Chapter 2 TWO...

Clarrisa slumped on the bed and grabbed her pillow, the smile on her face continued to grow and intensify. The thought of her getting married the next weekend made her heart beat faster than usual. Finally she was going to be Alex's wife and that too for life, this was a dream come through and no one was allowed to meddle in her dreams. The soft knock on the door made her jolt out of her reverie and that was when her mother pushed the door open and entered.

"Hey mum" Clarrisa sat up on the bed and crossed her legs against her chest, "I thought you were already asleep given the time and that's why I didn't come to meet you" Gwen's lips curled into a smile and she perched on the space near the bed, the news of her daughter's wedding was everywhere and she was one hell of a proud mother. "You are glowing, risa" her hand was caressing her face gently. The girl gave an awkward smile, "stop it mum, it was just announced today and I am already glowing?" "Of course darling" her mother tucked a few strands of hair to the back of her neck, "you are glowing and it is a good thing baby" she paused for a while and studied her daughter. The glow she was seeing in her daughter these few days was much more than she could imagine. Clarrisa was a hopeless romantic when it came to Alex and she was proud of the fact that her daughter was happy.....extremely happy. "Mum" Clarrisa prodded her and she jolted back to reality, "what are you thinking about so intently mum?" A look of concern was written all over her face. "It's nothing sweetheart" Gwen answered with a smile on her face, "I am extremely happy for you and we need to start the preparations for the wedding. There is a lot to do, I can't wait" Clarrisa couldn't even help but smile, getting married to Alex was the only thing on her mind right now and nothing was going to change that. In a few days, she will be Mrs Clarrisa Alexander chase. ******* With a wine flute twirling in his hand, Alex was standing on the balcony of the house while looking at the stars gracing the sky. The memories of his childhood became fresh in his memory and he remembered how he sat at that same spot years ago when he wanted to be alone or away from people. That was the Kind of life he lived all those years ago but now he was more like a shadow of his former self. The fact that he lived only for revenge now made everything more complicated, Alex had always wanted to live a peaceful and easy life but who knew that fate was trying to play a fast one on him? Now he was the Alex who was not the Alex ...ironically funny. His train of thought was interrupted when his phone rang and unknowingly his lips curled into a smile, this was the only person he loved talking to. Pressing the receive button, he jammed the phone on his ears, "Why are you still awake?" This was the first thing he asked the caller and the person from the other end heaved a sigh. "I was worried about you, Alex" Bianca's worried voice reached his ears. "Worried?" He asked with a shrug while taking a mouthful of his drink, "I am perfectly fine and it is a good night, the sky is pretty and I am standing on the balcony of the Baxter mansion, what more can I ask for?" "Alex" Bianca called again, "are you drunk?" His lips continued to curl up in a smile, "drunk? I just had some wine. Why will I drink? I have no reason to drink and I am too underage to drink" Bianca couldn't help but sigh again, she could totally understand how he felt. From losing one's family to getting married to your family's murderer and handling the responsibility of someone else's company, it was too big a deal for the boy trapped inside Alex's body to comprehend. For the past few months she has seen how Jayden has struggled to imbibe the life of Alex and it was not an easy job, Alex was a complicated man and becoming him was the work of a professional. "I am coming over, okay?" She finally said and he nodded his head in the negative even if she was not seeing him. "You are not fully healed Bianca and moreover Gerald is going crazy trying to look for you. I can't risk your life at this point again and you need to stay with your family" "Don't argue with me Alex and get some lemon water to clear your head, you sound very drunk" He knew he could not win against her even if he tried but he was worried about her safety, Alex didn't want Gerald to get her again and that was one thing he was going to avoid no matter what. "Don't be stubborn Bianca, Gerald is hot on your trail" "See you in five" then she ended the call. If loyalty was a human then it was Bianca, she was loyal to a fault and Alex noticed. She was a rare type of person to have as a friend. When she ended the call, Alex sighed and gulped the whole content of the wine glass before heading into the house. More like Alex's big mansion, it felt more homely here except the fact that it was empty and lonely. It was like fate was trying to toil with him because the ringing of his doorbell reached his ears. "Is she here already?" He muttered under his breath as he made his way down the stairs, he wasn't expecting her to come so soon. His nanny's face came into view the moment he opened the door and a look of surprise flashed across his face. "Esmeralda?" Alex was shocked, he didn't expect her to come over and how did she even know his house? "Hey boy" the old lady greeted and sauntered into the house, she was not even surprised in the least. "I didn't know you were coming and ......" his voice trailed off, she looked mad and he had never seen her angry like that before. "So I no longer mean anything to you, Alex?" The woman went straight to the point, "I am just a regular worker to you now right?" "What do you mean, meralda?" Alex inquired. She had the inkling to smack him across the face so hard, why was he so nonchalant about things? "So I am not family enough for you to tell me anything about the house you bought or the housewarming party? I had to hear it from the media myself Alex, i thought you treated me like family and now...." She paused and dropped the basket of fruit on the table, "anyways that is by the way. You are the almighty Alexander chase and I must have overplayed my part when I thought you took me as your mother, I will send the workers tomorrow and..." she was still talking when he pounced into her embrace, maybe he needed a hug and she was the best person for it. "I am sorry aunt, it is not what you think okay?" He was still in her embrace, " a lot is going on and I promise I will tell you everything when the time is right, okay?" "Oh, Alex," the woman hugged him tighter, "I just want you to be fine, okay?" "Sure" "Family?" A voice asked from a little distance and they turned to see Bianca by the door