Chapter 4 Loyalty and Doubt

Alice stared at me for a moment, her expression was unreadable. Then, a slow smirk curled on her lips.

"So let me get this straight," she said, leaning forward. "Alexander, the ridiculously rich, ridiculously handsome man, kissed you. Twice!"

I sighed, shifting uncomfortably on the couch. "Yes, he did, I didn't know when it happened, it just....."

She let out a small laugh, cutting me off, and shaking her head. "Wow." And here I thought you were just going over there to talk business."

"I was," I muttered, hugging a pillow to my chest. "It just... happened."

Alice tapped her fingers against her knee, eyes fixed on me. "And you let it happen?"

I hesitated, then nodded. "I mean... yeah."

She raised an eyebrow. "Did you like it?"

I frowned. "Why does it matter?"

"Because, Rose," she said, standing up with a dramatic sigh while coming to sit close to me, "this isn't just any guy. This is Alexander, a billionaire, art collector who probably has a yacht somewhere just because he can." She turned fully to face me now, still smirking, though her tone shifted. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

I frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Alice shrugged and got up, heading to the kitchen like she was done with the conversation. "Guys like him don't just date people like us. They get what they want... and move on."

I stiffened. "You don't even know him."

She glanced over her shoulder. "Neither do you."

That one stung. I wanted to argue, say something to defend Alexander, but she wasn't wrong. I didn't know him. Not really.

Alice took a sip of water, watching me from the kitchen. "Just be careful, okay? I would hate to see you get your hopes up for nothing."

I tried to believe she was just being protective, but something about the way she said it... like she already expected it to fall apart left a weird feeling in my chest.

Was she just concerned? Or was there something else behind it? I let it go. Told myself to sleep it off.

Evening settled in, and just when I was finally starting to drift off, my phone rang. I hadn't saved the number yet, but I knew it was him. I picked it up without thinking. "Good evening, Rose," his voice rumbled. Deep, smooth, and familiar. The sleepiness left my body like someone had flipped a switch.

"Good evening," I replied, voice low and groggy, caught between annoyed and curious.

"You sound like you were sleeping. "Did I wake you?" he asked, his tone soft, almost concerned.

"No, you didn't," I said, even though he absolutely had. I glanced at Alice beside me, still lounging on the couch. I didn't want her to hear this.

I stood up quickly. "Hold on a sec." I walked into my room, closed the door, and leaned against it.

"I thought you weren't going to answer my calls with the attitude you left with," he said, the amusement in his voice so obvious I could see the smirk without even being there.

"Don't flatter yourself," I shot back. "We have a business relationship, and it would be unprofessional not to pick up." I crossed my arms and took a deep breath. "It's late. So what are you calling me for, exactly?"

There was a short pause, then his voice came through, softer but still confident. "I promised I would call tonight. I don't break promises."

I sighed. "Well, consider your promise fulfilled. But next time, maybe try calling during normal hours. I need to sleep, so I can work on the contract you gave me. And from now on, let's keep it about that, strictly business."

There was a beat of silence, and I almost thought he wasn't going to respond. "You sure?" His voice was quiet, almost too casual, but there was something in it that made my pulse race.

"Yes, I'm sure," I replied firmly, knowing I needed to stick to my boundaries.

"I'll respect that," he said, sounding almost reluctant. "But I'll still check in tomorrow." "Don't work too hard."

I gritted my teeth. "I won't. Goodnight, Alexander."

"Goodnight, Rose."

As I hung up, I couldn't help but feel a strange pull inside me, and why did this feel more complicated than it should? Was I being too harsh, or was I simply protecting myself from something I wasn't ready for?

I shook my head, trying to clear the swirl of emotions creeping in. "Tomorrow will be another day," I told myself. "No distractions, just work."

Just as I turned to go back to the living room, I stopped. Alice was standing right outside my door, arms crossed, her face unreadable. Had she been there the whole time?

"You seemed tense again," she said quietly, eyes searching mine. "Did anything happen?"

"Nah. Just work," I replied quickly, trying not to let the unease in my chest show.

She stepped closer, reaching for my hand. "You know you can talk to me, right?" I would never judge you."

I looked at her, and for a moment, I saw it, that softness in her gaze, that sisterly warmth. Part of me wanted to just say it. Everything. The kiss, the confusion, how Alexander's voice stuck in my head like a song I couldn't stop playing.

But something held me back. Maybe it was the way she had questioned me earlier or the strange look she gave me after my call. Or maybe... maybe I just wasn't ready to share.

I forced a small smile and squeezed her hand lightly. "I know, Alice. And I appreciate that."

She tilted her head slightly, studying me like she was searching for something beneath my words. Then, just as quickly, she let out a soft chuckle. "Good. "Because you've been acting all weird since you came back from that perverts home and I do not want anyone stressing about my little sister," she said, with a smile that seemed affectionate.

I laughed, though it came out more nervous than I intended. "It's just stress. This first contract is a big deal for me."

Alice nodded, but I could tell she wasn't completely convinced. "Well, don't let it consume you." And definitely don't let him consume you."

My heart skipped a beat. "Him?"

She smirked. "Alexander, of course."

I swallowed, keeping my face neutral. "It's just business, Alice."

She gave me a knowing look, her fingers still loosely wrapped around mine. "Hmmm. Sure."

Before I could respond, she let go of my hand and stretched dramatically. "Anyway, I'm starving. Let's order something before I collapse."

I exhaled in relief at the change of subject. "Yeah, food sounds good."

As Alice walked ahead, I followed, but a lingering thought stayed with me. She said she wouldn't judge me. She said I could open up. But why did it feel like she was waiting for me to slip?

And why did I feel like I couldn't trust her with this at all?