Chapter 1 1st Chapter

Alexandra's POV

My ears picked up the sound of the kettle going off and I realized I had forgotten to add the tea bag to my cup.

I stared at the steaming water blankly and my hands wrapped perfectly around my favorite mug.

This was the same mug that Mark had given to me years ago. I raised it and saw the inscription: "World Best wife" which had been written in faded gold letters.

The irony of the inscription stung every time that I saw it. I should have thrown it away, along with other memories that came with him.

While pouring the steaming water from the kettle, I heard a knock on the door, and a white envelope was pushed underneath by what I presume to be the mailman.

Curious, I walked to the door and stared at the envelope briefly.

I don't remember sending any messages through an envelope. So why do I have to get one in return?

Nonetheless, I leaned down to the ground and picked up the envelope, removing the seal from it and reading the content.

Reality struck me the moment I read the heading of the content: "NOTICE OF EVICTION"

I stared at the envelope for a full minute, trying to digest everything. My heart was pounding its way out of my chest.

There were still two months left on my rent.

Two complete months!

Why now?

Why me?

I swallowed hard and walked back to the kitchen to pick up my phone that was close to the sink.

There must be some explanation for this.

I scrolled through my device, searching for the phone number that I needed and soon I found it.

It was the Landlord's phone number.

By the time he picked up, I cleared my throat to speak.

"I just received an eviction notice right now," I said to him, ignoring any form of greeting.

"That is correct. The building is about to be sold." He said with a cold voice with no hint of compassion.

"But I still have more time on my rent," I said, trying to keep my voice together. "I have never defaulted in payment. I don't understand." I added.

There was silence on the phone for a brief moment after which he sighed. "I am sorry Alexandra, but this is out of my hands."

That was it.

It took only a few minutes for my life to be over.

No change of mind and no explanation for his actions.

Tears dropped down my eyes. At that moment I wanted to scream but I kept quiet because I knew if I said anything more than that, it was going to break me.

This is certainly not the time to fall apart.

I have 30 days to find a new place.

Thirty damn days! No savings! No backup plans! Not even an income yet.

Despite all the hurdles that were staring at me, I was still trying to keep a positive mindset.

Maybe something good is going to happen.

Perhaps if I picked up some extra work at the community center I could get the money I needed.

As if on cue, I got a text message from my boss at the community center telling me that they regret to let me go–that it had something to do with them downsizing because of some financial constraints.

Nothing could have stopped me from hyperventilating. What is going on? My life is crashing before my eyes and I can't do anything about it.

My phone began to ring, startling me out of my depressing thoughts. I checked to see if the identity of the caller was someone I knew, but it was unknown.

Curious, I picked up the phone and a chuckle came through when I heard the voice.

"Why did you hesitate to pick up the phone?"

My mood turned from frustration to anger. The caller was none other than Mark, my shitty ex-husband.

I did not respond to him. He has done so much damage to me that I shouldn't even be thinking of giving him any attention.

"I have a proposal for you." He said, after the awkward silence.

I scoffed. "A proposal? I would rather die than hear what you have to say."

"Come on Lexi. It's not like that." He said softly. "I want to help you. I have an arrangement for you." He added.

"What kind of arrangement?" I asked slowly, already regretting why I asked.

There was a brief silence–an uncomfortable one. It looked like he was contemplating whether or not to tell me. This made me more anxious.

"I think it is better I explain it to you in person." He finally broke the silence.

I chuckled angrily. "Of course, you just want to see me."

"I will send a car tomorrow by 10:00 am." He assured me and hung up the phone before I could even protest.

I stared at my phone for a long time wishing that the call would start all over again.

Over the years in my marriage, I have learned one thing from Mark.

And that is the fact that he was not the type of man to give something without taking something in return.

The last time I trusted him, I lost everything.

On the other hand, I had no job and no money. I will be homeless in the next thirty days if I don't fix this mess.

Maybe it was stupidity or even desperation but something in me still believed that I should give him a second chance and see what he has to say.

**

The next morning, a car showed up. It was black and very sleek. The windows went down and the driver made a gesture for me to step into the car.

He said no words as we drove through the busy streets of New York.

After a couple of minutes, we arrived at Mark's estate.

It used to be my home and a place where we had sealed our marriage but not anymore.

When the car came to a halt, Mark opened the door and greeted me. He tried to attempt a hug, but I ended up pushing him aside.

"Alexandra." He said with calmness.

"Talk," I replied, folding my arms and tapping my feet on the floor.

He made a gesture for me to follow him, but I refused.

"There is someone that I want you to take care of," He said.

"I beg your pardon?" I asked, blinking my eyes.

"He has asked me to link the both of you together. Trust me you will like him." He said with a smile on his face.

"Are you out of your mind? I should have known that you are heartless." I said, trying to calm my nerves down.

"Relax and allow me to talk." He said softly.

"Talk? I am sick and tired of you Mark. Our marriage is over and don't you ever waste my time like today ever again." I warned and walked away.

"Just so you know, you can run from him but trust me he will come for you." He said as I walked towards the gate.

Mark had never shown any sort of remorse for breaking up the marriage between the both of us.

I hated him for that and nothing will ever bring us back together again.

As I left his house, one question kept playing at the back of my mind, "who was this person who wanted me to be his possession?"