The Devil I Loved

Chapter 2 : The Enemy.

Alexandria’s POV

It really was him.

For a few seconds, neither of us said anything. I just stared at him, he looked different, not completely different but enough to remind me that it had been a long time since I last saw him.

His hair was a bit longer than I remembered, and his face had lost some of the softness it used to have, replaced by something harder.

But his eyes remained the same. The eyes I had spent so long trying not to remember.

He was staring at me too, almost like he was studying me before he finally spoke up.

“What are you doing here?”

I didn’t answer immediately, I glanced at the door briefly, weighing my chances if I tried to escape.

He noticed this and stepped forward to ask again.

“I asked what are you doing here?”

I looked back at him.

“I heard you the first time.”

I said, with the coldest voice I could muster. I hated him and I wanted him to know.

“And I do not owe you an explanation, not after you ruined my family.”

My heart began pounding against my chest, and I hated myself for it.

I had imagined myself in this moment countless times in the last few years, and I imagined myself standing in front of him without feeling anything. I imagined being strong enough to look him in the eyes and feel nothing but hatred.

But now that he was actually standing in front of me, all those memories I'd spent years burying came rushing back.

The coffee shop, the way he smiled at me and how he used to look at me, and the way I used to believe he loved me.

I quickly pushed the memories away. That girl was gone.

He stepped forward and looked at the desk, noticing all the files that were out of the cabinets and folders.

He must already know what I'm looking for.

“You broke into a restricted office and refuse to tell me why?”

“I didn’t break in.” I replied sharply.

“You used an expired access card.” He raised an eyebrow. “I could have the security remove you and permanently block that card.”

My face formed a tiny frown before I quickly erased it.

He noticed this tiny change in my expression. Of course he did.

Men like Elijah noticed everything.

“Why do you still feel the need to taunt me after all these years?” I asked, and I could feel my anger rising.

“I’m not taunting you, I know what you came here looking for.”

My heart skipped, but I forced myself to remain expressionless.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I replied, avoiding eye contact.

One side of his mouth lifted slightly.

“You were never good at lying to me.”

My heart dropped. All this time apparently hadn’t changed his ability to tell when I was lying.

“You don’t know anything about me anymore.”

His expression changes slightly.

“Maybe.” He takes another step towards me.

“But I know why you’re here.”

I stare at him. “Enlighten me then.”

“You’re here to find evidence to prove your father’s innocence.”

My entire body stiffens. I hate how easily he can get under my skin.

But he doesn't flinch. “You came into a restricted office looking through confidential documents. What exactly are you expecting to find?”

“The truth.” The words leave my mouth before I can stop it.

“I know my father is innocent, and I know it was your family that set him up, and I am going to prove it.”

His eyes remain on mine.

“And what makes you so sure?”

“Because I know my father.” I take a step towards him. “ And I know he didn’t do what your family accused him of doing.”

Elijah’s jaw tightens, and for the first time since he walked into this room, I noticed something flicker across his face.

But I couldn't tell what it was. Anger? Regret? Guilt? It was gone before I could figure it out.

Silence falls between us before he finally speaks.

“I can give you what you’re looking for, but you’ll need to do something for me first.”

“And what’s that?”

“Be my wife.”

I stare at him for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“What?”

“Why the hell would I want to be your wife?”

“Because I have what you need.” He says before walking to open a safe hidden behind a portrait. He opens it and brings out a thick envelope.

“This envelope contains information connected to your father’s case.”

My breath catches, that envelope could contain all the information I've spent years searching for.

“Give it to me.”

“You can have it, but only if you agree to be my wife.”

My eyes narrow at him.

“Or” He continues, “You can continue investigating yourself, but I'm not sure how far you’ll go as most of the evidence you need is right here.”

He says while waiving the envelope around.

I thought for a moment, Marrying Elijah meant stepping into the family I had spent five years planning to destroy. But, it also meant access.

Access to their family, their business, their secrets, and most importantly the truth.

But a man like Elijah wouldn’t be so stupid to just marry a girl who’s family his family ruined, or marry the daughter of a man believed to be a criminal.

He had his own motives, but I couldn't even think about that.

I looked at the envelope, if it truly contained evidence connected to my fathers case, walking away now would mean losing the only lead I'd had in years.

And if marrying him was what it took to finally uncover the truth and set my father free, then so be it.

I lifted my eyes to his.

“Fine.” I say.

“I’ll be your wife.”