Part 105

05

Alesya, who really believed that Nicholas was a bit crooked, of course didn't care about her and Nicholas' condition. The AC remote was called several times when Alesya accidentally touched something.

"Do you work at your father's office too?" Alesya, who had just come out of the bathroom, approached Nicholas as he was getting dressed.

The girl looked relaxed with a towel wrapped around her slender body. She walked over to Nicholas's wardrobe to find suitable clothes to wear.

Nicholas shook his head. "I'm not interested in the world my father is involved in."

"Oh, I thought you were just like Bryan." Alesya pulled a shirt from Nicholas's wardrobe. "Nik, can I borrow this?"

Nicholas turned to her and nodded when he saw the maroon shirt in Alesya's hand. "Go ahead. If you need something else, just let me know."

"Thank you. You're so kind."

"Don't mention it. I just want to counteract my father's evil intentions."

Alesya forced a smile. Nicholas's response, for some reason, didn't align with her expectations. Protesting wouldn't be useful since they had no relationship whatsoever, even though they now shared the same room. They conversed without awkwardness, even though they weren't husband and wife. Ahem, they even slept cuddled up without any barriers.

"Why are you dressing like that?" Alesya raised an eyebrow, observing Nicholas's appearance, which was very different from when he was in the room.

Look at that, thick-lensed glasses framed his eyes, concealing the gentle gaze Alesya saw when Nicholas was in the room.

A long-sleeved shirt buttoned up to the neck. Hair combed to the side, with an excessive amount of pomade. Alesya was sure that if a gecko fell on Nicholas's head, it would slip right off.

"I don't want to be the center of attention," Nicholas replied casually. "I have to leave now. Take care at home, and don't forget to wear the undergarments. Your father and mother will be back soon, and it's not proper to wear just this." He looked at Alesya from head to toe.

Alesya could only sigh. She felt that Nicholas's maroon shirt was much more decent than the clothes Mariana had bought for her.

"After Bryan leaves, I'll go to his room to change. Even though the clothes your mother bought make me look more like someone without clothes. But it's okay; it's all I have."

"Don't worry. I'll find you something suitable to wear. Take care!" Nicholas patted Alesya's head before saying goodbye to go to work.

Alesya pursed her lips. This was what she had imagined when she started a relationship with a man. Getting married and living together. But unfortunately, her parents were gone, changing everything.

The relationship that had developed suddenly ended. She was asked to get married and forced to get pregnant quickly. Now she was trapped in a relationship without a status but providing some comfort. She didn't understand what had happened, how her life had become so chaotic. Alesya didn't understand. She could only live with what was written for her.

"Bryan!!" Alesya yelled. She couldn't resist as Bryan forcefully pulled her hand when Nicholas's car disappeared behind the gate.

With stumbling steps, Alesya followed Bryan, who was dragging her.

"Let go, Ar! It hurts!" She hit Bryan's hand wrapped around her wrist.

"Sit down and be quiet there!" Bryan pushed Alesya until she sat on the sofa. He put his hands on his hips and glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.

"No! I want to change clothes first. Nicholas said your father will be home soon!" Alesya tried to stand up but couldn't. Bryan had pressed her shoulder to keep her seated.

"No! Stay here. I want my father to believe that I've done it with you." Bryan's eyebrows furrowed when he saw the purplish-red mark on Alesya's neck. "Thank goodness Nicholas could do it. Hopefully, you'll get pregnant soon so I won't have to go through the trouble of finding a seed for you."

"Finding a seed?"

"Yes. If Nicholas couldn't do it, I was planning to hire a man for you. So you could get pregnant quickly... But since Nicholas can, well, he'll do!"

"Bryan, do you have no brain or what? You talk so casually about it. I'm a human being, not an animal that you can use as you please."

"Shut your mouth, or all the debts will be canceled!"

"You?!"

Alesya widened her eyes. "Y-you don't think, I have a heart too. Life and a future. But you just destroy it like that, where's your humanity?"

Alesya held her breath. She held back the pain and tightness that had merged into one. Her body felt weak, unable to process Bryan's words.

"Well then, you can find a way to get pregnant soon so that we can both be safe." Bryan slumped onto the sofa. "Or... if you have a boyfriend, you can ask him to make you pregnant. Once that's done, we'll go our separate ways. Go ahead, get married, and bring your child."

"R-really?" Alesya swallowed back her tears.

"Really. I'm sure at your age right now, you must have a boyfriend, right, Al?"

Alesya nodded quickly. "Yes, yes! I have a boyfriend."

"Alright, then! Ask him to provide for you financially and emotionally."

"Oh my goodness!" Alesya cursed silently.

"You have to agree, or I'll sell you or let all the remaining assets be confiscated. Live life on your terms." Bryan stroked his chin. "But, you don't have to worry. You won't need to worry about food and shelter. You can stay and eat here. As for shopping money or the like, sorry, I can't provide that because my wife forbids it."

Wife? Alesya laughed inwardly. Hearing the word "wife" coming out of Bryan's mouth. That meant what Nicholas said last night was a reality. Ck, if it's come to this, what other misfortunes must Alesya face?

"If you're really married, it means you have your own life, and I shouldn't interfere. It means you shouldn't interfere in my affairs either, right?"

"Right. You're free to do whatever you want with anyone. Just make sure you get pregnant, Al."

"Alright, I'll try to get pregnant soon." Alesya got up. "Is everything finished and explained? Allow me to go to my room to rest. And please prevent your parents from controlling my life. Don't prevent me from leaving this house. I want to work to support myself."

"Okay, you..."

"No!" Handoko interrupted. "Alesya must not leave the house, let alone work. Bryan will take care of all her needs."

"But, Dad,"

"No 'buts.' Providing Alesya with food and drink won't make you poor, Ar! Just do what your father says if you still want to live comfortably."

Bryan sighed heavily. "I don't know how long Dad will control my life!" he muttered as he walked away, leaving Alesya with her parents.

"Until all of Aditama's debts are settled, and our promise from the past is fulfilled."

Handoko looked at Alesya. "Aditama really hoped that both of you would get married and have children. As a good friend who always received help, of course, I have to keep the promise so that Aditama can rest in peace."

"It doesn't make sense!" Bryan retorted before disappearing up the stairs. He strongly refused all the reasons given by Handoko, because for him, fulfilling his father's promise to Alesya's father didn't have to involve marrying her. Just keeping her safe and protected was more than enough.

"Come on, Al. Just follow what your father wants. Besides, both of you have already had a husband and wife relationship. I'm sure everything will go smoothly." Mariana embraced Alesya. "Ck, look, dear. Bryan refused in front of us, but he's still eager to make grandchildren for us." She pointed to the red mark on Alesya's neck.

Alesya grimaced. She bit her lower lip. "I'll go upstairs now." She excused herself. Letting go of Mariana's embrace. Alesya took a thousand steps towards the stairs, following Bryan who had reached the bedroom ahead of her.