Unexpected.

CHAPTER FOUR

SALLY

"Let go of me!" I shouted as I pushed him away.

Although, I had waited to enjoy the kiss for about thirty seconds. His lips were soft and addictive.

I bit my lower lip with my eyes tightly shut as I reminisced on Alex's kiss.

The short kiss during the wedding didn't count because neither of us paid attention to it. I didn't even note what it tasted like. It was short and quick.

But, the kiss in my room, there was something about it that I could not understand.

A knock on my door jerked me out of my thoughts. The door opened lightly and my secretary walked into my office.

"Greetings, ma'am," she greeted me as she bowed her head in front of me.

"You are late again?"

"No, ma'am," she responded. "Mr James is here to see you."

I narrowed my eyes. I wasn't expecting any Mr James.

"He said he doesn't have an appointment, but the reason he's asking to see you is urgent."

"Bring him in," I ordered.

She left and returned with a nicely dressed huge figure. He lifted his cute grey eyes, and my heart sank immediately after they met mine.

It was the same man who made me laugh yesterday. I blinked thrice and gulped saliva.

His perfume and the way he was dressed already gave him out as a big thing. I didn't pick any interest in him yesterday, so I didn't take note of his looks.

Why was he here? I thought as I stared at him with eyes and mouth wide open.

"Ma'am," my secretary called out, jerking me from my thoughts. "Here he is."

"Thanks," I replied with a smile, and she walked away.

James pulled out the armchair in front of me and sat on it with his legs crossed.

"What do you want?" I asked, staring at him all over.

"Anderson fashion world," he called, a smile playing on his lips.

I pressed my lips, and let out a smile.

"I've been following your brand for years. I've always wanted to invest in this company. I heard you designed those dresses and shoes. And believe me, the ones you model suit you perfectly. "

I smiled.

"Thanks."

"You married a model, too," he said, touching his beard. "It's so sad that you married the day I met you in person."

I gave out another nervous smile. Alexander wasn't a full-time model, but I didn't want to talk about him. Especially not with James. Since they knew each other, James should be aware of that fact as well.

"I bet I wouldn't have a chance even though I met you earlier."

"Why are you here?" I asked, still trying so hard to keep my gaze away from him.

"Come on, don't be like that."

He lifted his palms and dropped them. I cleared my throat and leaned backwards, resting my back on my chair.

I decided not to let him bully me. He didn't sound as friendly and as funny as he sounded yesterday.

"Let's just say, love at first sight brought me here."

I snorted.

There was no way in this world he'd love me because we talked and laughed at each other's jokes.

"Here," he said, placing his card on the table. "James Whites. CEO of White group of companies. "

My eyes widened. I could not believe my ears. Was he the CEO of Whites? How come I didn't know this?

I stared at the card on the table for a while and lifted my gaze to him.

"I always wanted to advertise my product to your company because it has a wide marketing range. The best in the business world. "

I paused for a while and stared at him.

"They never allowed my manager to meet with you."

"Why didn't you come to me by yourself?" He asked. "Who knows, I'd have married you instead."

I cleared my throat. James was becoming annoying, but I knew I needed him to be able to get my company back on its feet.

That way, I could divorce Alex. If he became more annoying, I'd have to let him go because my peace of mind was what mattered most.

I began to manage the company and attend meetings at age sixteen, and at eighteen, I was made CEO. My dad was still the chairman and was running almost all the affairs underground.

Hearing that the company would go bankrupt broke me, and that was the only reason I was still here. I'd have disappeared after hearing I'd marry on a contract marriage.

Or, that was what I told myself, so I wouldn't feel bad about the fact that I was excited about marrying Alex on contract despite being a woman advocate.

Again, I owe my life and everything I am to my family. I can not be ungrateful. I needed to repay the good did now that it was in my power to. All of these and more were the excuses I made.

"We would talk more some other time."

James stared at his wristwatch as he stood up to his feet. He walked out of my office without anything else said.

I placed my hand on my chest and breathed out heavily.

****

"You were with James today at the office, " I heard Alex's voice immediately when I stepped into the sitting room.

My heart almost jumped out of my chest. I turned around and the lights went on. Alex was seated there in the dark, with his legs crossed.

"I thought you run a company? Why do you seem jobless?" I asked him.

He stood up and started walking towards me. I took steps backwards when he came to me. I stopped walking, and he took two more steps before he stopped.

"You startled me, though," I told him, as I placed my hand over my chest.

Alex stared at me from my head, down to my toe and back to my head again.

"What is going on between you and James?" He asked me.

I shook my head, frustrated at Alex's obsession.

"What do you care?" I asked him. "By the way, why are you on my neck?"

I squeezed my brows and took a step close to him.

"Do you have someone following me?" I asked him. "Are you now tailing me? Did you hire someone to watch over my every move? Or you planted something on me?"

"Stop being unreasonable!" He scolded me.

Alex breathed out heavily and stayed quiet for a while. The next time he spoke, it came out calmly.

"Did you check the time? Are you coming from his house?"

I was amused. In as much as the question came out calm his voice was low. It was still annoying and amusing at the same time. Alexander was calm and sweet. No one would easily notice his arrogance from his actions and how calmly his rudeness came out.

"Are you jealous?" I whispered before adding his name calmly. "Alex?"

He scoffed.

"Jealous of what?" He inquired. "You or Whites?"

He clapped his hands.

"Why would I be jealous of you?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

Alex pointed his finger to my face.

"I told you already, I do not care what you do with your life or not. I just don't want you out there, tarnishing my image. I do not want anything that would ruin the reputation of my company and my family name."

"Enough!" I shouted at him, raising my hand in the air. "Enough."

Alex was quiet.

"You're just so selfish, Alex. It's all about your status, your company, and your family. It's always about you, Alex. What about the life you ruined? I am too young to be entangled in his kind of mess called marriage. "

"Then leave!" He dared me. "You blame me all the time like I forced you into the marriage. Aren't we victims of the same circumstances?"

I sighed heavily.

"Of course," I said coldly and moved closer to Alex.

I made sure I was standing close enough to Alex before voicing out the words I knew would make him go crazy.

"You always talk about family as though you have one."

I watched Alex's knees grow weak, and he began to grit his teeth as he folded his fist.

Just as he was about to react, his phone began to vibrate in his hands, and I moved my eyes to the screen.

"James Whites?" My heart sank. "Why is he calling you?"