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  I woke up with a pounding headache, my body sluggish and my mouth bitter as if I had swallowed regret overnight.
    What a stupid day yesterday was.
    Rolling out of bed, I shuffled toward the bathroom, my movements slow and mechanical. The cold water shocked my senses as I brushed my teeth and stepped into the shower, letting the heat loosen the tightness in my muscles.
    By the time I emerged, wrapped in a towel, the morning had fully settled in. I walked into the dressing room, scanning my options before settling on a long-sleeved blue dress with buttons running down the length to my legs. Simple, but elegant. Sliding into it, I glanced at the time it was already past eight.
    I checked my phone hoping to see a reply from candice but I didn’t get anything. I was going to have to call her soon afterall that’s what a real friend would do after leaving her in the arms of a typical stranger last night.
    Obviously, Alex is gone by now.
    That thought brought a small, relieved smile to my lips. He never lingered in the mornings. He was always out of the house even before I opened my eyes…an unspoken arrangement that suited me just fine. Tying my hair into a tight ponytail, I caught my reflection in the vanity mirror. I looked good.
    With that assurance, I left my room and headed downstairs to the dining hall.
    The scent of fresh fruit and baked bread filled the air. The long table was spread with a lavish breakfast, though I barely glanced at the plates. Two maids were slicing bananas, chatting in hushed tones.
    And then—I froze.
    Seated at the head of the table, his brown hair catching the soft morning light, was Alexander.
    My stomach twisted. What the hell was he still doing here?
    A newspaper lay folded in his hand, an iPad open in front of him. He looked completely at ease, dressed in black suit and matching suit tie absorbed in whatever he was reading. But more than anything, it was the simple fact that he was here at all that threw me off balance.
    Alexander had never stayed for breakfast—unless we were performing in front of his stepmother. And even then, it didn’t last long.
    Slowly, he lifted his gaze, his icy eyes raking over me from head to toe. Assessing me.
    Then, just as quickly—he looked away. No greeting. Just a fleeting glance before he returned to his business.
    My fingers curled at my sides. Fine. If he wanted to act like I was invisible, I could play that game too.
    I walked to the farthest seat from him, settling in without a word. Not acknowledging him likewise.
    Shifting my gaze to the cup of coffee the maid placed in front of me, I quickly stirred in a bit of milk. The warmth seeped through my fingers as I brought it to my lips, taking a careful sip. The bitterness helped clear the fog in my head—an unwelcome reminder of yesterday’s chaos.
    Across from me, Alexander was already deep in a phone call, his voice calm but firm as he talked about ships, and numbers…. company business. Boring.
    I let my gaze drift to the spread of food before me. The sight of fresh bread, golden honey, thick butter, and neatly chopped meat awakened a hunger I hadn’t even realized was there. The maid silently helped dish some onto my plate, and as soon as the food was in front of me, I dug in.
    The first bite was heavenly. Then another. And another.
    By the time I was halfway through a cream-filled cake, completely absorbed in my food, a sudden throat-clearing cut through the silence.
    I paused, blinking up with mouth still stuffed to find Alexander watching me. His expression unreadable, but his gaze sharp.
    “I never knew you ate that much,” he remarked, his voice smooth yet edged with something close to amusement.
    Heat crawled up my neck.
    I swallowed hastily, grabbing a napkin to dab at my lips. “I’m just hungry,” I mumbled, barely managing to form the words around the remaining food in my mouth.
    Only then did I notice his plate.
    A plate filled with neatly cut watermelon slices, nothing more.
    I frowned. Seriously, who the hell eats just watermelon for breakfast?
    He hummed in response, his attention shifting back to his plate of watermelon. With slow, deliberate movements, he speared a slice with his fork, bringing it to his lips without sparing me another glance.
    Conversation over.
    I took a slow sip of creamy milk, feeling my stomach tighten beneath the fitted fabric of my dress. I was full. I knew that. But my gaze flickered to the untouched chocolate cake in front of me. I hadn’t even tasted it yet.
    Just as I reached for it, Alex’s voice cut through the air.
    “Don’t you think you’ve had enough for now?”
    My fingers halted inches from the plate. My eyes snapped up to meet his.
    “Are you seriously telling me not to eat cake now?” My voice dripped with disbelief. “First, you control who I spend time with, and now you’re trying to dictate what I eat?!”
    He raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
    “I stopped you from hanging out with your friends?” He mused, taking a slow sip of orange juice, eyes never leaving mine. “You mean the ones falling over themselves in front of a club? That’s what you’re upset about?”
    I clenched my jaw. “So now I’m childish for wanting to have a social life?”
    He finally set his glass down and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temple as if I were exhausting him. “I’d say you’re being problematic. You just want to start an argument. Why the hell did we even have to bump into each other this morning?” He exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair in mock frustration.
    I scoffed. “Same. Same. You could have just gone to work like you always do. Left early, avoided me, saved yourself the agony of my ‘problematic’ presence.”
    He smirked. “And spared you from my smug face?”
    “Oh, absolutely. Your face is insufferably smug.”
    At that, he laughed.
    Not a smirk. Not a mocking chuckle but a real, genuine laugh.
    I blinked. I had never actually seen him laugh like that before—his shoulders shaking slightly, his hand coming up to loosen his tie as his head tilted back.
    “You’re funny, you know that?”
    And damn it, I smiled too.
    Because at that moment, he looked dangerously, handsome.
    Testing my luck, I leaned back in my chair, feigning nonchalance. Now was my chance.
    “So… does that mean I won’t be sent off to Dubai with my mom?” I smiled charmingly, tilting my head as I looked at him.
    Alex exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face. “Seriously?” He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “It was nice having this little moment with you, I won’t lie.”
    Then, just like that, he pushed back his chair and stood.
    I blinked. Wait… he was leaving?
    “Hey!” I called, scrambling to my feet. My stomach was heavy with food, and I nearly stumbled as I hurried after him.
    By the time I caught up, he was already halfway out of the dining hall. Without thinking, I grabbed the sleeve of his suit jacket, wrinkling the expensive fabric.
    “You can’t just walk away like that, We were talking!”
    He paused, looking down at me with a mixture of irritation and mild amusement. Then, he glanced at his watch, sighing dramatically. “It’s after nine. I need to be at the office my bodyguard is waiting for me. Now, if you’d please…” He gestured for me to step aside.
    I didn’t move.
    I could feel the stares of two maids lingering nearby, eyes wide as they took in the drama unfolding before them.
    “Don’t you have work to do?” I snapped at them. They quickly scurried away.
    Turning back to Alex, I squared my shoulders. “I don’t want to go to Dubai. Please.”
    His brows lifted. “Why not? It’s a free vacation. Most people would be thrilled.”
    “I just don’t want to go.”
    “That’s not a reason.”
    “I have friends here.”
    He smirked. “You’ll have friends there.”
    “No, I won’t! It wasn’t part of the contract!” My voice rose in frustration.
    He let out an exasperated sigh, clearly running out of patience. “What are you even talking about?”
    “Alex, please—”
    His head snapped toward me. His smirk deepened. “And when did you start calling me Alex?”
    I froze.
    “I thought it was Mr. Alexander Blackwood you were supposed to be calling me.” He leaned in slightly, his tone mocking. “You just went ahead and adapted Alex. That’s… personal, don’t you think?”
    He let out a low chuckle, the sound rich with amusement. “Are you getting used to this whole husband-and-wife thing?”
    My face heated.
    Look, I am not going to Dubai,” I practically yelled, my frustration spilling over. “And there’s nothing you can do about it, Mr. Alexander Blackwood.”
    His expression darkened instantly.
    Turning on my heel, I stormed away, ready to put as much distance between us as possible—
    But I barely took a step before I felt his hand wrap around my wrist.
    A sharp gasp escaped me as he yanked me back, my body colliding against his.
    “What did you just say?” His voice was low, dangerous.
    I lifted my chin stubbornly. “You heard me.”
    His grip tightened ever so slightly, his hold firm but not painful. “You’re getting awfully bold, Isla.”
    He leaned in, his forehead grazing mine. My breath hitched as I caught the faint scent of his cologne.
    “I won’t send you or your mother to Dubai” he murmured, his lips inches from mine.
    Relief flooded me. “Really?”
    “Yes,” he hummed. “But…”
    I swallowed. “But?”
    A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
    “There’s a condition.”
    I stiffened. “What condition?”
    His lips brushed my ear as he whispered it, his voice dripping with amusement.
    My eyes widened in disbelief.
    “You’re insane,” I breathed.
    He chuckled, his fingers briefly tracing my wrist before letting go. “That’s not news to you, is it?”
    No. No, it wasn’t.