CHAPTER 3

Alexa's POV

 

I said a big NO.

 

Despite my curiosity to ask him why he wants to take revenge on his mother, I kept mute and told him I wasn't interested in the offer and that he should look for someone else.

 

I shouldn't involve myself with these people. They are rich and influential. I have enough problems already and I don't want to add anyone else's problem to mine.

 

Why would he even say he wants to take revenge on his mom? Does he want to use me? He expects me to say yes?

 

No, I won't.

 

I am not interested and I don't want to ever cross paths with any of them ever again.

 

I just want to continue living my quiet, miserable life devoid of drama.

 

I am already feeling sleepy again and my heart hurts a lot. I just wish I could turn back the hands of the clock so I can make amends by waking up early and going to work.

 

My tardiness led to all of this. If I wasn't late, I wouldn't have lost consciousness and I wouldn't have met this strange man. I don't even know his name and I don't care.

 

When I stood up abruptly and told him I was going home, he didn't stop me from going, probably because I already told him I was not interested in his offer without bothering to ask what I stand to gain.

 

It doesn't matter. I don't want to be a part of his cruelty and betrayals toward his mother. That woman looks nice and I won't hurt her.

 

He followed me and I was surprised to see men in suits in the courtyard. Some were standing by the car while others were standing around the house.

 

He instructed the driver to give him the car keys and he asked me to get in so he could drive me home.

 

I couldn't protest.

 

"Are you sure you are not interested?" His husky voice breaks the long moment of silence between us.

 

I have been directing him and I realize my place is far away from his but closer to the bus stop where the accident happened.

 

"No, thank you", I say out loud, not looking at him. 

 

There is absolutely nothing that can change my mind about this. He should just forget it and pretend as though we never met or had this discussion.

 

I might be crazy and all rough but I am not cruel. I have a flexible heart and I won't let anyone use me, especially him.

 

"Don't you think of the benefits you will gain from this?"

 

"I don't care."

 

"My mom has your face registered in her head already, she won't let you be. You should have just denied it the moment I told them you were my bride, then maybe I won't be here pleading with you", he mutters with a tone laced with anger.

 

Really?

 

He is angry?

 

The one who should be angry here is me. First, he made me pass out. Secondly, he took me to his house without my permission. Then he introduced me to his mother as his bride.

 

That is absurd.

 

I should be boiling with rage. 

 

"I really need this", I hear him say again, this time with desperation. I turn to face him as he takes the left turn to my neighborhood.

 

His straight jawline is clenched and he looks sad.

 

Now, curiosity is beginning to eat at me. Why does he want to hurt the poor woman? Is it revenge in a good way? Did she do something bad and he wants to teach her a lesson?

 

Why would he even do that? He doesn't even look like a bad man but I guess it isn't written on his face.

 

He is a bad man, obviously.

 

"My company has a cafeteria and a restaurant. The cafeteria is for the staff members and the food is usually free but the restaurant is the mother branch of our business…"

 

"Why are you telling me all of this?" I interrupt him from going further, wondering why he wants me involved in all of this. I don't want to know him. I don't want to know what he does either.

 

He spares me a glance and looks back to the street. "Because I want to offer you a job."

 

My heart still.

 

A job?

 

"You said something about losing your job so I would like to offer you a job. When you were talking about how you aspired to become a chef, I realized there is a good position that suits you in my company."

 

"A chef?"

 

"An executive chef. You will be the head", he announces with a smirk.

 

I should be happy but I am not because I am afraid he will ask for something in return. I have been roaming the streets for years, searching for jobs. When it comes to jobs, I have been so unlucky.

 

I got menial jobs and I was able to save a little to go to a culinary school. I graduated but I still didn't get a job until Badmus offered me a position to become a cook in his little restaurant.

 

But this offer in front of me is really huge. This has always been my dream. Working in a large restaurant and being an executive chef that other chefs rely on.

 

Does this mean this man is a big man? He is going to be my new boss and I can do whatever I want. I can even go to work late and he won't fire me.

 

Doesn't that suit my personality?

 

I was already thinking of how to wake up early tomorrow and start looking for another job but I know my love for sleep will always be an obstacle.

 

If I accept this, then he needs to accept my conditions too.

 

But why me? Where is his bride? What if she comes back soon?

 

"Do you like the idea?" He asks me with a light smile on his face.

 

"Stop there", I point to the driveway of my neighbor. My apartment is upstairs while a bar is downstairs.

 

He halts the car and takes off his seatbelt. I am supposed to do the same but I find myself still sitting down with one important question in mind.

 

"Where is your real bride?" I turn to him. 

 

Everything still seems puzzling to me. He is asking me to pretend to be his wife just to get a trust fund for revenge, then what about his real bride? 

 

Why isn't he using her? His mother must have known that he was married and they had been expecting to see her. Why can't he use her instead? Since they are in love, then she would understand and help out.

 

He laughs for a short moment and shakes his head. 

 

Watching me like an amusing piece, he answers. "There is no bride. Alexandra Smith is just my imaginary bride whom I told my mom about and she has been wanting to meet her ever since. I didn't come up with a tangible plan until I saw you. No, until mother asked me who you are. The idea came from nowhere and here we are."

 

I remain silent.

 

So this is it? There is no real plan. He isn't even in a relationship, why should I trust him?

 

Why can't he find other women? Did he do something to all of them? Are women scared of him? Is he more dangerous than what I can see?

 

Cold shivers run down my spine and I turn to the door instantly, taking off the seat belt.

 

"Alex, what do you say?" I hear him say out loud as I get down from the car. "Are you in?"

 

"First of all, I am not Alex. I am Alexa and no, I am not interested. It's a big NO!" I shout and hold my bag firmly before running off toward my apartment.