Her Contract Marriage To The Billionaire Alpha

Conflicted

Alyssa POV

The media are ruthless when it comes to trying to find out what's been going on between Theodore and Dahlia. Despite Theodore's objections and Dahlia's continual declarations of innocence, I'm not entirely convinced that nothing is going on between the two of them. I had seen how pale Dahlia's face had gone when she saw the photograph and the story on the television and Theodore's anger had been too over the top for it to be a simple misunderstanding. I forced a fake smile on my face as the flashes of light from the cameras temporarily blinded me, feeling Theodore's hand at the small of my back.

"Theodore, what do you have to say concerning the accusation that you are cheating on your fiancée with her own stepsister?"

Theodore had a vicious expression on his face as he stared the reporters down, his jaw clenched tight. "It is a false allegation with no substance whatsoever", Theodore finally spoke, his voice loud and clear with heavy emphasis. "I would never do something so dishonorable as to have something as repulsive as an affair when I am about to marry the woman that I love" he announced stiffly.

The reporters glanced at each other. I couldn't help but notice that the women in particular seemed to be eating this up, some nodding in agreement as they stared at Theodore with lustful eyes.

"Miss Jones, what do you have to say in regard to this scandal? Do you believe that your fiancée, that Mr Trace, is innocent?"

I could feel Theodore's hand as his nails lightly dug into my back, causing me to inhale sharply as I looked at the reporters, feeling slightly helpless and unable to speak the truth. I chose to speak the words I knew they all wanted to hear, including Theodore.

"I know that my fiancée is a loyal man and I have no reason to believe that he, or my stepsister would ever do anything to hurt me. The photograph is merely an innocent moment that has been blown out of proportion," I said softly. "It is unfortunate timing with the upcoming wedding ceremony that this is what everybody has chosen to focus on, instead of the day that we will be choosing to say our vows and proclaim our love for one another."

Wow, you're really laying it on thick, aren't you Alyssa? Even my mind was beginning to mock me.

Theodore was beaming at me though, taking my hand and gently pressing the palm of it to his lips. "I am fortunate to have such an understanding and loving fiancée," he said as the women gasped in awe, "I am a lucky man to be marrying her later this week", he pronounced.

He's great at acting, I mused, turning to stare upwards at him. How much of this is an act and how much of this is real, I wondered, trying not to look skeptical.

Something about his words doesn't ring true. I don't know why, but I just feel like there's something he's either holding back or that he's not saying.

"Mr Trace, where will your honeymoon be?" A reporter broke in.

Theodore gave her a long slow smile. "As yet, we still have not decided where to go on our honeymoon. Due to work commitments, we may have to delay our honeymoon for a brief period until such time as I can get away from business."

I glanced at him sharply, but he was busy smiling and nodding at the reporters. Delay the honeymoon? I knew we hadn't chosen a destination, but part of me had hoped he might have a surprise in mind. I had not anticipated that he would put work above it. Then again, it wasn't surprising, was it? Every time I thought that it could not get worse, Theodore would prove me wrong. It was hard to keep my reactions to myself, as the media glanced in my direction, some of the women's faces sympathetic.

"If that is all, then please excuse us, we have made our statement and my fiancée is looking tired," Theodore said, gently taking my hand and beginning to lead me back towards the gates leading up the driveway and back into the house as the photographers continued to snap photographs of us. As soon as the door was shut, the calm expression on his face fell away instantly, like a mask that he had been wearing for the sake of the reporters.

"Christ" he swore, as I stood there looking at him, "bunch of f*****g vultures. It's their fault we even had to make this absurd statement. Do you have any idea how much this is affecting my business right now? My company," he said, striding into the kitchen and beginning to pour himself a glass of bourbon.

"Since when were we delaying the honeymoon, Theodore?" my voice is cool.

He takes a swig of his drink and slams the glass down. "Damnit Alyssa, not now" he growls, narrowing his eyes at me, "you know that my company takes up a lot of my time, a lot of my personal time" he emphasized "a few days of having to make sacrifices isn't going to hurt. We can go for our honeymoon a few days after the wedding, it's no big deal" he shrugs as I stare at him.

"No big deal" I whispered, "Theodore, you made a promise to me that you wouldn't put work above all else, and you're already breaking that promise", I pointed out, as he rolled his eyes. "It might not mean much to you, but a honeymoon means a lot to me. Spending quality time as a couple means a lot to me," I said,

"Alyssa, don't be so insufferable" he snapped as I recoiled "It's always about you, isn't it?" he demanded, towering over me as I cringed, backing away from him slightly. "All I've heard from you lately is complaining. I am doing the best I can, and it's a nightmare trying to please you all the time" he snarled.

I felt hurt. "Theodore, I didn't think I was asking for much". I began to protest, feeling indignant by his accusations "all I want..."

"I don't care what you want" he shouted, gripping the glass tightly in his hand, his knuckles going white as I trembled "don't you see? I matter as well, not to mention your family. I have to wine and dine, important business clients, not to mention close important deals. I'm marrying you because..." he paused.

I felt nausea as he gritted his teeth. "Because" I prompted, beginning to feel empty inside, "finish the sentence Theodore", I urged, as he grimaced and drank the rest of his glass in one fell swoop "don't stop now."

He took a deep breath, slowly placing the glass down on the counter as I looked up at him. He exhaled slowly. "I'm marrying you because I love you Alyssa," he said, looking at me, his eyes softening slightly, "but sometimes you have to make sacrifices."

"I have made sacrifices" I argued, holding my hands out "Theodore, I have done everything that you have asked, even believing you about this Dahlia nonsense..."

"Are you saying you don't believe me" he interrupted, his eyes beginning to narrow again.

I don't know what to believe anymore. It's like I'm looking at a stranger or a man who is on the brink of losing it. Everything is going wrong right now, and I don't know how to fix it. Or even if I want to fix it. Where is the Theodore that I fell in love with, the man whose gentle touches and sweet words moved me? Where is the man who vowed he would love me forever and who is this, standing here, glowering at me? How has he changed so much in such a short space of time?

"Alyssa" he shouted, bringing my attention back to him, "are you accusing me of cheating with Dahlia?" his face was mottled with rage.

I hesitated. But he looked so consumed with rage at the accusation, his denials so vehement that I wondered if I was wrong to be thinking it. "I believe you" I said lowly, "but that doesn't change the way I'm feeling right now, Theodore."

"I'll make it up to you. We'll have an extra long honeymoon," he promised, running a hand through his hair. "Anywhere you want to go, we'll go," he added, trying to appease me, looking relieved.

He glanced at his watch, his eyes beginning to widen in shock. "My god, the time" he exclaimed, shaking his head and beginning to rush around, grabbing his briefcase and wallet "I have to go, I'm already late getting to the company" he said, breathing heavily.

"Why not just spend the day with me?" I suggested, hopefully.

He slowly shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't today, sorry" he apologized, kissing me on the lips with haste. "Why don't you go over the wedding planning with your stepmother or something?" he asked.

I frowned. "I would, but she seems to have vanished, along with Dahlia", I shrugged. "They probably went somewhere together."

I was glad of it too. It was growing harder to play the perfect hostess in the face of their numerous complaints and constant criticisms. A strange expression came over Theodore's face, but it was just as quickly gone.

"Shame" he murmured. "Well then, enjoy the piece and quiet" he winked. "I'm sure you're welcoming it right now."

I laughed. He was right. It would be a relief to have the house pretty much to myself. I might even be able to relax before they came back. Wedding planning took up the majority of my days and nights and Karen, my stepmother, was particular about what she felt was appropriate for a wedding and what was not.

As my fiancée left, I found myself closing the door softly behind him and feeling confused by the shift in his behavior again. Sometimes Theodore was loving and sweet and other times he was callous and cruel. Could it be the stress of the wedding and the desire to impress his investors and clients, or was there a side to Thedore that I was only just beginning to see? The thought troubled me. So did the dream I had the other night. It had been so vivid, so realistic, it was almost as though I was there, experiencing it.

"Give it a rest Alyssa" I mumbled, feeling foolish, "mystery men don't exist, and it was nothing more than a dream," I scolded myself, sighing deeply.

What a shame though. Something about that man, his eyes, his touch, drew me. Almost as though I've met him before, but that's impossible, isn't it?