Chapter 3 Alexandria: Strange Man

–Alexandria– 

I was woken up by Mina from an afternoon nap to prepare. 

“Why do I have to look like a Princess?” I asked as I looked at my cleavage. Yup, I’m fat. And this off-the-shoulder dress makes my boobs bigger, plus the corset.

“How about concealer?” She asked as I stared at my freckles.

“No, I’m fine.” I smile. From what I heard, it’s an arranged marriage, and I am not the one to get married. “Leave it be.” I am always ugly. 

I would see my sister cringe at my freckles and my hair. Way too different from my mother and father. My mom had red hair, but not rustic red hair. I have more freckles and… I do not have the same eye color as theirs. My father and grandfather had made sure to re-run my DNA. It’s there. I’m their blood. It’s just ironic that I am different from them. 

That even my five siblings would always laugh at me, and even during events. I was regarded as the bastard. Yes, I am a bastard. My father is a cheater. He surely loves Mom, but they were always anxious around me. I wonder why. 

I headed out, waiting here upstairs as I peeked at the big double door as men in suits entered. They look clean and snappy. 

But I stepped back when the tallest among them looked up at me directly. His hazel eyes were on me. He looked dangerous; he didn’t even smile. He just stared up at me as he knew me. 

“Alexa,” My grandfather called, and they all looked up at me. I could see my sisters either roll their eyes or scoff. “Come down here.” 

I gripped my headphones and headed down the stairs as I stayed by the last step. 

“Yes, grandpa?” I asked. 

Grandpa stared at me for a long time, and I wondered why he was looking at me differently.  

“Now, everyone is here, let’s head to the dining room. Mr. Veyron,” Grandpa was very, very polite toward the man who didn’t even utter a word after entering the residence. They all followed as I stayed behind, following them quietly. 

They all sat in their designated seats while I was in the last chair. I sat down and waited as Grandpa spoke a few words to the man. I don’t understand much of it, but damn, his voice is sexy and baritone… so low… God! Like the voice actors in my audiobooks. 

Wow, I bet he should voice over one of the dark romance books. 

“Hey,” I stopped when Sy sat next to me. There’s no plate on it, but he just sat there. I was stunned. 

“Hey,” I whispered back. “Do you know them?” I moved my face closer as he tried to shrink down while the elders were talking. 

“Hmm, yeah.” He nodded. 

“They are scary,” I whispered as he chuckled, but in a very low voice. 

“Alexa, what are you doing there?” I turned to Grandpa, who cocked his head. “Your seat is here.” 

I noticed the empty seat on Grandpa’s right. I mean, someone’s supposed to sit there, right? 

I looked puzzled. I wasn't supposed to sit near them, and my siblings and even my parents were staring at me. I turned my head to Sy, but he’s not there anymore. Weird. I didn’t feel him leaving at all. 

I stood and walked around as I sat in front of the man who scares me. I mean, he’s kind of scary and very, very handsome. Dangerous looking in a suit. 

I looked at Grandpa, who reached my hand over the table and gently squeezed it. 

“I have an announcement later.” He said. My grandpa’s cold hands left mine as I picked up the utensils. I was nervous. Very nervous, and they all talked to each other while I only listened. I sneakily reached out for my earpods, one on my left as I played on my audiobook and listened to a deep voice narrating how he stalks his woman. 

I focused on my food, and didn't want to look back on those pair of piercing hazel eyes. Nearly golden. I am shy, and I hope he’s not staring at how fat I am. But I focused on the narration and on how he killed men who tried to hook up with his woman. I mean, he’s deranged. They are not technically together, but he’s obsessed with her. 

“Alexa,” 

Grandpa reached my hand as I nearly stabilized. “Hmm?” 

I tapped my earpod with my right free hand. 

“About the arrangement, you’ll be living with Mr. Veyron.” 

What are they talking about? 

“Pardon me?” 

My grandpa pressed his lips, trying to smile. 

“So, he chose to marry you.” My eldest sister, Carina, said as I looked at my siblings, staring at me. 

I laughed and shook my head. 

“Stop messing with me,” I said as I looked at my parents, who looked away quickly. “What? Is this serious?” I looked at the man, then back to grandpa. “This is ridiculous!” 

“It’s been settled ever since you were born.” My grandpa murmured. 

I stared at him in disbelief. 

“Why?” I asked. 

“We had an agreement.” 

“How old is he?” I scoffed. “Please don’t do this, grandpa,” I begged. Am I a child bride now? How long has this man been waiting? He doesn’t look forty at all. His jet black hair has no white on it. He looks young. 

“I’ll give you a week.” The man speaks to me. “Start packing then.” 

I sighed as I stood. 

“Fuck this,” I exclaimed as I smacked down the table napkin and picked up my phone and headphones. I stopped and turned back to the man. “I won’t marry you, and I am sure that one of them wanted to marry you.” 

A smirk drew across his face, showing his perfect pearl teeth with those handsome fangs, aligned with his teeth. 

“Sit down and finish your meal.” He said it, voice soft but still commanding. 

I scoffed and left. I happened to pass by Sy, who was holding a tray of liquors. 

“Hey, dinner’s done?” He asked. 

“I’m going to sleep. I don’t want to deal with all of this shits!” 

“Hey,” He reached my arm as I stopped and turned to him. I sighed and shook my head. 

“I was dressed like this… I was never given a dress this beautiful before. It’s too late that I realized that I’m being sold to the man I barely know!” 

“Dress? You mean The Ophelia dress?” 

“Oh, this is Ophelia's dress?” I asked. 

“Yes, I know a little bit of fashion.” He winked. 

“This is damn expensive!” I hissed at him. I had seen my sister wear one, but it was a little small for her. “This is probably from him!” I turned back and left. I heard footsteps, and Sy followed me. 

“What do you mean, never given a dress?” Sy asked. 

“I mean what I say.” I shrugged as I opened my room. I took a bottle of tequila from the tray. “Talk to you tomorrow.”