Selina's POV
" Ready the gown, Sir Alex wants it ready in five minutes." Someone ordered, the voice laced with authority.
I slowly opened my eyes, grogginess clinging to me like a damp shroud. Soft, golden light spilled into the room, illuminating the plush furnishings. I blinked, disoriented. Where am I?
Movement caught my attention. Two maids, dressed in crisp uniforms, bustled around the room. One poured steaming water into a delicate porcelain basin, while the other arranged a sumptuous breakfast tray.
"Good morning, miss," one of the maids chimed, her voice gentle.
I rubbed my temples, trying to shake off the haze. Memories of the auction flooded back – Mr. Eric's sinister grin, the bidding, and... Alex. Alex's oceanic blue eyes, his confident stride, and his reassuring whisper: "You are safe now, Buttercup."
But how did I get here?
The maids' efficient movements and soft chatter filled the room. They seemed to know exactly what they were doing, but I felt lost.
"Where... where am I?" I stammered.
The maid nearest to me smiled warmly. "You're at the Chase estate, miss. Master Alex brought you here last night."
My mind whirled. Alex's estate? Why?
The maid continued, "We're here to help you get ready for the day. Master Alex has arranged for a lovely breakfast and a relaxing morning."
I nodded, still trying to process. As the maids helped me wash and dress, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life had taken a dramatic turn.
The maid left and I was left alone to ponder on everything that had happened to me in the last few days. My mind swirled.
My uncle has turned his back on me and now the Red eye circle were seemingly interested in me. Their sinister unfathomable plans to make me their sex puppet and my heart bled to how drastic and dramatic my life had changed.
The door suddenly creaked open, disrupting my thoughts. Alex walked in.
The door creaked open, disrupting my thoughts. Alex walked in, his oceanic blue eyes scanning my face.
"Good morning. How do you feel today?" he asked, concern etched on his features.
As he reached out to take my hand, his soft palms sent a shiver through me. I jerked away, fear flashing across my face.
Alex's expression faltered, a hint of sadness creeping into his eyes. His brow furrowed, and his lips parted slightly, as if wounded by my rejection.
"You can trust me, Selina. I'm here to protect you. I care for you," he said, his voice gentle.
I narrowed my eyes, wary. "Why would you care? You're no different from the rest. You all want to make me your puppet."
Alex's face fell, his eyes clouding over. He took a step back, his shoulders sagging slightly.
"I'm not like them, Selina," he said, his voice laced with conviction. "I swear it."
"I don't trust men. Men are liars. All you want is my body. All you people desire is for me to please you and be your puppet." I replied, tears prickling in my eyes.
Alex stepped forward, determination in his eyes. "I want to protect you, Selina. Not just your body, but you. I don't see you as a possession .My priority is keeping you safe from my father and the Red Eye Circle."
He took a deep breath. "I know what they'll do to you if they get their hands on you. That's why I bid the highest at the auction. I wanted to take you home, keep you safe."
"You don't know me," I whispered, tears hands, hesitated, then gently wiped away my tears.
"Please, Selina, don't cry," he whispered. "I won't hurt you. I promise."
His touch sent shivers down my spine, but his words only fueled my fear.
" Don't touch!."I yelled ,my eyes gradually becoming red rimmed.
" Stay away from me. I don't want to be here. I want to go home. I want to go ho-me."
" You can't go home. You don't have a home. Do you intend going back to the same man who sold you to my father? A life with your uncle is not worth living. Do you want to continue being his slave and working as a sex tool for my father for the rest of your life?."
His words cut deep.
Alex was right. I couldn't go back to my uncle. Not after he had betrayed my trust and sold me out to a Mr Eric Chase. But that didn't mean I was going to trust him either.
Alex's words cut deep. He was right; I couldn't go back to my uncle, not after his betrayal. But trusting Alex? That was a different story.
"I don't know you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "How can I trust you?"
Alex's expression softened. "I know I'm a stranger, but I swear to protect you. My father and the Red Eye Circle will stop at nothing to exploit you. I won't let that happen."
I searched his face, seeking sincerity. His oceanic blue eyes locked onto mine, filled with conviction.
"Why should I trust you?" I repeated, my voice laced with skepticism.
Alex took a deep breath. "Because I'm willing to risk everything to keep you safe. My father will disown me, but I don't care. You're worth it."
His words stirred something within me, but fear still lingered.
" Why are the Red eye circle interested in me? Why me? There are other young girls out there willing to be their puppet. Why me? ."
" That I cant answer for sure but one thing I know for certain is that the Red eye circle don't chase after something that's not worth their time and money. For my father and his cohort to be after you means you are worth the chase." He cupped my face,our gaze met.
" All I wanna do is keep you safe. I don't want you to be their pet and suffer being traumatized."
His touch sent a shiver down my spine, but his words sparked a glimpse of hope.
" How do you intend to keep me safe. " I asked.
Alex expression turned resolute.
" Let's get married. If I get married to you, my father and his cohort will know that you are not my mistress but my wife. They will boundaries and that's gonna keep them at bay. "
I felt like I'd been punched to the guts.
Marriage? To Alex? A stranger? I must be tripping.
" You can't be serious. You expect me to get married to someone I just met?." I spluttered.
Alex's eyes pleaded for understanding. " I know its sudden and quite unexpected but that's the only way to ensure your safety. My father won't dare touch you if you aren't wife."
I couldn't trust Alex. H seemed like a safe haven but then he was Mr Eric's son. Same blood same DNA. I couldn't trust the son of a man who wants me for himself but then it felt like I had no choice.
I searched his face, seeking sincerity . His oceanic blue eyes locked onto mine filled with conviction.
"Let's get married tomorrow. " He urged, his pleads defiant and surging.