The King's Invaluable Possession [Bachelor in Love #4]

Chapter 8

Linda

We took Alex’s jet to get us to New York. I looked out the plane and all I could remember was my father’s expression before I go.

He was worried about me.

He knew Alex.

I never saw them together before. Alex never came to our house too. Sometimes, Dad’s friends would come to visit our house, either talking about business or just visiting. Did they meet outside? “What’s wrong?” Alex’s question snapped me away from the window.

“Oh, nothing.”

“Your parents don’t agree with your decision?”

“Oh, no. It’s not like that.” I couldn’t tell him Dad was worried about me because I was going with Alex. That he knew Alex. His voice when he said he would take care of me before we left sounded like he knew Dad. I wanted to ask but somehow, I didn’t want to. Like there was something I didn’t want to know if I asked him. “My parents never did that. They always support my decision even when other people were questioning me. They’re really supportive.”

“I see. That’s nice. I’m kind of jealous of you.” Jealous? Alex? Wow.

“Why?”

“Because you were given freedom. I was born into a family where my destiny has been written from the day I was born. Just like your cousin, James. I don’t think you can understand my and James’s feelings for not being able to do anything of our own will. We were like a puppet to our fathers,” he explained and all I could feel was how hurt and painful he was. And angry too.

He was the same as James. He acted accordingly to Uncle Pat’s decision. He wanted a successor so he was building one instead of taking care of his own child. Even setting up everything. Like Alex said, James’s destiny was written by Uncle Pat instead of making his own. His university choices. His future wife. He never let James do anything with his own will. To the point, he paid all the well-known universities to not accept his son if he chose another major other than business.

I despised Uncle Pat for that. I never liked him. I hated how he controlled James since he was a little boy. Like he never saw him as his own son. Only a successor. A doll to fulfill his master’s wishes. I knew I shouldn’t be feeling like this, but I was glad when he died. Because in that way, James could choose everything he wanted. Freely. But it was too late. The damage had been done. Uncle Pat would never know the pain he had caused James. What he was feeling when he did all that and his father died.

Because of Uncle Patrick, we grew apart. We used to be close until Uncle Pat held James back to play with me. He always said James had to study to be his successor. James became so distant and cold despite how caring he was toward me. I was glad when he met Eva. The little girl was able to destroy the wall that he had built for so many years. She healed his broken heart and found his lost soul.

I knew I would never understand his feeling for not being able to follow his own path. All I could do was support him from behind. Everything happened for a reason and maybe for James unable to be a doctor like he wanted to, was because so he could find his way to Eva. To save him from his darker path.

I looked straight at Alex again. “I admit it that I could never understand both of your feelings. All I can do for James is support him. Did you know James rebelled himself once before? He tried but his father found out. At least, he tried, right? He tried to tell his father that he has something else he wants besides continuing his business. His company. His empire. Have you ever done that? Telling your father that you have something else you wanted to pursue besides being his perfect successor? Have you?” He didn’t answer me. He couldn’t answer me. Maybe he never did. He obeyed his father’s words without any question.

Alex let out a soft chuckle and set his eyes to the window. “I’ve prepared a room for you when we get there. I’ll explain everything later regarding your job.” Ah, he was distracting me. I didn’t want to continue with this conversation too so I looked outside as well.

We were in complete silence for the rest of the trip. It took us eight hours to we reached New York. It was dark already when we touched down. Alex didn’t say a word until we landed. He walked out of the plane first before I followed him. Another car was already waiting for us. Simon brought all my luggage and put them inside the trunk. I jumped into the car as we headed to my new apartment. Again, we rode in silence. Usually, I couldn’t stand this. I always talked about something but I found it comfortable with him. His aura was like screaming to not talk with him. Anyway, it was not like we were friends whatsoever. He was just a guy who offered me a job. Just for his own profit. Nothing more. Nothing less.

When we reached the building, all I could think of was how amazing it was. I didn’t ask him before what kind of an apartment I would get. I guessed I had the answer now. Something extremely expensive. I hoped he was responsible for all the utilities I would be using. Although I didn’t mind paying the monthly rent. As long it was according to my budget. Not everyone was as rich as he was. We rode the elevator when my bad feeling just got worse. The metal cubicle didn’t stop at all. The building was quite tall and I thought we would stop around twenty-ish floors. I peeked to the top and the glowing numbers didn’t stop but then…

It stopped at the very last number. Top floor. Which meant…the penthouse. Seriously? He was giving me a penthouse? Was he crazy?

Alex walked out as I confusingly followed him like a helpless puppy who didn’t know what to do. He opened the door as I walked in, scanning the inside. If I had a record of a heart attack, I might be getting one now. The inside was amazing. The windows were tall I could see the buildings outside perfectly clear. A single grey long couch with four large cream sofas surrounding a long coffee table. I saw stairs, maybe the rooms were up there. I saw a pool when I further walked in, right outside. This penthouse was too big for me. As I looked around, I felt this place…had already been used. It didn’t smell new at all. It smelled like…Alex.

“What’s wrong, little one?” he whispered in my ear I almost jumped. I didn’t even realize he was standing right behind me. When did he do that? I released my bag and turned around to him.

Facing his turquoise eyes, “What’s the meaning of this?” I asked.

“What do you mean?”

“You said, I will get my own apartment. Is this…your penthouse?”

“I never said that you will your own apartment. I only said I’ve prepared a room for you. And yes, Linda, this is my penthouse. Is there a problem?”

Oh. My. Freaking. God.

I didn’t expect all of this. I would be staying here? With him? Just the two of us? Me and him? Oh, this was so not good at all. I could barely talk to him and now I had to share the same roof with him? What was he thinking? Was he sure to bring a stranger inside his house? “Why?”

“Why, are you scared?” he asked with a smirk attached to his face. To other women, his expression right now might be sexy as hell. It was sexy, but I was so far away from admiring his handsome facial. What the hell he was planning? He took a step toward me. I moved back instantly. “Oh, what’s wrong?” He sounded flat. At least, he was trying to. He sounded intimidating. Looking back at his eyes, I tried to find something. Anything. I hated it Alex hid it so damn well I couldn’t even find out his nasty intention. He said he was helping me but why I had this funny feeling that he changed his mind? “Look at you. You look like a trapped little bird inside a cage. What’s the matter, Linda?”

“I think if you stop with this act, I won’t be as much as scared toward you. You’re scaring me now,” I said while raising my hand, getting ready just in case he wanted to attack me.

Alex chuckled and then he smiled. This time, not a smirk but an actual smile. “Sorry, I’m just joking. Don’t worry, I won’t attack you when you’re sleeping,” he convinced me. It didn’t bother me because right now, he looked so different. How could he change his aura so quickly? Scary man.

I lowered my hands. “How can I be so sure you won’t enter my room?” I teased him back.

“Lock the door?”

“You’re the owner, asshole. I’m guessing you have the spare keys to all of the rooms.” He tilted his lips to the side. Of course, he has them.

“Smart girl. But no, I won’t do it, Linda. But not if you,” he paused and moved his face closer to me. Too close, and he added, “Seduce me,” he whispered…sexily. I could feel the heat on my face crawling. He snorted and laughed at my reaction. Son of a b***h! He walked away from my pathetic state and grabbed my luggage. “Come, I’ll show you your room.” He turned his shoes and walked toward my room. He was heading the stairs. I touched my scalding cheeks, mentally telling myself to calm down and not be affected by this beautiful being. He was so beautiful he was dangerous. A beautiful being could easily deceive everyone, including me. And I didn’t want to be wooed by him. Not to Alexander Browning.

I grabbed my duffel bag and followed him. He was waiting in front of the door. When I was close, he grabbed the knob and opened the door, revealing my room. I was amazed by what he gave me. What caught me first was the queen bed. A long couch just for me. The view was directed straight to the buildings outside. I walked in slowly and looked around. I couldn’t believe I would be having this room only for me. Although I hated the idea of staying with him, as long my room was comfortable enough, I could manage. I touched the lime green bed, wow, this was so comfortable. I turned to him and saw him leaning his shoulder in the doorway like he was waiting for my reaction. “Thanks, Alex. This is…amazing.”

“My pleasure, muffin.” I frowned. He called me…what?

“What did you call me?” I was quite offended by that. Muffin?

He stared at me for a few seconds until he moved forward. His dark eyes never left me. I was pulled toward him but I refused to give in. Although all I wanted to was to go to him and smack his face. Muffin? Seriously? “You don’t like it?” Yes!

But what came out of my mouth, “It’s not like that. I just never had someone to call me that.” Dumbass.

“Is that so? Am I your first? That’s nice to know. I’ve never received any forms of firsts from anyone. Should I know what else is your first?”

“Why do you want to know anyway?” I asked. He did something unexpected when he lifted my chin so we could look at each other again. I could see the lightning just by his touch. A spark when we looked at each other. I was like sinking into his eyes. They were just as pretty as the surface of the ocean I wanted to float myself there. However, I was never aware of it before but his eyes were not as dark as I thought. Maybe because I always met him when there were minimum lights. Because his eyes were actually…brighter than I thought. A hint of yellow around the pupils. I think if he stood right under the bright sky, his eyes would shine brightly.

“Why are you looking at me like that, muffin?” he called me with that ridiculous nickname again. Now that he mentioned it, I just realized I was staring at him.

I detached my chin from his hand. “Nothing.” He broke the moment too by looking away from me. He walked toward the window. His back was on me. Like I said before, I found his stern back incredibly sexy and inviting. I wanted to touch it. To feel how strong his back was. To explore my hands around his skin, especially when he didn’t put his clothes on. Gosh, Linda, what the hell?

“You have the best view here,” he stated. “Sometimes I will come to this room just to see how beautiful the view is.”

“Your room doesn’t have the same view?”

“No. My room is directed to my office. It’s easier to protect the empire my father has built. Twenty-four-seven.” Again, the anger I heard from his tone whether he was aware of it or not. And sadness too. I didn’t want to continue with this conversation. It was too…dark I didn’t want to know. Best if I didn’t. As much as I didn’t like him much, I didn’t want to hurt him. I heard a phone chime coming from him. He pulled it out of his pocket. “Yeah?” he answered as I turned my attention to my luggage. I grabbed it and put it on top of the bed. Time to unpack.

I liked this room a lot. I could decorate it with anything I wanted. Well, not too much because I didn’t know how long I would stay here. But at least I needed to make it homey as my standard so I would be more comfortable here. I just opened the luggage when I saw Jason’s picture. Jeez, it was like him saying hi to me. I smiled but then I looked back, seeing Alex was still standing in the same spot while talking. I turned back to Jason. I was thinking to put his picture on the nightstand but I guessed I had to change my mind. Alex said he wouldn’t enter my room but if he saw this, he would ask me who Jason was. And he had lots of connections. I was sure he knew Jason or probably his dad.

“What?” His shocked voice captured my attention. “Are you sure about that?” he made sure. It sounded bad. Couldn’t he find somewhere else if he wanted to talk about something private and not with me around? Or…was it about my job again? Oh, please, God, no.

I slowly stood up and spun to him. Realizing I was looking at him, he turned to me. He even gulped I could see his Adam’s apple moving like he was nervous. “Um, look, I appreciate what you’ve found. I will tell her about this. Thank you.” He turned off the call.

“What’s wrong?”

He exhaled before he walked to me. “Muffin, I have to tell you something but you need to remain calm, okay?” Oh, God, not again.

“What, am I going to lose my chance again? Even after you’ve promised that you will help me?”

“No, it’s not about your job here. There’s nothing wrong with that.” Okay, phew.

“Then, what is it?”

“It’s, uh, about the role that you lost back in the Netherlands. Actually, I was kind of curious why they did that to you. We all know the owner wants another actress to play the role, right? But actually, someone was behind all of this. Someone forced the owner to change his mind.”

“What? Who is it? Did someone who just called you found out? Who? Who is it?” I kept forcing him. Alex didn’t answer me straight away. He looked away like he was hesitant. Like he didn’t want me to know or maybe the truth would hurt me. But I deserved to know. “Alex, please…”

“I don’t want you to hurt, Linda.”

“Oh, don’t chicken out on me now! Just f*****g tell me!” The truth might hurt but it was best than being spoiled by lies.

The problem was, “They said the people from Greene Corporation did it,” I never expected someone from my brother’s office would steal my job.