Alexander's POV
"Last night's incident was a mistake and it should be forgotten. Women are scum!" I slammed, trying my best to forget last night's encounter with the waitress. "Why can't I get her out of my head?" I ruffled my hair with my hands agressively. "I hate this!" With a throbbing pain in my head, I entered the bathroom and switched on the shower. I allowed the water to do its work as it ran its way through my skin. I seethed with rage, wondering who had the audacity to spike my drink. The culprit is either extremely foolish or has a death wish. I guess they have no idea who they are messing with. I will make them pay! They will beg for their dear lives. As I stepped out of the bathroom utterly naked, trickles of water coursed down my body, forming a tiny puddle on the floor at my feet. Today is Sunday and it's family time for the Kings' family. I put on a cotton shirt and a denim jeans, and ran to the grand hall where we have our family time. Everyone was already sitted except me. "Sweetheart, you didn't come home last night, and you weren't at the office. What happened?" my grandmother asked, pulling out a chair for me to sit. I gave her a peck on the cheek and took my seat. "I was in town, Grandma. Just out for a drink." My dad rolled his eyes. "You know you can't be seen out and about like that. Many people are eyeing your position." I held up my hands, placating. "Calm down, Dad. It was just a drink, and I didn't do anything wrong..." My voice trailed off as I remembered the incident with the waitress the night before. A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of someone having taken pictures or videos. My dad noticed my unease. "What is it, boy?" I forced a smile. "Nothing, Dad. Just hungry." My cousin Bella, who was sitting across from me, pouted. "Grandma, can we serve the food already? I'm starving." I flicked her lip with my finger. "Get a man, Bella. You're getting old. Stop acting like a baby. You're twenty-five, for heaven's sake." She rolled her eyes. "Coming from a man who's thirty and still single. You're one to talk." I hit her head with my spoon. "I'm a man, I can do what I like." She touched her head, feigning hurt. "You got angry because I told the truth! Go get a woman and give Grandma a grandchild! Right, Grandma?" She stuck out her tongue at me. I glared at her, but she just smiled sweetly. My grandmother stood up, intervening before the argument escalated. "Let's not fight, kids. Let's pray first." We all stood up to pray, as was our custom before meals. As we sat down to eat, my grandmother cleared her throat. "That reminds me..." I knew what was coming. The conversation about me getting married was far from over. And I will kill Bella for stirring up trouble. My grandmother continued, her eyes fixed on mine. "You know Mr. Rogers, don't you?" I nodded, my mind racing. "Yes, the name sounds familiar." "Good," she said, a hint of a smile on her face. "He called me yesterday about his granddaughter, Amelia..." I interrupted, my voice laced with unease. "What happened to her? Is she ill?" My father chimed in, his voice calm. "Mr. Rogers was my father's closest friend. They grew up together in the same neighborhood before he passed away." I knew where this was heading, and I didn't like it. "So what? Why are you telling me this?" My father's eyes locked onto mine. "You and Amelia are getting married." My grandmother added, her voice firm. "She has already agreed to be your wife." Bella, my cousin, spoke up, her voice sweet. "I know Amelia, we're the same age. She's a lovely person." I glared at her, knowing she was just trying to provoke me. "No! I can't marry her. She's a nuisance." Bella's mother, who had been quiet until then, spoke up. "Don't say that, sweetheart. You can make her into a good woman." I stood up, my anger boiling over. "No! I don't want her, and that's final. I don't want to hear another word about this again." I stormed out of the room. My father called out after me, "Come back, son! You haven't even touched your food." Bella's voice drifted after me, "He's so angry. I'll take his food to him." I slammed the door shut, my heart racing with frustration. I couldn't believe they were trying to force me into an arranged marriage. Do they still arrange marriages for people at this time and era? I have to figure out a way to get out of this situation. As I paced back and forth in my room, I heard a knock on the door. It was Bella, carrying a tray with my food. "Hey, cousin, I brought your food," she said, her voice cheerful. I glared at her, but she just smiled and set the tray down on my bed. "Don't be angry, cousin. It's just a marriage. It's not the end of the world." I sighed, feeling a bit guilty for snapping at her. "Thanks, Bella. She sat on my bed, as I collected the food from her. "Do you also want me to marry Amelia? You know how spoilt that girl can be?" I asked her, looking intently at her. I really wanted her to support me. Then the question she asked strucked me. "Is this really about Amelia?" She asked, her eyes not leaving mine. I became uncomfortable. I stammered, "wha…wha…what do you me mean? "You know what I mean, brother." She stared deeply at me. Is this about Amelia or you can't just get Zara off your head?" The room suddenly became hot. This girl really is something. Is she a witch? How did she know this? "I…I don't know what you are saying." I pretended. After Zara betrayed me in high school, I vowed not to give my heart to any woman, ever again! "Not all women are like Zara, you have to open your heart and give another woman a chance to love and cherish you." She said, she moved closer and gave me a hug. "You deserve it." I broke down in tears. She patted my back as I cried like a child. No wonder I love my cousin so much. "Okay, I will give her a chance." I said after so much crying. She giggled. "You will? Amazing. Let me tell uncle and grandma." She stood up to run out, but I held her hands. "Don't tell them yet, I want to surprise them." I pleaded with her and she agreed. I thought about it all night, but surprisingly, my mind wandered back to the alluring waitress at the club, her sultry gaze and captivating body just wouldn't leave me. And in that moment I knew I had a choice to make. It's either I agree to the arranged marriage or risk everything for a gorgeous stranger.Alexander's POVI went back to the club the next day in search of her.I don't even know her name, how do I find her?Surprisingly, it wasn't a difficult search. I think she is quite famous because they all know who I was describing.But I was shocked with the response I got."She doesn't work here anymore." The manager said, his head bowed to the ground."What!" How is that possible? Why? Is she okay?" I couldn't stop myself from asking questions.She is the only one that can save me from this doom."She quit her job yesterday, sir and didn't give a reason." He said, wondering why I would be searching for a mere waitress. "So how do I find her?" I demanded, my voice laced with desperation. I stared hard at him, my eyes burning with anger. I looked like I might explode if I didn't get the answers I needed.With fear in his eyes, and his head bowed to the ground, he stammered. "I…I…don't know sir." She said she won't be working for long, so I didn't get any details." He was visibly
This man is gorgeous. His cold hands on my skin was affecting me in a way I can't explain."I'm sorry, Layla." He pleaded. Awwn, he is so cute. I felt a flutter in my chest as he said my name. No one has ever called my name so perfectly.What is worng with you Layla? I shouldn't be feeling this way for someone who took my pride and left me all to myself.Caution Layla! Caution! I warned myself, but there's no going back."It's just a contract marriage, for three years." He explained, holding out some papers. "You can read the terms before signing it." I collected the papers from him.Shock gripped me as I scanned the content.A part of me wanted this marriage to be real not just a fake agreement.We went back inside. " So what do you say? He asked.I hesitated, not wanting to seem desperate. But I am desperate!"Hum, do I get to think about it?" I asked. "Yes, you can, but I really don't have much time, you have just one week to decide. When you are ready, call my assistant." He sa
Layla's POV"Who are you?" She asked, looking at me disdainfully like I was dirt.I was taken aback. My mind went blank as I struggled to respond. What do I say? That I am his contract bride or what?I just stared blankly at her."Alex, darling." She turned to him, smiling from ear to ear "Who is this…this person?" Alex's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in annoyance. "Get your hands off me!" He growled, his deep voice resonating across the room.In fear, she took her hands off, visibly shaking."You want to know who she is, huh?" He walked closely to me and wrapped his arm around my waist. "She is my wife." He said sweetly, smiling. One would have confused us for newlyweds who are madly in love.I looked at him in surprise and he signaled me to act along.My face flushed red. The room suddenly became hot.How do I pretend? I wondered.I just smiled sweetly back at him."This better be a joke Alex!" She screamed, her face blazing hot. Our parents are already making preparations for o
Alexander's POVMy grandmother's slap sent Layla stumbling backwards, almost falling to the ground. I reached out to hold her. Confusion was etched on her face. "Grandmother!" I bellowed. "What was that for?" I asked, my face blazing with anger."What are you doing with the daughter of a harlot?" My grandmother asked. Her veins were popping out of her head. She turned to Layla. "You think I don't know? I have done my findings. This was the same way your mother married your dead father!" She spat in her face. "Don't be a disgrace to this family. Just leave quietly now, you are not welcomed."I stepped forward, my face burning with anger. "Grandmother, stop it! You can't talk to her like that, she is my wife!" He slammed.I hate when my choices are being questioned.My grandmother gave a cold smile. "Amelia is your wife, not her. Do you want to tarnish the image of this family? Huh! I won't have you bring a blemish on the name your grandfather struggled to build." She pointed at Layla,
Alexander's POVI drove straight to the villa, neglecting the multiple calls from my father. What came over me? What was I thinking, leaving the scene like that? What if she…no, I couldn't bear the thought.I looked over to the side where Layla sat quietly, reeking of wine and raw egg.She looked so pale and her eyes sunken. "Are you okay?" I asked. But she just shook her head in response.We got to the villa and she ran straight to her room, without saying anything.I followed after her, she was about to shut her door when I stopped it with my hands."What was wrong you?" I suddenly became angry, my inside burning hot. "Are you that stupid? You mean you can't stand against Amelia! You allowed that good-for-nothing spoiled brat humiliate you, my wife publicly. That you were even crying…""I am sorry. You stated in the contract that I shouldn't stir up trouble." She broke down in tears, trembling in fear.I stepped closer to her, and she kept moving back until her back touched the wal
Layla's POVWho have I married? How do I spend three whole years living under the same roof with the devil? I never expected him to be so cold and domineering. On the outside, he looks calm, handsome and well built, but his inside is full of darkness.Or is he a psychopath? He might probably have a disorder. I thought.I paced back and forth in my room, trembling in fear. I have never felt this type of fear in my life, it is choking me.I doubt if I would be able to endure to the end of the contract before I lose my life.I decided to go downstairs and check what's going on myself.But when I got to the living room, everything was silent as though nothing happened. The only confirmation was, one of the workers was cleaning the broken vases on the floor.I went in to meet her. "Where is your boss?" I asked in my wet voice.She stopped what she was doing immediately to attend to me."He has gone into his study, immediately after his family left." She replied with her head slightly bow
Layla's POV"What!" I exclaimed.Larry dropped to his knees, begging his boss.I went to meet him where he sat. "You…y-you can't fire him! It's my fault." I begged.He didn't even look at me, he continued typing away on his computer."I won't let you punish an innocent soul." I said, my arms akimbo. He looked up and laughed. "So we have two bosses in this house now right?" He asked, his voice was so cold that I felt a chill run down my spine."But…but…it wasn't his fault. I held his hands." I stammered. "Punish me instead. Don't send him away." I begged.Cute faces don't work on devils like him, I would have unleashed my charm.He looked at me. "Oh! I shouldn't send him away so you can continue holding his hands hun?" He asked, his voice suddenly became subtle, like a whisper.Do I sense jealousy? I mused"It is very much impossible for you to be jealous. Or are you?" I squinted my eyes, staring deeply into his.He blinked and quickly looked away, blushing slightly, he said. "Why wou
Alexander's POV "Huh!" She exclaimed and I chuckled to myself. "This is going to be an interesting week." I thought. Let's see if she would be able to resist my god-like body all through the week. Larry took the keys from the receptionist and we headed for the elevator. In the elevator, I glanced over at Layla who stood at the far end, her face flushed. She looks so cute, confusion etched on her face. I'm so sure she is occupied with the thoughts of us sharing a room together for a week. "Boss, are you sure you want to share a room with her?" Larry asked, looking up at me. "You are free to share a room with me instead. I can bear with you for a week." He gestured, opening his arms wide to envelope me in a hug, a mocking glint in his eyes. I rolled my eyes. "No way will I share a room with you!" the elevator dung and I kicked him out. I waited for Layla and we walked out. As we exited the elevator, Layla lagged behind, and I found myself slowing down to match her pace. "Boss, wo