HIS PRETENSE BRIDE

CHAPTER 24

Alexa's POV

I wake up to flowers beside me on the bed, gently teasing my nostrils when I wake up. Frowning slightly, I yawn as I force myself to sit up while clutching the duvet to cover my body.

After taking a few minutes to clear my hazy eyesight, I stare at the flowers in bewilderment. Who put them there? I certainly don't know anything about how flowers got there, which is why I'm a little surprised. 

Or did Xander put them there?

Furrowing my brows, I glanced around the room where I had slept. It was the largest room in the mansion and also the room I and Xander are supposed to share but ever since we got married when he had refused to stay in the same room with me, I haven't seen much of him.

But looking across the room right now, I can see some of his things littered across the room, such as his shoes and the tie he wore yesterday. I check his side of the bed where he is supposed to sleep, and it looks like he slept there. Biting the inside of my cheeks and not knowing how to feel about that, I climb out of bed without touching the flowers.

I go about the room gathering his things, which were strewn across while wondering why any human would choose to make a mess when the closet is right there. All he has to do is walk into it.

I nearly smile as I pick up his tie from the floor. For all his money, Xander doesn't know shit about cleaning up after himself or tidying up. And I don't blame him, especially as there are maids probably waiting behind the door now to clean the place up if I let them.

I have refused to let them into our room. So far, it has become the only sanctuary I have. 

Humming to a song I always sang when I was younger, I take Xander's things to the closet and put them where they are supposed to be. I don't know if he is still around, but I go ahead into the bathroom to brush my teeth, mindful of yet another day.

Another day has passed, and yet nothing has happened between us.

He still hasn't touched me, and I am wondering if he is ever going to.

Although the date we went on yesterday was nice, I still don't know what to think about it.

As I rinse my mouth with water from the tap, I remind myself that I'm not to bother about any of this. It's all for the good anyway. And everything will be fine, I suppose.  

But even I can't bring myself to believe that.

Hanging on to the sink, I let out a short breath that makes my throat tighten. I am slowly beginning to lose my mind in the house without anything to do. When I was a teenager and I was dreaming of being rich, I hadn't thought of myself as not having anything to do.

I didn't like being idle, but being married to Xander has made me idle more than I want. And it's slowly starting to get to me.

My eyes flutter open with shock when the glass door to the bathroom slides open and Xander walks in. For a moment, I stand there staring at my face in the splitting mirror while he stands behind me watching me.

“Good morning,” he mutters, not looking away from my reflection in the mirror. 

He is even locking eyes with me.

I blink, and he is still there, quietly watching me and probably waiting for me to respond. Clearing my throat dramatically, I press a finger to my neck.

“Hi,” I mumble instead.

Rather than move on and pass, Xander's eyes beam at my response. Before I can ask him why he is smiling, he is already wrapping a hand around my waist and turning me toward him. I watch him with wide eyes, awestruck at the mesmerized look in his eyes.