Alpha, My Dear Alpha

Chapter Two- Abused

Laria Jenkins (POV)

Wow, a three-hundred-dollar tip. I have never gotten a tip that big before. I know it had to have been that gorgeous man that flirted with me who left it. If only I wasn’t engaged. But I am, like it or not. And this is something I cannot get out of either.

Carl Philips is hanging something I owe him over my head. Something too big for me to repay so he plans to take his payment by marrying me. I don’t even love the man. But what he did for my family. This is the only way I can repay him. He had me move in with him but I insisted we sleep in separate rooms until after the wedding, which I have been dragging my feet about a date.

I had just finished taking a shower and changing into sweats and a tee shirt to relax and begin cooking for Carl for when he gets home or else, he gets in a bad mood. He gets angry a lot and far too easily. Most times it is aimed at me. He has yet to hit me, but he has come close to it.

I so wish I could get out of this marriage. I never wanted it but if I don’t go through with it my family will suffer. I love my family too much to have them suffer because of me.

As I was in my thoughts I jumped when I felt a presence behind me as I was flipping the steaks over in the oven as they were broiling. My hand went to my heart as I burned my finger and turned to look at Carl as he smirked at me.

“Carl, you startled me,” I said heading to place my hurt finger under the cool tap.

“Were you expecting anyone else?”

I frowned, “Of course, not. I was only focused on trying to not burn the steaks and didn’t hear you.”

“Mhm,” He said, sounding like he didn’t believe me. “Are you sure no one was in your thoughts? That you were not thinking about someone else?”

“What are you implying, Carl? There is no one else.”

“So, you say,” He sighed, “It better stay that way.”

“I promise you there is no one.” I begin mashing the potatoes. He is always suspicious of me. Doesn’t he realize I would do nothing to anger him? He holds all the cards against me and my family. I would never risk them getting hurt.

He turned to leave the kitchen and said, “I hate lumpy potatoes.”

“I remember,”

He left me alone and I took a much-needed breath as I continued to mash the potatoes. This is how he makes me feel. I get tense and almost fearful when he is around. I do try and hold a strong front doing my best to not let him know that I fear him. But in reality, I do. He is capable of anything. Even kill someone. That is why I fear for my family, and he holds it over my head all the time just to keep me in check.

If it wasn’t for my younger sister getting sick and we needed the finances to see a cancer specialist, I would never have had to sell my soul to save her. She is in remission now and doing better, but Carl is the one that someone suggested I see for a loan only instead he saw an opportunity the moment he saw me. Now I am trapped and instead of my paying him back, he wanted me. I still have no idea why? He has never said.

He had taken a shower before coming to the table to eat and we both sat down as I placed our plates before us. We began to eat, and Carl was silent, So I stayed silent. I had learned I needed to stay quiet until spoken to as that is his way, or he gets angry. In the middle of dinner, I felt my phone go off as I had placed it in silent mode, and it vibrates when I get a call or message. I don’t dare to look at it as that too would anger Carl. Only it is persistent and keeps buzzing even on vibrate mode.

I hear Carl’s heavy sigh and throw his fork down on the plate. “Is that a secret boyfriend that is persisting in messaging you?” He said with a sneer.

“No. Of course, not.” I said glancing down at my phone and seeing ten messages and missed calls from my mother. “It’s from my mother,” I said reading one of the messages. “My sister is in the hospital. She collapsed earlier and my mother is panicking.”

He sighed again, “Of course,” He said picking up his fork and beginning to eat again.

“I should head over to the hospital,” I said as I was about to stand, and he grabbed my hand.

“It can wait. Finish your dinner first.” He said gruffly.

“But…”

“I said eat first then you may go.” He insisted angrily.

I sat back down and continued to eat with a heavy heart in silence.

Finally, after dinner and the kitchen was cleaned, he told me we can now go to the hospital. I messaged my mother that we were on our way. I was hoping to go alone but he insisted and there was no arguing with him, so we got into his expensive car and headed to the hospital where my sister was admitted.

Carl parked the car and waited for me to get out. He is not a gentleman at all. Oh, well. It doesn’t bother me. We walked in and I went to the front desk to ask about my sister Jane. We were guided up to the third floor and found her room. My parents were there and as I looked at my sixteen-year-old sister my heart just about broke. She looked pale and sickly.

My mom was crying as my dad was holding her. “They think it came back,” he said in a whisper. “They are testing her blood now. We are waiting for the results.”

My heart dropped to the floor. She is just a kid. She has her whole life ahead of her. This was unfair.

“They gave her something for the pain and it made her sleep,” My mom said, sounding broken.

I walked over to my parents and wrapped my arms around them, and they wrapped theirs around me in a group hug and my tears fell.

Ten minutes later, as we sat around and waited the doctor came in and told us the bad news. The cancer was back. The good news was that it could go back into remission with more chemo. Of course, that will take more money. I sold my soul for the last time. I am unsure if I can get Carl to help again. I wouldn’t know what more I could bargain with. But I have to try. This is my sister’s life.

I look over at him and signaled for him to step out the door to speak with him. He followed me out and when we were out of earshot, I begin…or so I thought.

“No…Don’t even ask.” He interrupted me before I could speak.

“Why?” I asked, “This is my sister. She is only a kid, and you are my fiancé.”

“So what? You expect me to fork out more money to save a kid?”

“Not just any kid. Your sister-in-law. My family.” I sighed, “What more would you want from me? You are already getting my virginity after we get married. What else do you want?”

He sneered, “Maybe your blood.” He laughed and it wasn’t a kind laugh. “Fine, but you will be paying me back.”

“I promise.” I say breathing a sigh of relief, “Thank you.”

“Don’t go thanking me yet.” He said and turned to go back into the room.

As I walked in, I heard him tell the doctor, “Do whatever it takes. I will pay for it.”

My mother broke down with fresh tears, “Thank you, son,” She said giving Carl a hug. I have never let my family see the bad side of Carl. In their eyes, he is the model son-in-law. I intend to keep it that way. Not for him…for them.

Once we got home and walked through the door of his home…I cannot call it my home, it is way too clean and sterile for a home, and he is always on top of me to keep it spotless. It was late when we got back and as soon as I walked through the door, he grabbed my hair pulling me back as I reached up to grab his hand around my hair he punched me in the stomach, taking my breath away. I gasped and fell to the floor.

“That is only the beginning of the payback you will owe,” He said, kicking me in the side before heading to his room and shutting the door.

I lay there in pain, gasping with tears running down my face. Now I understand what he meant about my paying in blood. I don’t believe this will be the only time either. God help me.