Chapter 24Alice's POV"No, Alex," I said, exasperated but trying not to laugh. "The video says stir-fry with oil, not water."Alex shrugged, looking completely unfazed. "Couldn't find any oil, so I thought water would do the trick."I groaned and almost facepalmed as I surveyed the bubbling mess in front of us. It had been a good thirty minutes since we'd started cooking, but somehow, we'd only managed to create a disaster. I'd looked up a simple recipe for jollof pasta online, and we were at the part where you're supposed to fry the tomatoes with spices to bring out the flavor. But Alex, as charming as he was, had thrown in water instead, effectively sabotaging the whole thing."You might actually be worse at this than I am," I teased, half-laughing."Oh? And here I thought I was good at everything," he shot back with a grin.I planted my hands on my hips, staring at the pan and wondering how I was going to fix this. "Maybe if we just… add oil now?" I said, mostly to myself.Alex pe
Chapter 25Alice's pov"Yeah, I've heard different stories about him and the evil he has committed...and i even heard he was finally convicted for his crime in year 1996 before i was even born" i replied as the name and all I'd heard about him jogged my memories, i already had goosebumps on my whole body."Well, he got out of prison in year 2004 after spending 7 years in prison in prison, as soon as he got out, he adopted me, I don't know how he knew about me or why he was so adamant on adopting me in particular, but yeah, that's how i ended up being his son...he trained me for years as his weapon...i had no free will, i had to obey every orders he gave me without questions, and over the years, i lost my humanity, i killed people without feeling an ounce of sympathy, although all the people i killed were as trashy as he was, to secure his hold in the underworld, he had me get rid of little fry mafia bosses who tried to go against him or were a threat to him..." He narrated, but surpri
Fake marriage is chapter 1...there was a little mix-up Chapter 2: Alice's POVThe midday sun cast a brilliant glare over the city, bouncing off the towering glass buildings as our sleek black SUV navigated through the bustling streets toward the restaurant. I leaned back in my seat, fingers tapping restlessly against the door handle as my mind wandered back to the stranger from the airport. I couldn’t believe I'd actually considered speaking to him, let alone involving him in my half-baked plan. But just as quickly as he'd caught my attention, he'd disappeared—distracted by a phone call, his focus directed elsewhere. Yet, somehow, he’d left a lasting impression, like a song stuck in my head. The intensity in his eyes when they met mine stayed with me, a curious spark I couldn’t shake. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. A stranger for a fake marriage? I must’ve been losing my mind. Caroline’s voice brought me back to the present. "Alice, are you sure this meeting tonight i
Chapter 3Alexander's POVI watched her walk away, her figure disappearing into the dim light of the restaurant lobby. I didn't even know her full name, yet somehow, she'd left an impression I couldn't shake. There was something about her—confident but mysterious, with an intensity that lingered long after she was gone.For the rest of the evening, I couldn't seem to let it go. It was absurd. I'd only exchanged a few words with her, yet the intrigue was palpable. It wasn't just her beauty, though she certainly had that. There was an energy about her, something that drew me in like a magnet. She'd approached me so boldly, as if she'd known exactly what she wanted. And the way she'd just as confidently turned and left… it was as if she already knew how this would play out.Still thinking about her, I barely noticed the sleek black car pull up to the hotel. The driver opened the door, and I slipped into the backseat, glancing out the window as the city lights blurred past. I knew I neede
CHAPTER 4"Nick! Nick, where are you?" Alice's voice reverberated through the hallway as she burst into her brother's apartment, urgency radiating from her every step. She had come straight from the airport, her irritation simmering just below the surface as she prepared to tackle the mess that was her brother's latest scandal."Alice?" Nick's voice called from the kitchen. Moments later, he emerged, a bright red apron wrapped clumsily around his neck and torso.Alice raised an eyebrow, her frustration momentarily forgotten. "Is that… an apron? You picked up cooking again?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm."Sure did, kinda had to after moving out" Nick shrugged, nonchalant as he strolled over to grab her bag. "You planning to stay the night? I could use the company while I whip up my masterpiece.""You wish." She smirked, rolling her eyes. "I didn't come here for a sleepover. I came to check on you and to—" She paused, her expression darkening as the gravity of the situation settled ba
Chapter 5Alice's POVI finally arrived at my apartment, feeling the exhaustion settle deep into my bones. All I craved now was a long, hot bath and maybe a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. My feet ached from being cramped in heels all day, and I could feel the tension in my shoulders begging to be released. Dropping my bags in the living room, I headed straight for the bathroom, not even bothering to unpack.As soon as I slid into the bathtub, warm water enveloping me like a comforting embrace, I let out a deep sigh. The weight of the day seemed to melt away. I closed my eyes, sinking further, and felt a sense of peace finally creeping in.But, of course, peace was short-lived. Somewhere in the apartment, my phone began to ring. I'd left it in my purse, which was somewhere in the living room. I briefly considered ignoring it, but then again, I knew my dad would want to hear from me sooner rather than later. But whoever it was would just have to wait a few more minutes.After a good
CHAPTER 6Alice's POVIt was past 7 p.m. when I finally got back home from my dad's house. I headed straight to the bathroom to wash my face, apply my skincare products, and change into my pajamas before retreating to my bedroom. My body had just barely hit the bed when I heard my stomach growl. Right, I'd forgotten dinner. I reached for my phone on the bedside table and ordered a pizza from my favorite restaurant. Placing the phone down, I lay there, staring up at the ceiling as my thoughts drifted back over the day's events."I can't believe I'm getting married to a total stranger," I scoffed to myself. The very thought of marriage made me recall Alex, the guy i almost proposed to, thank god i didn't carry on with my plan, because how the hell would i have explained to him that i was already engaged to someone else and i couldn't go on with the contract agreement... Still, I couldn't shake the inexplicable attraction I'd felt the moment I saw him. Yes, he was handsome, with a high,
CHAPTER 7 Alex's POV After warning her about the suspicious-looking delivery man, I exited the building but stood outside, waiting for him to come out. I couldn't just leave without making sure she was safe. But as the minutes dragged on, worry began to settle in my chest. Five minutes had passed, and there was still no sign of him. Without thinking, I darted back into the building, charging up the stairs two at a time. Taking the elevator would waste precious time—it would be forever before it reached the thirteenth floor as it seemed someone was already inside. Finally reaching her floor, I caught sight of her, struggling as he tried to push her against the wall. His hand moved toward his pocket, and I saw the glint of a knife. The bastard was going to stab her. Instinct took over. I lunged between them, taking the blow meant for her. Pain seared through my hand, but I barely felt it. Rage surged instead. How dare he even think of hurting her. Grabbing him by the collar, I swung