Chapter Two

Jacqueline’s POV

I might have accepted to play by Alex’s rules—which I did not know exactly what it was.

I prayed in my head that it wasn't something dangerous. Who am I kidding? Alex's middle name is dangerous. Drugs? Firearms? Dirty politics? Gangs? Alleged assasination? What other illegal activity wasn't he involved in?

The bike halted at a building. Sorry, I meant glass house. It was located at the outskirts of the city, sitting on land that would be enough to build four helipads.

He turned off the engine, I got down, he did too, and he helped me get my bags down. 

He marched in without waiting for me. I pulled my bags and I followed behind him. I was kind of jogging, while he was taking simple strides.

I hated his long legs.

We got to the door. He opened it with his fingerprint.

“Mi casa e su casa,” he muttered softly.

All along I thought he wouldn't do the language stuff. I know he has visited a lot of countries, no need to show off.

I walked in before he did. He stood at the door for a few seconds, typing something on the lock. 

He flashed a smile after he was done, and he gestured with his hand for me to move forward.

Something about this feels unsettling, but I didn't push. I was desperate.

I inhaled the smell of fresh lavender that filled the air. It reminded me of my father—nice, but quick to fade away.

The house was almost empty. The furniture was sealed in plastic wraps. Everything looked new… Everything was new.

It was a new house.

“Alex?” I called.

“You'd stay here for the time being. Everything you want would be at your disposal.”

As good as that sounded, it also sounded creepy too.

“This isn't your house, right? It's a new house.”

“What do you mean by this isn't my house?” 

“Not what I meant. I mean this isn't your actual home, you know… where you live?”

He caught my hint. He knew exactly what I was talking about.

He sat on a sofa that was still wrapped, he rested his back gently, and he tilted his head, signaling for me to also have my seat.

I sat on the wrapped sofa opposite him. My feet were barely touching the floor… The chair wasn't too high, that was just my nervousness tapping.

“I do not live here. I bought this house at an auction in Barcelona.”

“Okay… So why should I stay here when you do not live here?” I threw a question at him, but he twisted it.

“Do you want to live with me? That's totally fine, we could share a room, we could even share a bed.” There was no disgust in his voice.

“No. Never mind… It is fine here,” I said.

“Good. Now find yourself a room, have a nice sleep. We'd talk about business tomorrow,” he said in a dismissive voice.

I nodded.

I pulled my bag towards a room. A random room. I do not have an iota of how many rooms the house contains.

I did not think too much, I locked the door behind me, threw my bag to the floor, and slipped my clothes off my body.

I had a quick hot bath before settling into bed. As crazy as my day has been, I wasn't worried about a thing.

Something told me everything would fall into place as long as Alex is by my side.

​I woke up automatically the next morning. The sunlight stripes landed on my bedsheet. I stretched for a few minutes. My dysamia didn’t let me get up quickly. 

I dragged myself to the bathroom and I splashed water on my face. My brain slowly picked up from where it stopped yesterday. Yeah... Alex. I am in his house, and he said something about having a talk today. 

I quickly had my bath, dressed up in pajamas, and I hurried down the stairs to hear whatever fate had in store for me through Alex’s mouth.

​I didn’t find him, not like I knew where his room was anyway. I heard sounds coming from a corner. It piqued my attention and I followed it. The kitchen was located there, and the sounds were soft clashing of plates and other utensils.

​I walked into the kitchen. I was greeted by an aroma of seasoned beef, and freshly baked pancakes. 

Alexander was standing there—backing me. He spun around when he sensed my presence.

​"Hi," I muttered stupidly. He didn't respond, he continued with what he was doing.

​He can cook. Wow! I do not know a lot of guys who could handle the kitchen. It happens to be surprising when one of the worst persons I knew was a master chef. 

I stood there like a fool, watching him. The apron hung accurately around his waist. His muscles flexed with every move he took, making his tattoos look cooler… maybe beautiful, damn! His hair wasn't packed in a bun, it fell on his shoulders, blending with the colour of his shirt.

​"Have your seat. Breakfast would be ready shortly," he muttered, still backing me.

​

​The dining table was in the kitchen, just a few meters away. I settled into one of the chairs. He focused on his cooking. 

When he was done, he arranged the meal before me. I was salivating just by the look of it.

​"Eat, you are drooling," his voice made me regain my stance.

​Fuck! I got carried away.

​I dipped a fork into the pancake, and I took a bite into my mouth. 

The feeling was heavenly, every ingredient played its part in the meal.

Ten in ten.

I smiled as I continued eating.

​He settled opposite me, and he started eating too. Unlike me, he didn't rush. He took slow bites as though time was waiting for him. His movement looked controlled. 

Why does he seem so perfect? Everything he does is ‘so organized’. We finished the meal shortly, I turned to leave but his voice stopped me.

​"I would give you whatever you want for two years. When you reclaim your inheritance, I'd get 20% shares," he said.

​I stared at him like he was a ghost. How does he know about my inheritance? No one knows about it besides Jayden and Elliana.

​"My inheritance?" I repeated.

​"I figured it out," he replied casually, leaning on the kitchen’s door frame, while I glared like I just got the worst shock of my life.

​"Why would you think I'd give you 20% shares of my inheritance?"

​"You do not have a choice.”

​He walked past me to the sitting room. I followed sluggishly. He was a lot faster, already sitting with a pen in his hands before I got to him. He stretched it forward without hassle.

​"Sign this."

​I glanced at the document in his hands. He just never ceases to surprise me. Always handling things like he was in control of the universe.

​"Tsk,"

​My words cut short as a ring on the doorbell interrupted.