Chapter 7

Alessandra

My night was one for the books. The club was jam-packed; when I actually left, it was three in the morning. When I walked out of the club, I looked down the empty streets, dreading the walk home. I groaned out loud and started walking. I was five minutes away from the club when a black car pulled up beside me, making me jump.

The windows went down, and he was sitting in the driver’s seat. Zane.

“Come on, princess, it’s late.” He said, leaning over and opening the door. I looked down the dimly lit road and then back at him.

“Princess, if you try to walk, I’ll have to come out and put you in. Alessandra, I’m not going to hurt you.” He said it quietly, and I got in. Once I was in, the windows went back up, and he pulled away from the corner.

“Sorry, I had some work to take care of. Did you wait long?” he asked.

“No, I just came out.” I said quietly.

“Zane, look, you seem like a really nice guy and…..”

“We’re not a good fit, right?” he said, cutting me off.

“Okay, show me the list?” he said. I looked at him.

“I didn’t make one because it makes no sense to make one. I don’t want this, whatever this is. I just want to be left alone.” I said,

He pulled over and parked in front of the laundromat. He leaned over so fast, pulling me into him and kissing me. His hands fisted my hair as he deepened the kiss, and for the life of me, I couldn't understand why I returned the kiss and didn't push him away. He pulled away from me and looked at me, his thumb caressing my lips.

“See, we fit. Tell me you didn’t feel that.” He said quietly.

“Zane, I… I don’t.”

He kissed me again, deeper this time, cutting off my protest. When he pulled away this time, he looked at me, and the look in his eyes scared me.

“You're mine, and that’s the way it’ll stay, princess. Where am I taking you?” he asked, and I told him. He started the car and drove off. I kept looking out the window because what the hell was I going to say? When we pulled up to the apartment building, he made a face. He shut the car off; I tried getting out, but he grabbed me.

“I’m not going to do anything you don’t want me to do. Except kissing you,” he said, smiling at me.

“This isn’t… I don’t have time for this, Zane. I know nothing about you.”

“Fair enough.” He leaned back and grabbed a folder and handed it to me.

“This is everything you need to know about me, princess. I’ll be here tomorrow at eight. If you don’t come out, then I’ll leave and won’t ever contact you again. “The decision is in your hands,” he said, leaning over and kissing my lips, then opening the door for me.

“Okay.”

“Good night, princess.”

“Night, Zane.”

He waited until I got into the apartment building, then left. I made it up to my apartment on shaky legs. I dropped the folder onto the table and stared at it. I wanted to know, but I didn’t want to know.

I pulled out the phone and called him; he answered on the second ring.

“Yes, princess?”

“Before I open that folder. Answer this question. Are you a millionaire or billionaire?”

“Why? Do you need a large amount of money?” he asked

“No. If I open that folder and see anything like that, then you don’t need to come here tomorrow. I can and will give you a chance if you’re a normal person, Zane. People with wealth. I stay away from them. Because they are all liars, deceitful, unforgiving, and ruthless people.” He was silent.

“Go ahead and open it; I’ll pick you up tomorrow. “Sweet dreams, princess,” he said, ending the call. I opened the folder and sat down.

NAME: Zane Anthony

DOB: 26 October

PARENTS: DECEASED

 OCCUPATION: Business Consultant

RESIDENCE: Chicago, Illinois

I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and put myself through college with a combination of scholarships and working odd jobs. After earning my degree in business administration, I started working for a large consulting company. I’m known for my sharp mind and my no-nonsense approach to problem-solving.

Hobbies & Interests: When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time outdoors.Hiking, range shooting, rock climbing, racing, and car collecting. I’m a skilled cook, and I prefer quality time over large social events.

Financial Status: I live a comfortable life. I live in a modest, well-maintained apartment in a quiet neighborhood and drive my BMW, among others, well. I’m financially savvy and have made smart investments, which allows me to support my lifestyle without needing to show off.

This is me, Princess. I won’t lie to you unnecessarily, but if you want to know anything else, you can always ask me. I won’t hurt you, princess, and I’ll do everything I can to make you happy.

I closed the file. Could I do this? With him. I already knew the answer to that question.

Kian

The next morning as I was about to leave to get Alessandra, Cathleen showed up. Fuck, I needed to get Alessandra out of my system.

“Morning, let’s go get breakfast,” she said.

“Sure, let's go.”

I got into the car and nodded at Roscoe, and he got into the driver's seat. Cathleen got in beside me, and we left.

“Kian, whatever you need to do, please do it before we get engaged. Get it out of your system,* she said.

“Sure.”

“Please take us to Cosmos,” Cathleen said to Roscoe. Roscoe looked at me in the rearview mirror and shook his head. I was confused, then I realized Alessandra worked there.

Fuck. “Cathleen Cosmos is packed at this time; let's go to the other one.”

“Okay, but tonight we're going to Cosmos,” she said, and I nodded. Shit, I needed to get this girl out of my system and fucking fast.

Three months, It’s been three months since that night, and every time the opportunity came where we could fuck her and get it out of my system, I kept putting it off.

I looked at her; she looked so beautiful and relaxed. We were by the beach. I had a beachfront property in Florida. I lied, saying it belonged to a friend. I had to get her out of Chicago for the weekend. My mother and sister, along with Cathleen, were planning the engagement party and were on the streets of Chicago, and I couldn’t take any chances.

“What are you thinking about?” She asked.

“I’m thinking about you.” I pulled her into me, kissing her. She leaned into me, wrapping her arms around my neck. Guaranteed she was only one foot shorter than me, which I found cute, and she found it as teasing.