The Rules

The knock at my door came earlier than expected. I barely had time to pull myself from the haze of restless sleep before it sounded again, sharp and impatient.

I forced myself up, even though  my body ached, not just from lack of sleep but from the sheer emotional toll of everything.

“Come in,” I called, my voice rough from exhaustion.

The door opened, and a man I didn’t recognize stepped inside, carrying a tray of food. He was dressed in a crisp black suit, his expression carefully blank.

“Breakfast,” he announced, setting the tray on a small table near the window. The scent of eggs, toast, and freshly brewed coffee drifted toward me, but I barely had the appetite for it.

I glanced at the tray, then at him. “Did Alexander send you?”

The man gave a slight nod. “Mr Smith instructed that you eat before your meeting.”

I clenched my jaw. Of course, he did. He probably thought I was some fragile thing that needed to be managed. I didn’t respond him, I just dragged myself out of bed, moving toward the tray, but before I could sit down, the man spoke again.

“Mr. Smith also said to remind you that you are expected in his office in thirty minutes.”

I let out a slow breath, fuming with anger in the early morning. “Yeah, I got that message loud and clear last night. Did he also instruct you to watch me eat?"

The man didn't flinch. "Mr. Smith expects you in his office in thirty minutes." I scoffed when he repeated the same thing, emotionlessly. "Right. Got it. I will be there", I retorted. He gave a slight nod and left, closing the door behind him.

Alone again, I sat at the table, stared at the food but barely touching it. My stomach was too knotted, my nerves too frayed. Instead, I grabbed the coffee and took a few slow sips, hoping it would help me wake up.

The warmth of the coffee did little to chase away the cold feeling settling in my chest.

I had thirty minutes.

Thirty minutes before I had to face him again.

With a sigh, I pushed the plate away and stood up, heading toward the bathroom. If I had to face him, I wouldn’t do it half-asleep.

The hot water did little to ease the tension in my body, but it gave me a moment to collect myself. To prepare because whatever Alexander had in store for me this morning, I had a feeling it was only the beginning.

The moment I was done with showering, I dressed quickly, my hands slightly unsteady as I buttoned my dress. I wasn’t nervous, not exactly. It was more of a slow, sinking dread, a feeling that no matter what happened in that office, I would leave with even less control than I already had.

By the time I reached his office, the heavy double doors loomed in front of me like a warning but I didn't want to let him see any weakness. I knocked once.

“Enter.” His voice came from inside, loud and carrying no trace of warmth. I inhaled deeply, squared my shoulders then pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Alexander sat behind a massive desk, dressed neatly in a black suit, his posture relaxed yet authoritative. I couldn't read his expression as he flipped through a document. He didn't look up immediately, and the silence stretched long enough to make my skin prickle.

Finally his cold, green eyes flicked up from the documents in front of him and landed on me. He didn’t speak immediately still. He let the silence stretch, heavy and intentional.

He was waiting for something. For me to fidget, for me to hesitate but I didn’t give him the satisfaction.

“You wanted to see me,” I said, my voice controlled. Alexander studied me for a long moment before finally gesturing toward the chair across from him. “Sit.”

I considered refusing, just to push back against whatever silent dominance game he was playing, but I knew it wouldn’t accomplish anything. With a tight jaw, I took the seat, keeping my posture stiff.

Without wasting a second, he slid a thick document across the desk toward me.

“Read,” he commanded. I glanced at it but made no move to pick it up. “I’m guessing this is the part where you tell me what I can and can’t do in your house?”, I asked.

"Yes and you will follow every rule”,The words were spoken with such cold finality that the hairs on my skin immediately stood up. “I never agreed to staying with you,” I pointed out. “You didn’t have to,” Alexander replied smoothly, leaning back in his chair. “but since you’re here, you will abide by it.” He added.

I forced myself to pick up the document and scan the first few lines. My stomach twisted at the carefully worded terms, expectations, duties and restrictions. My eyes continued to skim over the pages, but my mind was struggling to process everything.

What did my mom bring me into?.

Curfews. Public appearances. Expectations and no more clubs. Rules upon rules, as if I was nothing more than a prisoner in his house.

"You expect me to follow all of this?" I asked, my voice quieter than I intended. Alexander leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled together as he studied me. "I don’t expect. I demand."

“So that’s it? I’m just supposed to follow your rules like some obedient little prisoner?”, I spoke. “That’s exactly what you’ll do.” His gaze was emotionless.

A chill ran down my spine after his words. Alexander was handsome but so heartless and utterly detached. "I won’t follow any of these fucking rules",I dropped the contract onto the desk with a quiet thud.  “Then you’ll regret it.” His eyes darkened.

"You really think you can control everything I do?" My voice was laced with frustration, but Alexander remained unaffected.

"I don’t think," he replied smoothly, his gaze unwavering. "I know."

"You really sick in your head", I hissed out. "I'm more than that, just try me", He threatened.

"Fine. I'll follow your damn rules. But don’t expect me to make it easy for you." I spoke. "I never expected you to." A ghost of a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but his eyes remained cold. 

I stood up,  my pulse hammering then walked towards the door.

"You're not yet dismissed," He said said casually, as if I were nothing more than an employee beneath him.

"Fuck you", I walked out, slamming the door behind me.