Heir of Deception | (for mature audience)

Chapter 3: Alexandria

Alexandria

-

I had a full hour to recharge before the alarm I set jolted me awake, reminding me that it was time to prepare for dinner. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and took a moment to gather my thoughts. Tonight was significant; I could feel the weight of it in the air. I finished my makeup, applying a bold red lipstick that matched the mood I was trying to channel, and pulled my hair into a sleek bun that accentuated my features.

Opening my walk-in closet, I spotted the red satin dress I had laid eyes on earlier that day. It was a halter-neck design with a plunging back that made a statement, and I felt confident slipping it on. The fabric clung to my curves in all the right places, and I paired it with a set of strappy heels that added the perfect amount of elegance.

With a final glance in the mirror, I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs. As I reached the end of the staircase, I laid eyes on the important guest my parents had invited for dinner tonight: Christian Calloway. My heart raced at the sight of him. Why was my father having him for dinner? I gave him a quick smile, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension, before taking two more steps down.

"Christian, this is my daughter Alexandria," my father said, his eyes running over my dress with a critical gaze that made my stomach twist.

"Hello," I greeted Christian with a warm smile and a handshake, trying to project confidence.

"I saw you at Aliyah's fashion show, right?" he asked, his deep voice sending an unexpected thrill through me.

"Yes, that was me. I walked the show," I replied, pride bubbling up as I remembered the adrenaline of the runway.

After the introductions, we moved into the living room where my mother and sister waited. Both were dressed in matching tweed outfits, looking like they had stepped straight out of a fashion magazine. My sister, Anastasia, had just returned home, and I hadn't seen her yet. After Christian greeted everyone, I slid into the seat next to her, eager for some sisterly catch-up.

"Hi," I greeted her. "Where's Enzo?"

"He's at work," she replied, a hint of disappointment in her tone. "He had plans with his family already." She offered me a straight smile, but I could sense some tension underneath.

Right before dinner, my father and Christian slipped away to his office. I sat to the side while my mother and sister delved into baby-related discussions. It's not that I wasn't interested; it was just that I was never included in these types of conversations. They felt alien to me, a world I wasn't ready for.

"Alexandria," my mother said, pulling my attention from my phone. I looked up, surprised. "Your father asked you to change your outfit."

"Why?" I replied defensively, glancing down at my dress. "There's nothing wrong with this dress."

"You look like you're going to a nightclub, Alexandria. Go change," she insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument.

I rolled my eyes in frustration, feeling the familiar sting of her judgment, and headed back upstairs to my bedroom. I rifled through my closet, pulling out a dark blue Aliyah Monet linen maxi dress that flowed elegantly and paired it with white heels. This dress was safe-no cutouts, no daring plunges, just a simple, classic look.

As I descended the stairs again, I caught my parents already making their way to the dining room. I couldn't change back if I wanted to. We sat down for dinner as we usually did, but this time, there was an extra guest sitting next to me.

"Why did you change your dress?" Christian whispered over to me, a curious smile on his face.

"I spilled something on my dress," I replied with a smile, hoping to keep things light.

"You look lovely," he said, his compliment warming me in a way I didn't expect.

"Thank you," I said, feeling my cheeks flush slightly as he turned his attention back to my parents.

The rest of the night was filled with conversation, but most of it centered around Christian and my parents. My mother was relentless with her questions about his family life, his business ventures, and everything in between. I found it hard to pay attention, my phone resting on my lap as I texted back and forth with friends about the Aliyah Monet show.

"Alexandria!" My father's voice cut through the air like a knife, drawing the attention of everyone at the table. "No phones at the table. Have some respect."

"Sorry," I mumbled, locking my phone and placing it face down on the table, my embarrassment flooding my cheeks.

"Now that I have your attention," my father said, pausing for effect as he placed his utensils down, "over the past few years, we have allowed you to find a suitable match on your own, but it seems that hasn't been successful."

I felt my heart sink. I had known this conversation was coming, but I wasn't prepared for it now, especially not with Christian sitting right next to me.

"Why do you want to discuss my personal life right now?" I shot back, unable to contain my frustration.

To say I was embarrassed was putting it lightly; I was mortified.

My dating track record hasn't been the best, and my father's meddling hasn't helped. He has a tendency to throw money around to get what he wants, and it's left me feeling as if I'm nothing more than a business transaction.

"Do not interrupt me, Alexandria," he snapped, his voice low and dangerous. "As I was saying, since you could not find a suitable match for yourself, I took the liberty of doing it for you. Meet Christian Calloway, your fiancé."

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. I blinked, processing what he had just said. My heart raced, and I fought the urge to scream. I wasn't surprised they had arranged a husband for me; in the world of business, marriage was often a strategic alliance. But I should have seen this coming. I'd been single for almost three years and had felt the pressure mounting from my parents to find someone.

But Christian Calloway? My mind raced. They could have chosen anyone for me, but they picked him-a man whose life was a world away from mine. My life was public, thrust into the limelight with my modeling career, while his was shrouded in secrecy. He didn't go out, while I was expected to grace red carpets and mingle at high-profile events.

What would people say? What would they ask? And would Christian even allow me to continue working?

"You could have at least discussed this with me first, Father," I said, my voice trembling with barely contained anger.

Christian watched me, his expression unreadable. I could feel his presence beside me, solid and immovable, but it didn't offer any comfort. The reality of my situation crashed over me like a wave, leaving me feeling dizzy and disoriented.

I felt trapped, cornered by their expectations. My heart pounded in my chest, and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. But I refused to let them see me cry.

"Do you even care about what I want?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, the weight of my words hanging in the air between us.

"Of course we do," my father replied, his tone softening slightly. "But you must understand that sometimes sacrifices are necessary for the greater good. This is about securing your future."

"Securing my future?" I echoed incredulously. "What future? One where I'm stuck in a loveless marriage, playing the role of a perfect daughter? I deserve to have a say in my life!"

Christian remained silent, observing the exchange with an intensity that made me feel vulnerable. I couldn't help but wonder what he thought of this entire situation. Did he even want to marry me? Or was he just going along with my parents' plans?

-