The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 64. Her Anger Was Just For Him.

Surprise ran through Alaric, but he didn’t move.

What was wrong with Nicolette?

Should he chase after her? Try to convince her not to go?

Or should he let her be, give her some space?

He battled with himself, and then the image of her all dressed up, but not for him, filled his head.

No way she was going out like this.

No way she was showing others what was meant for him.

He dashed out of the room and caught up with her just as she was about to use the elevator.

He reached it and blocked her path.

Her face lit up with surprise before anger quickly took over. "What are you doing?"

"What happened, Nicolette? I’m confused."

She stepped back, her grip tightening on her purse. "Oh, all of a sudden? But you weren’t confused when... with..."

His head swirled with questions. Only one name came to mind.

"It’s Alexa, yeah?"

Her face instantly colored, though her shoulders and head stayed high. "Get out of my way."

He ignored her, moving closer.

"I didn’t entertain her. I never will," he said firmly. "Alexa... She’s crazy. We need—"

"Isn’t that their criteria?" she cut in sharply, her mouth curved into a frown.

He lifted a brow. "Who?"

"Your women," she said bitterly, her mouth twisting. "They have to be crazy and obsessed! If it isn’t drugging you, it’s interrupting dinner!"

Her breath heaved as she spoke. Her eyes burned with anger, her tone harsh and cold.

He watched her, watching as she clenched her fists.

Then the realization hit him like a brick.

Oh God.

She was... jealous.

He stepped closer, trying to touch her, but she shifted away. He dropped his hand, his voice softening. "I’m sorry. I didn’t..." He paused. There was no point trying to explain. "I’m sorry."

Nicolette didn’t respond at first, but her expression softened. "Fine. Get out of my way, please."

"What? I apologized."

"And I said it’s fine," she shot back.

He was already tired of the back and forth. He just wanted to go back in time when they dug into each other, when nothing else mattered.

"Let’s not argue," he said, raising his hand again but dropping it again. "We need to leave this hotel. Alexa is unhinged and—"

"Yeah right." Nicolette scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Just get out of my way. I need a drink."

His heart sank at the resolution in her eyes. He didn’t want her to go.

"Or you’ll just tie me since I am your slave?" she demanded, her voice rising.

"Alright," he breathed, stepping aside.

"The keycard for the room." She gestured.

He didn’t argue. He pulled it out and handed it to her.

"And I don’t want you taking the spare from the guards," she added, walking into the elevator.

Alaric said nothing. He just stood there, watching her until the doors closed.

His heart sank as loneliness crept in.

What was he supposed to do now?

Just be? Be okay with her parading her beautiful self around?

There were other men. What if someone saw her and...

His thoughts died right there.

His bodyguards were around. Nothing could happen to her.

Still, he wasn’t okay letting her go.

What if she saw Alexa?

That thought got to him and pushed him to act.

He hit the elevator button and went down to the third floor. When he reached the bar, he spotted Nicolette immediately.

Who wouldn’t?

She was the most beautiful woman in the room. The most elegantly dressed, and he could see some men eyeing her.

From the way she moved, Alaric could tell she was aware of the stares. She walked gracefully, selecting the chair at the corner of the room.

He glanced around. No sign of Alexa.

Brilliant.

Nicolette looked relaxed, in control, but when her eyes landed on him, the scowl returned. Harsh. Hard.

And yet, in that moment, he enjoyed it, honored it.

Her anger was just for him.

Only him.

Just as he was about to approach her, Alaric heard the whirr of a machine and a voice.

"Alaric."

He turned slowly. "Jake." He kept his voice neutral, trying not to show anything.

Jake sat in his wheelchair, a bodyguard behind him. His usual black hair was now pink, his cheekbones more defined. His onyx eyes were sharp, piercing into Alaric. A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth.

And his legs, they were tucked into Nike sneakers. They were still...

"Go on," he scoffed. "Ask."

Alaric lifted a brow. "Ask what?"

Jake pressed a button on his control panel and circled Alaric. "Come on. I know that face. You want to ask what happened? How such a vibrant young man ended up in this mess."

Jake’s tone dripped with anger, but underneath, Alaric heard the pain and the self-pity.

"I don’t have anything to ask," Alaric said neutrally.

Jake scoffed, turning to face him again. "You have nothing to ask because you already know what happened?"

Alaric stayed quiet. He knew what Jake was trying to do, and he wasn’t going to take the bait.

"How have you been?" he asked instead.

Jake’s eyes darkened. For a moment, he said nothing. When he finally spoke, his tone was flat. "What are you doing here? Came to brag about your legs?"

"Jesus, Jake!" Alaric groaned. "I didn’t even know the hotel belonged to you. I came for my honeymoon. With my wife." He looked around for Nicolette, but she was gone.

Where had she gone?

"Wife?" Jake asked, the surprise in his voice unmistakable. "You... settled."

"I did." Alaric nodded. "How’s business? How’s Megatron? Did it take off?"

Megatron was the weird snakes-and-ladders-style game Jake had been developing.

The snakes ate the ladders, and Alaric had found it odd, but had kept his opinion to himself.

Jake had been crazy about it. He saw the vision. He had the time and the money.

"Good," Jake replied flatly. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Alaric stood there awkwardly, not knowing how to continue the conversation. It shouldn’t be this hard to talk to an old friend, but it was obvious Jake still held some resentment.

Alaric cleared his throat. "It’s nice seeing you again—and Alexa."

He shouldn’t have mentioned Alexa.

Jake’s eyes immediately hardened. "Just so you know, my sister is perfectly fine. In fact, she recently got engaged to a man who doesn’t think she’s crazy."

Alaric shuffled on his feet. How the hell can he end this conversation?

Jake turned his wheelchair again. "I need you out of my hotel by morning."

Alaric blinked. "Why? I thought—"

Jake raised his hand to silence him. Then suddenly his eyes went soft. "You... reminded me of a lot... and I can’t deal with it right now. Bye Alaric. I never want to see you again."

Jake rolled away, his bodyguard walking behind him.

Alaric adjusted his suit jacket. "That was weird," he muttered.

But he wasn’t mad. He was already planning to leave the hotel anyway.

He glanced around. No Nicolette.

What now?

He was leaving the hotel tomorrow. But first, maybe he would enjoy what was left.

His thoughts drifted to the private pool he had seen earlier, and he decided to check it out.

He rode the elevator to the ground floor and found his way to the pool.

It was calm. Private. Just like he hoped.

The moon reflected on the water, making it blue and beautiful. He walked over and sat at the edge, the night breeze soothing.

In that moment, he didn’t think of anything.

All was quiet.

Until—

"Alaric..."

He groaned. "What the fuck do you want?"

Alexa walked toward him, her eyes gleaming with mischief. She wore a red robe. When she let it fall, it revealed a lacy bra and panties.

He stood up, his disgust rising. "You’re fucking sick!"

Alexa flipped her hair as she came closer. "I just want to apologize."

He could see everything. The lacy lingerie hid nothing.

He could see her hard nipples and the lines of her pubic hair.

He shook his head, stepping away from her. Anger surged inside his chest at her audacity. "Just stay the fuck—"

But he couldn’t even finish his statement. Alexa lunged at him, crashing her body into his.

Without thinking, he shoved her into the pool.

"Fuck you!" he shouted.

Alexa went frantic, kicking the water.

He paused, watching her.

Was she joking, or was she serious?

She gasped for air, struggling to stay afloat in the water. "I can’t swim... I can’t..."

He heard the fear and it triggered his instinct.

Quickly, he dove into the pool and pulled her out.

Alexa lay on the ground, coughing, breathing heavily. Her eyes wide with shock.

He tapped her back, trying to help her breathe.

"You’re okay," he said softly, his heart pounding.

Alexa rested on his shoulder, trembling. He didn’t push her away. He allowed it.

"You’re okay," he whispered again.

Just as Alaric lifted his head, he saw Nicolette, standing at the room window, watching them.

Of course.

Of fucking course.

Before he could react, she drew the curtains.

And she was gone.