chapter4(alliance withoutconsent)
1557 Words
Alexander’s POV
The house was modest but warm. There were cracks in the walls, mismatched furniture, laughter echoing faintly from outside.
None of it suited her.
Raichal deserved more. Silk sheets. Gold rings. A life of power and security under his name. And soon, that would be hers—because he was ready to pay whatever price it took.
Her parents welcomed him with both surprise and delight.
Alexander stepped in with the elegance of someone who knew the weight of his presence. His shoes clicked softly against the floor tiles, his fingers brushing the edge of the armrest as he settled into the living room chair like it was a throne.
“Mr. Alexander!” her father exclaimed. “You honored us with this visit!”
Alexander offered a rare, charming smile and stepped inside like he already belonged there.
His gaze flicked briefly to on a photo frame on the wall—a younger Raichal at a school event, beaming in a dance costume. His mouth twitched slightly.—then to the family portraits on the wall—before landing politely on her father.
Alexander leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees, and offered her father a folded document—one of the many his cousin had prepared. Business support, he’d said. A potential partnership. Investment. A lifeline.
“I came to offer help, not just because I believe in your business,” he said, locking eyes with the older man. “But because I believe in the people behind it. The kind of people who raise daughters like yours.”
Her father opened the paper, eyes skimming the page with confusion. “This is… very generous.”
“I don’t give charity,” Alexander replied evenly. “I make investments. And I never invest in something I don’t plan to keep long-term.”
The couple exchanged a glance. Her father’s eyes shimmered with unshed gratitude. Her mother clasped her hands in disbelief.
“You want to… help us?”
“Yes,” Alexander said, voice velvet. “Clear the debt. Invest in your business. Your son’s education. Everything.”
Her father beamed. “We would be grateful for any support. I… I didn’t expect this kind of offer.”
“You’ll find,” Alexander said as he slowly stood, adjusting his cufflinks, “I always give more than I take. At first.”
Her father blinked, stunned. “But—what do you want in return?”
Alexander leaned forward slowly, resting his elbows on his knees, his tone calm but deadly clear:
“Raichal.”
The name fell from his lips like a vow.
“I want her as my wife.”
The silence was thick enough to taste.
Her mother gasped quietly, exchanging looks with her husband.
Her father stammered, stunned. “You… want to marry her?”
Alexander smiled, wolf-like. “No. I will marry her.”
Her mother looked nervous. “This is all so sudden…”
Inside the House
Alexander’s mouth curled as her mother whispered, “She’s in the backyard. Playing with the dog.”
He rose, uninvited. Walked to the window.
And there she was.
Long legs stretched out, skin glowing, shirt sliding up as she reached for her phone, revealing just a tease of her waist. She flipped onto her stomach, her legs bending upward behind her, bare feet kicking lazily.
Alexander’s throat tightened.
Not in lust.
In claim.
That body. That smile. That softness. And it wasn’t his yet.
He turned back calmly. “Call her inside.”
Raichal’s POV
She was in the backyard, lying on the grass with Simba curled beside her, tongue lolling out lazily. Her loose crop top rode up slightly, her black cotton shorts clinging to her thighs as she stretched and scrolled through her phone, lost in texts from Johnathan.
She smiled as his message popped up:
“Still thinking about that hug. Meet me tonight?”
Her stomach fluttered.
“Raichal!” her mother called out.
She sat up, dusting grass from her skin.
“Coming!”
Inside the House
Her mother was smiling a little too brightly. Her father stood a bit taller, straighter, like pride was swelling in his chest.
“You should go freshen up, dear,” her mom said. “Put on something… nicer.”
Raichal frowned. “Why?”
“Just do it,” her father added. “We’ve got guests.”
With a confused sigh, she padded back inside and went to her room.
She changed into a light pink kurti and leggings—but then paused in the mirror. Something didn’t feel right. Her heart thudded with an unknown warning.
.
.
Ten minutes later, she walked downstairs in a pale pink kurti and leggings, hair hastily tied up. Still confused. Still not knowing why her parents were smiling so strangely.
Alexander.
He stood in her living room like a king surveying his kingdom.
Her breath hitched. “What’s… going on?”
And then… they told her.
“He’s here to see you,” her father said, beaming. “Raichal. Mr. Alexander here… he’s made us a generous offer. For the business. For the family.”
Her stomach twisted.
Her mother added, “He… wants to marry you.”
Raichal went cold.
“What?” she said, her voice hollow.
“Raichal,” her father stepped in, “this is a blessing. He’s rich, respectable, he’s offered to help us—and he wants you.”
He wants you.
Like she was a thing. A debt to be paid.
Alexander rose from the sofa, slow,deliberate.
“Just talk to him. Get to know him,” Xavier said, almost pleading.
Raichal looked at the man—no, the storm—seated before her.
And then the world betrayed her again.
“We’ll leave you two alone,” her mother said with an awkward smile.
Raichal’s throat went dry.
Alone with him.
Alexander stood tall. Calm. Powerful.
Her voice barely came out. Raichal crossed her arms. “What is this?”
Alexander stood slowly. He didn’t move toward her. Not yet.
“I told you we’d meet again.”
She glared. “You came to see my parents? You think you can just buy a wife?”
“I don’t buy,” he said coolly. “I take what’s mine.”
She stepped back instinctively. “I don’t even know you.”
“You will.”
“I’m not interested.”
“I am.”
The intensity in his eyes made her skin burn. She didn’t like how he looked at her—like she was something meant to be unwrapped.
He took a step forward, eyes glinting. “Because I saw you. And that was all it took.”
She crossed her arms, trying to look bold—despite the panic creeping into her veins. “We have time. But not much. We’re getting married next Monday.”
Her jaw dropped. “What?!”
“I’m in love with someone else,” she blurted, reaching for her phone. “And he loves me.”
“Johnathan,” he said softly, darkly.
Her eyes widened.
“How do you—?”
He took a slow step forward. “I know everything about you, Raichal.”
Before she could process the heat in his gaze—or the steel in his voice—her phone buzzed.
Johnathan.
Her eyes widened. She turned away quickly, but it was too late.
Alexander had seen the name flash.
He was calling.
She pressed it to her ear.
“Hey—”
Alexander plucked it from her hand, ended the call, and slid the phone into his pocket.
“Don’t!” she cried.
His eyes narrowed, voice sharp. “You think a boy with soft hands and love letters can protect you?”
“I’m in love with him,” she blurted, voice breaking. “I don’t want you. I don’t even like you.”
She was trembling now. “I won’t marry you.”
He leaned in, voice low and slow.
“I don’t want your permission. I want your presence. And you’ll give it.”
Her eyes filled. “Why are you doing this?”
Silence.
Then a low chuckle.
Alexander walked toward her, each step slow, deliberate, until he was just inches from her.
“You think love will save you?”
He leaned in, his breath brushing her ear.
“I don’t want your love, Raichal. I want you. And I always get what I want.”
His gaze dropped. To her lips. Her neck. Her curves beneath the tight peach fabric.
He let his eyes roam, slow, deliberate, and she hated how her skin prickled beneath his gaze.
“You’re insane,” she whispered.
His voice was like velvet and smoke.
“No, darling. I’m just a man who refuses to lose.”
“I’ve had everything,” he said. “But I’ve never wanted something like you. You walk like sin, Raichal. You laugh like temptation. And that little t-shirt and shorts you wore outside…?”
His lips brushed dangerously close to her ear.
“I wanted to rip them off right there.”
She froze, her pulse pounding.
“You’re insane,” she whispered, voice breaking.
Alexander didn’t blink.
“You belong to me. Monday.you will be my bride.”
- Writer
