CHAPTER 5

Alaric Pov:

Marissa.

Our eyes met. she looks at me, her eyes void with emotion, those eyes that looked at me loving 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 looks different, she looks more confident and more beautiful, she carries herself with elegance. And God the way that dress clung to her curves, Her blond hair was styled in a body wave.

What was I thinking? I scoff, we stand there looking at each other, none of us wanted to look away first. Until Lucien Alden moved closer to her and whispered 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 was looking here for her and wondering if she is okay but she already found another man to manipulate. I swear if she is here to obstruct me from getting the Alden on my project, I swear I would…

I couldn't stand that I didn’t have an effect on her when she saw me, I strode over to her across the ball hall.

“I didn't think you could be still whoring around, what am I saying you are a manipulative lady. It looks like you cut a big fish this time” I said with so much hatred for her.

I felt like strangling Lucien if only he was not the Alden heir, just like I did to most men in the pictures, those I could not get my hands on physically I ruin them one way or the other, I make sure they suffer for touching her.

“I don't think I need your approval with what I do in 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 closer to me, our face was one inch apart we stared at each other for a second but it felt like hours.

“Hands off Alaric” she said breathing hard, she smells so good. Lost for a while in her scents, my grip loosen, she realized and tried to remove her wrist away from my grip but I held her tighter.

“Let go Alaric, you are hurting me” she rasped. The people's attention is already on us, not caring I hold closer with my hand on 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 of killing that bastard baby and trying to gain my attention, neither will work and don't try to sabotage my chance to get the Alden’s on my project, if not your Lucien will know the kind of person you are” I threatened.

she smiled grimly, her eyes blank, there weren’t any signs of emotion there for me and stomped on my feet very hard, I released her because of the pain in my feet.

“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 with 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 to them, to stop them from continuing their mistreatment on 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 at 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 jealously I doubt.

“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 name basics for you to call me my name informally” We all turn to Lucien Alden cold voice, he stands there with murdering intent in his eyes, his eye move from us to Marissa before it got soften, I notice the soft look in his eye when he saw Marissa, he walks to her, hugs her and whispered something in her ear. I fisted my hand and swallowed hard, I felt like punching someone and that person is Lucien Alden.

“ Are you okay, do you know them?” he asked Marissa, holding her face in his hands, she nodded her head 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 said to me.

“Mr Monroe right?”. I nodded my head looking him in the eyes, his cold eyes were almost similar to Marissa. I didn't look away even when his eyes 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 knew each and had a history, are you not supposed to put aside your personal engagement in public, causing nuisance and bullying one woman, all of you” he scolded as he eyed me.

“ But Lucien, this woman…” prissy retorted but she was shut by Lucien murdering indented eyes that were shot at her, scared she grips our mother's hand.

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

“It is okay Lucien, let go. I am tried”

Marissa assured. Holding his hand, they walk away.

“I can't believe she is with Lucien, she stole him from me. I am sure she is back for her revenge. No, I am going to tell Lucien's sister when I know who she is,I am going to tell her that Marissa is a filthy whore. You 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 with his name Prissy. And you need to stop now or you will ruin Alaric plan of getting the Alden on the project and 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 has been quiet since when Lucien and Marissa showed public affection to each other.

“Stella is right, don't do anything for now Prissy dear. Alaric needs Alden on his project. We will deal with Marissa after that” my mother said, she looked at me.

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