Chapter 36: CHAPTER 33:DIOS,HELP ME

Neti

The warmth was the first thing I noticed.

A steady, solid heat pressed against my back, a heavy arm draped over my waist, holding me close.

My sleep-fogged mind barely processed it—until I shifted slightly and felt something firm, warm, undeniably masculine.

My eyes snapped open.

No.

No, no, no.

I wasn’t—

I turned my head slowly, heart pounding.

And there he was.

Adolph.

Fast asleep.

And I was cuddling with him.

My leg was tangled with his, my body curved perfectly against his chest, and his face was so close, I could see the dark lashes resting against his cheekbones, his breathing slow and deep.

Panic flooded my veins.

What the hell happened last night?

I tried to move, but his grip tightened.

Oh, Dios mío.

I stiffened as he let out a low, sleepy grumble, his hand flexing against my waist, pulling me even closer.

This wasn’t happening.

I froze, barely daring to breathe as his face dipped closer to my neck, his nose brushing against my skin.

A lazy, husky whisper escaped his lips—

“Mmm… still mine, princesa.”

My soul left my body.

I shoved at his chest instantly, my face burning as I untangled myself, rolling away from him like he was a damn fire.

He barely stirred, a smirk tugging at his lips.

I scowled.

He was asleep. Smirking.

The audacity.

I pushed myself up, pressing a hand against my racing heart.

I needed out of this bed. Out of his warmth, his presence, his intoxicating scent—

But before I could move, his eyes fluttered open.

Deep. Dark. Dangerous.

And filled with way too much amusement.

“Leaving so soon?” His voice was rough, taunting, sinful.

I swallowed hard, yanking the blanket over myself like a shield.

“Shut up.”

He chuckled, stretching lazily like he hadn’t just destroyed my sanity.

“You can’t fight fate, princesa.”

I glared. “I can fight you.”

His smirk deepened.

“Last night says otherwise.”

I grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at his face

The damn pillow hit him square in the face.

But did that stop his smugness?

Of course not.

He barely flinched—just slowly peeled it off, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement.

“Temper, temper, princesa.” His voice was low, teasing. Infuriating.

I was two seconds away from launching another attack when I realized—

I was still in bed with him.

Still tangled in the sheets.

Still dressed in last night robe

And he was still half-naked.

Shirtless

I shot up, scrambling to the edge of the bed like it had caught fire. My pulse was chaotic, my skin burning.

I needed to get out.

But before I could even step away, I felt a firm grip wrap around my wrist.

I barely had time to react before I was yanked back—not roughly, but swiftly, deliberately—and suddenly, I was back in his arms.

His voice was a slow, deep murmur against my ear—

“Running away, mi amor?”

Oh, hell no.

I shoved at his chest, trying to break free, but his hold was unyielding, his arm curled around my waist with effortless strength.

“Let go.” My voice was sharp, but my traitorous pulse betrayed me.

His grip tightened.

“Say please.”

I turned my head to glare at him, but the sight of him up close nearly knocked the breath out of me.

Tousled dark hair. Half-lidded, knowing eyes. That damn smirk.

Dios, help me.

“You are so—”

“Charming? Devilishly handsome?”

“—insufferable.”

Adolph chuckled, and his grip didn’t loosen. Instead, he tilted his head, gaze dropping to my lips.

The lazy, heated way he was looking at me made my stomach flip.

“You looked so peaceful, princesa,” he murmured. “Didn’t think you’d mind waking up in my arms.”

I scoffed, struggling again. “I’d rather wake up in a grave.”

He laughed, low and rich. “That can be arranged.”

I froze.

His fingers slowly trailed up my back, light, teasing. “But let’s be honest…” He leaned in, his lips almost brushing my ear. “You wouldn’t fight me if you didn’t want me.”

I sucked in a breath, but I refused to let him see how much he was getting to me.

I shoved him harder this time, and with a grudging smirk, he finally let me go.

I stumbled back, breathing hard, glowering at him.

He just stretched lazily, like he hadn’t just wrecked my entire morning.

“Get dressed,” he said casually, throwing the blanket off himself and standing. “We have things to do.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Like what?”

His smirk was wolfish.

“You’ll see.”

And with that, he walked off—leaving me standing there, frustrated, confused, and way too affected.

I hated him.

I hated how smug he was, how he thought he could do whatever he wanted and I would just fall in line.

Most of all, I hated how my heart still pounded from waking up in his arms.

Dios, I needed to get a grip.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to move. Whatever his plans were, I wasn’t going to let him win.

Throwing open my closet, I grabbed a simple outfit—a white shirt, black jeans, and my sneakers. I wasn’t about to dress up for him.

By the time I stepped out of my room, Adolph was already waiting.

Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching me.

His dark eyes flicked over me, slow and calculated.

Then, with a small tilt of his head, he murmured—

“Simple. Cute. I prefer you in my shirts, though.”

I ignored him. I wasn’t playing his games today.

“Where are we going?”

He pushed off the wall, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he started walking. “You’ll see.”

I clenched my jaw and followed.

As we walked down the luxurious halls, I noticed Pranav stumbling out of his room, half-awake, hair a mess.

He looked like a man who had just fought death itself.

Adolph smirked. “Ah, look who’s still alive.”

Pranav squinted at us, groaning. “Why does my head feel like I got hit by a train?”

“Because you drank like an idiot, Again” I muttered.

Pranav sighed dramatically. “It was one bottle.”

Adolph snorted. “It was three.”

Pranav scowled. “I was celebrating my tragic love life.”

Adolph gave him a flat look. “You don’t have a love life.”

Pranav placed a hand on his chest, offended. “Aliya is the love of my life!”

I rolled my eyes. “Aliya is the bane of your existence.”

Pranav huffed. “Semantics.”

Adolph smirked at me before turning back to Pranav. “She texted you this morning, didn’t she?”

Pranav perked up instantly. “She did!”

I raised a brow. “And what did she say?”

Pranav cleared his throat. “Uh… she told me to go to hell.”

Adolph barked out a laugh. “How romantic.”

Pranav shrugged. “She’s playing hard to get.”

I gave him a look. “She’s not playing. She genuinely hates you.”

Pranav placed a dramatic hand over his heart. “And yet, she still texts me. The flames of passion burn bright.”

Adolph shook his head, clearly entertained.

Then, as if remembering something, he turned to me.

“We’re going out.”

I frowned. “Where?”

His smirk was slow, dangerous.

“Somewhere special.”

A chill ran down my spine.

I didn’t know what he was planning.

But I knew one thing—

It wouldn’t be good for me.

____________❤️❤️❤️__________

The moment we stepped out of the car, I froze.

A luxurious boutique stood before me, its tall glass windows showcasing exquisite white gowns—elegant, shimmering, absurdly expensive.

I turned to Adolph, my heart pounding.

“No.”

His lips curled into a smug, knowing smirk. “Sí.”

Yes

I took a step back. “You’re insane if you think I’m going in there.”

Pranav, who had been quietly enjoying the ride, suddenly perked up. “Wait, wait, wait—” He looked between us before grinning like a lunatic. “Are we shopping for wedding dresses?”

I shot him a glare. “No.”

Adolph ignored me completely, resting a hand on my lower back as he gently pushed me forward.

“Walk, princesa.”

I dug my heels into the ground. “I am not picking a dress for a wedding that isn’t happening.”

He leaned down, his voice a low whisper against my ear.

“You will, mi amor. And you’ll look stunning while doing it.”

Pranav clapped his hands. “Oh, this is getting good.”

I turned my glare to him. “Aren’t you supposed to be on my side?”

Pranav shrugged, grinning. “I’d be, but seeing you two like this is pure entertainment.”

Adolph exhaled a laugh before guiding me inside.

The boutique was breathtaking.

Marble floors. Chandeliers dripping with crystals. A private showroom where racks of white silk, lace, and diamonds sparkled under soft golden lights.

A woman in an elegant black suit approached us, her smile professional yet impressed.

“Mr. Alessandro, welcome back.”

Back? What the fuck

I shot Adolph a look, but he only smirked.

The woman’s gaze flickered to me, her expression warm. “And this must be the bride-to-be.”

Before I could protest, Adolph’s arm tightened around my waist.

“She is.”

My stomach twisted.

I should have fought harder. I should have screamed, refused—anything.

But as Adolph’s grip lingered, his presence towering, consuming, unyielding, I realized something horrifying.

No matter how much I resisted, he was always one step ahead.

And that scared me more than anything.

I could feel my pulse hammering in my ears as the boutique assistant led us further inside. The scent of fresh roses and expensive perfume filled the air, wrapping around me like a trap.

My mind screamed at me to run. To tear myself from Adolph’s grip and bolt out the door.

But his hand on my waist tightened.

A silent warning.

I swallowed hard.

“This way, Miss,” the assistant said, motioning toward an area separated by silk curtains and golden railings.

I didn’t move.

Adolph’s breath ghosted over my temple.

“Don’t make me carry you, princesa.”

I glared up at him. “I’m not your princess.”

He smirked. “Not yet.”

Pranav snorted. “You two flirt like you’re in a murder mystery. It’s disturbing.”

The assistant shot Pranav a polite, confused smile before turning back to me. “Shall we begin?”

Before I could protest, two other attendants appeared, ushering me toward the fitting area like I was some VIP guest.

I turned my head sharply.

“Adolph, I’m not doing this.”

He merely took a seat on the velvet sofa, his long legs stretching out in front of him, arms draped lazily over the backrest.

“You are.”

“I refuse.”

“Your refusal is adorable.”

I gritted my teeth.

Pranav, meanwhile, was sipping champagne from a crystal flute like he was at a reality show finale.

“Ohhh, this is getting good.”

I shot him a glare before reluctantly stepping forward.

Minutes Later...

I stood in front of the massive, gold-trimmed mirror, staring at the stranger before me.

The dress was pure elegance.

A fitted bodice with intricate lace, long sleeves trailing down my arms, the skirt cascading like liquid silk around me. Delicate diamonds shimmered at the neckline, reflecting light like stars.

It was beautiful.

And I hated it.

Because it was perfect—as if it had been chosen specifically for me.

As if I belonged in it.

The assistant beamed. “You look stunning, Miss.”

I clenched my fists.

“Let me see.”

His voice was smooth, deep, unshaken.

I turned, and there he was.

Adolph leaned forward slightly, his gaze locking onto me like a hunter who had finally cornered his prey.

Pranav let out a low whistle. “Damn. If I ever get married, I want my bride to look like that.”

I glared. “You’ll never get married.”

Pranav sighed dramatically. “You sound just like Aliya.”

I ignored him, my focus snapping back to Adolph.

His gaze traveled slowly over me, taking in every inch, every detail.

Then, he stood up.

In three slow strides, he was in front of me, towering over me, dangerously close.

He tilted his head.

“Perfect.”

Something twisted in my chest.

I hated that look. The satisfaction. The certainty.

Like he had already won.

Like I was already his.

I swallowed hard, forcing steel into my voice.

“This wedding isn’t happening.”

His hand lifted, fingers grazing the lace along my collarbone.

I shivered.

His voice dropped lower. Darker.

“Oh, mi amor.”

His fingers traced the fabric slowly, deliberately.

“It already is.”

As the words echoed in my mind, something sharp and cold settled deep in my chest.

It was as though the air had thickened, my pulse had quickened, and my thoughts scattered in every direction.

The wedding wasn’t just some distant event anymore.

It was five days away.

Five days until I would be bound to him, trapped in a life I never wanted. The weight of the reality hit me all at once, suffocating me.

I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the sudden fog clouding my thoughts.

Adolph's gaze never wavered, his eyes darkened with something I couldn’t name.

But I could feel it.

He knew. He could see the panic creeping in, and he wasn’t about to let me escape it.

I pulled my gaze away from him, suddenly feeling trapped, but he followed every movement like a predator closing in on its prey.

“Adolph,” I whispered, almost afraid to hear the words leave my mouth. “This—this isn’t real. This wedding—it’s a joke, right?”

He didn’t answer immediately. His fingers brushed my cheek before slipping down to my neck, his touch sending heat spreading through my body.

The smirk on his lips grew.

“You’ll see, mi amor. It’s real.”

I couldn’t breathe.

I wanted to push him away, scream at him, beg him to stop this madness. But I was paralyzed, unable to move, unable to think clearly.

Five days.

It wasn’t enough time.

But it was too much time.

I had five days before this would be my life, my reality. Five days before I’d have no choice but to accept what he had forced me into.

And what was worse?

I wasn’t sure I could fight him anymore.

The tension between us was thick, suffocating, as he lowered his lips closer to mine. The dread I felt wasn’t just from fear—it was from the confusion that twisted inside me.

I didn’t want this.

I didn’t want him.

But somewhere deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I might have already lost.

___________❤️💀❤️___________

I love the tension,makes me high....