Chapter 81 ALLIANCE
\[IXORA'S ROOM\]
Life has a way of bringing people closer.
In her life, it was Aunt Maria. She was a mother, her comforter and all. She was ready to guide her, but death had to take her away. And in Drexton's life, she can say it's Joanna, who gives him motherly love, and then Caius, his father, his mentor.
She's come to understand the reason why his death affected him so much. He's like the backbone and armor behind the name Blackthorn.
She met Joanna yesterday, and Joanna told her a few roles Caius played in Drexton's life. She's also come to understand why Bonnie's so obsessed with Drexton. Her dad's the sole reason why Drexton is who he is today.
Though Drexton didn't allow him to sponsor him using his money, he was the one whom Drexton mortgaged his diamond wristwatch to.
The watch is Drexton's source of insane wealth, and she had stolen the watch from him.
She understood the anger back then. She stole his life that day. Selfish her.
The more she finds out about Drexton, she feels she deserves his hatred back then.
His hatred for her runs deeper than the stolen watch that she knows. Something else, and she wished someone would tell her.
Then his current behavior towards her, she's just hoping he'd remain like that forever.
She wished he'd open up to her and let her fully into his life.
He hasn't replied to her text, and it kind of hurts her.
She's been going to the company just to see him, but he doesn't come.
Kian handles everything.
She had thought of going to their hideout but changed her mind later on. If he were alone, it'd have been easier, but with Maddox and Jaxon... she doesn't know if their perspective towards her has changed.
She scrolled through her phone, seeing the trending news about Clara.
She needed no soothsayer to tell her it was the Hell Devils that killed her.
Her actions hurt so many people: his daughter, Maddox, Jaxon, his wife and Drexton.
His funeral is tomorrow, and she doesn't care. She's going to attend if that's the only way to see Drexton.
She exhaled, checking for Drexton's reply.
None.
My flame: Please be okay.
On sending it, she began hearing some noise downstairs. Listening closely, she heard her name being called out.
The voice was definitely her mum, so why so much rumbling?
She put on her flip-flop and left the room.
\--
She hadn't climbed the second stair when she saw different people in the sitting room. She could recognize her mom and dad by looking at their backs, but the rest, she couldn't. There were about four men dressed in black, like a bodyguard outfit. The other two wore formal wear.
"Mum," she called. "What is going on?"
Everybody's attention turned to her, and she could see their faces.
She was right, the four men were indeed bodyguards, and the other two, James Miller and his dad.
What are they doing here?
"Oh." Georgia went to take her hand, helping her down the stairs.
Her eyes found James, and she could see the annoying smile he was giving.
From the smile, she could tell he'd done something.
The smile was mocking.
She shifted her gaze to his father to see the same smile, but more welcoming. The type he'd give his daughter.
Her father stood beside him, smiling as well with champagne in his hand.
Okay, this is serious.
"I'm sure you remember how we introduced Mr. Miller as your soon-to-be father-in-law, and James as your husband."
Ixora nodded twice, waiting to know where she was heading.
"Great, we've finalized the alliance and decided you will both get married in the next three days." Georgia smiled.
All colors drained from Ixora's face. "What?" She released her hand from Georgia's.
"Your mother is right," Smith stepped in. "You will not find another suitor like James. He's caring, rich, handsome, the perfect standard for our daughter. When he has all these qualities, what's the need to wait any longer? You both will be getting married in the next three days."
"You've got to be kidding me." Ixora chuckled amusingly.
Caring? Tell that to someone who doesn't know James.
If her parents have gone crazy or blinded by James' fake smiles, well she hasn't.
"I'm not getting married, mum, and not to him of all people."
"Well, darling," Georgia raised her chin with her finger. "Your opinion isn't needed."
"Then you should marry him if you want!" Ixora snapped. "What gave you both the right to think you can dictate my love life for me? Now, I think about it, he's the reason for all the downs in my life. If you both so much want Miller to be part of the Castellan, then Mum, you should marry him. It won't decrease the real you."
Georgia's eyes went wide with rage.
Her hand flew to Ixora's cheek.
"You dare not speak to me like that!"
Ixora held her cheek, giving her mum a disappointed look. She was hurt by the slap.
"Aunt," James called, deciding to step in. "You shouldn't be hitting your daughter. You know she's not yet mature enough to tell right from wrong," he said, secretly glancing at Ixora.
"Are you okay?" He asked Ixora, rubbing her cheek with his thumb. He leaned close enough only for her to hear him. "You can't escape it. It's the truth, we'll be getting married soon. And Drexton, I promise to let him watch the wedding live from his house... not the altar," he whispered.
Ixora stepped away from him with a death glare.
"Aunt, you should make her understand. I love her a lot."
Just how manipulative can he be?
"I'm not getting married to this scumbag," Ixora muttered.
"And who are you to decide that? His father has a strong position in political affairs, and he'll definitely help me become the first lady. Besides, I don't want to believe it's because of him that you are saying nonsense." She took out her phone and showed the screen to Ixora.
On the screen was a picture of Ixora on Drexton's shoulder. From the outfit, she could tell it was the time Drexton came to her at the gala.
So, he took a picture of them. Bastard.
She glanced at James to see a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
She was right after all.
"I can't believe my daughter now goes around flirting publicly with men. I let you work as his secretary, not be his slut." Georgia spat, glaring at Ixora.
Ixora also returned the glare. Her mum was calling her a slut, when she knew she was not. At least she's better than her mother.
"What do you see in him? I remember he was the reason why you went to jail. You are following after a man that could be the end of you."
"No matter what you say, mum, I will not marry James. You can say more if you want."
Georgia wanted to continue when Smith placed his hand on her shoulder. "We shouldn't be wasting our time bantering words with her."
Georgia nodded, exchanging glances with everybody in the room except for Ixora.
They all took out a nose mask and began wearing them.
Ixora's eyebrows squinted together as she gave them a puzzled look.
"What are you doing?"
"Like I said before, your opinion is not needed." Georgia took out a spray can from her purse.
She sprayed the contents in the air.
Ixora's eyes turned drowsy, and her head grew heavy.
"W..." she slurred, her vision going into the haze of darkness.
Blackout.