Xander's POV There is no compassion in my voice and I don't care. Everything is working in my favor but she is just too stubborn to accept my offer.I will do all it takes for her to give in.When I have her, I can have other things too.At the thought, a smirk crawls to my face while her nose flares in anger as she continues to stare at the picture of us together.We look good together.She is too engrossed in her thoughts to realize where I have brought her. I brought her to my place.When we approach, I notice a huge crowd right outside the gate, making me lean forward in curiosity.The car comes to a halt immediately. "Boss", the driver mutters, turning back to face me as realization dawns on me.It's the press.How did they manage to get here before us? Shit!I turn to face Alex squarely. She is watching me too with her eyes widened in fear. What she is scared of is what I have no idea about.This is an opportunity for her. To get a new life. The best life. And even more money
Alexa's POV I open my mouth. But no words come out until Xander nudges me gently, staring at me with a concerned expression.I nod and clear my throat, adjusting in my seat as though that would bring back the confidence I forced myself to put on when we first got here."Yes, sure."The old woman grins, looking all excited and happy, making me wonder why he wants to punish the innocent woman.She is sweet. Hospitable and gentle.She doesn't seem to be like the one who would do anything to jeopardize his life or future. She seems like the type who would do anything to ensure he is happy.But I know a book can not be judged by its cover.Xander must have his reasons too.The sound of cutlery usage jerks me back to life as they begin to eat.Trying so hard not to look out of place, I plaster a smile on my face and begin to dig into my food.Silence falls as we eat but my insides are in disarray, my head spinning with lots of unanswered questions.I still can't believe I agreed to do this
Xander's POV In a couple of days, we've gone from being single to married and now honeymooners. I never envisioned my mother would take this too seriously till the extent of planning a honeymoon without my knowledge.Now I am left to do her will. Do her bidding to the very end so I can get my wish.However, I can't help but suspect that she is suspicious of my actions. "Can we get separate rooms?" The sound of Alexa's voice reaches my ears, making me whirl around sharply to shut her up. The receptionist mustn't hear that. We are on a honeymoon for goodness sake.I am not too pleased with all of this the same way she isn't. She shouldn't make it harder for me. Having to deal with Mother and all her silly instructions on what to do to get my inheritance is annoying enough."We are on a honeymoon, darling. We shouldn't have separate rooms here. We have to get used to sleeping on the same bed now", I say to her, wrapping my two hands around her waist and pulling her to me.She doesn't
Alexa's POV Xander is way more popular than I thought and that puts me in a tight spot.Having to pretend to everyone that this is real and not having a lone time to act like myself when there are obviously cameras in places we don't even know.I really do not know why this is much of a big deal for any of them. If this is a big deal for him, what does his Mother gain to stand from all of this?As much as I am too curious about their life, I don't want to dwell much on any of the flitting questions in my head.It's their life.I just want to get done with this charade and go back to my real life. Even though I know my life will not remain the same, the money I will get from this contract will make up for it."Your wife is a true beauty", A man whom Xander had introduced to me as one of his business partners as soon as we came downstairs for breakfast mutters, flashing me a smile.I am really in no good mood. The fact that there is a camera in there is making me boil in rage from last
Alexa's POV For the first time since all of these charades started, I feel like an imposter. A complete fraud.The question of what would happen if we are caught before this deal is over hits me hard in the head but I have no answer to that as well as the answer to the question Mrs. Gold is asking me right now."How did you and Xander meet?" she repeats the question again, this time staring straight at me in full curiosity. "I forgot to ask that when you came for dinner back home."Now I am sure she isn't quite convinced about Xander's story that we are married. If she is truly convinced, then there is absolutely no need for cameras or her idea of a honeymoon where she can monitor us. In fact, she wouldn't be here, pretending to care and interrupting our so-called honeymoon.There is more to all of it.This is not just about a mother-son revenge. There is something Xander isn't telling me and there is something this woman is after.Is this really about inheritance?"We met at a part
Xander's POV Hearing the humming of a familiar tune from the bathroom, I sit on the edge of the bed trying to figure out where I know the tune from.Instead of recalling where, an image pops into my head.A forbidden image of Alex wearing nothing underneath as the shower keeps running alongside the tune.Realizing how silly of a thought it is, I shake my head, slapping myself mentally to shove away the thought. To keep my mind busy, I drum my finger on the bed as I think over what Mom and I discussed over dinner.I am wondering why she wants to have a lone time with Alex. What questions does she have? Is this a way to question her without my presence? Why exactly is she doing this?Suddenly, the tune stops, and my thoughts drift back to the woman in the frosted bathroom taking a shower.From the running sound of the shower, I am sure she is still bathing. Perhaps she is washing her hair from the strange scent of shampoo drifting through the closed door.Another image leaps into my h
Alexa's POV After shopping for hours, forcing myself to plaster a smile on my face for those hours, we drive down to the restaurant.We passed by the restaurant on our way from the hotel we were lodged in. The interior is beautiful. It has tall glass windows that overlook the ocean taking my breath away.I've never been to a restaurant like this before and it amazes me to know how connected this family really is.This type of restaurant would take months to get a reservation for paupers like me.We both step into the restaurant as I try so hard not to glance around, reminding myself of my role as a sophisticated pretense bride.One of the waiters appears with a smile tugged on his face as he greets us politely before leading us to a separate section upstairs.It's a VIP section barely noticeable from the entrance.We both settle down, sitting opposite each other. At first, I was nervous but it has died down since she didn't say anything throughout our shopping. Surprisingly, I am st
Xander’s POVThe wriggling of her toes jerks me out of my reverie, making me stare at her delicate small feet.We've been in complete silence since we left Cuba. I was too mad to start a conversation with her or even ask if she was okay.I've been deep in thought, thinking of how best to get to this woman without having to use Alexa.Obviously, I can't do this without her and the agreement was not using her to get my revenge on that evil woman.I should have known that the trust fund had no condition whatsoever. Why she lied to me about having to be married is what baffled me even though I know it is all a ploy to get it all to herself.After what Daniella did, I vowed never to have a thing with any woman. I despise the thought of commitment or venturing into another relationship. Deep down, I know having lost Daniella means not having another woman ever again.Daniella was so good. Yet she left. She betrayed me. I can't wait to get to Costello’s office. I need to know what is going
NINE MONTHS LATERALEXAToday is Xander's birthday but I'm the one getting surprised. I don't understand the reasoning behind it and when I try to ask him, he says he's gotten enough gifts to last him a lifetime. I understand him though. I really do. He's gotten all he's ever asked for, the messages from his mom. He has them and I couldn't be more happy for him. Eva on the other hand got more than what was coming for her. Thankfully, after a series of investigations, her hospital wasn't shut down but she was banned from operating, and the establishments were taken from her. She is nothing now. Owns nothing too. Over the past few months, with me and Xander traveling across the world, she's tried to reach us but Xander has made that impossible for her. I don't pity her and I don't think I ever will.A smile tugs at my cheeks as I rub my stomach in the mirror. I'm pregnant and I only just found out a few days ago. Xander doesn't know yet which makes it the perfect birthday gift for hi
Alexa's POVMy head hurts but so does my heart.I keep trying to ease off the pain I'm feeling by rubbing my chest repeatedly but it won't. It won't stop hurting, won't stop throbbing. And I wish, I wish I can take out my heart and hold it. I wish I could nurse it and heal the broken pieces. Glue the broken pieces and go back living my life like nothing happened.But I can't because everytime I shut my eyes, Danielle's moans fill my mind.I feel so stupid. Eva, Danielle and even Sofia have tried to warn me. She's his first love. She's always been his first love. He's always going to love.Eva had mentioned it. She told me but I'd shrugged her off with a sly smile because I thought…Because I let myself think that what we both share is beautiful. Real. More than pretense. It didn't feel like pretense. It never did. But now, it's all thrown in the bin, shards of my heart are all I have to hold on to.“Alexa,” Sofia calls with worry as she moves from the door to where I'm sitting on the
Alexa's POVMy head hurts as I flip my eyes open. The room is so bright that it takes me a moment to adjust my sight to the lighting, closing and opening them again. I groan as I move my hand to hold my head, wondering where the headache came from. It feels like someone is constantly hitting my head or something.As I adjust to the room, I realize something and stop moving.The curtains, the bed, the lighting…Nothing looks familiar. There's no Alexa singing in the shower or playing some morning music while she moves about. There is no familiar fragrance in my room. And the pillows, they are different. Everything is different from what I am used to. What I own and have.I sit up with a start at the realization, holding my throbbing head with my palm. I almost can't believe it. Where the fuck am I?A startling sound has me looking to my left and that is when I see her.Danielle is seated by the vanity table in the room, wearing a light purple dress that exposes her legs with them crosse
Alexa's POVI haven't felt as happy as I feel in days. And I have Xander and the people around me to thank for that. It still feels very surreal to me how much things have changed around me in only a few months. Sometimes, when I think of my life now, I can't help feeling grateful.I'm married. I'm Mrs. Gold. I'm married to one of the sought after billionaires in the country and Sometimes, it all still feels like a dream.Or maybe it is a dream. If it's a dream, heaven knows that I never want to wake up from it. I grin as I check my phone to see if a text has come in from Xander. After he told me that he is on his way, I sent him some whooping stickers that screams my excitement.I don't know why I'm this excited but a movie night is what I have planned. The movie room has been organized by me, fully comfortable and dark themed with the movie ready to play. I've made popcorn and other treats I know both of us enjoy.I even made us matching T-shirts to wear for the movie. That's how e
Xander's POVI exhale as I lean into my seat, my eyes surveying a copy of my father's will, and my inheritance on the screen of my laptop. I am yet to find anything I can work my way around. Maybe Costello knows it and that's why he hasn't been answering my calls.Even though I have managed to alleviate some of Alexa's fear, I know she is still worried about not fulfilling her end of the deal. What she doesn't know is I won't let her go whether or not she fulfills it or not.The realization stuns me a bit and it has taken me a few days to work my head around. I want her with me. I don't want her ever leaving. I never want her to feel distressed. And certainly not because she can't give me a heir.I don't know what my father was thinking when he decided to make such an obnoxious rule like this bit it's giving me a headache just thinking about it. I don't know why he assumed that I will never get married.Eva.Of course, it has to be Eva. Especially not with how quickly she took over my
Xander's POV I can't seem to comprehend how much time speeds past us daily. Or maybe what I can't seem to really believe is that Akexa and I have been married for two months now.Today makes it two months since we've been married and I'm not sure she knows that. Especially as all she can think about these days is about getting pregnant. She has been frantic in her attempts to be pregnant and while I understand her perfectly, I don't like seeing her worry.Two days ago, I walked into the room and met her seated on a plushie, clutching one of those gest strips in her hold. The amount of time she uses that these days is alarming and I'm seriously starting to worry about her mental health.For a few minutes, she had no idea that I had walked in. She was seated there, quietly, lost in her thoughts. And my heart kept breaking at the sight. And when she whispered, quiet into the night as though she was alone, my heart broke even more.“What's wrong with me?” She whispered, head hanging low.
Alexa's POVEach passing day, all I can think of is how I'm not pregnant. I'm not pregnant. I'm not pregnant. I'm not pregnant. Xander is not saying anything but I want him to say something. I want him to ask me why I'm not pregnant. I want him to yell at me. I want him to scream and ask me what is wrong with my body.Since the first time we've been intimate, we have never made use of condoms or protection. And I stopped taking the pills months ago. Especially as my dating and sex life was non-existent. So, I thought it would be easy for me to have a child. For me to give Xander a child and not fail him.But the clock keeps ticking and I'm nowhere near being pregnant. I walk out of the walk-in closet in a summer dress, my hair wrapped into a ponytail. Xander looks up from the bed where he has been waiting for me. From the way we are dressed, one wouldn't think that we are heading to the hospital.After a few days of hounding Xander, I got him to follow me to the hospital to see a f
Xander's POVWifey❤️Have you landed in NY? Should I come pick you? I'm not too late, am I?I stare at the message from Alexa for the umpteenth time, my lips stretching into a smile. She has on idea I have landed in NY already and I am going to keep it like that till I return home. Even though it didn't really settle well with me that I'm leaving her on read.‘So, this is me…” Carly drawl as we step out of the airport. I didn't even realize that we had stepped out of the airport because I've been busy staring at the text on my phone, grinning widely like a Cheshire cat. Talk about a gone man and I shall appear.“Do you need a ride home?” I ask my assistant, my eyes skimming over her face to be sure she is fine. The last few days we've been out of the country have been really stressful..It had been work, endless meetings, and more work. I wanted to leave too, so I made sure we were quick with the whole thing, so I could return home on time to see my wife. I've missed her too much to
Alexa's POVIt's been a month and a few days since we got married.A month and a few days since I signed that contract I've been unwilling to sign.A month and a few days since my life's changed for good.On some days, I sit alone and wonder how I came to be here. I'm yet to fully comprehend it all and wrap my head around how much my life's changed. A month ago feels like a lifeline ago and I guess that should be a good thing.But I'm worried.It occurred to me a few days ago, when we were talking about birthdays, that Xander's birthday is in a few months. If I don't have a child in ten months, I'm going to fail him. And I can't fail him. Eva doesn't get to win. She can't win this.We've been intimate frequently but now, I'm making sure to check out my ovulation period. I have less than a month to be pregnant and I want to make sure I'm pregnant. The thought of being pregnant should terrify me–and it does—but I also want to bring a child to the world. I'm eager to hold my baby and hel