Chapter 45 - Alexander

**ALEXANDER**

Alexander leaned back and narrowed his eyes as he watched Emily. Her behavior was not what he had expected - or wanted. The evening was spiraling out of control. In his mind, everything had gone much more smoothly: they would go straight to the suite where she would put on one of the exquisite dresses he had bought especially for her on Tuesday. Those stunning stilettos, which matched her long legs perfectly, would complete the look. After all, he hadn’t bought the dress to let it gather dust in the closet unworn. It was part of a carefully planned evening in which he would not only introduce her to her public role, but also make a statement: the suite would be open to her anytime. He had even had a guest room prepared especially for her, something he had never done for any other hostess. Not even for Marietta, whom he had almost married.
But then Emily had come - and with a considerable delay. Her charisma and manner had ruined everything from the first moment. Giggling as if she had just heard the silliest joke in the world, a constant fluttering of her eyelids that irritated rather than fascinated him, and a constant approach that was so unsubtle it was almost uncomfortable. Alexander’s initial desire was blown away in seconds. What the hell had gotten into her?
Her outfit didn’t help either. The dark blue pantsuit was stylish enough to get her into the exclusive restaurant, but it wasn’t what he had hoped for tonight. So he had reluctantly given up the planned „fashion show“ in the suite and led her directly to the restaurant instead.
But now, as he sat across from her, it became increasingly clear to him that this evening was beyond saving. Emily didn’t let up. She kept talking about trivial things, laughing at things that weren’t even remotely funny, and waving her hands around wildly as if she were playing an imaginary conductor. The giggle - that annoying, shrill giggle - got to him. It was as if she was a completely different woman from the one he had seen a few days ago.
His gaze sharpened, piercing her. He knew that something was wrong, but what? This giggling woman before him was not the intelligent, slightly reserved woman he had found attractive and mysterious at first sight. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, to confront her - but something held him back. Maybe it was his pride, maybe it was his feeling that he had to end this evening somehow without an open confrontation. But inwardly he vowed that this evening would be the first and last of its kind.
„It’s all *so* unbelievably amazing, Alex,“ her high-pitched voice abruptly tore him out of his thoughts and he closed his eyes briefly, as if he wanted to escape this scene for a moment. *Alex.* Since when did she shorten his name like that? Something inside him stirred uncomfortably, but he maintained his facade, as always.
„You know, I’m having a great time here, *really*,“ she continued with exaggerated enthusiasm. „But have you ever eaten at a fast-food restaurant?“ She leaned in conspiratorially, as if about to tell him the world’s greatest secret, and giggled. „Something like... fries and burgers? Oh, that would be so fun! We could dip the chips in champagne!“
Alexander frowned. *French fries in champagne?* When had she started to act so absurd? And why did she draw out every word as if it were chewing gum? He took a deep breath and shook his head, his patience being severely tested.
„Emily,“ he began more firmly, „I don’t have time for games. If you don’t like it here, then...“
„But no, honeymoon,“ she interrupted, cooing in an artificial way and batting her eyelashes. „I love it here, *really*.“ Her tone was so exaggerated that he had to really try not to roll his eyes.
He crossed his fingers in front of him and exhaled audibly. He was a man who valued control, but with her he was losing it more and more. „Emily,“ he began again, his voice firm but cool, „I wasn’t planning on eating chips, and I certainly wasn’t going to dip them in champagne. What exactly are you trying to do? Are you trying to embarrass me?“
Emily dramatically put her hand to her heart as if deeply hurt, and her eyes widened in mock surprise. „Oh, Alexander, you are *so* formal. Embarrassing? Me - you? But no, I thought we were going to have a fun evening! You know, some casual conversation, some laughter and...“ She paused, and her eyes began to sparkle dangerously, as if she had just had the craziest idea. Alexander felt a premonition of horror spreading through him.
„Oh, I know!“ she exclaimed, as if she had come up with the best plan of the evening. „We could go to a karaoke bar later! I’m sure you have a great singing voice. And the bodyguards could sing along, it would be *so* much fun!“
Alexander gritted his teeth audibly. Emily...“ he began in a much more irritated tone, „I wanted to spend a wonderfully romantic evening with you. Not explore the nightlife of L.A.“
His jaw tensed, the muscles there twitching slightly with suppressed tension. *Why is she doing this?* The evening was supposed to be a classy outing, full of charm and elegance. A moment to strengthen the public bond he had carefully planned. Now he felt like he was caught in a strange comedy act.
A thought flashed through his mind, an almost animalistic desire to take her over his knee for her behavior. It was the kind of inner turmoil he rarely felt, but Emily’s erratic behavior was driving him to that point. He suppressed the impulse to say what was on the tip of his tongue. Instead, he forced himself to control himself.
„Oh, honeymoon!“ she pouted, making an exaggeratedly cute face with her lower lip thrust out. „Now don’t be like that! We’ve got the whole evening ahead of us! We can have romance later.“ She leaned forward so far that her bosom almost touched the plate. „Besides, you haven’t even called the agency yet,“ she said in a conspiratorial tone, batting her eyelashes again.
„Agency?“ He looked at her blankly.
„For the threesome,“ she whispered, „because you like to be in the middle during sex.“
That was it. Now it was really enough! He straightened his shoulders and stood up.
„Let’s go, Emily. The limo is waiting for us.“ He put a hand on her back and led her to the exit. There he took her coat and helped her slip into it before putting on his own. Outside, the driver was waiting for them, holding the door open. This time they sat alone and Alexander lifted the black partition to the cab.
„So, my dear, now we are alone together,“ Alexander said in a cool voice, his eyes flashing ominously. „What’s going on?“