CHAPTER 39

Alexa's POV

It's been a month and a few days since we got married.

A month and a few days since I signed that contract I've been unwilling to sign.

A month and a few days since my life's changed for good.

On some days, I sit alone and wonder how I came to be here. I'm yet to fully comprehend it all and wrap my head around how much my life's changed. A month ago feels like a lifeline ago and I guess that should be a good thing.

But I'm worried.

It occurred to me a few days ago, when we were talking about birthdays, that Xander's birthday is in a few months. If I don't have a child in ten months, I'm going to fail him. And I can't fail him. Eva doesn't get to win. She can't win this.

We've been intimate frequently but now, I'm making sure to check out my ovulation period. I have less than a month to be pregnant and I want to make sure I'm pregnant. The thought of being pregnant should terrify me–and it does—but I also want to bring a child to the world. I'm eager to hold my baby and help Xander fulfill his dreams.

I finish my iced coffee and summon Doris, one of the maids to help me clear out the table. I have brunch in a few minutes with Sofia at one of the classiest restaurants in town. She's been dying to check it out and since Dave is too busy to go with her, she asked me to come with her.

I almost forgot about it. I have taken a liking to reading novels. I guess that is what happens when you are left alone in a huge house with next to nothing to do. I haven't been so idle in a long time. Not doing anything makes me anxious. So, I have to constantly do things. Be on my feet, working.

Over the past month, I've taken a liking to gardening and reading books. The first one is spurred by my interest for the beautiful garden in the house while the last one is spurred by Tina, our housekeeper. I've caught her reading a few times and since I've taken a sudden liking to it, it's all I want to do.

I spent the whole of last night trying to finish a book. It wasn't until I finished that I finally slept which prompted me into waking up late. I guess it won't be like that when Xander returns from his business trip.

He's been gone for a few days now and I miss him so much. We've been texting, but I try not to disturb him by coming out needy. I should be anything but needy.

Grabbing my phone, I head up to my room. It's clean the way I left but I can't help knowing if Xander is around, his thing will be littering all over. That makes me smile as I make my way to the closet to select my outfit for the day before Sofia has my head.

I'm not sure when Xander is returning but I want to be prepared for him. I don't know why I can't stop thinking of him.

I eye my dresses collection and sneer. It's sunny and the last thing I want to get is sunburn. Knowing the restaurant we are going to is exquisite, I eye the blue jumpsuit that stands out on my cloth rack. It's a ruffled, one shoulder style and it can't be any perfect than it is.

I reach for it with a pair of red heels and lipstick. After changing into my dress, I settle down in front of my vanity table to do my make up, style my air and accessorize.  After an hour, I am finally done.

I smack my lips as I stare at the stunning face of the woman in the mirror. My aunt won't believe it when she sees me. I look so beautiful and even I know it.

I lather my skin with sunscreen, grab a pair of nice shades with my purse. I pick up my phone to put in purse when it dings in my hand. My lips tugs up at the text from Sofia telling me that she is around.

With everything in place, I step out of my and head downstairs. Sofia doesn't come in since she is waiting for me in her car. My appointed body guards are already in a car, waiting to follow Sofia and I. I throw the door open and settle into the passenger seat.

“Hi, Alexa!” She squeals in her extremely chirpy and hyperactive voice.

I shake my head with a smile as I shut the door. She is one of the best thing to happen to me in the past month. “Hi, Sof.” I grin.

“You look and smell so good.” She gushes.

“As do you.” I repeat, eyeing the floral patterned summer dress she has on. It's short bit very cute. And definitely sophisticated if the necklace she is wearing has anything to say about that.

“Thanks,” she grins, giddy with excitement. She is so in love with food, I can't decide if it comes first or Dave. I shake my head at her as I pull my seat belt.

She drives out of the compound and heads to New York road. We chatter nonstop for a few minutes, taking about everything and nothing.

“You know,” she begins again after a moment of silence. “I heard from Dave that Lane and Danielle are still around.”

“Really?” I ask, my brows quirked at her.

“Uh-uh.” She answers. “I have no idea why but she's been gushing around town about her engagement.” She says, referring to Danielle.

“You really don't like her,” I note.

“I don't,” she frowns. “How could I after what she's done in the past.”

I frown, turning to stare at her. “This isn't about what she and Xander shared, right?” I ask.

“Nope,” she shake her head. Clearing her throat, she starts talking. “When she was still with Xander, she was quite close to Dave and I. We went on double dates. Went out alot together. I considered her a friend even though she was Xander's girl friend. That didn't matter to me.” She shrugged, keeping a neutral face.

“I don't what made her think for a second that she could ask Dave to leave me alone and he would, but she did.”

I frown.  “Wait, she tried to get Dave to break up with you?”

“Twice,” she hisses. “The first time, Dave thought she didn't mean it. He thought it was a crude joke. Didn't think anything of it but the second time… He realized.”

“Fuck,” I cuss, my eyes wide.

“Uh-uh,” Sofia clicks her tongue. “It started when my family started to go bankrupt. I confided in her in secret and she tried to use that against me. Apparently, I wasn't up to Dave, and her standard anymore.” She continues.

“Wow,” I shake my head in disbelief.

“She wanted Dave to leave me alone so he could get involved with one of her elite friends. When Dave told me about it, I was so mad. But I wasn't in the headspace to deal with her.”

“I can see why you don't like her. Heck, I won't too.”

“I know,” she chuckles as she pulled up at the restaurant.

I smile at her as we alight from the car. And then, I take her hand in mine while she hands her keys to the valet. We step into the building and take the elevator up to the top floor where the restaurant is located.

“For what it's worth, you and Dave are amazing together. She tried to ruin what she doesn't have.” I tell her, squeezing her hand.

Her eyes soften. “Thank you,” she gushes. “But Xander was so in love with her. He loved her so much and he was willing to do anything for her. He even sacrificed his peace just to please her.” She adds, stunning me into silence.

“I'm glad she isn't with him. She drained too much of him before she left. Now, I'm catching a glimpse of the old Xander I use to know before the whole thing with Danielle happened. And that's because of you.”

“Me?” I ask, wide-eyed as we step out of the elevator.

Sofia chuckles. “Yes, you. You bring out this version of him that I thought was dead.”

Too shocked to respond, we walk into the restaurant after confirming our reservations. It's just like Sofia said. The place is beautiful, stunning even, but I can't help thinking that it's identical to a lot of restaurants here in New York. If I ever own a restaurant, mine would be a refreshing and unique change.

We settle down to eat, charting. Lunch goes by sooner than expected and soon, we are sipping wine and talking light heartedly, sharing childhood experience.

It was one of my cherished moments. Still one of the core memories I have of my family. My sister and I watching a movie with our parents. It used to be everything to me,” I tell Sofia, a smile tugging at my lips.

“I still think that bankruptcy was the best thing to happen to my family. We were drifting apart. Scratch that, we had drifted apart so much that neither of us realized. Until the situation forced us to be closer as we saw each other every day. I joke about it now but it was a struggle when it first happened.” Sofia tells me.

“Ain't that the beauty of life?” I tease.

She smiles, shaking her head. “It mafe me stronger. Made us all stronger. So, I will say that it's worked out since then.” She adds.

“It has.” I clear my throat. “I still sometimes miss my family. I miss them every time.”

“What about your other family?” Sofia tease.

“So much. I miss him so much.” I say without thinking about it because I do.

“How have you been holding up since he left on the trip?”  Sofia asks, sipping her juice.

“I've just been holding up,” I shrug. “We FaceTime regularly. Texts when we can. I try not to bother him. I garden, cook, and read. Ordered a few books a few days ago. They are amazing.” I grin.

“Home birthed a reader. Nice.” Sofia grins.

“It sure did.”

Something occurs to me at that moment, so I put my glass away and lean in. “Do you think we can get out of here and run to a store?” I ask her.

She hold my gaze. “Of course,” she grins. “Where are we going?”

“A lingerie store,” I tell as before finishing off my drink. Sofia's grin is remarkable. We call for the server and I insist on paying this time. Well, I paid using Xander's card that he gave me.

“I know a place,” Sofia tells me as we take the elevator down the building. “That's where I got all my favorite.” She tells me.

“Then, let's go there.” I say.

When we get back into the car, Sofia starts the drive there. It isn't too far from the restaurant, just a few streets away. When Sofia pulls up in front of the store with a grin on her face, I realize that I won't be the only one shopping.

There are tons of lingerie that catches my attention that I get so confused, not knowing what to pick. Sofia doesn't have that problem though as she grabs whatever she finds appealing from the stand.

“Ohh, Lexy, look at this nice set. It comes with its own garther and choker, kinky!” She grins.

My face flushes as I go to check it out. And she isn't lying. It's nice. I don't know how it will look on me but I can tell that it will look good.

“Grab it,” Sofia orders, taking charge of my order. I do as she say, smiling.

I don't seduce. I'm not sure how. But I need to have a baby, and I will do whatever I can to fulfill my end of the deal. Xander won't be regretting getting married to me.