Chapter 3 No Way Out

Alexa sat by the window in the guest room, staring blankly into the distance. It was vast, cold, and unfamiliar,a constant reminder that she had nowhere else to go. She ran her fingers absentmindedly along the rim of the glass cup beside her, her mind replaying the events of the past few days.

She had left her family in anger, lost everything familiar, and now, she was in a stranger's mansion although calling Andre a stranger felt odd, considering their shared past. But he was still a mystery, wrapped in power and control.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she said flatly.

Andre stepped inside, composed as ever, dressed in a sharp, tailored suit. His presence, bold and commanding, made the air heavier.

"You're awake. Good," he said, sliding his hands into his pockets.

Alexa eyed him warily. "What now?"

Andre studied her for a long moment before finally saying, "I think you deserve some answers."

Alexa folded her arms, curiosity prickling her. "Answers to what?"

He sat across from her, elbows resting on his knees, gaze serious.

"I searched for you, Alexa," he began, his tone stripped of any playfulness. "After that night... I couldn't let it go. No woman has ever left me restless like that. You haunted me."

She stiffened, eyes narrowing, unsure whether to feel flattered or alarmed.

"I tried to find you. I searched for months but you vanished," he admitted. "Then fate stepped in. I crossed paths with your father, Anthony Dominic."

At the mention of her father, Alexa's breath caught.

"The moment he mentioned his daughter's name was Alexa Dominic, it struck a chord. I did some digging, confirming the woman I was looking for was you."

His eyes burned with intensity.

"Your family, the Dominics are not just wealthy but powerful, with their own empire. When your father proposed a marriage alliance to strengthen our business ties,I didn't hesitate. But not because of the partnership".

He leaned forward, his voice low and deliberate.

"I agreed because i wanted you".

Alexa's mouth parted in shock, her heart racing.

"Why would you do that? You didn't even know me properly. We barely shared anything beyond that night!" She protested.

"I knew enough," Andre said with certainty. "Enough to want more. Enough to make sure I wouldn't lose the chance again."

Alexa mind raced. She wanted to argue that what they shared was nothing more than a fleeting moment,a coincidence of passion and wine. But deep down, she knew it wasn't that simple. There was something about that night, something about him that she had tried to forget but couldn't.

She stood, pacing the room, her emotions tangled between anger, confusion, and an undeniable pull toward him

"What do you want from me, Andre?"

His lips curled into a smirk. "You".

She froze, her heart pounding.

"But I can't force you into marriage, can I?" he added smoothly. "So instead, work for me."

"Work for you?" she scoffed, folding her arms. "Doing what exactly?"

He stood up, walking to her, closing the distance between them.

"Be my personal assistant. You will shadow me, learn my world and maybe...understand why I'm not giving up on you".

Alexa stared at him, pulse racing. She felt trapped, yet oddly curious.

"And if I refuse?"

Andre smiled. "You won't."

Before she could argue further, he added, "Get dressed. You're coming with me today."

A short while later, they arrived at Andre's towering office building, sleek, glassy, and cold like a monument to wealth and power. Alexa followed him up to the top floor, trying to steady herself for whatever awaited her.

Inside the grand lounge, a woman already waited, poised, elegant, and oozing confidence. Her jet-black hair was tied in a sleek bun, her dress clinging to her figure like a designer's masterpiece.

"Alexa, meet Vivian Cortez," Andre introduced. "My associate... and an old friend."

Vivian's eyes grazed Alexa with thinly veiled disdain. "Old friend," she repeated mockingly. "Interesting... I wasn't aware Andre hired... amateurs."

Alexa kept her chin up. She wasn't about to let this stranger intimidate her.

"She's learning fast," Andre replied without missing a beat.

Vivian chuckled, circling Alexa like a predator

"Let's hope she last. Andre tends to get bored easily." She leaned in and whispered close to Alexa's ear

"Don't disappoint him, he doesn't tolerate weakness."

Alexa clenched her fists but held her expression firm refusing to give Vivian the satisfaction of a reaction.

Vivian smiled smugly before turning to Andre. "I'll see you later," she purred, brushing past them and exiting. The door clicked shut behind Vivian, leaving behind her scent of expensive perfume and venom.

"She doesn't like me much," Alexa muttered under her breath. Andre chuckled. "Vivian doesn't like anyone who gets too close to me." That answer made Alexa's stomach flip for reasons she didn't want to admit.

Andre watched Alexa closely. "Don't mind her. She likes to play."

"I've handled worse," Alexa said, her voice steady.

Andre chuckled. "That's what I like to hear."

As they prepared to leave the lounge, Andre's expression turned serious.

"Vivian may play games, but in my world, Alexa.. everything comes with a price. I hope you are ready".

"Ready for what?" she asked.

"To learn that once you are in my world...there's no way out. Not without me letting you go and I never do." His voice was low, dangerous but there was a glimmer of possession in his gaze that sent shivers down her spine.

Alexa swallowed hard, that last sentence echoing louder than the polished floors beneath her heels. She was in now and the rules were Andre's to dictate.

Just as the air between them grew heavy, a sharp buzz broke the moment. Andre's phone vibrated on his desk, its screen lighting up with a private encrypted call.

Andre's eyes narrowed the moment he saw the caller ID. His expression hardened, his jaw tightening as he picked up the phone and answered.

Alexa watched him closely. She could tell from his face that whatever the call was about, it wasn't good.

He turned slightly away from her, his voice low and controlled.

"What did you find?" he said into the receiver.

There was a pause, some faint muffled voice from the other end. Andre's eyes grew darker.

Alexa's curiosity overwhelmed her. "What is it? Who's that?" she asked, moving closer.

Andre didn't respond immediately. He ended the call abruptly and then looked back at her, his stare unreadable but definitely concerned.

"Your father," he finally said, his voice rough. "He's looking for you."

Alexa's stomach knotted. "What do you mean? I thought he disowned me, cut ties."

Andre shook his head. "Apparently not entirely. He just sent men out to find you. He's asking around...quietly."

Her throat went dry. "Why?"

Andre's lips pressed into a firm line. He walked up to her slowly, his presence looming, commanding.

"If Anthony Dominic is looking for you now," he said grimly, "he doesn't want you back, not really. He just wants to ensure his name stays clean."

"And me being here.....??"

"Changes things."

Alexa stared at him, her pulse racing, the weight of uncertainty heavy on her chest.

Andre stepped even closer, his voice low and grave.

"You stay. Safer here."

She crossed her arms. "What if I don't want your protection?"

Andre's eyes glinted. "Then make me believe you don't need it."

His words echoed,a challenge, a promise as Alexa wondered if she was truly free anymore.