BANG BANG BANGI
A loud, persistent hanging raped lives nut of sleep like a drowning woman b
Her eyes flew open,shes fluttering as her brain struggled to catch up
She was still in the massive bed, the unfamiliar thats tangled around her legs
Hey head ached and
and her mouth wat dry as sandpaper.
But one of thatpared to the bury tong in her chest in the knocking continued, now harder, more
“What in the fuck?” she groaned, dragging herself upright, air a dishested halo around her head
Who the hell was banging on the dont so early in the ming!
She stomped to it, yanking it open with murder in her eyes, eady to curse at the person but she from
Alejandits stood there, freshly showered and dressed to kill in a tailored charcoal gray suit that hugged his broad shoulders like it a
His shirt was crisp, a silk shade of ck that matched the dark tie knotted perfectly at his throat.
His hair was slicked <b>back</b>, neat, not a single strand out of ce, and he smelled like power and danger.
Nivera blinked, momentarily blinded by how handsome he looked. She, on the other hand, looked like she had been through hell. One side of her face was still p
I pressed with pillow <b>lines</b>, her eyes bleary, mascara faintly smudged from the night before
“What?!” she snapped, voiceved with sleep and inntation.
Alejandro didn’t even flinch. “It’s time for you to get up.”
Her mouth dropped open. “It’s seven in the goddamn moming!”
“It’s one,” heected
“It’s one in the afternoon, he repeated, chocking his watch with casual elegance.
“I left the house for a meeting and got back only <b>to </b>find you still asleep. You’ve been in bed for almost fifteen hours.”
“I was tired, you sociopath,” she gritted out. “You dragged me here like a sack of potatoes and now you’re acting like my life coach?
“You don’t have the houry to sleep all <b>day</b>,” Alejandro replied, stepping inside uninvited.
His eyes swept over her appearance, and his lips cupled over so slightly. “We have preparations to make. The <b>wedding </b>is tomorrow, and you look like a sleep deprived goblin.”
Niveta blinked. Once then twice
And then her mouth opened. “Excuse me?!”
“You heard me,” he drawled.
if you think I’m going to patade around with you looking like some desperate sidepiece
<b>1/4 </b>
“I never said that,” Alejandro cut in, his tone suddenly sharp. “That if I’m expected to show up with you on my arms, then you
“And what part is that?” she demanded. “The disposable escort? The damsel in distress? type.”
don’t you take someone.
Something <b>dark </b>flickered across his face.
Alejandro stepped closer. The air shifted, and Nivera instinctively took a step back
“Don’t piss me off, Nivera. It won’t end well for you,” he said quietly, too quietly
His voice carried steel beneath the silk now, thatmanding, ruthless edge that always lurked beneath his charm. “You’re here because Tchone you lo be and you will act ordingly.”
“I didn’t ask to be here!” She exhaled s
d sharply
“And yet here you are.”
<b>She </b>hated the way her chest tightened. Hated the sh of fear that bolted through her.
For a second, just a second, she saw it–his darkness. The one that didn’t joke. The one that didn’t care if you liked him. The one who didn’t need to shout to dominate a room.
Nivera swallowed hard.“…I don’t even have anything to wear,” she muttered, wrapping her arms around herself
“Clothes will be provided,” he said. “You’ll shower, get dressed, and be ready in fifteen minutes<b>.</b>”
<b>“</b>Fifteen-<b>?!</b>”
“If <b>you’re </b>not,” he <b>said</b><b>, </b>already turning away, “I’ll drag you down as you are.”
The door shut behind him with <b>a </b><b>soft </b>thud, leaving her in stunned silence.
She stood there for <b>a </b>long moment, blinking at the empty space he left.
“…Bastard!” she growled, but she still headed for the bathroom.
Because as much as she hated it he would absolutely <b>do </b>it.
When she stepped out seven minutester<b>, </b>a new set of clothes had beenid neatly on the bed.
A simple but expensive ck jumpsuit with a plunging neckline, gold ents at the belt and heels to match.
it was effortlessly elegant, tasteful and powerful–and clearly designer. The fabric felt like silk against her skin.
Alejandro had taste. Unfortunately.
She dressed quickly, tied her hair into something manageable. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of looking like shit so <b>he </b>could rub it in
When she descended the stairs, he was already waiting at the door, checking his watch again,
“You’rete.”
“By one minute:
“I said fifteen. It’s been sixteen.”
She rolled <b>her </b>eyes. “you need therapy”
He didn’t respond. He simply just tumed and began to make his way out of the manson.
The car ride <b>was </b>as neither wanted to say anything to the other
Nivera stared out the windows crossed lightly. Alejanden
jandro was on his phone, reading through emails with a furrowed Bri
Despite herself, her gar difted to him. He was like something sculpted effortlessly handsome, with a cold, calcting pr screamed kindness. But everything screamed control.
A control that unnerved her,
“I still don’t know why I’m even going with you to this wedding” the muttered eventually, breaking
“You don’t need to know,” he said without looking up.
“You’re exhausting.
“I’ve been told.”
Eventually, the car slowed in front of a boutique. But not just any boutique<b>. </b>
Nivera’s brows lifted. She knew this ce
Before she left her family name behind, before she tried to be something <b>on </b>her own–this was where her mother used to shop for her. Deliger after designer, all wrapped in scented tissue paper and <b>luxury</b>.
She however hadn’t worn them in years as her father didn’t even let her take her clothes when <b>she </b>left.
Alejandro stepped out first, then circled around to open her door like <b>a </b>gentleman, though his expression was anything but sweet.
As they walked in, a tall, willowy woman with perfect skin and crimson lips greeted them<b>. </b>
“Se?or Alejandro,” she purred, eyes practically devouring him “it’s been far too long
Nivera immediately wanted to roll her eyes into the back of her skull.
“heard you wereing,” the woman continued, <b>fingers </b>brushing lightly over Alejandro’s arm. “You should visit more often.”
He gave a faint, polite smile and he winked. “I’ve been busy”
“Shame.” Her voice dropped suggestively. <b>You’re </b>always wee here”
Nivera folded her arms. God,
d, what a man whore!
The woman’s hands lingered on Alejandro’s chest a moment too long before she disappeared behind a curtain to get the dresses.
Nivera shot him a re. “Wow. You’re reallymitted to being disgusting.”
Alejandro, to her surprise, pulled out a white handkerchief from his pocket, wiping the spot the woman <b>had </b>touched.
Then, without a word, he dusted his shoulderke rushing off dirt, and wiped the corner of his mouth too.
Nivera blinked, “Did… you just sanitize yoursell
He didn’t look at her “Some people don’t deserve to touch me. Scratch that, no one deserves to touch me, I hate it.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” she said, stunned.
He finally met her gaze, eyes dark and unreadable. “Appearances are easy to take interest is <b>harder</b>.”
Before she could respond, the assistant ret
cof dresses, and three other women traded behind her, and fu
“Let’s find the perfect look for you,” the boutique owner said, now clearly addressing Hivern
The next thirty minutes were chaos.
Alejandro sat in a chair like a king judging his court, one hand draped over the armeest, expression bored as feveratred on cuffrafter outfe
“<b>No</b>”
“Too frill
“Too loud”
“That makes her look like a cake topper.”
Nivera wanted to throw a heel at his smug
<b>Lace</b>,
abeel
She twirled in front of the mirror in yet another dress, this one deep red and stunning, but Alejandro shook his head again…
“You hate everything,” she snapped.
“I’m slective,” he retorted.
“You’re annoying.”
“And you’ll look perfect. Eventually”
She groaned.
This was going to be a long damn day.