ALEXANDER

Chapter 8

A bright light is peeking through the window.

“Ugh, Anj. Can you please close the window?” I demanded while changing my position, facing my back from the light.

Hmmm.. Groaning as I cuddle whatever this thing beside me.

This is a human body! Bulkier than Anj.

This isn’t Anj!

My eyes instantly shut open.

“Ugh!” He groans.

Not really sure what I did, but I am already sitting on the bed while him holding his nose as we face each other.

‘What is he doing here?’

“What a nice way of greeting someone who is gentleman enough to let you sleep in his room?”

“Alexander! How? Wait, your room??”

“Obviously.” He’s giving me an impish look.

Then I realize we were going to talk, and I probably fell asleep.

“Oh, God! I am so sorry! I didn’t mean to. And your nose! Wait let me-“

There’s tissue on his bedside table that I quickly grab and take some to wipe the blood on his nose.

“What are you doing?”

“Your nose is bleeding. I’m so sorry.” Apologizing to him while carefully wiping the blood.

“I can handle this.” He tries to take the tissue, but since I am so guilty of what I did, I insist on doing it.

“No, let me do this. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s okay moya milaya.”

“Are you sure?” I ask. Good thing no more blood is gushing out of his nose.

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

Getting off the bed is the best option.

“Uhm, how do I get here? We were on the road going to--- Wait! Do you have powers? Did you use some magic on me??”

‘Did I really ask that?’

He chuckles. “You’re something. Haha!”

“What?”

“You just fell asleep. You were saying something earlier. You’re asking me if we could discuss this to--- I don’t know. You just stopped talking and then saw you sleeping.”

“Oh--- Uhm, you could have just woke me up.” My face is getting red. I can feel it.

“You haven’t slept since yesterday. I know you’re tired so... Besides, I also need some rest.”

“And you- You and I?? You also slept here.” It's more of a statement actually. Then I watch him sitting near the edge of his bed while I am basically standing in the middle of his gigantic room.

“This is my room, moya milaya. Where do you want me to sleep?”

That shuts me up. Stupid, Cassidy!

“But you could have just let me sleep on the sofa or in the car or anywhere.”

“You’re my girlfriend now. As being your boyfriend, I should take care of you. Besides, we need the public to see us together starting from now on. They will be our best witnesses and of course it is just a matter of time that my grandfather hears about us.”

‘He’s right.’

“Fine... Uhm, where’s my bag?” I ask to change the topic.

I also need to check my phone to see if there are texts or missed calls from my brothers or Anj.

“Over there.”

It’s on the mini rack on my left beside his suit as well.

There’s no txt or calls from them yet. And the time. 'What?! 1:45pm?'

'Oh, shoot!'

“Here.” he says, which frightens me. I didn’t know he’s already behind me. He hands me the two branded paper bags while he laughs at me again. "Are you always jumpy?"

Only if you’re the person near me.

But of course I didn’t say that.

He wraps his arms around my waist as he lowers his head to my neck.

“Uhm, Alexander.”

Trying to get off from his hold, yet he tightens it more. I totally forgot what I was about to ask him.

“What are you doing??” That’s what I ask instead.

“Hugging my girlfriend.”

“No. You’re not. Okay you are, but you’re not.”

Am I talking nonsense again?

Ugh! He’s not letting me go!

I can feel his solid chest presses against my back.

“Hmmm.” he groans as he plants tiny kisses on my neck.

Aaah... My breath hitches. I can feel the tiny hair of my arms stand up

“Alexander. Stop!”

If he doesn’t stop right now, I will kick his precious junior. But how? He’s standing behind me.

‘But will you really kick him? Or can you?’ My conscience is talking.

“Please stop. I’m- I’m stinky!”

Oh, floor! Please open and eat me!

His laugh vibrates from my neck down to my inside. He even tightens his hold while he's still facing my back.

He goes back to kissing my neck, to my shoulder.

“You’re not. In fact, it’s the contrary. And you are f*****g tempting, moya printsesa. Wearing my shirt looks you so hot.” He kisses me in between those words.

Wait, What? His shirt?

Why didn't I notice this earlier?

“Did you undress me???”

“No.”

Oh, thank God!

Feeling so relief. I don't care who undressed me, as long as it wasn't him.

Yet, my face and whole body are so hot right now. This emotion is always alive every time he’s closer or just every time I see him. But this is harder since he’s hugging me from behind!

I’m so flustered by what he did. I can’t move even he’s no longer behind me.

“Are you okay?” He asks. He’s already in front of me.

Really?? I shoot a glare at him. “I’m fine!”

“Take a shower now. These are your clothes. Then we’ll take our lunch once you’re done.”

He then walks away.

“Wait. Where are you going?”

“Downstairs. I’ll be right back. Unless you want me to join in the shower with you-“

“What?? No!”

“Hahaha! I’ll be back once you're done.”

After a few moments, I realize something.

‘Where the heck his bathroom is??’

Before I could ask, he’s already outside.

Didn’t see any sign of the bathroom in here. No door, no doorknob, or anything! Where does he want me to take a shower?

It’s already ten minutes since he got out, but I’m still looking for his bathroom.

Ugh!

Dialing his number, then it only rings.

Wait!

Oh, crap!

His phone is on the bedside table.

No choice but to go out and find him.

“Ouch!” I exclaim in a bit of pain when I am about to step out. I bump into a wall again.

“Are you okay?”

I instantly c**k my head upon hearing his deep voice. It was him, not a wall.

“Oh- Uhm, yeah. Actually, I was about to look for you.”

“Yeah, and I assume why. I forgot to tell you where the bathroom is. My bad.”

I follow him to another corner and there’s nothing there but a wall.

“Here.”

He just presses a button that isn’t really obvious and the door of his bathroom opens.

Wow! It’s a secret door!

Can’t help but to let my mouth drop as I stare in awe at what is inside.

“If you need anything, just press 1 on the telephone extension.”

He shows me where the telephone is and he says more, but all I could do is to nod.

“If you want to lock the door, just press this and if you want to open it, press this one.”

“Alright. Got it. Thank you.”

“Sure.”

He is about to leave, but I quickly stop him.

“Wait!”

“Hmm?”

“Uhm, is there any other bathroom I can use instead?”

“Why? Don’t you like it?”

“Well, this doesn’t suit me, and this is yours. Maybe you have a guest room where I can use the bathroom?”

“It’s okay. You can use it, Cassidy. I insist. Besides, you need to get used to anything luxurious. I don’t want you to freak out once you meet my family.”

“What? Do I really have to?”

“Of course. My grandfather is living with my parents right now.”

Taking a deep breath before I nod. “Fine. But can you just stay in the room, please?? In case a problem occurs and I need your help to open the door...”

“Sure.”

His smile is the last reaction I see before I close the door.

'Alright, Cassidy! Let’s take a shower!'

Not really sure how many minutes I stay in the shower, but I am sure I feel so refresh and alive now that I have done taking a bath.

I didn't bother checking the other paper bag that I put on the countertop since I already saw the other bag has body wash, shampoo, toothbrush, and more range of toiletries.

Upon checking, there are three different styles of dresses, there are also underwears, and stiletto heels. My head feels bigger when I check the brand name. Whoah! Each item has the exorbitant price!

Wait... A dress??

Are we attending a party?

It has been three years since the last time I wore a dress. I have no choice but to pick one and I pick the navy blue chiffon dress which is two inches above my knees.

Wow! Mesmerize by how I look in front of the mirror. I look elegant. I am daddy's girl and everytime I attended school events he bought dresses for me.

I miss you dad...

Taking one last glance in the mirror before I go out.

Alexander is laying on the bed with his eyes close and arm on his forehead. He is already in his casual outfit.

“Is he sleeping? Should I wake him up?”

Contemplating whether to wake up or to just go out. I guess there's no need to.

He wakes up and sits.

“Hi. Did I wake you up?”

He’s staring at me.

“Are you okay?” I ask again. Even my knees are about to betray me the way he looks at me.

“Ah-hmnn... Yeah! I’m fine.” He says after clearing his throat.

He gets up and walks closer. Wondering what he is about so say but he takes me by surprise. He pulls me from my waist and connects our lips.

The tingling sensation is all over my body again. I just stand frozen in his arms.

“Kiss me back, moya printsesa.” he grunts.

His hot breath fans on my face, but he proceeds on kissing me again.

He deepens the kiss when I respond to it and it wasn’t just five minutes that we were kissing.

“Let’s go. he smirks.

I swear I can feel his ardent gaze on my back as we walk outside. I suddenly become conscious about how I look.

Then he leads the way, going downstairs as he holds my hand.

His house chambers greet us as we walk into the dining area.

'Wow! This is enormous!'

Our house is just half as big as this. And the apartment I am staying right now with Anj is just one-fourth of this house.

Different sets of meals have served to us as soon as we walk into the dining area.

But I am not getting used to having housemaids watching us eat. Even they don’t literally stare at us, I’m still not comfortable.

“What is it?” He asks.

“I’m just not comfortable with someone watching us eating. Or them standing there. I’m sorry.” I told him in a low voice.

But what he did after, surprised me.

He told them to get out.

“You really don’t have to do that.”

“It’s okay. I want you to eat comfortably.”

"Thanks."

After our lunch, he toured me inside the house. He also told me a bit of history about how he got the house.

Now we are inside his private office. The contract lays out on the table as he reads the first page. There are only two pages.

But there are five rules I should pay attention to.

“So the first rule is, No one should know about the contract, but only the two parties involved.” He says.

“Alright. I can do that.” I respond as I nod at him.

“Okay. The second one is, No resistance to kiss - Letting to kiss each other with no questions. It’s part of the act." he explains.

“Well, you’re already doing that, so do I have a choice?”

He chuckles. “No. You don’t. Besides, I enjoy kissing your sweet lips, moya milaya.”

Tsss.. Raising an eyebrow at him, trying to conceal the blush. “Next.”

“Alright! Next is, Be clingy - cuddling, hugging, calling or texting each other daily.”

“What? But--- Oh! Uhm, do I have to be with you twenty-four, seven?”

“Yes, and No. Apparently, my coming schedules are full so I can’t visit you. That’s why I need you to be with me so you can be comfortable with me until you get used to my presence. Also, I want you to quit your job in the club and the one in the restaurant. I will ask your cousin to prepare your things, too.”

“What? No! I need those jobs for my family and I am not staying with you.”

“I already told you. Everything has been taken care of. I already paid for your brothers’ classes in full. Don’t worry about the other expenses and yes you will be staying with me.”

“Fine! But why? I don’t get it. And don't you think you have done more than enough for my family already? It's too much! Whilst all I need to do is to pretend as your girlfriend.”

“I am getting what I want in this contract as well, moya milaya. Don’t think too much about it.”

“This is ridiculous. Being your fake girlfriend isn’t worth millions, Alexander. Yet, you already spent closer to that for my family, let alone the costs of my mother’s operation. And I haven’t even started pretending in front of your family yet.”

“Cassidy, money isn’t a problem. Besides majority of those are my will to help and not part of the contract.”

I stop complaining. Even I keep on blurting my disagreement, I still have no choice but to agree.

“Are we clear about this?”

“Yes. You may proceed.” I heave a sigh.

“This is the last, s*x is inevitable, but negotiable.”

He smirks. Seeing his naughty gaze hitches my breath.

“Se- s*x?? Are we going to-? Uhm-" Eyes wide as I ask him in disbelief.

“Just like what I said. It's negotiable. There's no way we can just kiss each other without s*x involve if it gets heated up, moya milaya..”

I know my face is uncontrollably blushing right now. Why do I feel I am selling my self to him? This is complicated than what I had thought.

“God!" I exclaim. I don't think I can do that.

"Can I also add something?” I ask.

“Sure. Go ahead.”

“Uhm, No lies between us. Though the relationship is just all but fake. I still want to know the truth and if there's anything I need to know. Be upfront with each other.”

“Alright. I agree. Let me add that.” he then writes it on the paper.

After done writing, he c***s his head and asks, “Do you have other thing to add?”

“Wait! Do I get to have a day off as well?”

I think I have him confused with my question.

“What I meant was, to get a free time with myself, my family and some of my friends.”

“Of course, actually you can do whatever you want but make sure it won’t jeopardize the contract. You can go out with your friends, too. But remember, I'm very much possessive. So don't do something I don't like. Or else, you will receive my punishment."

I gulp. But of course, I won't do anything against his will.

“Alright. I have nothing to add then.” I say.

“Okay. Let seal it then."