CHAPTER 17
920 Words
“You seem deep in thought,” I whispered, running my hands gently over Alexander’s shirt as we stood on the balcony looking at the city. The mood seems different.
He breathed out, his arms lightly surrounding my waist. "Perhaps I am," he allowed, his tone softer than normal. "Contemplating all things." The marriage rite. We. And—" He stopped briefly, his hold becoming a touch stronger.
"And the company," I finished for him.
His quietness confirmed it.
I raised my head to look into him filled with a fun sparkle, which was overwhelmed by a weightier emotion. Concern.
"Is there any problem?" I asked.
Alexander paused. That was all the promise I needed.
"It’s not important," he finally answered, but it wasn't true. I noticed it in how his jaw stiffened, in how his shoulders tensed.
I took a small step back, just enough to face him completely. "Please refrain from doing that," I mumbled. "Don’t exclude me."
For a long moment, he stayed quiet. Then, let out a sigh.
"There’s been a bit of… activity," he revealed. "Competitors who view our marriage as a diversion." They are taking this chance to attack. "To question all that I’ve created."
A shiver passed over me. "Which person?"
"I am not sure yet." "That's what unsettles me," he whispered. "They're operating in secrecy, extending proposals to board members, seeking to generate instability." It’s nuanced. "Yet I can sense it."
I breathed deeply. "We will come up with a solution," I told him. "You are not by yourself in this, Alexander."
His lips curled into a slight grin. "I am aware." "That is the sole reason why I am still here."
I grabbed his hand tightly. "Allow me to assist you in carrying this." Even if it's merely hearing. Even if it’s merely a warning that regardless of what happens out there, in here"—I pointed between us—"we are together."
His gaze was gentle, and for the first moment that night, a bit of the pressure lifted from his shoulders. "You consistently know the right things to say."
"Certainly," I answered, raising my head. "I am very intelligent."
He laughed softly, the tone deep and welcoming, and for an instant, the load of his worries appeared to ease.
I wanted to retain that feeling. To refresh his mind about what was important.
Thus, I concluded.
"Join me," I said, pulling in his hand.
"Where is it?"
"You will notice."
We left the deck and headed down the stairs. Rather than going to the main door, I led him through a peaceful hallway and into an isolated garden located within Alexander's property. The evening air was heavy with the scent of roses and moist soil, while the lanterns emitted a gentle golden light over the curved stone path.
Alexander released a quiet laugh. "Did you organize this?"
I lifted my shoulders. "I might have offered some employees incentives to ensure the venue was prepared for a surprise event."
His hand held mine as we walked down the path. "And what is the reason for this?"
“No reason,” I answered, stopping in front of a tiny pond. "Only we." No trading. No relations. Simply... this.
He glanced at me, studying my face. "You consider everything, don't you?"
"Alright," I replied, grinning. "You tend to overanalyze and create stress for yourself." "Someone needs to ensure you take a breath now and then."
he laughed
"I can't express how much you matter to me," he whispered. "Before you, it was all about proving my worth." Concerning being the child my father envisioned. "Regarding ensuring that no one doubted my position in the world."
I stayed quiet, letting him talk.
"Yet with you… it’s not the same." When I look at you, I don’t consider what I need to demonstrate. "I reflect on what I stand to lose."
His words struck hard, lodging in my heart like a weight.
"Alex…"
He looked at my face, his thumb sliding over my cheek. "You transformed everything for me." You showed me that life consists of more than just power and control. "That I'm not required to struggle by myself."
Feelings choked my throat. I lifted my arms, putting my hands above his.
"And you," I whispered, "showed me that love goes beyond just fairy tales." “It’s about uniting when everything attempts to divide us.”
A faint smile floated on his lips. "What comes after that?" "A corporate rivalry, a familial conflict, or a controversial romance?"
I chuckled, nodding my head. "Given our luck?" "Most likely all three simultaneously."
As we enjoyed a calm moment, my phone vibrated.
I paused, looking at the display. My heart missed a beat.
My dad.
Alexander saw my answer instantly. "What is that?"
"I’m not sure," I admitted, replying to the call. "Father?"
His voice sounded tired. "Isabella, there is an information I want to share with you." Someone reached me. "They presented a proposal."
My stomach tightened. "Is there an offer?"
"To assist Alexander." "Or to eliminate him."
The colour fled from my face.
Alexander moved nearer, his hand put on my back. "Who was it?" he questioned, his tone quiet and keen.
My dad paused. "I'm not sure." They practised care. "However, they asked me to relay the message."
A cold fear took home in my chest.
Whoever this person was… they were not merely looking for Alexander’s company.
They were approaching him.
On our part.
And we had no clue who they were.
- Writer
