Leap of Fate

Today makes it exactly five months since I got into a contract marriage with Alexander. So far so good, things has been moving well, not between I and Alexander though. It was just as if the little relationship and communication I had with him has plummeted. We no longer talk to each other, infact, Alexander is barely seen at home, and when he comes back, it's either he ignores me or he avoids me. At first, I felt bad, but slowly grew into it.

Yep, we are complete strangers to each other after all.

Other than the unprogressive relationship I have with Alexander, every other thing has been moving well and normal. He still sends me my weekly allowance, but still I have told him times without number that I want to work. He'd always brush it aside or tell me that he is rich enough to take care of me. Yeah, just like the arrogant nutjob he is.

Ava's bakery has been booming, and well she's over the death of her father, not completely though. Every other day, I'm stuck in this mansion, because I have nowhere to go. Most times, I spend some days at Ava's bakery, not without Alexander's bodyguards though, this time around they're doing a good job following me discreetly.

I haven't had any experience with Alexander and his mafia world, and I don't even want to. It's better it stays far away from me and I'd do the same, but I feel like that's not the reality. Everything looks calm, too calm for my liking. I have a feeling that this would be the calm before the storm. 

I got up from my vanity, where I'd been sitting for more than thirty minutes now, staring absent mindedly at my reflection on the mirror. I sat on my soft bed, the bed dipping with my weight. I sighed out in exasperation as I looked around my room. I got into a contract with a mafia and I'm paying the price - my freedom, my time, my sanity.

Five months in, it's remaining seven more months to go and I'll finally free myself. From Alexander, from his tight, invincible grip. I can't keep living like this. I am going to work for money, even if it means going against Alexander for it.

It's five in the evening, and I looked out of my open window to watch the sunset. I felt something fluffy brush my arms, and I turned to see Sam.

"Hey there, little kitty." I swung him up and balanced him in my arms while caressing his silky furs. He purred in satisfaction and stared back at me with his big green eyes. This is one beautiful cat. 

I looked up at the door when a knock sounded on it. I got up from the bed, and approached the door. I opened it to see John standing outside. He flashed me a small smile.

"Your dinner is ready, ma'am." I nodded at him and he returned the gesture before he turned and left. I shut the door and resumed my position on my bed, with Sam in my arms. I started humming a melodious tone my mother used to hum whenever I had a hard time sleeping, and began rocking Sam back and forth. I stopped when I heard some huff sounds outside my door. Has John not left?

The door immediately jerked open and Alexander sauntered in, looking all so magnificent and handsome in all his glory. His eyes was trained on me as he stood by the door. He was breathing a little bit heavily, and he was sweating. Did he run? I saw him take a deep breath. A breath of relief or something. His black top and black combat slacks roused with his movements as he turned to shut the door and slowly approached me on the bed. I felt Sam leave, more like flee from my arms to God knows where. 

I swallowed when Alexander finally stood in front of me. Him looking down at me, and me looking up at him. I was entranced. I was enchanted. I was enraptured. Gosh, he looked breathtakingly beautiful or err...handsome. This is the first time I'm seeing him properly in like, three weeks now. I couldn't look away. He couldn't look away. Our eyes were glued in a silent battle, waiting for one to back down first. I guess I lost the battle, because he pulled me up and engulfed me in his arms. Tightly. Warmly. 

I blinked repeatedly and swallowed. He kissed my hair and muttered incoherent words in my ear. I sighed in delight as I flushed against him, and slowly wrapped my arms around him too. I needed the hug too. I really needed it. 

After what felt like an eternity of being wrapped in his arms, he finally released me. A low, inaudible whimper escaped my lips and I peeked at him from under my lashes. Alexander slowly leaned in , and kissed my forehead, my temples, my eyes, my nose, my cheek, the corner of my lips. 

What's with the display of affection? Is this another form of charade or something? Maybe, his is doing this again for his grandfather. Maybe, his grandfather is secretly watching us. I looked around my room briefly, but I didn't see anything odd. I turned back to look at Alexander, his eyes was mixed with so many emotions swirling in his grey orbs. His face looked calm, but his eyes, they were a mess.

He took a fistful of my long golden strands and inhaled deeply. His eyes was still locked on mine. At the moment, I felt like a small boat on the ocean, sending big waves into motion. And just like as though a cold bucket of water was poured on his head he flinched away from me, like I burned him. I was ripped off of his warmth, his hold, his scent. I was ripped off of my safe haven-my sanctuary, my abode.

"Why haven't you gone down for dinner? Your food is getting cold," his voice was strained and taut. 

"I'm not hungry," I stared simply.

"What do you mean? You look so thin, baby. Have you even been eating all this while?" His face darkened and he grabbed my hand.

"So, you decided to grace me with your presence after what? Weeks of avoiding and ignoring me. Leaving me to wither away in this boring and dry mansion of yours." My gaze was fixed on his perfect pointed nose, seemingly avoiding his grey abyss.

"I thought you had created something to pass time with. And Claire is her...." He paused when I gave him a look. "Oh, I forgot Claire is on her two weeks leave, you must be feeling her absence." He gave me a look as though he was studying me. "What the hell are you wearing?" He asked, gesturing at the oversized worn out top I was wearing and an old baggy jean shorts.

"Clothes," I shrugged.

"You look hideous in that. My wife shouldn't be seen wearing these rags." My eyes widened and I glared hard at him. I landed a punch on his chest, but he didn't budge. His stare was still focused on me and he didn't look away. 

"Get dressed. We're going for a dinner party," he said and moved closer to me before he leaned in and whispered. "I want you dressed in that red wine dress I got you two weeks ago." He pecked my lips abruptly, straightened up and left my room, leaving me glued at the spot, discombobulated.