Under His Dominion

CHAPTER TWO

Anna’s pov

“I need a fiancee”

My ears were definitely playing tricks on me. “Huh… Excuse me!”

“Think of it as a business arrangement….” He said like it was normal, “I have a complicated situation with an ex-fiancé of mine who has refused to accept that the relationship is over. If I’m engaged, I think she would be able to back off and respect boundaries.”

I blinked, trying to process the words this man sat on his throne to say to me, “You want me….to pretend to be your fiancée?”

“Yes”

“Why me…” I show back

“Let’s say….you are…unremarkable!”

The bluntness of his words stung like a bee's stinger, but I kept myself from snapping at him.

“You will receive financial compensation for all your troubles.” He paused, trying to let that sink in. It would be enough to pay for your brother’s medical bills, and you still have lots more. In return, you would be playing the role of my fiancée, going to events, doing press conferences, magazine covers and all of that, and you just have to keep your mouth shut about the arrangement. The contract will last for just six months.

“And then? What’s next?”

“You disappear….from my life” he said, without any hint of remorse.

I took a deep breath, a little bit hesitant. This was crazy, but when I thought about Jake's medical expenses, and his almost lifeless body lying down on the sick bed praying for a miracle, it pushed me to do something I knew I was going to regret.

“What would happen if I said….no” I asked.

Alexander’s gaze widened, “That would be a very wrong choice.”

The weight of the word hanging in the air, as tension began to build up.

I took a few deep breaths, knowing I was going to regret my decision, “I will do it!”

For a while, I saw something flickering in his eyes, satisfaction, but as quickly as it came it disappeared, leaving behind a brown hole of nothing.

“Great…” he opened up his desk draws as he took a document and a pen, dropping it in front of me. “Sign here.”

I looked at the document for a while, before I picked up the pen, my hand shaking from the nervous break-down I was about to have. Just when I was about to sign it, the door to the office flew open and a woman stormed in.

“Alexander….,” her sharp features say, “what is going on here?”

I turned to see a very beautiful goddess glaring at me, her eyes spitting out poisonous venoms.

Trina Snow!

Was Trina his ex? This is the most popular person on the entire planet, and am I supposed to compete with that? She had lots of followers and was a huge star, and I was just a poor girl trying to pay her brother's hospital bills.

“Alex….” her voice turned sweet, “What is going on, and what is this thing doing here?” she side eyed me.

Ouch! I never knew the famous queen was a b***h.

“What do you want Trina?” Alexander asked, his voice colder than usual.

“I just came to visit and your assistant told me you were talking to your ‘fiancée’, which made me mad, and I had to come see for myself, but getting here I did not see anyone, but a poor, wretched girl.” Trina gave a mocking smile. My heart broke at the words used to describe me.

Alexander, ignoring the words that were spilled, turned to me, “Take the document home….. I will give you a call.”

I nodded and picked up the document, and I had a crazy idea pop up in my head. I gave a huge flirting smile, as I stood up and walked seductively to him. Alex's eyes looked at me with confusion as I bent down and pecked him on his cheeks.

“I will see you tonight, babe!” I said and picked up the document as I turned to leave, but not without glancing at Trina’s face. She was boiling red. I gave her a mocking smile before I exited the office.

*********

“Wait what!” Jack screamed and he began to cough hard.

“Hey…… take it easy!” I handed him some cup of water. He took it and drank from it.

“It has to be done, a lot is happening. Your medical bills have to be paid. "We need to pay rent and eat, but I can't keep up with it from just double shift at the diner.”

Jack's face went down,“ I know you have been trying to keep up with the bills, and I am happy that I have you as a sister, but I’m just trying to actually look out for you.”

“No need…. I can take care of myself, okay?”

Jack stared at me for a while before nodding his head, “Sure. But if you ever need anything, I am here for you.”

I hugged him and he hugged back.

As we hugged, I felt a pang of guilt for not telling Jack the whole truth. But I knew I had to keep this secret to myself, at least for now.

I pulled back and smiled at Jack. "I'll be fine, I promise. Just focus on getting better, okay?"

Jack nodded, and I could see the exhaustion in his eyes. "I'll try, Anna. But you have to promise me one thing."

"Anything, Jack."

"Don't sacrifice yourself for me. I'm not worth it."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at my brother. "You're worth everything to me, Jack. And I'll do whatever it takes to take care of you."

As I said the words, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. I would do whatever it took to save my brother, even if it meant marrying a stranger.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. "Meet me at the Ritz-Carlton at 7pm tonight. Come alone."

My heart skipped a beat as I realized who the text was from. Alexander.

I looked at Jack, who was watching me with concern. "What's wrong, Anna?"

I forced a smile onto my face. "Nothing, Jack. Just work stuff."

But as I looked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to change forever.