Dear Alpha, You Stole My Life

Chapter 4

~ Juliet's POV ~

My eyes lingered on the towering building before me, one that almost brushed the clouds like a skyscraper, as I stepped out of the car.

Following a stranger like this was stupid and reckless, but I couldn't even say no—not after he told me the man who helped save my mom wanted to see me.

I saw it as a chance to thank him properly. That was the only reason I followed along. Besides, the man didn’t look dangerous… at least not on the outside.

"Let's go, ma'am... he's waiting for you," he said politely, gesturing for me to follow.

My heart thumped uneasily as he led me into an elevator. Within minutes, the doors slid open to reveal our destination.

A penthouse.

Not just any penthouse... a massive, breathtaking one.

The gray-suited man led me inside, and for a moment, I completely forgot how to breathe. The place screamed luxury. Wealth. Power.

"He'll be here soon." He bowed slightly before walking away.

I stood frozen, my eyes slowly scanning the living room. Everything was white... too white, like it had been carved straight out of heaven. I didn’t even know if I was allowed to sit.

Honestly, I was terrified to. What if I stained the couch? One cushion alone probably cost more than my entire education. I could never repay it... not even with my life.

"Hi, Juliet," his voice came from behind me.

My brows knitted together as I turned sharply. How did he know my name? I was certain we hadn’t introduced ourselves. Then it hit me... he was rich. Finding out everything about me would be effortless.

But… why?

"Good afternoon… sir," I greeted, nearly stammering.

He gave me a small smile with a nod. "How's your mom?"

"She's fine. Her surgery was successful, and she'll wake up soon," I replied.

"That's great," he nodded.

"Thank you so much for your help," I added quickly, giving the best smile I had to offer. He saved my mom's life, I needed to be grateful.

"It's nothing," he replied. "Would you like anything? Drinks? Food?"

I shook my head immediately, waving my hands. "No, thank you, sir. I don’t need anything."

"Cassius," he said.

"Huh?" I blinked.

"Just call me Cassius," he smiled.

I secretly arched my eyebrows, wondering why he was acting so nice to me. Despite how sinfully handsome he was, he didn’t look like a man who understood the meaning of nice.

"Why..." I cleared my throat, steadying my voice. "Why did you want to see me, sir?"

"I just said you can call me Cassius. I don't think the name is so hard to pronounce, or is it?" he asked, his ocean-blue eyes on me, as he tucked his hands into his pants pockets.

The three buttons of his chiffon shirt were open, and my eyes betrayed me by sneaking a peek at his bare chest. I pushed my gaze away immediately.

"Cassius," I said, with a smile.

His eyes lingered on me before his lips curved into a faint smile. He sat on the couch and gestured for me to sit across from him.

I perched carefully on the very edge, barely touching the cushion. I didn’t want to dirty it. I didn’t have the money to pay for any damage.

My fingers twisted together in my lap as I waited for him to speak. Instead, he kept staring at me, like I was some rare artwork he couldn’t look away from.

"You're in your second year as a criminology student?" he finally asked.

"Yes, I... am," I replied.

"Why criminology? You love catching criminals" he teased.

I chuckled softly and said. "Not really... I've a reason why I took up crimology."

"Mind telling me about it?" he said, eagarly.

"It's a secret" I muttered, smiling faintly.

"It's fine, if you don't want to tell me about it. I'm sure one of this days, I would know about it." he said with a smile.

One of these? Was he planning to be friends with me? Well... he's a good man who helped saved my mom's life. Being friends with him won't be a bad idea.

"You must be curious to know why I sent it to you, right?" he asked his blue eyes on me.

I nodded quickly. My curiosity has been eating at me since I got here. Maybe he needed help with something. I wouldn’t mind helping him. He saved my mom’s life.

There was a swift silence between us. His eyes remained on my face, as if he was bracing himself to say the words.

"Marry me," he finally said.

I blinked. Once. Twice. A thousand times.

"What did you just say?" I asked, needing to hear it again to be sure I hadn’t imagined it.

"Marry me, Juliet," he repeated calmly.

I began to laugh. My laughter echoing loudly. "Your joke is so funny, Mr. Cassius. Are you a comedian?" I asked between laughs.

"I'm not joking.... I'm dead serious about marrying you" he said.

My laughter died instantly. I took my time studying him, searching his face for even the smallest hint of humor.

There was none. If anything, he looked even more serious than before. Like a man who didn’t even know how to make a joke.

But why would he want to marry me when I knew absolutely nothing about him?

Did he escape from a psychiatric hospital?

Still… I forced a polite smile, even though he was slowly getting on my nerves. I owed him. I owed him so much for paying for my mom’s surgery.

"With all due respect, Mr. Cassius, I think I should take my leave." I said, pushing myself to my feet, eager to create distance between us.

I turned to leave, but he quickly grabbed my hand.

"Where are you going? You haven't answered my question." he said.

I managed to smile all for the kindness he rendered to me. "Your request doesn't derseve an answer."

"Why not?" he demanded.

"Because it’s insane to ask someone you just met to marry you," I said, trying desperately to stay polite. "I’m grateful you saved my mom’s life, but marrying you is way out of line. I can’t marry you."

I tried to pull my hand free, but he refused to let go. And then, without warning, he shoved me against the wall and crashed his lips into mine.

My mind went blank. He was kissing me for the second time, without my permission.

I pushed him away hard, my eyes flying open as panic and anger flooded through me. "Mr. Cassius!" My hand flew to my lips, my heart slamming violently against my ribs.

He dragged a hand through his hair and sighed like he was the one frustrated. "Let’s get married, Juliet," he said.

"Didn't you hear me when I said I won’t marry you?!” I snapped, my voice trembling as I struggled to keep my temper under control.

"I won't take no for an answer, Julie. You’re my mate. Marrying you is the logical thing to do." he said, calmly.

I let out a harsh scoff. "Mate? We’re mates? You’re clearly older than me!"

"I'm not talking about that kind of mate," he said.

"Then what the hell are you talking about?" I yelled, finally losing my composure.

I had tried to stay calm because he helped me… but right now, he felt like a psychopath wrapped in expensive tailored suits.

"Listen, Juliet," he stepped closer.

I immediately moved back, my pulse spiking, afraid he might try to kiss me again.

"I know how you've been living with your mom from hand to mouth. I can change that. I can give you the life you never had. Marry me, and you and your mom won't need to worry about where the next meal will come from." he muttered.

I stared at him in disbelief. How could he just wake up one morning and conclude he wants to marry me?

"Are you doing this because you helped pay for my mom's hospital bill? Don't worry, Mr. Cassius, I'm going to pay you back every dime I owe you," I said furiously.

"I'm not asking you to pay back. Just marry me... that's it," he said.

Anger surged through me. Bobby was right. No help ever came without strings attached. I really thought he was a good man, but I was wrong about him, and right now, I hated myself believing he's a good man despite the dangerous aura circling around him.

"I'm not going to marry you, Mr. Cassius. And for the money? Give me until next month, I'll find a way to pay you back." I turned to leave, but he quickly grabbed me by the arm again.

"Are you going to sell your body for the money? Is that what you plan to do?" he demanded, anger lacing his voice.

"Let go of me," I said, struggling against his grip.

When I realized I couldn’t break free, I faked a pained wince.

He released me immediately.

The anger in his eyes shifted… softened… turning into something close to worry.

"Are you alright?" he whispered.

I didn't answer, rather, I ran.

The moment the elevator doors closed behind me, my legs felt weak. When I finally stepped outside, cold air hit my face, and I let out a trembling breath of relief.

Thankfully, he wasn't trying to follow me.

He was handsome. Dashing. Powerful, but he was mentally unstable. A man in his right mind would never ask a stranger to marry him.

As I tried to steady my breathing, my phone rang. It was the doctor calling.

I picked up immediately. "Hello, doctor?"

"Your mom wishes to see you," he said quickly.

A smile spread across my face instantly.