Chapter 5: New World
1802 Words
This woman is mine." Alexandier said, his deep voice leaving no room for argument. "The next time you reach for her, you'll regret it."
Julian frowned. "You... you twisted psycho," he whispered. He looked at the envelope of cash in his hands as if it might explode. "You, you leaked that video on purpose because you knew I'd find out and come looking for her. You're trying to lure me here so you can use this against me and take my shares! Is that it?"
Alexandier didn't say a word, he just looked at him.
Julian completely lost his nerve. Too embarrassed to stay any longer, he rushed into his Maybach, slammed the door, and sped away. The car disappeared down the street, leaving the smell of burnt rubber behind.
Ciara stepped out from behind Alexandier and watched the Maybach disappear around the corner.
She let out a low whistle.
"Wow," Ciara said, the corner of her lips lifting into a smile. "So now I'm your woman?"
Alexandier lifted a brow, "You know what I mean?"
She nodded with a playful chuckle then said, "you didn't even answer his questions, and somehow you made him think he's playing a game of three-dimensional chess against a ghost. Are you always this terrifying, Mr. Sterling? or did I just get the VIP performance?"
Alexandier slowly turned to face her. The look he had given Julian was gone. His usual calm expression returned.
He looked at her tired face and the stubborn way she stood.
"Paranoid men always dig their own graves, Ciara," Alexandier said coldly. "All I did was hand him the shovel."
A small frown suddenly appeared on his face. "And do you always enjoy getting yourself into trouble?"
Ciara scoffed. Did he really just ask her that?
Her life had been peaceful before he showed up... well, maybe not peaceful, but it had definitely been quieter. Then he came with his billionaire problems and ridiculous contract, and now billionaires were waiting outside her apartment.
She took a deep breath. Devil, not today. I'm not going to give in to punching this billionaire in the face. Not today.
Alexandier reached out and gently held her chin again, making her look up at him. The moment he touched her, her heart skipped a beat, but she refused to pull away.
"Now," Alexandier said, his voice low. "Like my cousin said, the audit is coming soon, which means we have less time. We don't have time to think anymore. Either you're in or you're out."
"Marcus."
Marcus stepped forward and handed him a silver briefcase.
Inside were the official marriage papers and a certified check for ten million dollars.
Ciara looked at the briefcase. "And the check?"
Alexandier looked at her. "You're blunt. I like that. The check is in the briefcase."
She stared at it for a long moment. Inside the briefcase was her father's life, wrapped in a piece of paper.
She looked back at the billionaire standing in front of her, then she grabbed the heavy gold pen from Marcus.
"I hope your penthouse has a huge kitchen, Mr. Sterling," Ciara whispered, a defiant smile returning to her face as she prepared to sign her freedom away. "Because with an attitude like yours, you're going to be eating a lot of humble pie for the next 365 days."
- - - -
Now seated on the old sofa, Ciara took a long look around her room, then over to the copy of the 365-day contract paper and the check resting on the table.
Everything here reminded her of her father and the memories they had shared together. After the death of her mother, she and her father had moved into this old house.
Life had not been kind to them ever since he fell ill, and all hope of him getting better had been thrown to the dump since he fell into a vegetative state. But now, she finally had a chance—a chance to turn everything around. She could take care of their hospital bills, pay her rent, and use the massive corporate connections of Mr. Sterling to become one of the greatest fashion designers to ever live. All she needed was a name that could pave the way, and now she had that. So... it was a win-win.
The front door swung open to a lady panting heavily. Ciara looked up and saw her best friend, Maila, pulling a thick scarf off her neck.
Ciara got up instantly. "Jeez, Maila, where have you been?"
Maila raised her hands in defense. "I know, I know, and I'm sorry. I saw your text this morning. You said you had something important to discuss?"
Ciara nodded, her heart still beating fast from Alexandier's recent departure. "Where were you?"
"I went to get laid," Maila replied with a shameless smirk.
Ciara rolled her eyes and fell back onto the couch with an exasperated sigh.
"Here." Maila stretched forth a fat, white envelope toward Ciara.
Ciara stared at the thick package and lifted her right brow. "What for?" she asked when Maila gave no further explanation.
"For your rent. So Mrs. Freckles won't have to chase you out as promised."
Ciara gave her a suspicious, knowing stare, causing Maila to huff and laugh at the same time.
"What?! Did you think I went out for a one-night stand just to get you the money?"
Ciara laughed, the heavy tension in her chest lifting for a fraction of a second. "I guess not."
"Girl, I finally got paid, and I know you need the money more than I do," Maila said, her tone softening with genuine affection. "That aside, you know I love you, but I'm not doing s**t like selling my p***y for you."
The two women burst into a sudden round of laughter.
"f**k you, sweetie," Ciara chuckled.
"What part? The ass or the..." Maila wiggled her brows and gave a dramatic wink.
Ciara threw a couch pillow directly at her head, and the both of them burst into another round of giggles.
"Thank you, Maila." Ciara pulled her into a tight, fierce hug. "But I doubt I'd be needing that money anytime soon."
Maila pulled back from the hug, her eyebrows furrowing into a deep frown. "Why not?"
With a loud, heavy sigh, Ciara just blurted it out. "Because apparently... I'm married."
She stared at her best friend, waiting for the exact kind of dramatic reaction that Maila never failed to disappoint.
Maila froze. She slowly released her hands and held her breath, making her face turn completely red. Then, a resounding, booming laughter tore out of her, echoing around the small apartment as she held onto her aching belly. "Since when did you become this funny?" She wiped away a literal tear of amusement from her eye.
But when she saw the completely deadpan, serious look on Ciara's face, the laughter instantly subsided. "Wait a minute. You're not joking. Are you?"
Ciara shook her head.
A loud, horrified gasp tore out of Maila. "Holy cow. How the f**k did this happen? I left you for just a few hours and you're married?!" She jerked upward, her protective instincts flaring.
"Sheee," Ciara hushed quickly, waving her hands. "Lower your voice."
"Tell me, who's the motherfucker who forced you into marrying him?" Maila hissed, pacing the floor. "Tell me now, because the last time I checked, we both agreed to be single forever!"
Ciara chuckled softly. Oh, how she loved her drama queen. "Nobody forced me. I did it willingly. It's a contract marriage, Maila. With Alexandier Sterling. He needs a wife for 365 days to secure something vital for his inheritance, and I need him to save my dad's life and pay off our outstanding medical debt."
Maila’s chaotic energy evaporated. She let out a heavy, solemn sigh. Sitting back down close to Ciara, she reached out and held her hands, giving them a soft, comforting squeeze.
"I get you," Maila whispered, her eyes shining with sudden emotion. "I would have done the exact same thing if I were in your shoes."
Ciara stared at her, surprised by the sudden warmth. "So... you're not going to yell at me or call me crazy?"
Maila let out a sharp tsk sound, her tongue meeting her teeth. "Nah. I totally understand. But are you sure it's safe? I hear the guy is a ruthless billionaire, Ciara. He handles people like corporate assets."
Ciara nodded confidently. "It is safe. Trust me, it is. The best part is that because of this, my father's experimental surgery will be starting soon. So honestly, I don't care much about anything else. I can survive a year with a brooding machine if it keeps my dad breathing."
Maila reached up and gently wiped off a stray tear that was rolling down Ciara's cheek.
Ciara let out a dry, breathy chuckle, blinking in surprise. "I didn't even notice that I was crying."
"I'm here for you, girl," Maila said fiercely, wrapping her arms completely around her. "Whenever you need me. And always remember I love you."
"Thanks, baby. I love you so much."
- - - -
Later that day, the reality of her choice arrived in the form of polished metal. A sleek black luxury car stopped in front of her old building, its tinted windows hiding the inside, ready to take Ciara away to her new life in Alexandier's world.
As soon as they arrived, Ciara got out of the car and her mouth dropped open in shock.
The Sterling Grande penthouse was a beautiful but scary building made of black stone and giant glass windows. It had a cold, heavy silence inside. It did not look like a home at all. It looked like a powerful company fortress.
When the massive front doors opened, Ciara was surprised to see two neat rows of young maids standing perfectly straight. They were lined up to welcome her. They all bowed their heads respectfully as she walked inside, though they secretly wondered who this mysterious, ordinary girl was.
At the very front of the line stood Mrs. Gable, the head housekeeper. The older woman wore a frown, which she failed not to show. She absolutely hated the idea of a poor outsider moving into this luxurious penthouse. But Alexandier had given her strict orders to prepare for a guest, and she had to follow his rules if she wanted to keep her job. Still, she planned to make life miserable for this girl.
Ciara stood in the middle of the huge living room. Her single, old faux-leather suitcase looked completely out of place against the expensive Italian rugs.
"Put that down on the floor tiles, girl! Don't ruin the expensive silk carpet," a sharp, condescending voice barked from the hallway.
- Writer
