Their contractual Beginning

chapter 6

Although arranged marriages were common in high society, the involved parties went to great lengths to conceal the true reason behind the nuptials.

Acknowledging one’s family joined with another simply for status reasons was considered vulgar.

A few minutes later Alexander and I arrive outside of my house and my heart sinks.

We were having such a great time, for a minute I didn't even realize that we had gotten to my place. I didn't want the short time we shared to come to an end so soon.

"Thanks for driving me home, Mr Wilson." I thank him. I need to remind myself that everything we shared, or are going to share is fake. No need to get carried away.

"Alexander." He corrects "Don't call me, Mr Wilson."

"I'm sorry." I paused, and our gazes locked "Would you like to come in"

"Can I come in?"

Alexander and I asked at the same time, causing us to laugh.

Suddenly my stomach lets out a loud growl. Alexander raises his brows and chuckles.

"Sorry about that, I guess I haven't eaten anything in a while." I laughed nervously as we made our way inside.

He mutters a brief thank you and takes a seat "Good thing I'm an amazing cook, that's if you don't mind."

"I don't. I'd like to see what the popular Alexander Wilson can do in the kitchen." I tell him and he chuckles.

"Think of it as our first date. We need to know each other. Might as well start now." He smiles, flashing his pearly whites "Don't tell anyone. It'll ruin my street cred" he winked

"I won't" I chuckled.

Butterflies flutter in my stomach at the sound of his short laugh.

Amanda will never believe me when I tell her everything tomorrow.

The thought of how my life would be after I move in, I’d have to spend every night with him, so I was clinging to my freedom while it lasted. The prospect of sharing a room, a bed with Alexander Wilson was…A LOT.

An image rose in my mind of him walking to the parking lot with me over his shoulder, eyes dark and posture arrogant, with tendrils of smoke curling around that boldly charismatic face.

An unexpected heat ran between my legs.

The press of his thumb against my lip, the smoky glint in his eyes when he’d looked at me…there’d been a moment, just one, when I thought he would kiss me. Not to show affection, but to dirty me up. To dominate and corrupt me.

The warmth curled low until the heavy expectancy of Alexander's gaze pulled me back to the present.

"Oh, before I forget." Alexander reaches into his suit and brings out a document along with a distinctive red ring box and hands it to me. When I popped open the lid, a six-carat diamond winked back at me.

I brushed my fingers over the dazzling gem. Five carats, a rare Asscher cut, with smaller baguette diamonds adorning each shoulder.

I should’ve been thrilled. The ring was stunning and, judging by the diamond’s color and clarity, worth at least a hundred thousand dollars. It was the type of ring most women would kill to have.

But when I plucked it from the box and slid it onto my finger, I felt…nothing.

Nothing except the cool brush of platinum and a heavy weight that felt more like a prison than a promise.

Most engagement rings were a symbol of love and commitment. Mine was the equivalent of a signature on a merger contract. A strange tightness gripped my throat.

I shouldn’t have expected anything more than what Alexander gave me. This marriage is after all going to benefit us both.

In the end, he will have a child and I will get money for my sister's treatment, and that's all I care about. The buzz of a new text interrupted my wallowing.

I picked up my phone, expecting another congratulatory message or a reminder from Amanda to invite her over once my hangover has gone.

Instead, I saw a text from the last person I’d expected to hear from.

Dr. Raymond.

A frown appears on my face, "Is there a problem?" Alexander asks.

"It's my sister's doctor. I'm sorry to cut this short, but I have to go." I informed him hastily.

The text Dr Raymond sent was to inform me that the hospital didn't accept our request for extra time to gather the payment. He said "I only have three weeks to come up with the money or else, Kassie would have to return home".

"Oh, it's okay. I can take you." Alexander offers

"No, don't bother." I turn him down and go all over searching for my coat.

I didn't necessarily have to go to the hospital. I had made it clear to Dr Raymond that every information regarding our payment and debt should only be relayed to me. Kassie was already under a lot of stress, I didn't want her to have to worry about our financial burdens too.

Besides, I could use the distraction. Being this close and alone with Alexander was bad for my brain.

Alexander holds my hand, "Khloe, let me just drop you at the hospital. It's the least I can do, please." He offers.

Kassie had no idea how I was getting the money, and I wanted it to remain that way. "Okay. Again, I'm truly sorry to have ended our date like this Alexander."

"It's okay, I understand. Our date can wait, your sister needs you." Those darn butterflies make themselves known again.

For heaven's sake, this would have been a lot easier if he was a rich, and arrogant asshole.