CHAPTER 5

Alaric POV:

Marissa.

Our eyes met. She looked at me, her eyes void of emotion. Those eyes that once looked at me with love were now looking at me dead cold in the eye. I remembered the last time I saw her…she looked scared, as if she was facing a monster, and I was that monster.

She looked different. She looked more confident and more beautiful. She carried herself with elegance. And God, the way that dress clung to her curves. Her blonde hair was styled in body waves.

What was I thinking? I scoffed. We stood there looking at each other, none of us wanting to look away first. Until Lucien Alden moved closer to her, whispered something to her, then kissed her cheek and left.

I saw the way he looked at her, almost as if they were lovers. I felt anger pulse through my veins. I had been looking for her, wondering if she was okay, but she had already found another man to manipulate. I swear, if she was here to obstruct me from getting the Aldens on my project, I swear I would…

I couldn’t stand that I didn’t have any effect on her when she saw me. I strode over to her across the ballroom.

“I didn’t think you would still be whoring around. What am I saying? You are a manipulative lady. It looks like you caught a big fish this time,” I said, with so much hatred for her.

I felt like strangling Lucien…if only he were not the Alden heir. Just like I did to most men in the past. Those I could not get my hands on physically, I ruined them one way or the other. I made sure they suffered for touching her.

“I don’t think I need your approval for what I do with my life. I am sure I am not your priority tonight, Mr. Monroe. Have a good evening,” she spat back at me and walked away.

I moved closer to hold her. She tried to move away, but I held her wrist tighter and pulled her closer to me. Our faces were one inch apart. We stared at each other for a second, but it felt like hours.

“Hands off, Alaric,” she said, breathing hard. She smelled so good. Lost for a while in her scent, my grip loosened. She realized and tried to pull her wrist away from my grip, but I held her tighter.

“Let go, Alaric. You are hurting me,” she rasped.

People’s attention was already on us. Not caring, I pulled her closer, my hand wrapping around her waist.

“Stop fighting, Marissa. You can’t get out of my hold. You don’t want them to think we are arguing. I know what you are here for. You are here for revenge…about killing that bastard baby…and trying to gain my attention. Neither will work. And don’t try to sabotage my chance of getting the Aldens on my project. If not, your Lucien will know the kind of person you are,” I threatened.

She smiled grimly, her eyes blank. There were no signs of emotion there for me. She stomped on my foot very hard. I released her because of the pain.

“Get over yourself, Alaric. Not everything is about you,” I heard her say. “I don’t think you want a scandal, Mr. Monroe. Stay away from me,” she warned, eyeing me as she walked away.

She didn’t walk far before she met Prissy, Stella, and my mother. I saw the shock on their faces when she stood her ground, but they kept blocking her way.

I quickly walked over to them to stop them from continuing their mistreatment of Marissa.

“You guys should stop now. It is enough!” I snapped at my mother, Prissy, and Stella. They were going too far.

“Tell them to stay away from me, Alaric. I don’t think you would like me to be the reason you are losing that project of yours,” she said softly, but she was threatening me and looking me dead in the eye.

I could see her jaw tighten when she saw the engagement ring on Stella’s finger. An emotion flickered in her eyes but quickly vanished, and I couldn’t catch it. Was it jealousy? I doubted it.

“But Alaric, I saw her with Lucien. I could not believe her…” Prissy said before a voice cut her off.

“Miss, I don’t think we are on a name basis for you to address me so informally.”

We all turned to Lucien Alden’s cold voice. He stood there with murderous intent in his eyes. His gaze moved from us to Marissa before it softened. I noticed the soft look in his eyes when he saw Marissa. He walked to her, hugged her, and whispered something in her ear.

I clenched my fist and swallowed hard. I felt like punching someone, and that person was Lucien Alden.

“Are you okay? Do you know them?” he asked Marissa, holding her face in his hands.

She nodded and then buried her face in his chest. My mother, Prissy, and Stella were shocked by their public affection for each other.

Jealousy. That was what I felt.

He faced me and spoke. “Mr. Monroe, right?”

I nodded, looking him in the eyes. His cold eyes were almost similar to Marissa’s. I didn’t look away even when his gaze coldly scanned me, as if judging me. He scoffed, stroking Marissa’s hair.

“Don’t you people have any etiquette? Even if all of you know each other and have a history, are you not supposed to put aside your personal engagements in public? Causing nuisance and bullying one woman…all of you,” he scolded as he eyed us.

“But Lucien, this woman…” Prissy retorted, but she was silenced by the murderous glare Lucien shot at her. Frightened, she gripped our mother’s hand.

“We are sorry for our behavior, Mr. Alden,” I apologized.

“It is okay, Lucien. Let it go. I am tired,” Marissa assured him.

Holding his hand, they walked away.

“I can’t believe she is with Lucien. She stole him from me. I am sure she is back for revenge. No, I am going to tell Lucien’s sister when I find out who she is. I am going to tell her that Marissa is a filthy whore. Just wait and watch, Marissa. I will ruin you, and let’s see if you can keep that smug face of yours,” Prissy fumed as she stomped her heels on the floor.

“Did you not hear what Mr. Alden said? He said you shouldn’t address him by his name, Prissy. And you need to stop now, or you will ruin Alaric’s plan of getting the Aldens on the project. Stop being delusional. She didn’t steal him. Not that I support Marissa for what she did, but she has moved on. So should we,” Stella cautioned.

She and my mother had been quiet ever since Lucien and Marissa showed public affection toward each other.

“Stella is right. Don’t do anything for now, Prissy dear. Alaric needs the Aldens on his project. We will deal with Marissa after that,” my mother said, looking at me.

I sighed. “I will go look for Mr. Alden to talk business,” I said as I left them there.