Chapter 11

Z A R A

He notices my discomfort and chuckles, "Don't worry. I wouldn't do anything to her unless you give me a reason to. So? How is she?"

"Good," I answer flatly after chewing my food.

"Does she go to school?" He pushes the topic more

I nod.

"Is she still interested in English literature?" He asks. I can't tell whether he's genuinely interested or trying to keep up a conversation. I look up at him with wide eyes, okay, but how does he—

"She told me in one of the classes we had together that she was interested in the literature field," he explains, probably because I looked shocked. I nod again,

"She's studying English literature."

After a minute or two of eating in silence, Alejandro slams his hands down on the table, making me flinch back, "May I ask why you're not speaking to me?"

He's joking, right? "Do you want to hear the truth?" I ask quietly.

"I would appreciate that," he says.

"Will I be punished for speaking the absolute truth?" I ask cautiously. He stays quiet for a moment and shakes his head,

"No, continue."

I don't know if I believe him or not but I continue anyway.

"You just hurt me, Alejandro," my voice cracks. "It doesn't only hurt physically but emotionally too. You traumatized me to a breaking point just minutes ago and you're asking me why I'm not able to have a decent conversation?"

"I see, maybe we should have postponed the dinner," he thinks.

"That's not the point!" My voice rises my accident and quickly shrinks back. "You asked me before if I missed you, I did and I still do," I sigh. "I missed you a lot. There wasn't a day that went by where I didn't wonder where you were, what you were doing, who you were with. But I miss the man I knew years back, not the one sitting in front of me today."

I see him grip his knife and fork, I know I hit a nerve but his expression is still blank. He doesn't want me to know I've affected him in any way.

"It would be best for you to forget about the Alejandro you knew in high school. That weak and inadequate of a man is no longer alive," he says darkly. "Besides, almost everything I told you about me was a lie, so, technically, that Alejandro was never real."

My eyes widen, "W-what do you mean?"

"My last name, my age, the reason why I switched schools, everything was a lie except for my first name," he explains.

"How old are you? What were you at my school for?" The questions slip out.

He smirks, "This would be a conversation held when you earn the privilege to hear the answers." Silence befalls us again as a burning question is left in my mind.

"Alejandro..." I call out softly. "My parents—how are they?"

"As well as they can be, according to my men. Don't worry, my love," there isn't a single bit of affection in his voice. "Everything's been paid off, as I promised. Plus, I offered extra funds for their trouble."

"Did they ask about me?" Tears start pooling in my eyes again.

"Does it matter?" He rolls his eyes.

"It does," I answer.

He's silent for a few seconds before answering, "They did. They were told you were in good hands and that if they were to pry, the situation would change."

"Oh," was all I managed. "I think I'm done for the night. I'll be heading back to my room," I push back my chair to stand up.

"Sit down, my love. I have a few rules to explain," he says curtly. I let my hands rest on my lap as I look down to wait for him to explain.

"You're not allowed to leave the apartment unless given permission by me. It's impossible for you to leave without credentials, anyways. But if you try to leave or make things difficult, there will be consequences," he explains the first rule.

"You will have to earn your privilege to be able to visit outside of the apartment, with someone escorting you, of course."

"Breakfast and lunch will be laid out for you in our dining hall. If you have specific meal recommendations, you may let me know and I'll have it set up," his eyes are studying me as he lays everything out. "You will have dinner with me unless stated otherwise. I will advise you to dress in certain manners from time to time, which you will have to abide by. Or else—" he waits for me to finish the sentence.

"—There will be consequences," I finish.

"Good girl," he smiles with satisfaction.

"When I call or text you, I expect a reply within five minutes or I will assume you're disobeying me. You should be nearby the phone at all times," he continues. "Rules will be explained as we go along. Also, tomorrow, we have a courthouse official coming in to officiate our marriage."

"Our what?!" I quickly try to recover, "I mean, so quickly? How come, if you don't mind me asking? "I'm busy man, my love. I do have some time tomorrow in the afternoon. You can plan a big wedding for another time," he says as if I look eager to plan a wedding with Satan himself.

There's no fighting this. There's no complaining. There's no arguing; not if I want the people around me to stay alive.

"C-can I ask something else?" My voice is a hushed tone, my heart beating quickly again. I start shifting in my seat uncomfortably, wincing at the pain, which is still lingering from his assault. I stand up to walk closer to him but still keep some distance.

"Aren't we suddenly talkative?" There's amusement playing in his eyes as he stands up to tower over me.

"Why me?" My voice cracks and my vision quickly blurs from the sudden tears. "Why choose me? I'm sure you have many suitable people whom you can take in as your spouse, why..." hurt me? I wanted to say.

"You're right, there were many suitors—many who are far more fitting for the position of my spouse than you," though his words are harsh, he gently reaches out to touch my cheek. "Many who are much more trained to able to survive in my world—to handle me without breaking."

I flinch back at his gesture or maybe from his words, which are surprisingly causing me sorrow, a response that's become automatic.

There's clear irritation or maybe offense expressed on his face when I flinched away from his touch.

"Zara, look at me," that rare gentleness in his voice is back. My name in his mouth feels warm and cozy again, a false sense of comfort.

"I didn't want anyone but you because I love you," The three important words slip out of his lips with so much ease as if he actually means it. My jaw opens slightly, from the shock of the words. I search his eyes for a hint of mockery or ridicule but there's none.

How can he say those words with so much benevolence after continuously being a monster towards me?

"I loved you for years, all throughout high school. You were the only person on my mind for the last few torturous years," his eyes are softer, kinder than anything I've seen in the last few days. "And the day I told you I'd never see you again was harder on me than I would've liked. That kiss, the most innocent peck on the tip of my nose, is what I held onto for years. The one thing making me crave all of you."

My heart swells... no, stop! Zara, don't! Please don't! Please don't fall for this!

"Alejandro..." before I know it, I'm sobbing against his chest. The same chest that had me disgusted an hour ago is now my only place of comfort. "I missed you so much," I grip the back of his shirt tighter in desperation.

"I know, Zara. I know," he wraps his arms around—gently, this time, resting his chin on top of my head. His threatening aura is no longer present, there's no aggression in his actions; just hold onto this Alejandro, just for a few more moments. His hand lightly rubs the back of my head, stroking downwards in repetitive motion, something that calms me down in an instant.

No, he's the cause of all of this!

But my heart still aches for him, the man I spent so much time with, what happened?

What happened to him?