Selina's POV
I had been in bed all day,it was finally evening so I decided to take a walk around my new confinement.
I stumbled upon a room with a large intricately carved wooden door barricading me from the inside world.
Intrigued , I pushed open the door and walked it. Alex had his back to me. He seemed pensive as he conversed with someone over the phone. His voice low and urgent.
" Tighten the security around the house. Unfamiliar people shouldn't be giving easy access into my house without my confirmation. Install surveillance cameras around the house and make sure to inform me of any suspicious movement. " Alex ordered over the phone to his chief security personnel.
I cleared my throat to announce my presence. Alex turned, his eyes locking onto mine.
"Excuse me for a moment," he said into the phone before pausing the conversation.
"Hey," Alex said, his expression softening.
I smiled, sensing the tension in his body. "Everything okay?"
Alex nodded, his gaze drifting back to the phone call. " I'll get back to you later."
The line went dead.
"How are you feeling Mi Cielo?" Alex asked, cupping my cheeks. His voice gentle and soothing.
I flinched to his touch,a shiver coursed through my spine.
I would never get use to his touch and the name 'Mi Cielo'.
" My head still aches." I admitted, looking down at my feet.
Alex brows furrowed with concern.
" Have you taken your meds? Do you need to rest? Why are you out of the bed? "
His genuine concern warmed my heart but I wasn't to let my guard down.
" Trying to get acquainted with my new prison."
Alex expression turned stern . He pivoted my cheeks upward,his gaze locked onto mine.
" Don't say that Sheila. This isn't a prison. This is your home. Why would you call yourself a prisoner? You are my wife and it's my duty to keep you safe. I would never treat you like a captive. I swear.
His words made me pause,my mind reeling in thoughts. Did he truly mean his words or he was just trying to control me?
" My home? I don't think I have a home. I don't belong here. I might not be able to fit in. Take me back to my master." I pleaded.
Alex grip on my cheeks softened.
" You don't have any Master. You are a free woman who deserves to live a happy life. Don't ever think of me as your Master . I care about you as much as I care for my self. "
I shut my eyes, shaking my head vehemently.
" I don't trust you Alex. I barely know you."
Alex expression turned resolve.
" You will eventually learn to trust me. I don't want you to be my father's puppet. That's I saved you. I have a mandate of protecting you at all cost and that's what I am going to do, believe me."
A knock sounded outside my room, puncturing the serenity in Alex's room.
" Come in." Alex called and Mia stepped in.
" Lunch has been served. Sir Liam is here to see you." Mia uttered,her head lowered in respect.
Sir Liam? Who could he be?
Alex countenance brightened.
" Tell my uncle to join us for lunch. Selin and I would be there shortly. He instructed. Mia bowed and left immediately.
Alex turned and faced me.
" I'll love you to come downstairs and have lunch with us, maybe then I'll introduce you to my uncle and don't worry, uncle Liam is the exact opposite of my father."
Introduction? Why does Alex want me to meet his uncle? What if he doesn't like me at first sight? I am just his brother's slave,he wouldn't see me as a decent lady.
" I would - I'll just go back to my room." I stuttered ,pulse racing. " You can have lunch with your uncle. Mia will serve me mine on bed."
Alex raised a brow.
" Why? Are you afraid of meeting my uncle or are you afraid he wouldn't like you?."
I hesitated.
" Both." I replied,my voice barely above a whisper.
" Uncle Liam doesn't bite and don't worry,he's gonna fall in love with you at first sight. He adores decent ladies." Alex urged, grinning from ear to ear.
I had to admit, laughing made him look cute and sexy but i had to look past his handsome face.
My indignation flared,my hesitation palpable.
" But am not decent. Am your father's slave girl remember? I can't have lunch with your uncle. He's going to fucking humiliate me cause that's all I've known my whole life."
Alex gaze softened.
"Uncle Liam won't hurt you. You're my wife. He'll respect that."
I looked away unsure.
Should I listen to Alex or trust my instincts?
At this point, I didn't know what to do.
" Please Selin. Let's have lunch together." Alex begged.
I nodded reluctantly.
" Alright."
★
I entered the dining room, my heart racing with anxiety. Alex's uncle, Sir Liam, stood tall, his warm smile putting me at ease.
" Hey uncle,meet Selina Moore. My wife." Alex announced,my heart pounding.
"Selina Moore?. Hmmm! Such a nice name for a pretty damsel like you," Mr. Liam complimented, kissing my hand softly.
I flashed him a soft, appreciative smile.
"Thanks, Sir."
" You have an eye for pretty girls don't you,my boy." Mr Liam teased Alex who chuckled childishly.
Sir Liam's eyes twinkled with kindness. Something about him told me I could trust him.
We took our seats, ready to be served.
"Please, call me Uncle Liam. We're family now." Sir Liam corrected gently.
Alex's hand on my back reassured me.
"Uncle Liam, Selina's still adjusting," Alex reminded, shooting Sir Liam a reprimanding glare.
Uncle Liam nodded, leaning into his seat.
"Of course, dear. Take your time."
As we sat down for lunch, I felt Uncle Liam's genuine warmth.
Mia and Gracie began to dish out a meal of spaghetti and meatballs garnished with vegetables.
"Selina, tell me about yourself," Uncle Liam asked, sipping from his wine glass.
I hesitated, unsure of where to begin. My life was quite complicated.
"What would you like to know, Sir?"
"Everything," Uncle Liam replied, his eyes sparkling.
Alex intervened immediately.
"Uncle Liam, let's not overwhelm her. Shes not used to talking to elites like this and moreover it's her personal life we are talking about here. Not everyone would like to make it public."
Alex's hand caressed my back.
" Let's have lunch uncle. You can take the time in the world to know my wife."
" If you say so, Little man." Uncle Liam jested, poking at his meatballs.
I enjoyed the bond Alex and his uncle shared. It was natural, mutual and something everyone would wish to experience. I was glad Alex had a family member who cared about him apart from his maniac of a father.
Silence followed in immediately after the family grace was shared. The clattering sounds of cutlery filled the air.
Alex looked up from his mea.
" So uncle what brings you to my manor?. " He inquired.
Sir Liam cleared his throat, locking gazes with Alex.
" I need some money. Hardin has been arrested for illegal possession of arms and has been taken into police custody. "
Uncle Liam is a man in his early sixties. Compassionate, kind and a man of dignity. Being my father's younger brother, he inherited a few of his fame but worked the rest with his sweat and blood.
He's happily married unlike my father with a son and a daughter. Hardin and Sapphire.
Alex always knew Hardin to be quite a stubborn rascal but he never thought it would lead him to illegal possession of arms and ending up in a cell.
Mr Liam's shoulders slumped
" I need some cash. His offense is of major threat to Oakland's security. Bailing him won't be so easy as I have to settle top officials."
" How much are we talking about?. " Alex inquired, already calculating the cost.
"A substantial amount enough to settle top officials of the law. I would have used your father's connections but we've not been in talking terms lately. "
Alex nodded.
" I'll help uncle. I'll see what I can do about it but what really happened with Hardin tgis time?. " He asked, his curiosity piqued.
Mr Liam's jaw clenched.
" I don't know Alex. You know Hardin better than I do. He's stubborn and all out to do things his own way but i fear he's got himself in much bigger trouble.""
" We'll get him out uncle. I promise. Well do it together " he assured.
As all this played, I sat silently, eating my spaghetti and observing Alex and Mr Liam. Whatever was going on made them pensive.
Who really is Hardin?
Uncle Liam's dignity returned.
" Thanks son."
The rest of lunch was overshadowed by comforting silence.
Suddenly,the door to the dining room flung open, Gracie walked in with Alex's cellphone.
She handed the phone to me.
"You have an incoming call from Mr Chu."
Alex brows arched.
"Hello Mr Chu." He called out .
Chu cleared his throat, his voice laced with urgency.
" There's a problem Mr Chase. Your father has requested we have all asset under your name confiscated. Your account has been frozen through an illegal process and I don't think you will have access to your money again."