Marrying the Billionaire Brothers

"Have you heard the news?" I was brought back to my senses when my friend, Jessica, appeared out of nowhere while I was busy cleaning. 

"No, and I'm not interested. I don't have time for that. The banquet will be held next week and I still need to help clean the palace." I answered her without giving her a glance. There are many tasks assigned to me which I need to finish before the banquet starts. 

"The hell about the banquet. You need to hear this first, come on!" She continued pestering me while her hands were shaking my shoulders, so I faced her. 

"Ok, you're highness," I teased her and gave her a smirk. If I can't stop her from bothering, then I should also get back to her a bit. 

"Oh, come on! I told you not to call me that! We're of the same age. I don't care about titles." Annoyed, she scowled at me. She's always frustrated whenever I remind of the title she has. "Anyway, I heard some news circulating..." She stopped as if trying to make me curious. 

"Just say it so we'll be done with this conversation, Jessica." This time, I'm the one annoyed. 

"Chill, ok? I just heard that the Alpha's mate is from our palace!" She continued, almost shouting the last sentence. I don't know whether she's excited or what. 

"Alpha who?" I frowned. 

"The Alpha! The one who had five mates before and all died mysteriously! Don't you know him?" She snapped her fingers at me, as if not knowing him is a sin. 

"Is it required to know him?" I replied sarcastically, shrugged my shoulders, and continued wiping the window. 

"I can't believe you. And you're not even interested?" She shook her head in disbelief. "He's the most powerful and feared Alpha ever existed. But the problem is... He never got a mate because stories says all the women who became his mate died mysteriously. Some even say they were... Cursed," she added when she did not receive an answer from me. I faced her again. Her last words seemed to have caught my attention. 

"What do you mean cursed?" This time I became curious. 

"It's true! I mean, what else can explain why all five of his past mates died without a single cause? They all died just the same night they were announced as mate! It's either they were cursed or he killed them and the latter's imposible!" She reasoned, as if what she's saying makes sense. 

"Why would it be impossible? If he's an alpha. He can easily kill them if he wants to." I stated which made her chuckle. 

"That's impossible. An Alpha--- no, every werewolves needs a mate. He won't kill them for no reason." I shook my head. How can she trust a man she doesn't know. She don't even know how his brain work. 

"Does anyone even believe that story?"

"Apparently, everyone does. Only you don't" she hissed and rolled her eyes at me so I let her win this argument just so she can leave me alone. 

"Then I think I'll also believe it. Since those dogs exist, I think curses are easier to believe." She chuckled when I again pertained to those werewolves as "dogs". Well, they do looks like one, though. Just bigger, but still the same. 

"I don't know what I will do with you, Aria. Can't you at least go out for once to explore the world?" She even used her hands to draw a circle. "I bet if you go out there, you will need a map so you won't get lost. You barely leave the palace since you got here!" I just sighed. 

"Stop overreacting, Jessica. I still have a lot of work to do!" I shooed her away and got back to my work but she still wouldn't budge. 

"And I still have a lot of things to say!"

"Like what?" I crossed my hands and faced her. I have no choice but to listen to all her stories or else she will keep pestering me even in my sleep. Been there, done that. 

"The Alpha is coming to the banquet. Everyone thinks he's going this year because of his mate," she exclaimed, always so energetic because of the news she heard. Is it a good news, though? 

"And?"

"Well, I heard the Alpha is handsome as hell. If he really is that handsome, then I won't mind being cursed!" She shrieked while I rolled my eyes. Here we go again. Her and her obsession with handsome men.

"Really? You'll sacrifice your life just for a man?" I asked in disbelief but hell, I should just get used to it. It's what she always do but I bet she can't do that. She's just tempted by the rumor going around. 

"Of course! You just don't understand because you haven't had any relationships. Have you even been in love?" Her question made me close my eyes to calm down before answering her.  

"That's a waste of time. Why would I drag someone into my messy life?" She sighed and slapped her forehead, disappointed again of my answer. 

"Just try it. It's not too bad being in love. And you're beautiful, Aria! Everyone will flock on your feet just to be with you!" Oh, God! I need to get away from him. 

"Stop over reacting and just let me finish my work, will you? You will never be able to convince me to be with a man." This time, my voice were hard, trying to silence her and I succeeded. 

"Fine, go ahead and finish your work. I'll just bother you once you're done." She then walked away, defeated and unsuccessful in her plan to convince me.

Finally, I was able to enjoy my peace while cleaning. 

I don't understand why everyone thinks being in love is required to be experienced by all, as if the word love itself will change everything. 

I even believe my life is cursed. Why would I want someone to experience the same bad luck as me? And why would I waste my time chasing a man when I can't even chase away the misfortunes I have? What a joke.

True to her words, she really came to bother me after I finished my work for the day. But this time, her bright face was changed with a gloomy one. 

I looked at her weirdly while she walked towards me and sat on my bed. 

"It's not me... My mother was able to confirm that I'm not the one that Alpha is looking for," she sighed, almost tearfully but I heard a hint of relief from her voice so I know she's only being dramatic. 

"Then what's there to be disappointed about? We should celebrate! You will not be cursed!" I cheered her up to go along with her dramas. 

"But it's still confirmed that her mate is from our palace. I just hope that it's not you, or else you will be dying on the first man you will be in a relationship with." She looked at me with concern while at the same time insulting me again and bringing up that I never had any relationships. 

"I won't, I will not let him take me. I don't think my bad luck will get any worse, won't they?" I chuckled, trying to calm her down both from heartbreak and from her concern with me. 

I can't blame her... I don't know who that Alpha dog is but based on her stories, I don't think I should be involved with him. I mean, a maid like me can't be connected with him, right?

I don't want to ruin my life more and there are lots of people in this palace. I'm sure it's not

me. 

I can't be involved with those creatures who killed my parents!