Chapter 2: The CEO annoying roommate
661 Words
Alexander Kingston had experienced many headaches in his life multi-million-dollar business deals gone wrong, boardroom betrayals, and the occasional stock market crash. But nothing compared to the migraine currently standing in front of him.
Sophia Evans.
His so-called wife.
“You’re moving in?” Alexander repeated, staring at her suitcase as if it were a ticking time bomb.
Sophia gave him a patient smile, the kind that teachers used on particularly slow students. “Well, seeing as we’re legally married, your grandmother insisted I stay here. And I’m not about to argue with a woman who can scare an entire boardroom into submission with just a look.”
Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course, she did.
He should’ve seen this coming. His grandmother never did anything halfway. First, she forced a wife on him, and now she was making sure that wife was fully installed in his life—like a stubborn software update he couldn’t delete.
“You can take the guest room,” he said, already walking toward the stairs.
“Oh, I was thinking the master bedroom would be nice,” Sophia quipped.
He stopped dead in his tracks. His shoulders stiffened. Slowly, he turned to look at her, his expression pure disbelief.
She shrugged. “Kidding. Relax, husband.”
Alexander exhaled sharply, muttering something under his breath about regretting all his life choices.
Sophia’s First Night at Casa Kingston
Sophia had expected a lot of things when she moved into Alexander’s mansion—a tense atmosphere, awkward conversations, maybe even a dramatic “you don’t belong here” speech.
What she hadn’t expected was… boredom.
The house was too quiet. And the few times Alexander actually spoke to her, it was with all the warmth of an automated voicemail message.
By the time dinner rolled around, she decided she’d had enough.
Walking into the dining room, she found Alexander seated at the head of the absurdly long table, scrolling through his phone as a personal chef placed a meal in front of him.
“Are we seriously going to be that couple that eats in total silence?” Sophia asked, plopping down in a chair across from him. “Because I have to say, that’s pretty depressing.”
Alexander barely looked up. “We’re not a couple.”
“Right. We’re legally bound acquaintances. So much more romantic.”
He shot her a glare but didn’t argue.
Sophia picked up her fork and examined the gourmet meal in front of her. “So… do we at least talk about our day? Make polite conversation? Or do you prefer we communicate exclusively through grunts and smoke signals?”
Alexander sighed. “You don’t have to talk to me.”
“Oh, I know I don’t have to. But if we’re stuck in this situation, we might as well make the best of it.” She took a bite and hummed in appreciation. “Wow. Your chef is amazing. Does he take requests? Because I have this weakness for triple chocolate cake—”
“Sophia.”
“Yes, dear?” she said sweetly.
He closed his eyes for a long moment, clearly praying for patience. “This is a temporary arrangement. The sooner we end this marriage, the better. So let’s not pretend there’s anything normal about this situation.”
Sophia leaned back in her chair, tapping her chin. “Huh. You know, for a man who runs a billion-dollar company, you sure have a terrible attitude about teamwork.”
Alexander clenched his jaw. “This isn’t a team.”
“It is now.” She grinned. “And for the record, I’m a delightful teammate.”
Alexander pushed his chair back and stood. “Enjoy your dinner, wife.”
Sophia watched him walk away, shaking her head. “Oh, I will, husband.”
As soon as he was out of sight, she turned to the chef. “So about that triple chocolate cake…”
- Writer
