181 Days of Madeline Jesty

Chapter 11: Alpha Males

"What are you doing here?" was the first thing I asked, my question addressed to Michael. I made sure they would notice how irritated I was with their presence.

"Maddie, this is Mr. Elijah Isles. I believe you and his nephew are best friends," Mom stated, ignoring my obvious complain disguised as a question. "Steph's her name, is that right?"

After hearing the name of the older man Mom was with, it suddenly occurred to me that this was the relative Steph often grumbled about. If I remembered it correctly, this person claimed the "alpha male" title among the Isles and bossed around their whole lineage. This annoyed Steph and everybody else concerned, but honestly, her relatives just tolerating this kind of behavior annoyed me more. Steph, however, told me that even though they wanted to, they had no power to overturn him because he had the most assets.

And today it seemed to me that the son of this self-proclaimed alpha male was Michael, as they looked very much alike. Their personalities seemed not too far either.

"No, Mom, he's Steph's granduncle, I believe."

Mr. Elijah nodded to my statement, and to Mom, he commented, "You have a beautiful daughter, Isabella. She looks just like you."

"Mr. Elijah, with all due respect, please don't lie to impress Mom," I frankly replied as I made a sarcastic smile. "I don't look like my mother."

He laughed, unbothered by my bluntness. "And she speaks like you."

"I don't think I spoke like a mother who didn't have time for her only daughter."

"That's enough," Mom interrupted in her usual tone. I hated how calm she was after what I had said, as if she just accepted her flaw and had no plans of changing. "Elijah and I are business partners, and this is his son Michael."

Michael got my hand and was about to kiss it, but I was intelligent to snatch it away. Honestly, if I had a bad memory on how he flirted the first time we met, I would've been attracted to him, but to his misfortune, I remembered every single second of cringe he uttered. Plus, my eyes were already magnetized by Mickey, who was way more attractive than him that he only looked like someone I'd just pass by.

"You're still playing hard to get?" he remarked. I would applaud him for having the courage to say that in front of my parent, but yet again, Mom didn't care.

"I'm not playing hard to get. I just don't like you."

"Really? That was not the case when you looked at me at Steph's party."

"Being delusional shouldn't be a hobby, Michael."

I wasn't sure if I only imagined Mom smirking at my remark, but nevertheless, I was proud of it. Mr. Elijah cleared his throat and began, "It's"—he looked at his watch—"almost time for our meeting. We have to be there in ten."

It was so strange that Mom would order me to go downstairs just to say a short hello to her visitors, but just as when I was about to let it go, Michael then said, "It's still nice to meet my fiancée."

"My what?!" I couldn't believe what I just heard. Who was his fiancée? Me? "Mom, what's this about?"

She looked at me with emotionless eyes and said straight to my face, "Just give your time to get to know Michael more. The Isles is a reputable family, and Steph will surely be happy to hear about this."

My whole face was in shock and disbelief, angered about the fact that my mother sold me off to a family of conceited men. Did she just assume I'd just agree to the setup? Or did she not care about my feelings at all? Was this what Steph meant when she told me that I could say no? Were we losing assets that she sold me off?