaned his back to the chair, silently reflecting how the proposed contract would favour his plan.

Association with Blackwood is a leverage to his pharmaceutical business to expand beyond the state. 

A knock at the door interferes with his thoughts.

“Come in,” he said sharply, not making an attempt to look up.

His office assistant, a young man in a firm suit, stepped inside carrying a tray with a glass of amber liquid. “Your drink, Mr. Blackwood,” the assistant said, his tone respectful but careful.

Alexander looked at him shortly, his sharp gaze cutting drawing to the air. “Leave it on the table and go.”

The assistant waited for a little time before setting the glass down on the edge of the desk. “Of course, sir.”

Alexander’s attention had already returned to the file, his body language sent a signal that the conversation, brief as it was, had ended. The assistant silently went out, closing the door behind him.

The office fell silent once more, save for the faint hum of the city outside. Alexander leaned back in his chair, looking fairly at the glass without touching it. His mind sped, the possibilities spinning like a storm.

If she says yes, everything falls into place. If she says no...

The thought faded, unspoken but heavy in his heart.

His phone buzzed on the desk, the sudden noise breaking the silence. He reached for it, his movements thoughtful and relaxed, but the tension in his jaw deceived his impatience.

The message on the screen:

“The offer was rejected.”

Alexander’s hold on the phone intensified, his knuckles whitening. He placed the device back on the desk, his facial expression neutral,revealing no thoughts or emotions, though his heart pounded in his chest.

Rejected.

But which offer?

Was it Sophia, turning down the contract marriage he’d so carefully organised? Or was it the high-stakes business deal his company had spent months negotiating?

For the first time in years, uncertainty holds him. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk as he stared at the phone, willing it to whizz again, to give him answers. But the screen remained dark, the message still the same.

The room seemed to close in around him, the spacious of his office suddenly feeling choking

What if I misjudged?

The thought was foreign to him, a man who prided himself on precision and control. And yet, the burden of it weighing down on him, the unknown threatening to showcase the careful system he had created.

The city lights outside continued to shine, neglectful to his turmoil. Alexander sat motionless, the faint sound of the assistant’s departure the only sound hanging in the air.

As the seconds ticked by, the question worried at him:

Which rejection will cost me more?

The silence gave no answers, leaving Alexander confined in the suspense of his own making.