Alexander's POV
I 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 shaking and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. I hissed and left the club. Finding her won't be a challenge as I have all the resources. I just have to do it discreetly so my dad won't find out. "Why would she leave so soon? I remembered telling her not to let's cross paths again, but she should have waited a little longer. Was she that scared?" I chuckled at the thought of how cute her expression was the night I left her. I dialed my assistant's number. "Hey, Larry, I need everything on Layla Torres, immediately." "Okay, boss." Came the Curt response from the other end. After ten minutes, my phone rang. "What did you get?" I asked. "She is 25. She lives at Fremont East, downtown, and she frequents a hospital close to their house to visit her sick mother who is currently down with cancer. She is still in college and she works part time at a bar. "Okay," I nodded. "Good job, Larry. Where is she currently?" "She is currently at school sir." He replied quickly. "Okay, thank you. Meet me at the private villa." I hung up the call. I wore a hood and a nose mask to shield my face so people won't recognize me and take pictures for the media. "Where to boss?" My driver asked. "Don't worry, I don't need your help. I will drive myself." I replied. I pushed him aside and entered the car. I sped to her college, my heart racing with anticipation. What has come over me? Why am I this desperate? I wondered. When I arrived, the hallways were bustling with students. I was glad they didn't recognize me, it would have been a problem if they did. I walked straight to her department as Larry already sent me the details. I waited patiently for her to be done with her class as a professor was currently in her hall. An hour later, the class ended and students started coming out. After minutes of waiting, I saw her coming out with another lady and a nerd looking guy. I held her quickly by her arm and she turned around, shock written all over her face. "Hi, Layla." I said, forcing a smile. I don't think she has recovered from the shock, she stood still, staring at me as if I were a ghost. She wasn't expecting to see me at all. Her shocked expression immediately changed to anger as she yanked her arm free and stormed off. "Hey, Layla, wait! I need to talk to you." I called out, chasing after her. Everyone's attention was turned on us, and I felt my face burn with embarrassment. She stopped suddenly, and I collided with her. She pushed me away, her eyes blazing. "What do you want?" She spat. "I just want us to talk." I said, trying to catch my breath. "About what?" She snapped, her face twitched up angrily. "Let's go to a quiet place, come with me." Surprisingly, she followed me quietly, her eyes fixed on me with a mix of anger and embarrassment. I took her to my car and I drove off to my private villa. The tension between us was palpable. As we arrived at the villa, Larry greeted us. I led her into the grand building, where a row of workers bowed to welcome us. I had arranged this to impress her, but she seemed unimpressed. Has she experienced luxury before? I wondered, because she wasn't marvelled. We sat at the dining table, surrounded by a variety of dishes. For the first time, I saw her clearly. Her beauty was breathtaking, a true masterpiece of nature. Her eyes, a deep hazel green, sparkled like emeralds in the light, fringed with luscious lashes that added to their allure. Her nose, small and slightly upturned, gave her an adorable, pixie-like quality. Her hair, a rich, chestnut brown, cascaded down her back in soft, silky waves, framing her heart-shaped face and accentuating her porcelain skin. I began to eat, but she didn't touch her food. Her face scrunched up in anger. "Why did you bring me here?" she asked, her voice stern. "Can we eat first? I'm hungry," I replied. "You interrupted my day just to feed me? Did I say I was hungry? You think I'm some poor girl who can't afford to eat?" She slammed. I apologized, trying to calm her down. "I didn't mean it like that. I thought we could talk while eating..." But she cut me off. "Get to the point! I have a sick mother to care for." I took a deep breath. "Let's get married," I said, trying to sound casual. The room fell silent. The only sound was the chirping of birds outside. Her eyes widened in shock, and her face paled. "You must be out of your mind," she hissed, standing up to leave. I stood up too, "Just hear me out." But she wasn't listening, she stormed out of the room. This wasn't how I planned it to go. For the first time, l felt frustrated and defeated.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
Alexander's POVWhat could she be doing here? I thought.I don't remember seeing her name on the invited guests list.She is here just for one thing, and that is to cause trouble! I pulled away from the kiss, and Layla's face was red with embarrassment and she ran towards the restroom.I decided to go meet Amelia."You finally noticed me?" She said, in a sultry voice as I approached her."What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice stern."Huh, wow, this is all I get after what you did to me!" She said, raising her voice.I dragged her out to the open to avoid unnecessary attention."You brought it upon yourself. I owe you no apologies." My face became dark as I tried my best to be domineering. But it wasn't working, it was as though she had outgrown my methods. Her gaze was dark and she emanated a dangerous aura.I squinted my eyes, trying to break through her but I couldn't. This is not the Amelia I had always known?The thought of Layla came to my mind and I felt a strong need t