Aileen
“N-no, you are wrong. You are wrong!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. “I’m not a homewrecker. I just loved Dave and he’s my mate. That’s why I…. I didn’t want to betray her…….”
His condescending and judging look left me speechless. I didn’t know how to defend myself.
“Oh, he’s your mate? Now, isn’t that an interesting plot twist? Your mom married the Alpha and he turned out to be your mate, your ‘Stepfather’. No wonder your attachment towards him is so strong. It’s because of the useless Mate Bond.” He added bitterly, standing face to face with me.
“But, from today onwards you don’t have to care about it anymore.” he caressed my face with his left hand, tracing my lips.
“What do you mean by that?” I retorted, removing his hand away.
His gaze stays as cold as ever. “Just what I mean. Do you love your mom?”
I nodded voluntarily. “Of course, I do.”
“Then, are you willing to sacrifice your love for the sake of your Mom’s happiness?”
This was a question that I’ve asked myself over and over again. Is it really possible to sacrifice your love for someone else? Regardless of whether it’s your family or someone close?
Wishing for someone’s happiness, instead of your own? Is it really plausible? Do I have the courage to do that?
“You didn’t answer me yet. Are you really willing to”
“I’m sorry, I can’t answer you that,” I replied, backing away from him.
He sighed, “Fine, you don’t have to answer me. But, you surely care about your Father’s reputation, don’t you? If these pictures spread all over the college, do you realize how people are going to look at you? The Alpha’s reputation is going to be tarnished to the grounds.”
“The headlines for tomorrow’s news will be about The Billionaire Alpha’s scandalous forbidden affair with his so-called ‘Stepdaughter’. It sounds certainly intriguing, doesn’t it? I wonder what our classmates have to say about it?”
“No! You can’t do that!” I whimpered weakly. We haven’t discussed announcing our relationship right away yet. How will Dave react to it?
If words get out, Mom will be the first one to receive the shock. Even if she has to know it, she doesn’t need to, like this from the outside world.
“Why? Who’s gonna stop me? You?” He inquired, “And how are you going to do it? The proof is right here in my hands.”
“And how can you prove that is my writing?” I asked, looking him in the eyes. “My name’s not written anywhere.”
“Hmm? That’s true. But, you did write about how you feel uncomfortable seeing your mom too close to him. So, it indirectly proves it’s your writing and your thoughts, doesn’t it?”
Why did I have to write down all of that? I’m in trouble because of it. But, I never thought anyone would find it, and him of all people out there?
“I’m the one with the upper hand here. There’s no way out to defend yourself.” He chuckled, patting my head, “Give up already. I’m the only one who can keep your secret here if you want me to keep it.”
I was puzzled by his response.
“What are you trying to say here? You won’t let anyone see the photos?”
He smiled, “No, I won’t. But, not for free. There’s a condition you have to fulfill.”
“A condition? What’s that?”
He leaned closer. “That is….” His hand wrapped around my back, and he pulled me close, his chest against mine.
I looked him in the eyes, confused by his intentions. “What are you”
He placed a finger on top of my lips.
“Shh…. you need to just listen to me first before answering, ” he whispered. I could feel his breath on my face.
I gulped, sensing only bad vibes from him.
I hope it’s not a ridiculous favor.
“My condition for keeping your secret is….. ” His eyes softened as he observed my face. You need to become my girlfriend and have a long-term relationship with me.”
I was dumbfounded. Am I hearing things? He didn’t just tell me to become his girlfriend, right?
“Only if you agree to this condition, I can delete these pictures and never tell a soul about it. How does that sound? We both are happy, aren’t we? A fair deal it is.”
“You have to be kidding me!” I retorted, pushing him away, “Become your girlfriend? Even after finding out that I have feelings for Dave, you are asking for the impossible? How can you?”
“Who said it’s impossible?” he remarks, folding his arms. “I’m ignoring the fact that you have feelings for another person, on top of the fact that you’ve been sleeping with him and yet I want to date you. Can’t you be a bit considerate and accommodating?”
I was stunned, “Do you even realize what you are saying right now? Do you want to force me to become your girlfriend by blackmailing me? Do you think there will be a better outcome of this?”
He smirked, “I’ll make sure everything will be better after we start dating. You just need to agree to it. I’ll make you the happiest woman on earth. I want you by my side.”
“Skylar, we are just friends only. How can you tell me to become your girlfriend? Do you even have any feelings for me in the first place?”
“I do,” he interrupted, reaching out his hand to caress my face. “I really like you.”
I slapped his hand away, “Don’t you say that to every woman that you come across? You are a playboy. You are just imagining it.”
“I’m not imagining anything,” he said, grabbing me by the shoulders, “I love you. Among all the girls that have tried to get my attention, you are the first one I like. Despite being a loner yourself, you still try to be brave for others, you feel empathy for others, you try to help others, and listen to them genuinely. I like you for your genuineness which I haven’t managed to find among anyone yet.”
“Anyone can be genuine, that’s not love. That’s just plain admiration. Love is different. It’s something that you can’t deny no matter how much you want to.”
“Yes, that’s how I know for sure that I love you,” he replied, smiling. “Cause, you make my world shine. I see ordinary things that don’t feel ordinary anymore. You are the one who can make me not feel alone even when I have no one by my side to comfort me. You make me feel fulfilled. I don’t feel empty and dead inside anymore.”
“When your father told me to stay away from you, I felt so dead and angry inside. I wanted to approach you even more, yes this is what love is to me. I know what it’s like.”