Chapter 2 Intimacy Without Titles?
"What?" Lillian was taken aback, staring at Alexander, stammering, "Mr. Sinclair, what are you saying?"
"Do you have a problem with your hearing? Didn't catch that? Or do you need me to repeat it?" Alexander's eyes gleamed with a hint of cold amusement.
Lillian swallowed hard, her fear palpable as she mustered her courage to respond, "No, what I mean is, there's such a vast difference between us in appearance, family background, and everything else. How could I possibly be suitable for you? With your discerning eye, why would you consider me? Please, stop joking. Maybe you have another request?"
"Lillian, what are you saying?" At the sight of his own potential escape, Adam couldn't help but laugh with relief. However, Lillian, with her nonsense, was making him angry again.
"Just help me out here!"
Lillian turned to Adam, who had never been fond of studying and was always lazy, idling his time away. She and her brother had been orphaned when they were young, and her uncle's family had taken them in, supporting their education. Adam was her uncle's son.
For sentiment's sake, every time Adam caused trouble, she was the one to fix it for him. More than half of the money she earned was also squandered by him. However, she never expected that today, she would have to offer herself up as compensation!
Suddenly, Madison shrieked in a high-pitched voice, "Alexander, you can't do this! I'm your girlfriend! This little nobody—just an average look and no money—how is she better than me?"
"She is cleaner than you!" Alexander glared at her with a mix of disdain and repulsion. "Madison, stay out of my sight from now on!"
Madison was the girlfriend Alexander's mother, Samantha Adams, had chosen for him. She came from a good family, was attractive, and could sweet-talk anyone, especially around Samantha, who was quite taken with her. What Samantha didn't know was that this seemingly sweet girl had another side to her; her real personality came out in nightclubs.
She was aware that Alexander didn't like her and had never really seen her as his girlfriend. Nonetheless, she didn't care. She shamelessly claimed the title of Alexander's girlfriend to feed her own vanity and tried to influence him with it.
"I won't accept this!" Madison was hysterical. "I am your girlfriend and I love you so much, I won't leave you!"
Adam had no qualms about pushing her to the ground, then turned to Alexander with a sycophantic smile, "Mr. Sinclair, I'll handle this situation. You and Lillian should leave now."
Lillian looked at Adam with disgust and pain in her heart as she stood frozen in place. Alexander gave her a glance before turning and walking away.
Adam grabbed her purse and coat and stuffed them into her arms, his face beaming with a smile that belied his warning tone, "You'd better stay close to Mr. Sinclair and behave."
"Adam, you can't do this to me!" Lillian was on the brink of despair. "You're ruining me!"
Alexander, hearing their conversation, scoffed internally. Women were desperate to marry him, and here was this thankless one who thought this was her undoing?!
"Enough talk!" Adam, noticing Alexander heading for the door, spoke with a chilly tone, "Let me remind you, your brother is still lying in the hospital, and my dad is still footing the bill."
"Adam…" Lillian was both furious and devastated. Despite her reluctance and the favors her uncle had shown her, she knew she couldn't be ungrateful. Adam's mistakes had to be repaid by her.
Alexander stood by the door, turning his head to look at her with a stormy expression, and a chilling aura, he commanded, "Hurry up and follow me!"
Startled, Lillian flinched, intimidated by his terrifying demeanor. Reluctantly, she followed him out of the room.
Lillian followed Alexander out of the elevator, gazing at his broad shoulders as she frowned and pondered, 'Am I really ready to be his girlfriend? I have never even been in a relationship before.'
Absorbed in her thoughts, she didn't notice Alexander had stopped walking until she bumped right into his back.
"Ah, Mr. Sinclair, I'm so sorry. It was an accident," Lillian apologized, rubbing her nose.
Alexander turned, hands on his hips, and looked over his shoulder saying, "Do you walk with your eyes on the back of your head?"
"No," replied Lillian in a soft voice.
Alexander turned to look at her, giving her a look as if she were clueless, but said nothing more. He walked out the hotel doors toward his car.
Seeing this, Lillian was torn with indecision, but after a brief internal struggle, she finally took a step forward and followed him into the car.
On Monday morning, Alexander's executive secretary was assigning tasks in the work group, and Lillian's WhatsApp kept pinging constantly.
"Put your phone on silent!" Alexander said, frowning with dissatisfaction.
"Oh, right, Mr. Sinclair," Lillian hurriedly complied, her palms sweating with nervousness.
"Kevin, prepare the marriage documents," Alexander commanded.
"Yes, Mr. Sinclair."
"What? Mr. Sinclair!" Lillian looked at him in amazement, incredulously asking, "Marriage?"
Alexander crossed his legs and let out a sarcastic chuckle, "Didn't you just say you wouldn't refuse whatever compensation I ask for? What's the matter? Changed your mind now?"
"No... but why get married?" Lillian was baffled. "This isn't a joke."
"Since Adam agreed to let you be my girlfriend, how we proceed is my business," Alexander said dismissively, glancing at her. "Or is it that you'd rather sleep with me and not marry me?"
Lillian didn't want either—to sleep with him or to marry him.
"Can I refuse both?" she thought to herself and even voiced the question.
Alexander sneered, "No. You only have one choice now, and that's to marry me."
"I don't have my ID with me."
"No problem, as long as you're present, that’s enough."
Hearing him say this, Lillian looked at him doubtfully, but then she thought about it. Alexander was wealthy and influential; what couldn't he accomplish? A sense of defeat washed over her.
"Mr. Sinclair, marriage is a serious matter, you should think it through," Lillian said, trying to be understanding. "If we get married, I benefit, but you'll be at a big loss."
Alexander scoffed mockingly.
"I don't need Ms. Hill to lecture me on the great truths of life. I can manage myself just fine. I never engage in a losing deal!"
Lillian bowed her head, biting her lip, unwilling to agree internally, thinking that she managed herself quite well.
An hour later, Lillian and Alexander had successfully completed their marriage procedures. It felt like a dream to her—had she really married her boss?
"Lillian." Standing in front of the car, Alexander, with his hands in his pockets, said sternly, "I have a few conditions for you to remember."
"Okay." Lillian's voice was timid as she felt a whirlwind of emotions, "Go ahead, Mr. Sinclair."
"First, this will be a secret marriage. Second, while you're with me, ditch any schemes you might have! Third, we will be married for one year, and after that, we will divorce." Alexander glanced at her sideways, "Did you get all that?"
Head down, Lillian muttered internally, baffled by his approach. If he was so reluctant, why go through with the marriage? Why insist on binding them together only to set out these terms?
All she could do was nod in agreement, signaling her understanding.
"You can make your way back to the office on your own." Alexander dropped these words and turned to get into his car to leave.
"Mr. Sinclair." Lillian called out to him again, and seeing him pause, she mustered the courage to ask, "May I ask, why do you want to marry me? If you wanted to find someone to marry, surely there are plenty of people in line, so why me, when I'm not exactly top-tier?"
"Because you happened to be there!" Alexander gave her a meaningful look before lifting his leg into the car.
Watching the car speed away, Lillian exhaled. His answer was as good as none. She took the subway to the office.