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 our wedding. You can't humiliate me like this, I already bragged about it to my friends!" She pleaded. I chuckled softly at her outrage, but she caught me. "How dare you make fun of me, you…you…bitch!" She rushed towards us and was about to slap my face, when Alex caught her hand mid hair and twisted it backwards. She shrieked in pain as she staggered backwards. "Ah…ah…Alex I am sorry." She pleaded as tears flowed down her gorgeous face. "Do you have a death wish! How dare you low-life raise your hands at my woman. Now kneel and beg for her forgiveness. Now!" He slammed. She dropped to her knees immediately, rubbing her palms together forcefully in an apologetic manner as tears flowed down her face. "I'm sorry ma'am. I was being immature." She pleaded. "Now get out of our way, you spoiled brat!" He kicked her out of the way. As we exited, I glanced back at her, her eyes were bloodshot as she stared with fierce hatred. I knew immediately that this was far from over. I'm so in trouble. Alex released his hands from me and pushed me away from him. "Do not mistake what just happened as love." He said as he dusted his hands as though I was a dirt. "I just can't stand that woman." He said with a disgusted expression. "Meet me by 5 to finalize the marriage." He said. He was about to enter his car when I stopped him. "Don't I deserve an explanation for what just happened?" I asked, my brows arched in annoyance. He let out a hysterical laughter. "That question came out wrongly right?" He continued laughing. "I don't owe you an explanation woman. Or have you forgotten this marriage is fake? Just play your part and don't ask me nonsense questions." He entered his car and zoomed off. I stood there, my eyes wide with disbelief, my mouth hung open in shock. This guy is so arrogant! I thought to myself. What have I gotten myself into? How on earth am I going to live with this kind of person? We met at 5 and we signed the marriage certificate. My mind raced with doubts and fear. I looked at him where he sat, but he looked unperturbed. Am I making a mistake? I wondered. But then I thought, I'll be living a life of luxury, I don't need him to care for me. I stood up to leave given that he wasn't saying anything further. "Where are you going to?" He asked, gazing at me. "I'm going back to my house." I replied. He chuckled. "You are not going back to your old house, you are coming home with me." "What? So soon?" I asked, surprised. "We are legally married now, aren't we?" He said. "Don't I get to pack my things?" I asked. "You don't need those garbage you call properties." He said. Your room has been arranged with everything you will ever need. So let's go." He stood up and went to his car. I just followed silently. dumbstruck by his words. He is so full of himself! After an eternity of driving, we finally arrived at the most exclusive enclave of the city. The surroundings were serene, with the kings' mansion standing tall and majestic. The architectural designs were a testament to the family's refined taste. As I stepped inside, I was struck by the grand foyer's beauty. High ceilings, marble floors, and tapestries are all beautifully designed, creating an atmosphere of elegance and refinement. Every detail, from the intricate carvings on the banisters, adorned with delicate jade inlays, to the majestic chandeliers, crafted from solid silver and gold, spoke of the King family's enduring legacy. The banisters, with their ornate carvings of dragons and phoenixes, appeared to be plucked straight from the pages of ancient myth, while the chandeliers, with their delicate engraving and jade droplets, cast a warm, ethereal glow, as if the very essence of the past had been distilled within them. The fusion of silver, gold, and jade created a luxurious, ancient aesthetic, transporting all who beheld it to a realm of timeless opulence. As I was still walking around, enjoying the view, I saw an elderly woman walk in. Immediately, I knew she was the matriarch of the family because she exudes so much confidence and authority. She was beautifully adorned in silk material. I bowed slightly to greet her as she approached, but her action left me thunderstruck. Is this how they welcome strangers? I marvelled.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
Layla's POVI opened my eyes slowly. The light made my eyes ache so I quickly closed it.The sun shone in through the curtains.For how long have I been out? I wondered. I stood up slowly and my headache greatly.What happened to me? I tried remembering last night's occurrence.Amelia! My eyes darkened as I remembered.She was the one who made me into this.I recollected my encounter with her last night. I went to the ladies room, and there I saw her, standing with her back resting on the door. She wore an evil glint.I was shocked and fear washed over me. I asked her what she was doing there because non invited guests weren't allowed."I have my ways, bitch." She said, with a smirk."So what do you want from me?" I asked, trying my best to hide my fear. She walked closer to me. With a malicious glint, she raised my chin up with a finger. "I want you out of Alex's life!" Her voice sent shivers down my spine.Her threat was supposed to make me scared and leave Alex, but surprisingl
Layla's POVI screamed out in horror, drawing the attention of the security guards. I was unable to move. The traumatic scene brought back memories of my father's tragic accident.The picture of the wrecked car flashed before my eyes. I saw his lifeless body covered in blood, with his eyes wide open. My head spun and my heart became tight as though it was being squeezed, making it difficult for me to breathe.I closed my eyes and took in deep breaths, trying to calm myself down.The body was carried out, and one of the guards escorted me to my room. Alex laid still on the bed and I drew a finger closer to his nose to confirm if he was still breathing.His gentle breath fanned my finger. "Thank goodness he is still alive." I whispered.I touched his forehead with my palm and it was burning hot.He is running a fever? I fetched a bowl of water from the bathroom, the water spilt on the floor by the bed, but I ignored it, intending to clean it up later.I soaked a small towel into t