Chapter 3

POV: Kiara Stardust.

I sat on the pavement across the street, my heart sunken.

All my hope for a better life was gone within the space of minutes. Why did the moon goddess have to make the Alpha my mate?

I thought that dreaming of Cinderella's life was going to help me. I believe in getting married to a prince and living happily ever after. But here I was, my life tumbling down, going in circles.

I sighed and started to walk towards my second workplace, a small diner.

“Good evening, Mr. Liam.” I greeted the manager as I entered the diner. He acknowledged my greetings with a nod.

I walked into the changing room and changed into the diner shirt with an apron. “Nicole! Table four needs a waitress.” I heard as I walked out of the changing room. “

"Got it!” I said as I walked to the table. “Good evening, Sir and Ma’am. Welcome to Happy stomachs diner. What will you be ordering?” I said as politely as I could. Both of them, Male and Female, picked up the menu at once. They looked to me like a couple, but I don’t really care.

“Um, I want the Chicken rice, with Chicken, babe.” The girl said.

“You heard that right? As for me, I want Beef soup with white Rice. A bottle of wine to go please.” He said.

“Great choice. I’ll be right back with your order.” I said and walked to the counter. “Table four, A plate of chicken rice with chicken, and another plate of White rice with Beef soup,” I said to one of the counter waitresses and waited for the food to arrive in the tray. It didn’t take so long, the waitress placed the tray of food.

I picked them up and started to walk when I bumped mistakenly into a sophisticated looking lady. Both of us crumbled, to the floor, and the food poured on the lady’s body.

“What the fuck?!” The lady cried in anger. “I am so sorry, ma’am. It was an accident. I didn’t mean to.” I said hurriedly, as I tried to remove crumbs of food from her body. Everybody at the diner was staring at us both. Trust me, to always make a mess of myself.

“What in the world is going on here?” I heard the manager say from the counter. Oh shit. I’m about to be fired from the job too. Why does it always have to be this way? My clumsiness always puts me in trouble.

“Your employee bumped into me and poured me food. Do you know how expensive this gown is?” The lady said angrily.

“I apologize, Miss. I didn’t mean to bump into you. I didn’t see you coming. I’m sorry.” I said and bent my head trying to show my remorse.

“Sorry? You’re sorry? Sorry doesn’t cut it, bitch. You just stained my $2000 dress, and you tell me you’re sorry. Do you know how hard it took me to get the limited edition of this dress? You peasants, children of poor people, you do not know your place.” She spat with spite. Tears filled my eyes. Her words were not exactly wrong. My family was a poor one, and that was the reason I couldn’t complete College. But having it rubbed in my face hurt more than ever. I wiped my tears and bowed my head again.

“I’m sorry, Miss. I apologize.” I said with my head bowed.

“Stop saying sorry, Dammit!” She said angrily and raised her hands to hit my face.

She hit me across the face twice and I bowed my head, swallowing down the embarrassment and anger that was brewing inside of me.

It wasn’t the first time I was being humiliated. My tears started to fall, but I said nothing, my head still bowed.

She raised her hand to hit me again as if the first and second weren't enough and I remained still waiting to feel the impact of her hand on my face again when the unexpected happened.

“Do not hit her again.” I heard a low, but hard voice growl angrily and I heard gasps from the people in the restaurant.

“Who the fuck-” The lady whirled around and paused, gasping.

“Alpha Bryant.” I heard and raised my head.

What in the moon goddess’s name was he doing here? And how did he know where I walked?

“You, Miss Kiara. We need to talk. Now.” He said motioning for me.

“Me?” I asked, with my eyebrows raised. He had chased me out of his office because I was his mate and he had someone else in mind, something I had no control over.

“Is there anybody else bearing Kiara in this restaurant? Of course, it's you. Now, in the car.” He said and I nodded slowly.

What does he want?

“It's here,” I said as the Driver arrived in my neighbourhood.

“You live.. here?” Bryant said as soon as he stepped down, wrinkling his nose.

Sure enough, where I lived was disgusting as hell, but I had no control over it.

"What were you doing at my workplace, Alpha? Why do you want to see me?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"I need to talk to you," Bryant said, his tone serious. "Can I come in?"

I hesitated for a moment before stepping aside to let him in. As he walked past me, I could feel the tension in the air. He was clearly uncomfortable in my home, and I couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

Bryant looked around, taking in the small space with a critical eye. "This is where you live?" he asked, his voice laced with disgust.

I could feel my cheeks turning red with embarrassment. "Yes, I know it's not much, but it's home," I said, trying to defend myself.

Bryant didn't say anything, and the silence was deafening. Finally, he turned to face me. "I need your help, Kiara."

I was taken aback by his words.  I had heard about the Alpha’s personality. He was someone who took what he wanted by force, without caring about who owned it. He was not one to ask for help. "What do you need?"

"I need you to marry me," he said, his tone business-like.

I was shocked by his proposal. "What? Why? You literally threw me out the moment you discovered that I was your mate. What's with the sudden proposal?" I asked, and folded my hands.

He might be the richest man in Northill, but he was a human like I was.

And I was not going to let myself be thrown around by him. Not while I still have my pride.

Bryant sighed. "My father is pressuring me to get married, now that I have found my mate. Anna doesn’t want to get married now, and I don't have any other options. Except you." He said and I glared at him.

“I am now your option, Alpha?” I asked and he stared at me.

I felt a pang in my chest at his words. I knew that I was his fated mate, but to hear him say that he didn't want to marry me was a hard pill to swallow.

"What do you mean, except me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I mean that I want to propose a contract marriage between us," he explained. "It will only be for five months, and we will both benefit from it. I'll get my father off my back and inherit what I need to inherit,  and you'll get the financial stability you need to take care of your mother."

I gave him a hard look.

A contract marriage with the man who is supposed to be my mate? Not a chance.