HIS PROPERTY, HIS CHOICE

KIMBERLEY

The house was silent.

The kind of silence that felt heavy, like it was waiting for something.

For someone.

Alexander.

I glanced at the clock. 9:45 PM.

He was late.

Not that I cared.

Except I did.

Because tonight, I needed something from him.

And that meant swallowing my pride.

I hated it.

Hated the thought of begging.

Hated knowing that he would enjoy this.

Hated knowing that he held all the power.

But I had no choice.

Emily is already in cell.

I looked at the dining table, making sure everything was perfect.

The food was still warm, the room neat, and his bath prepared just the way he liked it.

Everything had to be perfect.

Not for him.

For me.

Because I needed to do this right.

Because if I didn't…

Emily would be sent to prison, and the family will blame and hate me for the rest of my life.

I took a deep breath.

And then I waited.

ALEXANDER

I was in a good mood.

Damon ( his best friend ) was finally back from his business trip, and we had spent the last hour catching up.

"Still the same as always," Damon said with a smirk, stepping into the house beside me.

I shrugged. "Why would I change?"

He chuckled but then froze.

I followed his gaze and stopped.

Kimberley stood by the dining table, her posture stiff, her hands clenched at her sides.

Her dress was simple, her hair neatly pulled back, her face carefully blank.

But there was something off.

Then I noticed the food.

The neatly arranged dishes.

The waiting.

My eyes narrowed.

What was she playing at?

I stepped closer.

"You cooked?"

She nodded once.

Damon scoffed. "What's this? A peace offering?"

Kimberley ignored him. "I wanted to talk."

I leaned against the chair, arms crossed. "Talk about what?"

She hesitated.

And then, finally, she talked.

"My sister. She was arrested."

I didn't react.

Not outwardly.

But inside?

I was amused.

Ah. So that's what this was.

She wasn't cooking for me.

She wasn't waiting for me.

She was desperate.

And desperation made people weak.

I smirked. "And you want me to help?"

Her hands tightened into fists. "Yes."

I took my time.

Letting her suffer in the silence.

Letting her squirm.

Then I chuckled. "Why should I?"

She sucked in a sharp breath. "Because you can."

I tilted my head. "That's not a reason."

Her jaw clenched. "Because I'm asking."

I raised a brow. "Are you?"

She swallowed. "Please."

Ah. There it was.

The moment of defeat.

Damon, still standing nearby, laughed under his breath.

Kimberley shot him a glare.

I ignored them both and stepped closer.

Close enough to see the tension in her shoulders.

Close enough to make her uncomfortable.

And then I leaned in.

Close to her ear.

And whispered

"What do I get in return?"

KIMBERLEY

I hated him.

Hated the smirk on his face.

Hated the way he was enjoying this.

Hated the way his voice sent shivers down my spine.

I wanted to slap him.

But I couldn't.

Not tonight.

Not when Emily's life depended on this.

I forced myself to stay calm.

To breathe.

I looked up at him, meeting his gaze. "I don't have anything to give you."

His smirk widened.

"You have everything to give me, princess."

Damon laughed. "Oh, I like this."

I shot him a glare. "Stay out of this."

He just grinned. "I don't think I will."

I turned back to Alexander.

"So?" I asked, my voice tight.

He sighed dramatically. "I don't know, Kimberley. Your family is a mess. Your sister is a murderer. Your father is useless. Your mother is a wreck. And you…" He trailed off, looking me up and down. "You're just here."

I clenched my fists.

"Say what you want," I said through gritted teeth. "Just tell me if you'll help."

He smirked.

And then…

"Apologize."

I froze.

I stared at him. "What?"

He leaned back against the chair. "You heard me."

My nails dug into my palms. "For what?"

"For being difficult. For talking back. For acting like you're not just a pawn in this game."

Damon whistled. "Damn. Savage."

I didn't look at him.

I focused on Alexander.

Furious.

But also, I am just helpless.

This was it.

This was what he wanted, to always make me look weak.

And I couldn't refuse.

Slowly, hating myself, I said….

"I'm sorry."

Alexander's smirk didn't waver.

"Louder."

I clenched my teeth. "I'm sorry."

He sighed. "Not convincing."

I swallowed my pride.

Fisted my hands.

And forced the words out.

"I'm sorry, Alexander."

He smiled.

A real smile.

"Good girl."

I wanted to die.

Damon laughed again. "Oh, this is fun. Keep her around, Alex. She's entertaining."

Alexander chuckled. "I just might."

Then he turned to me.

"Fine," he said lazily. "I'll help."

Relief flooded through me.

But it was short-lived.

Because his next words sent a chill down my spine.

"But you'll owe me."

I knew it.

I knew he wouldn't do this for free.

But I nodded anyway.

Because at the end of the day…

Emily needed his help.

And I would do whatever it took.

Even if it meant owing Alexander King.

 Dinner was excruciating.

I sat at the long dining table, tense as I picked at my food.

Alexander sat at the head, eating lazily. Damon was beside him, smirking like he had just heard the best joke in the world.

I was the joke.

"You know," Damon started, swirling the wine in his glass, "I was expecting something tragic from you, Kimberley. Maybe tears. Maybe a breakdown. But this? This is gold."

I clenched my fork. "I'm glad you're entertained."

Damon smirked. "Oh, I am. Completely."

Alexander set down his glass. "She's learning."

Damon chuckled. "Oh, no doubt. But how much more can she learn?"

I hated them both.

"Eat your food," Alexander said, cutting into his steak.

I didn't move.

Damon raised a brow. "What? Not hungry? Or is it that you're too nervous to eat in front of us?"

I shot him a glare. "I have nothing to be nervous about."

Damon grinned. "Oh, you will."

Alexander smirked but said nothing.

And I knew.

I knew they were planning something.

I just didn't know what.

""""""

After dinner, I tried to escape to my room.

Tried to breathe in peace.

But of course….

That wasn't going to happen.

Damon was leaning against my door when I arrived.

I stopped, instantly annoyed. "What do you want?"

He gave me a lazy smile. "Just wanted to chat."

I narrowed my eyes. "With me?"

"Of course," he said. "You're fascinating."

I scoffed. "I'm going to bed."

He didn't move.

"Alexander tells me you made him dinner."

I crossed my arms. "And?"

Damon tilted his head. "And that means you care."

I rolled my eyes. "It means I needed something."

His smirk widened. "Same thing."

I sighed, exasperated. "Get out of my way."

Damon tsked. "So rude. You should be nicer to me."

I raised a brow. "Why?"

"Because," he said, stepping closer, "I can make things very uncomfortable for you."

My stomach twisted. "Are you threatening me?"

Damon chuckled. "No, sweetheart. I'm promising you."

I opened my mouth to snap at him..

But then a voice came from behind him.

"Leave her alone, Damon."

I exhaled sharply.

Alexander.

Damon sighed dramatically and stepped back. "Fine, fine. I'll play nice."

Alexander's gaze flickered to me. "You. Inside. Now."

I hesitated. "Why?"

His eyes darkened. "Do you really want to ask that question?"

I clenched my jaw.

And then, without another word, I stepped inside.

Alexander followed.

The door shut behind us.

And suddenly….

We were alone.

ALEXANDER

She was nervous.

I could see it.

The way she stood stiffly, refusing to look at me.

The way her hands clenched at her sides.

I took a step closer.

She held her ground.

I smirked. "What did I say about running?"

She lifted her chin. "I'm not running."

"Good."

I reached out, brushing my fingers down her arm.

She flinched.

Interesting.

"You don't like this?" I murmured.

She swallowed. "I don't like you."

I chuckled. "Liar."

Her fists tightened.

I leaned in, my lips just near her ear.

"You should be grateful, you know."

She stiffened. "For what?"

"For my generosity."

She laughed.

Actually laughed.

"Generosity?" she said. "You're enjoying this too much."

I smirked. "Of course I am."

And then, just to push her further, I leaned down, brushing my lips near her neck…

And then I stepped away.

She let out a breath she probably didn't realize she was holding.

I laughed softly. "Frustrating, isn't it?"

Her eyes snapped to mine, looking so annoyed, didn't get what you wanted right. She just turned, hissed and went to the bathroom.

 You won't expect what's coming next Kimberley just watch your back, I said inwardly.