Alex Pov

Alliances and Favor

The mansion didn't simply stand; it commanded. Its doors were shoulders squared, and carved with swirling vines. An enormous leather sofa sagged in the centre, while a crystal chandelier hung above.

My father sat down on the couch, fingers steepled, his gaze fixed directly on me. Most people called him Sebastian Moretti, but to me he'd always been Dad-a title that felt smaller than the man wearing it.

"I can't marry Vivian, Dad. I just can't."

"Listen, Alex," he said. "She's your childhood friend. You two are close, What's so bad about marrying her now? I know you're not seeing anyone, so marrying Vivian isn't a problem. You're getting married to her. That's final."

"Dad, who told you I have no one?" I snapped back. "I have a girlfriend. Since you're pushing me to get married so soon, I'll bring her to you."

My father raised his brow, "A girlfriend? I know you, Alex. What game are you playing?"

He was right. In the past I'd played games, had one-night stands with girls whose names I barely remembered. But thinking about Adeline was different. I'd never fantasized about a girl this way, never actually loved anyone. Sex had been easy, and she wasn't.

"It's not a game, Dad," I said. "I have a girlfriend."

He sighed, leaning back, "If that's what you want, fine by me. Bring her tomorrow." Then he stood and walked away.

My father was the kind of man who never forced me to do what I didn't want to do. Or at least I used to believe that. Right now it felt as if there was something between him and Vivian's family I didn't understand. Even when he'd wanted me to take over Moretti's Empire we'd argued, and in the end he'd let it go. I'd refused because I didn't want to live off my father's wealth.

My phone blinked.

"I'm at your gate, I think there is something wrong with your guard."

I scoffed, and headed for the door, "Hey, let him in," I told the guard. Then I went back to the sofa.

Xavier walked in, "Alex Moretti," he said, glancing at me.

I scoffed, "Xavier Falcone."

He was fond of calling me by my full name; I'd learned to throw it back at him when I was too tired to respond any other way.

Xavier's expression turned stern, "Let's talk about business."

I raised an eyebrow, "Is it about the new resorts we are handling?"

Xavier shook his head, "The restaurant owner in Queens. Owes my father's men fifty thousand dollars. He's about to disappear. My father, what's to know if your trucks can move his kitchen equipment and some gadget before the cops show up."

I rubbed my temples, "Xavier, I told you. I don't mix my company with your father's loan business."

He grinned, "Relax, it's just storage space. You have warehouses, we both make money."

I glanced at him, "And when someone gets shot over that? Whose name is on the trucks?"

"Yours," he said. "You're Moretti, you can get past it."

"I'm not interested," I shrugged.

"You think I like this? I'm not part of my father's world. I've never touched his loan business. But he's threatening me, Alex. If I don't do this one job, he will drag me through his mess, I'm stuck."

I let out a breath, "You should've told me sooner."

"I didn't want to drag you into it," he said. "But I can't handle this alone."

I studied him, he wasn't the type of man trying to pull me into the mud; this was my close friend.

"You're not your father," I said. "You've kept clean all these years. I know that."

He gave a shaky laugh, "Try telling him that."

I walked around the desk and clasped his shoulder, "Alright, I'll help you. But we do it my way. I'm not letting him use you like this.

He smiled, "Thank you Alex."

I scoffed, "Whatever."

Xavier leaned back in his chair, "So, about the resort. We can't just slap a name on it and expect people to come. We need the experience to be as exclusive as our clients."

I nodded, tapping my fingers on the desk, "Agreed. I've been thinking about villas. Private pools, it shouldn't be that flashy, but luxurious in a subtle way. I think people pay for privacy, not gold-plated chandeliers. What do you think?"

He grinned, "Exactly."

"Come to think of it, Alex."

"Your dad texted me," he said. "Who's that girl?"

I arched my brow, "Girl?"

"Don't play dumb. You claimed to have a girlfriend."

"I lied, there's no girl," I said, standing up. I already knew my father wouldn't believe me and would run a background check. I'd prepared fake scenarios just in case.

Xavier followed me down the stairs. He was on my back and there was no shaking him today. I halted and faced him.

"That girl..." he said, arcing a brow. "The same girl you kept denying you were obsessed with?"

I shrugged and opened my room door.

"Tell me," he purred. "Why aren't you talking?"

I ignored him.

He grinned cheekily, "I knew it. It's been over two years, hasn't it? You came to meet my father and did what you've never done in your life. I knew something was wrong but you just kept denying it."

He would taunt me with this now that he'd pieced it together. My father has ruined it for me.

The first time I saw her photo with Giovanni Falcone. Xavier's father, the man who owned half the city's debts, I thought she was the one who borrowed money, then I had a plan...but I had a change of plan after finding out that it was her mother.

My muscles tightened, I couldn't stop thinking about her, it wasn't love, not the way people write songs about it. I wanted to know everything about her; where she lives, who she talked to, what she liked.

I've never been the kind of man who cared about anything that wasn't my business. I only cared about my company but Adeline....I went further, paid people, pulled strings.

I hate admitting it, even in my own head, but for a year and a half that's what I became. Whether her mother accepted my money or not, I knew a hundred ways to make Adeline mine.

Adeline Pov

Dinner

I glanced at Alex as he drove, and then I closed my eyes and tried to breathe. Okay, Adeline...you can do this. You're going to meet his dad, and you'll have to...I thought about acting all lovey-dovey, pretending to be the perfect girlfriend, Gosh I hate this.

Why does this feel like I'm walking into a battlefield? I muttered. He caught my face in the rearview mirror, and he raised an eyebrow. He knows I'm over thinking, doesn't he?

I bit my lips slowly, Adeline you've done crazier things before... haven't you?

"My dad won't bite you," he said, without even glancing at me.

"What do you mean?" I shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant, though my heart was pounding so fast.

He didn't reply, his eyes stayed on the road.

I tried to focus on my breathing. In all honesty, I really don't understand why I am this nervous.

He drove quietly for a few more minutes until a black car pulled over in front of us. Alex slowed down and parked behind it.

I gulped down nothing, glancing at him.

He got down from the car, "Get the fuck away from the road."

A lady stepped out from the black vehicle and walked toward us.

The moment Alex saw her, his expression changed instantly, and his eyes narrowed, leaning slightly against the car.

"Vivian, what's this about?" he questioned.

Vivian smiled, "What's this about?" she repeated, glancing at me. "So it's true...you really have a girlfriend."

Alex's expression didn't change, "Is that a problem?"

She grinned...and then suddenly snapped, "Yes, it's a problem! You can't just bring a random, cheap whore and say you want to marry her after everything I did for you!"

My eyes widened, staring at them both. My heart stirs in my chest, I knew Alex was a psycho, but I didn't want to be the villain in anyone's love story. And right now, that's exactly how it looked.

Instantly, Alex pinned her against the car, his eyes darkened, "Say any other word about her, and you will know that I don't joke with what is mine! If you weren't a lady...if you weren't my friend...I know where you would be right now."

He released her, "Take that fucking vehicle out of the way before I lose it."

Vivian moved back, and then she glared at me, then turned and walked away, her heels made some kind of noise.

I wanted to ask questions, but I brushed them off. I wasn't ready to start any conversation with the man sitting next to me, so I turned my face towards the window.

Some minutes later, we finally arrived. My eyes widened, though I forced myself to hide my surprise. The mansion before me was breathtaking-elegantly designed, with sprawling gardens and different employees.

I stepped out of the car, my gaze lingered on the exterior, trying to process the scenarios playing on my head.

Alex's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, "Are you okay?"

I turned toward him, "Yes....I'm fine," I managed to say.

He didn't reply, but tilting his lips suggested he knew I wasn't being completely honest.

‡

The dining room was massive, elegantly decorated, with a long table set for at least a dozen guests. At the head was his father I glanced at him and smiled, "Hello...I'm Adeline, I have heard so much about you."

If that's the right thing to say...I mean, I haven't even heard a thing about him. Taking a deep breath.

Alex's father raised an eyebrow, I felt a tiny bead of sweat form at my temple, wishing I'd said something smarter, maybe more impressive.

He glanced at me, "Sebastian Moretti. Nice to meet you," he said suddenly, and I was relieved that he had responded.

God, this is insane, I thought, sipping my water. I'm literally playing the role of a girlfriend in front of his family...and the man I'm with makes everything ten times more intense.

He glanced at me, "Is this some kind of game you two are playing?"

I hesitated, his dad knows what exactly his son his capable of.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, "Pardon?"

I shook my head quietly, placing my hand gently over Alex's, "It's not a game. We...love each other so much."

Alex gaze met mine, I could tell he hadn't expected me to say that, but after a moment, he shook it off with a smile.

"Dad, I told you before... it's real this time," Alex said.

His father set down his cutlery and wiped his mouth with his napkin, "I don't know much about you," he said. "But the little I do know...I don't know what's in my son's head. Before any engagement can happen, you'll have to prove to me once that you truly love him."

I raised an eyebrow, "What?"

He nodded, "Yes, you heard me right."

Alex nudged me lightly with his leg under the table, then he cleared his throat, giving me some kind of look.

I forced a smile, "It's fine by me," I said, immediately dropping my gaze, feeling my heart pound.

Of course...this is exactly what life with rich people looks like, everything here screams control, power.. and rules I don't even know existed.

"Excuse me," his dad said and walked away.

I let out a breath that I didn't even know that I was holding, and yanked my hand out of Alex's grip, "You could at least told me that your father was this hard," I said.

"He is not always like this, I will talk to him," he said looking directly at his phone.

I made my lips twitch, "I hate this. You know I don't even like you, can you just stop making me do this."

"And yet you are, sitting beside me and holding my hand," he replies and goosebumps scatter across my flesh.

I shot him a glare, "Don't flatter yourself. This is a contract, Alex. I'm only here because of my Mom."

He tilted his head, "Good girl. You remember the rules, wifey."

I pushed my chair back, and pulse quickened.

Don't say it, Adeline. Don't say what's on your tongue. I knew exactly what I was about to do, blow up this fucking arrangement with one angry sentence, and I bit my lips trying to hold back my words, gripping the edge of the table until my knuckles whitened.

"Don't call me that, I am not your wife yet," I snapped.

"Sooner or later, you will be my wife," he replied.

"I am leaving," I fixated my gaze towards the door, trying to avoid his gaze, and then I walked away immediately.

‡

It wasn't long after Alex dropped me at home that a knock echoed on the door. Mom was in her room, so I groggily stood up and went to open it.

My eyes widened, "Vivian?"

She wrinkled her nose, "Gosh, I can't believe you live in this filty place."

I smirked, "I didn't know you were so obsessed with me that you'd stalk me to my house. Now tell me, who's filty?"

Her jaw clenched and she pushed me aside, "Do you even know who I am? How dare you talk to Vivian like that?" she jabbed a finger toward me.

"I won't accept disrespect either," I snapped back.

"I don't care who you are, you might think you're above me, but we're still breathing the same air, got it?"

Her eyes darkened, and she glanced at me with fury, "Mark my words-read my lips, bitch...I will make you regret ever coming near Alex."

I rolled my eyes and gripped the door, "Watch this same bitch marry him right in your face. You know what? Alex wants me, not you. That's another reason to remind you that you're nothing to him and your money means nothing. Got it? I'll send my wedding invitation."

I slammed the door in her face and leaned back against it, breathing hard, I'll let her know that even a snake can choke on it's own venom.

Alex Pov

Whispers

I don't know how to convince my father about Adeline. He still insist on what he said, and I can't figure out what he's planning. Why is he so adamant?

I brushed my hand through my hair as I stepped out of the car and into the company building.

"Good morning, boss," the receptionist greeted.

I gave her a nod and kept walking. Minutes passes before I finally reached my office, I loosed my tie, sat on the chair behind my desk, and picked up the telephone.

"Bring me coffee," I said, then set the telephone down.

Camilla walked in, "Good morning, boss. Here's your coffee, I've also prepared your schedule for today, you have a meeting with Nestle Enterprise at twelve," she said.

Camilla was my secretary, she was deligent with her work ever since she started working for me.

I finally glanced up at her, her shirt was opened slightly revealing her cleavage as she bent to hand me a file. Camilla had always made advances towards me, but I'd made it clear long ago that I don't mix work with pleasure.

Today, though, something felt different. Normally, I'd ignore it; I felt really annoyed, and I don't know if disgusted was the right word to say.

I nodded, though I barely heard what she'd said, "Okay. You can leave, and don't walk in here like that again."

She glanced down at her self, then she turns and left without saying another word.

My phone buzzed, it was Adeline.

At this point, I might kill someone," she said.

I arched my brows, what is she up to, "What do you mean?"

"Just saying," she replied

I stared at the screen for a second, Murder someone? What was she trying to tell me?

I set the phone down, then picked it up again, my instincts already whispering into my ear.

"Get the CCTV footage of Rivers Estate," I said when the line connected. "Immediately, it's urgent. Send it straight to me, you don't need to bring it in person."

I dropped the call and placed it on the desk, my fingers tightened against the wood, as different thoughts spiralled through my mind.

I had a meeting at noon, so I straightened my jacket and headed for the conference room. Camilla was already seated at one of the chairs when I walked to the head of the table. I glanced at my watch.

"Camilla, does he know about this?"

"Yes, sir. He's on his way."

The door opened and Matteo Varella walked in. He glanced at his own watch and smirked, "Oops, I'm late," he said, and then grinned before settling down.

We were rivals-no point denying it. Matteo was arrogant, and though I wasn't exactly humble, something about him always rubbed me the wrong way. We simply didn't get along.

"I scoffed, "Okay, Start."

"I'm Ethan Vale, a manager from Nestle Enterprise," Ethan said.

Matteo glared at him, "Skip the introductions and get to the point. Show us the contract."

Ethan exhaled slowly, "About the contract... we've concluded that both of you are perfect for this project. We want Matteo Varella and Alex Moretti to work together."

Matteo's palm slammed onto the table, "What the hell? It's not possible! We can't work together. The public already know we're competitors, this will look ridiculous."

I rose to my feet, straightening my tie, "I can't work with him. Cancel the alliance, I am done here."

"I don't want to work with you either," Matteo snapped, also standing.

I don't even look at him, "Camilla, cancel the agreement between our company and theirs," I said as I walked out.

My phone buzzed again, "Dad?"

"Alex, why did you cancel the agreement just because you don't want to work with Matteo? Do you understand the implications of what you're about to do?"

I shook my head and let out a breath, of course someone had already told him. Somehow, everything that happened in my company always found its way to my father. I didn't care who it was-unless they were feeding him lies. And when I found out who the mole was, I wouldn't spare them.

"Dad, I know what I'm doing," I said. "If I work with Matteo, it's either his father buries him, or you bury me. It's one of the two. And I know you don't want that to happen.

There was a pause on the other end of the line. Finally, he spoke again, "Just handle the mess you've made."

Then his voice suddenly turned serious, "And I called you because of Adeline. I'm asking you again-do you really think she'll pass the test I'm about to throw at her? If she doesn't, you can't be with her."

My jaw clenched, "Alright, Dad," I muttered, and ended the call.

I stared at the phone for a moment, a smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. This old man still didn't understand that neither he nor anyone else could stop Adeline from being my wife. If I had to burn this world to the ground to be with her, I'd gladly do it.

Camilla rushed in, "Sir, someone's on the phone. They said they need to speak with you immediately."

I arched a brow, "Why is everyone suddenly calling me today? What the hell is going on?"

She held the phone and I collected it from her, "Speak up," I snapped.

I stiffened, and jerked my head up, "Are you sure of what you are saying?"

My lips flattened into a stern line, "Okay," I said flatly, handing the phone back to Camilla. I ignored the look in her eyes an walked back into my office.

I instantly dialed Xavier's number, and he picked up like he had been expecting my call, "Someone just stole my truck before it reaches the drop point, but don't panic-I had a plan B from the start."

"That's why my father kept calling me, but I just felt like ignoring him," he replied.

I placed my hand over my face, closing my eyes trying to breathe, "You know what? Don't pick up your father's call. And make sure no one knows your location until the truck get there. Understood?"

I ended the call and tossed the phone onto the desk, "Shit," I muttered through gritted teeth. "Who the hell did that?" My mind raced, as I tried to wrap my head around all this chaos, but the harder I thought, the tighter the noose of questions pulled around me.

I placed my head on the table. Anytime I have a plan, someone is already ahead of me.

Who is this person? I tried to piece the puzzle together, but it was fruitless.

Then my phone rang, I sighed. Can't I just have a moment to breathe.

I glanced at the screen, It was the contact I'd sent to check the CCTV footage. Instead of picking up, I opened the chat, enough surprises for today.

I typed back, "Get her. I don't care how, don't hurt her, I'll be there."

I hit send and stared at the screen, my thumb hovering. Something about the name on the other end made the hairs on my neck stand up.

The picture was clear now, and it was uglier than I'd imagined.