Chereads / Forced Loyalty / Chapter 4 - Chapter Four: Reunion of Rivals - part one..

Chapter 4 - Chapter Four: Reunion of Rivals - part one..

Isabella.

 It's been a week. A week since I made a promise to Rena and a week since Alex and I had our first fight. 

I was actually expecting it to be sooner.

'You can't keep acting out in front of Rena, she's just a child!'

'She's my daughter and I will decide what to do and what not to do with her'

'Oh so she's your daughter now but I remember clearly when I first arrived here how you willingly gave me the title of her mother and she acknowledges me as that" I snapped.

'Stop trying to provoke me little one' Alex warned.

'Stop calling me that I'm not your damn pet!' I shouted frustratedly and stormed out of his office.

 I never apologized or spoke to Alex after our argument and he didn't bother me either which I was thankful of. Rena and I were busy in the kitchen making breakfast, Kia entertaining us when Alex walked in. Kia and Rena greeted him while I just played dumb and continued working.

"Kia take Rena up to her room" Alex said.

Rena frowned. "I wanna stay with Mommy" She said. Alex kept mute and Kia immediately left with Rena, leaving me alone with him.

"Isabella." I nearly stopped but forced myself to go on.

"What the hell?" I asked, staring shocked as Alex turned off the gas and spun me around, his touch burning me as usual.

"You're so fucking stubborn you know that." Alex said. I glared at him and looked towards the door.

"Don't bother no one will come." He said.

"Aren't you supposed to be somewhere?" I asked, taking in his dark gray suit. Alex let go, probably feeling the effect of his touch on my skin. I followed behind him as he walked out of the kitchen.

"I am but we have to talk" he said dryly.

He's not the only one not interested in talking.

"Is it about Rena?" I asked the only possible reason that could be the reason for this unwanted conversation.

"No. There's a party tonight and we have to attend" He said.

"I'm not going" I said. 

Alex seemed unfazed, a reaction that always infuriates me.

"That was a statement not a question. We're going whether you want to or not" 

I crossed my arms. "Stop making decisions for me. You're my husband and not my dad." I said.

"You and the girls should be ready before I return. I'll be back on time." He said and stood up to leave.

"That's all?" I asked.

A bit of his tattoo peeked from his wrist. "Don't leave the house" He said and walked out.

I have a better idea.

"We should go out." I suggested to the girls.

"Alex said not to go out" Kia said.

I smiled innocently. "I know but I have nothing to wear for tonight and I was wondering if we could all go shopping"

Sofia nodded. "I also don't have a dress" 

"Then it's settled, we'll all go dress shopping" I clapped excitedly. We let Grayson know that we were going out and even though he was strongly against it, he had no choice but to escort us to the mall but when we returned, Alex was waiting for us.

He looked at me first. "What did I tell you about not leaving this house. One fucking order you can't follow" He fumed.

"Isa didn't have anything to wear tonight so we went shopping for dresses" Julia interrupted.

"I didn't want to go out on purpose. I just didn't have anything to wear" I lied.

Alex didn't buy it. "Where's Rena?" He asked.

"She upstairs" I answered.

Alex gave me a once over. "You should get ready" he said.

"Okay" I sauntered off, relishing my victory as I headed to the room. I took my time in getting ready, further infuriating Alex.

Finally, a reaction.

 "If you think I don't know what you're trying to do then you're not as smart as I thought you were" Alex drawled. I jumped in surprise and turned to see him at the door, dressed in a black suit.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

Alex raised a brow. "Is that really a question?" He asked, walking towards me.

"You should stop trying to provoke me, it won't work"

"I don't know what you're talking about" I murmured, suddenly aware that he was standing right behind me. I stiffened when he held my neck with light pressure with his lips inches from my ear.

"You don't want to test me" He said in some sort of warning.

"And if I do?" I dared to ask. Alex didn't answer and I didn't push forward, it's not like I wanted any of this to go further than this.

Alex can be unpredictable.

I let him work the ropes at the back of my dress, reacting every time he pulled it too tight or his hand grazed my back. 

"This is for you" Alex said, opening a black velvet box that contained a diamond necklace.

"Thank you" I muttered and let him put it around my neck before he wrapped a possessive arm around my waist, my blue dress blending with his suit.

"Daddy! Mommy!" Rena squealed when we reached downstairs.

"You look beautiful princess" Alex said in a less scary voice. Rena giggled and turned to me.

"Mommy how do I look?" She asked.

"Like my little star" I smiled. and picked her up.

"Let's go" Alex cut in and we stepped into the elevator.

 -------

 We arrived at the venue and we were welcomed by the hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez. Sofia and her sisters, along with Grayson arrived sometime after we did and Rena decided to stay with Sophia while Alex took me with him to meet some important guests.

"Liam" Alex drawled. The man in front of us turned and I could already notice the resemblance between the two men.

"You must be Isabella" Liam said in an English accent. I nodded and gave him a small smile as he kissed my hand.

"Liam" Alex warned and Liam smirked in return.

"Liam is my cousin and Consigliere unfortunately" Alex said.

"I'm sorry for her and Rena who have to bear with you" Liam answered.

"Where is she anywhere? We haven't finished our lesson" He muttered.

Alex seemed interested. "What lesson?" He asked. Liam ignored him and brushed past him. We met with other guests, Alex introducing me each time as his wife and when we finally had some rest, I excused myself to the bathroom. It was empty at first, until a young woman about my age walked in.

 I finished up and left the bathroom only to be stopped by a tall figure blocking the entrance.

"Sebastian?" The man looked down at me and I could tell he was surprised just like I was. I gave him a once over, the scrawny kid I once knew was gone and in his place was a man that I'd never want to cross paths with.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I should be asking you that Isa" He said, almost sounding annoyed. The woman came out and I watched as they shared a look.

"Go" He said and she hurriedly left.

I nodded in the direction of where the woman went. "Do you know her?" I asked.

"She's my wife" He said dryly. I snorted and looked at his finger, the platinum band glaring back at me.

"How did you even get her to marry you?" I laughed.

Sebastian scowled. "Arranged marriages are common in the Outfit"

"Wait you're Capo?" I asked. 

"I am. I took over after Vinnie died two years ago" He said.

Right his worthless father.

"What are you doing here anyway?" He asked.

I opened my mouth to speak but I got interrupted. "Isabella" Alex cut in.

 Sebastian visibly tensed as Alex walked up to me. "What are you doing here with him?" He asked, saying the last word like it was poison. I looked between the two men, the atmosphere reeking with tension and protectiveness.

"What she should be answering is why you're with her" Sebastian sneered. They got closer, waiting for the first line of action.

"Sebastian, Alex stop" I said, cutting in the middle of them.

"Get out of my fucking face" Sebastian bit out.

"Tell me, how do you know her?" Alex sounded calm but I knew it might not last for long. I grabbed Alex's arm.

"Let's go, please" I begged.

"Alex" I said more desperately, scared that they might kill each other if they don't back down. I managed to pull Alex away before anything dangerous could happen.

"What the fuck was that Alex?" I snapped when we were finally alone.

"Is he your lover?" Alex asked. I blinked at his question, obviously not expecting those words.

"Excuse me, do you have any idea what you're fucking saying?" I asked.

Alex gripped my arm. "I don't know Isabella how about you explain what the fuck that was. He was basically all over you" He sneered.

 I looked at him with tear filled eyes. "I'm not surprised you have no trust in me but I don't give a fuck" I spat.

"What are you trying to say?" He asked.

"Sebastian is my cousin" I smiled bitterly. 

Alex let go of my arm, realizing that he'd just misinterpreted my relationship with Sebastian. "Isa-"

I stepped back, my heart aching at his distrust. "Fuck you" I glared and stormed off. 

 He doesn't get to say sorry so easily.