The Alpha's Surrogate

Chapter 7

Vanessa's POV

“Was it my fault? The devil grabbed me into his laps and I wrapped my legs around him. Maybe it was truly my fault!” I wondered. I felt thoroughly hurt but at the same time, I felt anger. I had tried to resist him but he was irresistible. He made the first move too, how dare he blame me for it!

He could never sleep with me even if he was drunk, huh. What a hypocrite!

It was with anger and sadness that I did my morning chores that morning. For the first time, Ivan skipped breakfast. I guess the whole issue was taking a toll on both of us. I was pleased at that for at least, he was taking it seriously too.

I was so bored when I finished the house chores so I decided to do whatever I wanted to kill boredom. Ivan didn't really think I could be bored cause if he did, he could at least provide a game set. I looked around and there was nothing. No board games, no puzzles, the whole house was completely devoid of games. Curiously, I sauntered into his study, hoping I would find something exciting.

I had entered his study before, of course, but it had only been to clean up. This time around, I was there to look around. I didn't notice this earlier but now that I looked intently, Ivan had a lot of old books. He had scrolls which seemed to have existed for a thousand years. I saw a few scrolls like that at the Bloodstone Silver Institute, where I grew up. Out of curiosity, I touched one of them. A current surged through me and I got away from the scroll instantly. It was as if it was filled with live electricity.

I ran out of the study out of fear, panting like I had just been chased by wild dogs. I didn't have to be told before I sat still, doing nothing. Boredom was better than death.

**

I had a lot of questions though. Did Ivan really fill those scrolls with electricity? What if it wasn't electricity?

I shook off that thought immediately. Ivan was a human, there was no way he would possess magical powers to seal the scrolls.

I heard footsteps incoming. It was six pm, and Ivan was on his way home. I was still angry at him but I had no other choice but to wait by the door and welcome him inside. As the door opened, I bowed curtly.

“Welcome home, master,” I bowed.

“Master?” Ivan muttered. “One would think you were my slave.”

I wanted to ask him if I wasn't his slave but of course, I kept my mouth shut. I wasn't in a position to argue with him.

“Master is a curt word, master. I believe addressing you by that word would help foster the formality between us,” I said firmly, faking a smile.

“Maybe it will,” Ivan replied naturally. He came near me now and I felt frightened once more. He touched my shoulder and it felt like mild electricity ripples once more.

“You shouldn't touch me, master,” I muttered. I wouldn't have another incident between us.

“Right, that isn't in our contract,” Ivan told me calmly. He brought out a box of chocolates from his bag and extended it towards me. I was stunned to see this. I looked into his eyes and he seemed sincere.

“What is this?” I asked even before accepting it.

“You could say it is an apology,” Ivan replied nervously. I had never seen him like that before. “I overreacted this morning. You must have been annoyed.”

“Erm… well…” I couldn't help but mutter. This apology came out of nowhere and I was flustered, no doubt. I never knew Ivan had this side to him. I sniffed his body now, checking for alcohol.

“I'm not drunk!” Ivan told him, a smirk on his face. He took my hand and placed the box of chocolates in it. “You forgive me, right?”

I nodded, “Yes, I do.”

“Great!” Ivan began to walk away. “I believe my dinner is ready?”

“It is right in the dining room, Ivan,” I muttered. Since he apologized, I believe he wanted us to carry on. He must have realized that I was important to his well-being after all.

Ivan turned back skeptically, “Did you just call me by my name?”

I stepped forward confidently, “Yes, I did.”

I was searching his eyes, looking for an opening again. Last night was magical with him and I believed now would be too. I have heard that reconciliatory s*x was the best. I loved it as Ivan grabbed me yesterday and I hoped he would do it again.

Right here, right now.

Ivan could literally see through me, “It seems you have misunderstood my gesture.”

“What?” I asked him immediately.

“This box of chocolates…” Ivan muttered.

“I know what chocolates mean!” I interrupted. I might have spent little time in human territory but I knew chocolates were used as a confession of love. Humans celebrated Valentine's day and on that day, lovers gifted chocolate to each other. I read all about it on the second day I arrived.

“What does it mean?” Ivan asked, arms akimbo.

“It means…” I muttered. I touched Ivan's arms slowly and they dropped down. “It means, I love you.”

“But I don't love you!” Ivan exclaimed. My jaw dropped on hearing this. I took a step backwards, embarrassed. I had just succeeded in putting myself in bigger trouble.

“I… erm… I…” I stammered, flustered by what just happened.

“I still believe what happened last night was an unfortunate incident. It should never have happened but it did because we were both drunk and foolish. It was a mutual thing and the chocolates are an apology that I tried to blame you alone for what both of us did!” Ivan told me carefully. I took in every word calmly, not expressing my chaotic emotions right now.

“I must have misunderstood,” I muttered.

“Do you love me?” Ivan asked calmly.

“I… that's personal,” I muttered weakly.

“I guess you do,” Ivan replied confidently. He had a smile on his face. “It is normal to fall in love with a man like me. I am good looking and manly. I am rich and kind-hearted. I am simply perfect.”

Kind-hearted? Ivan has got to be kidding me.

“But even if you like me…” Ivan continued. “I will be pleased if you don't let it get entangled with our current relationship. I don't need a lover, I need a maid.”

“Yes, you need a maid!” I nodded. I don't know why I was feeling like I had just been taken advantage of.

“And yes…” Ivan said. “I love it when you call me master. We should keep that!”

“Yes, master,” I bowed curtly as Ivan walked down to the dining room for his dinner.

**

I heard the ringing of the bell at the gate. That was very strange as it was already an hour after Ivan's bedtime. No one visited in the afternoon, not even Ivan's closest assistants. I was terrified so I ran down to Ivan's room to inform him. By the time I stormed inside, he had already woken up. He must have heard the doorbell too.

“I warned you not to storm into a man's room without warning. You never listen, do you?” Ivan told me.

“I am sorry but at the gate, there is…” I tried to say.

“I know already!” Ivan interrupted. “I want you to stay in your room and do not open the door no matter what. I will check who is at the gate.”

“Shouldn't we call the police?” I asked quickly.

Ivan smiled, “I am here. We won't need the police.”

Ivan walked out of his room now and I followed. It crossed my mind to call the police anyway. Ivan was used to overestimating himself. What if he couldn't handle the threat? As Ivan advanced outside, I retreated into my room, my heart pounding hard. I listened hard, picking up every sound with my sensitive ears. I could hear Ivan letting someone in now. As they entered the main house, I could discern that it sounded friendly. I opened my door and stepped out.

Ivan was with another man who looked quite hideous. Ivan covered the man with his body as he didn't want me to see much.

“He is my guest!” Ivan told me.

“I will prepare…” I was saying before I was cut short by Ivan.

“Go to bed! I don't want to see you around!” Ivan barked at me. I turned swiftly, retreating inside