Chapter 1

“How many times do I have to tell you to hide that nasty attitude of yours whenever we are right in front of your fans and the media?” Lex, Maximino’s cousin, and his manager said as they were in the car and sitting side by side. “A hello with a brief nod would have been fine!”

“With or without a hello, I will still survive in this industry, Lex. Stop acting like this is the first time. Maximino’s bitter response to his cousin.

“But it’s not that hard to pretend that you are being appreciative, you know?” Lex sighed. “It’s been a year, but I still can’t believe that you entered this industry. But what’s even more unbelievable is how you are still gaining lots of fans considering the poor treatment you are giving them--- “

This isn't the way to my home. Maximino said, not allowing Lex to finish what she wanted to say. “Where are we going, Lex?”

Lex looked at Maximino, who was just staring out the window.

Maximino doesn’t look like he was listening to what she just said. Well, it’s not that she was surprised. She has already gotten used to her advice being ignored by her hard-headed cousin.

Lex sighed again before she answered Maximino.

“Señor Maximo wants to see you.” Said Lex that caught Maximino’s attention.

Maximino frowned as he turned to his cousin. “You should have told me first,” Maximino said in a sharp voice, and then turned his gaze to the driver. “Change directions. We are going straight to my house.”

But Lex also spoke. “No. We are going to the main house.”

Maximino looked back at his cousin and this time, his eyes were even sharper, like he’s sending death threats to Lex using his eyes.

“You can’t scare me with that look, Max. At least, not now and not in this situation. Because not bringing you to our grandfather would be even more terrifying. You know we can’t defy him, don’t you?”

Maximino just looked at the scenery they were passing by and said nothing.

Lex sighed again.

He thanked Maximino for not objecting anymore. Not like he can.

No one in their family can say ‘no’ to their grandfather and the head of their clan, Señor Maximo Salvador. Señor Maximo’s words were absolute, and no one could defy him. And even if they try to defy him, whoever wants to defy him will still not win.

Power, Money, Control, Brutality, and Connections. That’s what Señor Maximo Salvador has. Adding to that is his gender.

Señor Maximo Salvador is a Dominant Alpha just like the rest of the Salvador Clan.

All the Salvadors are Dominant Alphas. No omegas and no betas.

One rule in their family is that they may not socialize or interact with omegas and betas, especially to have intercourse or have any romantic relationship with them. All the Salvadors were married to Alphas. So it is no wonder why Señor Maximo wants Lex and Maximo to find the suitable Alphas that they could marry. And Lex was sure that was the reason why Señor Maximo wanted to see and talk to Maximino.

Lex just prayed that even just for now, the conversation between the two will be good since the two never had a peaceful conversation when it comes to marriage. And it’s not just when it comes to marriage that the two don’t get along.

Señor Maximo wants Maximino to quit the entertainment industry and enter politics instead. He is also rushing Maximino to find a wife and the Señor doesn’t want just anybody. Señor Maximo wants Maximino to find a female alpha with the same status as them. He even tried to let Maximino go out on dates with some powerful women alphas that he knew but Maximino declined all of those. Maximino wants to stay in the entertainment industry and he doesn’t even want to get married. None of the female Alphas that Señor Maximo has chosen has caught Maximino’s eyes.

They traveled for about half an hour before they reached Señor Maximo’s mansion. And as soon as Lex and Maximino got out of the car, they were immediately greeted by two of Señor Maximo’s men and guided them to the living room where the old Salvador was waiting.

When they were already in front of Señor Maximo, Lex immediately bowed to pay her respects and then spoke. “Good evening, Señor. Just as you asked me, I brought Maximino with---“ but Lex was not able to continue what she was saying when Maximino suddenly spoke which surprised her a little.

“What is it this time, old man?”

Lex quickly turned to Maximino and gave her cousin a warning look but Maximino didn’t even bother to take a glance at her and instead, he just sat on the sofa in front of Señor Maximo.

Maximino crossed his legs then looked straight into his grandfather’s eyes. “If you just called me here to force me to meet the alpha daughters of your friends again, then you won’t have to say anything anymore because I’ll tell you now, I won’t do it,” Maximino said without a hint of fear and nervousness.

“Maximino!” Lex scolds Maximino.

“How long do you intend to live like this?” Señor Maximo suddenly asked Maximino, making Lex’s attention turn back on the old man. “You are a Salvador, Maximino. This is not the path that you should be taking! You should be a politician and not a goddamn celebrity!” Señor Maximo said while looking at Maximino, full of seriousness.

“Being a Salvador doesn’t mean I have to be like all of you. You are not the one who will decide on which path I will take. This is my life. Therefore, I am the only one who gets to decide on what road I want to take and this, this path where I am right now, I chose this, and I won’t let you or anyone tell me otherwise. I won’t let you decide for me. I won’t let you dictate me. “ Full of courage, Maximino answered Señor Maximo and then stood up. “I hope that this will be the last time that we will have a conversation about this. Have a good night, Señor.” Maximino then said and turned his back on Señor Maximo whose face could not be painted.

Lex called Maximino over and over again but Maximino acted as if he didn’t hear anything and just continued walking until he completely disappeared from Lex and Señor Maximo.

“That brat!” Said Señor Maximo with full anger.

Lex turned his gaze to the old man then she bent down to apologize to their grandfather.

“I’m sorry, Señor. Don’t worry. I’ll be the one to talk to Maximino.” Lex said with full humility.

Señor Maximo slowly stood up and leaned on his cane to support himself. “There is no use talking to him. He won’t listen to you anyway. Just make sure that he won’t do anything reckless that’ll tarnish this family or that will ruin our reputation. I’ll let him do whatever he wants for now but once I run out of patience, that’s when I’ll make a move. If I have to force him to make a pair with an Alpha that I have chosen, I’ll do it. I won’t let him waste his life on trivial things.” Señor Maximo said then he turned his back on Lex who was just quiet. But before the old man could walk, he spoke again. “You too, Lex. Find a suitable male Alpha for you and quit playing around with your cousin. I already told you this, the entertainment industry is trash and nothing good comes out of trash. You both should ​​fix your life decisions if you don’t want me to fix them myself. I am sure you are fully aware of what I am capable of.“ The old man said before he finally walked away and left Lex who was still unable to speak.

Lex let out an exasperated sigh.

“That Maximino! Why can’t he listen? He is not only causing trouble for himself but for me as well!” Lex’s annoyed promise as she started marching out of the mansion and headed towards the car where Maximino was waiting calmly.

Lex opened the door of the car, then she went inside. Her eyes were sharp as she stared at Maximino. “What the hell was that?” Lex asked her cousin in disgust.

“It’s exactly what you saw. I told him to stop trying to dictate to me and manipulate me.” Maximino answered without even giving Lex a look. He focused his eyes on the front of the car. “Let’s go. I want to rest.” Maximino told the driver, not even caring about Lex’s reaction.

The driver complied and started the car.

Lex scoffs. “I can’t believe you. How long do you intend to do this? How long do you plan to defy Señor? You know what he is capable of! Just one word from him and we might lose everything, even your career as a celebrity!“

“So he threatened you again? What is it this time? Did he tell you he’s going to destroy my career? Did he tell you he will not make it easy for me?” Maximino scoffed. “I’ve already heard that countless times before, Lex. But look at me now. Look at us now. I am still here, alive and kicking, doing whatever the hell I want.”

“But what if he now confirms his threats? What if---

Maximino interrupted what Lex was going to say. “Then so be it.”

“What?” Lex said in surprise while looking at Maximino, who was still looking at the front car.

“I said let him be. If he wants to destroy my career, then he’s free to do so. I’d like to see him try.” Maximino answered and he looked at Lex. “I am not afraid of him, Lex. You know that better than anybody else.” He then looked back at the front of the car. “He can do anything he wants and I’ll do the same thing. I am not like my father, who acts like a dog, following his orders without even asking.”

Lex just sighed at what Maximino had said.

“Ah, whatever! It’s up to you! It’s up to you to face his anger once you’ve worn out his patience and don’t expect me to help you if that happens!” Lex said with still a streak of annoyance.

“Yeah, right? You won’t give me a helping hand? I doubt that, Lex.” Maximino replied with a grin.

Lex didn’t answer. Because she knows Maximino was right.

Not helping Maximino? As if she could do that. It’s easy for her to say that she won’t help him anymore, but whenever Maximino is in trouble, she is always ready to give him a hand. And that has happened a lot of times already, including the time when Maximino entered the entertainment industry.

Maximino might be as stubborn as hell, but Lex couldn’t just leave him alone.

Out of all her cousins, Maximino was the closest one to her. He may act cold towards her but Lex knows that deep inside, Maximino cares for her. So no matter how disgusted and annoyed she is with his behavior, she still couldn’t turn her back on him and leave him. Maximino is like a brother to her and she will always save him and help him when he needs it, though she won’t say that out loud.

She just silently prayed that Señor Maximo would not do something that would cause trouble and pain to Maximino and that his cousin would do the same.

She’s getting sick and tired of being the two’s referees every time they argue.

“What about that thing I asked you to do? Any updates?” Maximino suddenly asked the reason for Lex turning her attention back to her cousin.

“Oh, about that. I have booked him already and you are set to go there tomorrow night. He’s quite expensive which is not surprising since he is quite popular.” Lex was silent for a moment before she spoke again. “Are you sure about this, Max? You know that this is against the rule of our clan, right? And when Señor finds out, he might get caught up in your problems with our grandfather.”

“That won’t happen. I won’t let that happen. I will protect him from anyone that will harm him, even from our clan. I won’t let anyone hurt my fated pair. Not again.” Maximino says, full of seriousness.

Lex looked at the car’s window and looked at every scenery they passed. “Fated pair, huh?” Lex whispered.

Maximino didn’t say anything anymore. He was just quietly staring at the front of the car while Lex went back to staring at Maximino.

Lex never thought that fated pair is real. She thought that it’s only an urban legend. And it looks like Maximino has already found his and tomorrow, Maximino will go and meet him and make his fated one, his pair.

“I hope everything turns out alright,” Lex whispered again but Maximino remained silent until they were finally surrounded with silence.