Love, Lies and Billionaires

Maren paused abruptly from what she was doing and bit her lower lip but didn’t dare turn around as she could hear Alexander take steps towards her.

“I forgive you though because I really don’t want some silly bar performance to come between us” his voice was calm, and he pocketed his hands as he watched her back.

Maren’s head raced a thousand times per second, thinking of a way to come out of this. She didn’t owe him any explanation, did she?

They weren’t married anymore and the only thing keeping her from getting a restraining order was because Nathan still thinks he’s a good man, right? She searched her mind.

“So you stalk me now?” She blurted as she turned sharply around to face him, her face more serious than before. “I can’t do things at my will because I was once married to you?”

“And you chose to do them with someone like Kendrick?”

Maren scoffed and folded her arms. “So this is about Kendrick, isn’t it? You’re jealous that I always chose your rivals over you. Why do you think it’s that way, Blackwood? Have you ever sat to think about it?”

Alexander rolled his tongue around in his shut mouth and just stared at her. It was clear that he silently recited his own share of self-control as the night had arrived and the entire house became silent, with everyone expected to have retired to their beds.

“Okay look, I really don’t care who you’re with or what you do with them. All I ask for is another chance, Maren. I’ve sat and I’ve thought about this, and I’m sorry.”

Something inside of Maren softened a little, but she knew that was just the white angel being gullible.

This was the only time she’d seen or heard Alexander apologise and that was supposed to mean something, but of course, she let the red angel win.

“I know you Alexander, and you want something.”

“I want to be in Nathan’s life. ”

“No, something else,” she said, squinting her eyes as she took a step closer to him. Alexander rolled his eyes in frustration, but he was not giving up anytime soon.

“What are you talking about?” He asked.

“You want something and only I and/or Nathan can give it to you. So cut the shit and just spill it” she spat.

“Oh, my god, Maren.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “You’re being so problematic right now. I mean, I really didn’t expect getting to you to be easy but this, I really wasn’t expecting it to get this far.”

“I know you Alexander. If you weren’t going to benefit from something, you don’t chase it this far. I mean, isn’t that the reason we got married in the first place?”

“You are being unreasonable right now” he rubbed his temples

“Just tell me the fuck you want!”

“I want to protect you!” He screamed and sure enough, it rang throughout the house. He ran his fingers through his hair again, trying to calm himself down. “I’m trying to protect you, okay,” he added, his chest rising and falling.

Maren chuckled dryly. “I’m trying to be nice but, that is the stupidest thing you’ve said since you walked into this room. Protect me from what? What’s worse than being in this situation?”

“How do you think they didn’t display your face all over the internet for being a slut?” he thundered, his anger gradually getting the best of him.”

She scoffed, “Okay, first you stalk me, then you try to take credit for stopping a group of jobless mother fucker or possibly the press from publishing a story about me living my life?”

“Anyone could have done it, Kendrick could have done it! I mean, he is higher in status than you are,” she spat.

“That is exactly what I’m talking about. He is trouble, Maren. I’m trying to protect you from him. He’s bringing out the worst part of you! You’re finally getting yourself up the business ladder and that’s not the kind of news that should be heard about you, alright?”

“Don’t school me about that shit either, Alexander. Kendrick didn’t bring out the worst in me. It’s rather the opposite. He made me feel so alive and I don’t care if the entire world thinks I’m fucking him”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“You really don’t know what you’re dealing with, do you?”

“I don’t care and you also shouldn’t. You can’t tell me how I’ll live my life, Alexander. Those days are gone. And paying off some junkies isn’t a good enough excuse for you to just walk back into my life.”

Alexander was getting restless, “Oh, my god!” He held Maren by both shoulders and rocked her. “Are you listening to what I’m saying? Kendrick is not what he seems, you shouldn’t be around him.”

“Stop-stop-stop it!” she shouted and pushed him away from herself. She held her forehead and walked around in a small circle.

“Now I know what this is all about; the social media stuff,” she said and walked back to face him but kept a reasonable distance in case he still had the thought of shaking her again.

“You’re scared of everyone seeing that you’ve lost to yet another rival. You know, I never understood how you feel about having so many rivals. Isn’t it exhausting?”

“Why not grow up, you jealous fuck and just accept defeat for once and stop making anyone higher or on the same level as you, your rival?”

“god, Maren, you really don’t understand”

“Then make me understand!” The room fell silent, and for once they could hear the still silence from the night.

They exchanged stares and for the first time, Alexander was the first to fold.

‘Something really must be wrong somewhere’ that gullible white angel whispered again.

Alexander pocketed his hands and put his back on the wall.

“Make me understand or I’ll just keep making assumptions, Alexander”

He raised his head to her again, and Maren thought she could feel his heartbeat from where she stood. He looked away again.

Her expression softened a little. “Talk to me.” she took a step closer.

And just like a fish takes the bait, in a swift move, Alexander cupped her face with his hands and locked her lips in a needing passion.