Alarick opened his eyes and noticed he was in a field. The grass beneath his feet was soft. The cool wind danced around the blades of grass on the ground and the trees swayed by the force of it. It was all so serene. Blonde hair entered Alarick's area of vision for a moment. He blinked for a second and it had disappeared. He turned around looking for the hair he was sure that he just saw. He saw no one. Only he stood in the field.After Alarick had given up, laughter filled his ears. The sound seemed to be coming from everywhere in the field. He turned around and just like before he saw no one. The laughter continued and his expression dropped. He knew whose laughter that was. How could he not?“Grace? Grace, please come out.”Obeying the command, a hand touched Alarick’s shoulder causing him to turn around. There stood a woman with a sad look and a small smile on her face. Her white knee length toga like gown rippled as the wind blew through it and her hair swayed in the wind slightl
Alarick sat up straight on his bed with his head in his hands, groaning as he just woke up. It was early afternoon. After having a nightmare and working till the early hours of the morning, he had finally been tired enough to fall asleep which was why he woke up by this time. He didn’t bother going to meet Charlotte, he had already made arrangements for designers to visit her today and she would be busy picking her outfit for the coming event. He would check in after work to see what she had decided to wear.He arrived at work less than an hour later and began to sort through his agenda for the day. He didn’t usually come to work by this time, but he was still the boss so there was nothing wrong with taking a few hours in the morning to rest after having a restless night. Alarick stretched a bit as he stood hours later. He had been sitting down at his desk for the whole day. He never stood up once to do anything else since he had already spent his morning at home. But at least the d
The day of the event finally arrived and the King mansion was in disarray. People ran around trying to put things in order and caterers jostled crates containing drinks and food for the event. Alarick had told them that he wanted it all to be perfect and the staff strived to achieve that, constantly changing their views and opinions on the room to make the hall amazing for the night. Everything was in slight chaos. Charlotte had apologised to him after he had ordered her to make her own gown. It was an impossible task which he knew, because she had no experience with sewing. He had accepted the apology but he didn’t send for any new gowns for her. Those gowns she had rejected were custom made by the designer and brought to his home personally to show their joy for him even selecting an outfit from their collection. Did she know how much those gowns cost? Of course she didn't, if not she wouldn't have spewed such nonsense in his presence. But he agreed to let the designer and her team
Evening had fast approached and everything was set for the ball. The hall was arranged and decorated, the hor d'oeuvres and wine flutes were also placed intricately on the tables for the guests' satisfaction. The lobby where the guests would arrive looked amazing and fit with the theme of the ball. So far, Alarick was pleased with how it was all organized.Alarick stood at the mirror after putting on his outfit. He smiled at his reflection. He looked amazing especially after he had trimmed his growing stubble. Now, he had more of a sexy bachelor look rather than a homeless man look in his opinion but apart from his face, he really had to thank Giovanni for the fit of the suit. That man did know how to do his job.He checked his watch. It was about ten minutes before the guests would start to arrive. He had to check up on Charlotte before then. Alarick took the box that sat on his bedside drawer and walked out of his bedroom. He got to Charlotte's door and knocked. Once again, the woma
Alarick let go of her hand and rolled his eyes as Clarice stepped forward and brought out a hand."Oh, so she is the date who you thought abandoned you. It doesn't seem like it."Charlotte giggled and took the woman's hand. Alarick took a glass of champagne from a waiter who was walking by and started to drink."I don't think there's anything wrong with us ladies wanting to look beautiful for our men." Charlotte said.Alarick choked at her words but quickly composed himself before anyone noticed it. Clarice winked at Charlotte. She then proceeded to look at her husband."I know all too well and sometimes they don't even notice." Clarice responded and though it was meant to be a joke, Alarick could detect the slight resentment in her tone.While Charlotte and Clarice shared a laugh, Alarick stepped forward and placed a hand on Charlotte's waist. His touch made her shiver for a second but she calmed her nerves and kept a straight face."I can see that both of you are getting along quit
"Again, thank you all so much for being able to attend. Enjoy the rest of the night."The crowd clapped as Alarick rounded up his speech and left the stage in a hurry. He had to cut his speech short because of what he saw. How he saw that man handle Charlotte. Normally it wouldn't be his problem but it pissed him off to no end to see another man touch her so roughly especially when it was in his own home. He didn’t bother analysing why it bothered him, what mattered now was putting the man in his place.As Alarick walked over to the man and Charlotte, the crowd who kept clapping for him followed his movement and soon enough everyone knew where he was headed to. Their focus turned to Charlotte and the man and they all kept quiet to watch what was going to happen next."Let me go." Charlotte said as she still tried to pry the man's fingers off of her arm. He was too drunk to notice that people were staring in their direction now and he was causing a scene. The man leaned in and whispe
"What is this?"Alarick stared at Cillian for some time at a loss for words at first but then he took a breath and spoke. Cillian sighed and dragged Alarick away from Charlotte so that they could talk in private."Alarick, why is Charlotte here?""I didn't want to alarm you by telling you that she was going to be here.""And you think catching me off guard was going to be better. What are you doing? This can't possibly end well.""I have a reason. I only brought her here so that I can keep an eye on her. I don't want her escaping in the cover of night and the noise of the event. Plus, maybe I could find out if anyone else is involved with her plan by the way she interacts with them. There are guards stationed at every corner of the room and I have also given them instructions not to let her out. They are the only ones who know her identity. I have everything under control."Cillian looked around seemingly frustrated with it all before turning back to Alarick."Are you sure of this pla
Alarick's eyes widened as Charlotte leaned in to lock lips with him. With their heads tilted and eyes closed, Charlotte and Alarick's kissed deeply. He had been stiff at first, but after a few seconds of their lips together, he couldn’t resist or pull back. Time seemed to stop for both of them as they became immersed in the kiss. Alarick deepened the kiss, his arms snaking around her waist. Charlotte reciprocated his intention and leaned in further. Murmurs filled the parts of the room that witnessed the kiss and glares covered the faces of envious women but Alarick and Charlotte were oblivious to it all. They stayed in their embrace for a while before Alarick pulled back.Charlotte's eyes still stayed closed, her mind wondering why kissing her kidnapper felt right. Her hands formed fists slightly crumpling her gown as Alarick marveled at what they had just done. She opened her eyes and Alarick turned away. Charlotte faced the awed and discouraged women with Alarick still holding her