Chapter 6

Alana's POV. I gazed at my phone, the constant appearance and disappearance of the three dots indicating Daniel's pleas for us to meet. I took a deep breath, struggling to push past the painful memories of the man who had caused so much heartache on what should have been one of the happiest days of my life. With an exasperated huff, I tossed my phone onto the bed, watching it come dangerously close to bouncing off the edge. I made my way to the closet and allowed my wedding dress to cascade gracefully to the floor, the expensive silk and delicate lace pooling around my ankles. As I stood before the mirror, all dolled up for my husband on our wedding night, I couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy. Now, it seemed, no one but me would have the chance to appreciate the beauty of this lingerie made of the best lace. I hurried to the showers, seeking solace under the heavy, cascading stream of water. It felt soothing as it washed over me, each droplet carrying away the turmoil that had consumed me. Closing my eyes, I let my hands wander down my body, tracing the curves and contours, almost able to imagine Alec's touch – rough yet possessive. I recalled the sensation of his fingertips brushing over my back when he'd unzipped my wedding dress. My mind played the memory of our kiss repeatedly, the lingering taste of mint on my lips, and I found myself lost in the fantasy of his strong arms pulling me closer to his firm body. A soft sound escaped my lips, a sound that brought me back to reality with a jolt. I withdrew my hands abruptly, shocked by the vivid imagination that had taken hold of me. It was absurd to picture Alec in such an intimate and compromising scenario. I quickly finished my shower, opting for comfort over the fancy attire I had been wearing. Slipping into cotton shorts and a t-shirt, I couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability. It hit me that I would be spending my first night in this unfamiliar house with Alec, essentially a stranger now. The absence of familiar faces around me sent a shiver down my spine as I contemplated the unknown. Descending the stairs, anxiety gnawed at me, and I couldn't help but conjure dark scenarios about Alec's intentions. What if he had sinister plans for me? Had my father truly vetted him thoroughly before orchestrating this marriage? I knew my father had connections and wouldn't jeopardize my safety, but doubt still crept in. Then, amidst my swirling thoughts, I heard the clatter of metal, and my heart leaped to my throat. Fear gripped me as I envisioned the worst—Alec could be preparing to dismember me. But surely, my father wouldn't make me marry Alec without first doing a background check…would he? As I approached the source of the noise, I found Alec in the kitchen, dressed casually in grey sweatpants. My initial fears momentarily took a backseat as I involuntarily admired the transformation he had undergone. Gone was the scrawny Alec I had known years ago, replaced by a muscular and well-defined physique. His chest appeared solid, his abs subtly defined, and his arms—impressive. My gaze must have lingered longer than intended, as I realized I was gawking at him. An annoying smirk played on Alec's lips as he unabashedly indulged in cake. His newfound confidence perplexed me. Where did this self-assuredness come from? “You have incredible taste,” he said. I raised an eyebrow at his unexpected appreciation. Even the choice of cake had been mine, as Daniel had been too preoccupied with his own affairs. Looking back, the signs had been there, but I had chosen to ignore them. “I brought some extra for you too, it’s that box.” Alec pointed to the white box behind me. I grabbed a fork and went over to retrieve it. "Is there any chance you grabbed some food from the wedding too?" I wondered aloud as I unboxed the cake he had procured for us. Amidst the whirlwind of emotions and events of the day, it was nice to finally savor the creamy dessert. While enjoying the cake, I decided to check my phone, purposefully ignoring all the wedding-related notifications, including messages from Daniel. My frown deepened as I stumbled upon yet another news article regarding the ascension of the management consultancy. "What the hell? They bought the whole block near the cinemas," I read aloud, expressing my surprise at their latest acquisition. The area had been on the decline, but now there were rumors of the cinema reopening, which would undoubtedly bring more foot traffic and potentially revive nearby businesses. "Whoever the CEO is, they're one of the smartest individuals alive," I said. Alec stood behind me, peering over my shoulder, as I continued to browse the article. "What's so impressive about them?" he inquired while licking his spoon clean. "Have you seen how many businesses they've turned around into success stories? It's truly remarkable," I admitted, recalling the countless discussions during dinner with my parents about this enigmatic figure. My father seemed to admire them and was undoubtedly eager to uncover their identity. Just as the conversation turned to this mysterious CEO, my phone chimed with a new notification. The message was from none other than Daniel, and it began with a plea, 'Will you meet me, babe? Have you thought about it?' Alec was still hovering behind me, his warm breath tickling my shoulder. I cursed silently. This situation was becoming increasingly complicated. We might not have a true marriage but loyalty would obviously be important in this union. Right now, this wasn’t looking good for me and the trickling feeling of his hot angry huffing air on my shoulders wasn’t flipping the situation.