There were many things I didn't know about Alina Kingsley. Except that she was a Kingsley and now my boss.
But there was something I also knew.
Five years ago, she left the country and only recently came back. So, if she were to marry as soon as she came back, then the most probable cause was that she found someone overseas and planned to marry her in her home.
But that person she married was me and I never left the country, let alone spent years somewhere else.
Then what could be the cause? Right, it should be her family who had arranged a marriage, and as soon as she came they got married. That happened all the time, as people marry with someone who suited them best, both status-wise and proper-age-wise.
Though I didn't know what Alina's age was, the gap between us shouldn't be very big, but the status gap was.
That was also not it.
Then, what excuse could Alina have given to her family?
"You know I only came back two weeks ago. With five years away from my girlfriend,"
Yes, it was exactly what she had just said. That was how I became her girlfriend for more than five years.
So, that was what Jackson had meant?
"...so, you think I can keep my calm with my long-awaited girlfriend sitting beside me?"
I was standing a little away from where she was sitting after I deliberately created some distance between us, so when Alina said that, she got up from her chair, and she continued to speak as a smile started to form on her lips, slowly...
"And on top of that, she is my wife now, and lastly..."
With slow, calm steps, she reduced the distance and stood up so close to me that her scent filled my nostrils with each breath, which was even stronger today.
"...she is just too beautiful, tod—"
Now, with a loving smile, her face started to radiate warmth again as she raised her hand toward my face. As I saw where her hand was going, I secretly gulped or tried to be secretive and grabbed the approaching hand while also taking a step back and for the first time, I interrupted her. As if her smile and scent weren't enough, she wanted to touch me? And also there was no one present to show.
"Stop it. You are grossing me out."
I didn't know what was happening to me today, but her words and her face, especially her smile, were making me nervous, much less her touch.
Anyway, I get what she meant. Since we were newlyweds and also long-distance lovers, we needed to be lovey-dovey at any time we could get, and her next words confirmed it.
"Exactly, you don't look like my wife, who marry me for love despite a big status difference between us."
But who told her to say that to her family? No, did she even think of asking me if I was comfortable with this?
My face became twisted as I heard her. Me loving her?
"Love?"
Love was a very bold word. I didn't know if I could let myself fall in love with an alpha; even if I tried to force myself to do so, I wasn't confident if I were to do this. After all, I was no actress.
"It is the first time someone is this disgusted with me."
Seeing my face, Alina chuckled as she folded her arms and looked at me while slightly tilting her head to the side.
"I am glad you know."
Yeah, so go find someone else.
She was changing her expression left and right, while I couldn't even maintain one. I hated that and also how calm she always was. So, I couldn't help myself and said that.
It was just hurting my pride and I didn't know if I could survive for three months.
"I see now."
What was so funny?
She let out a laugh with teeth showing as she squinted her eyes. I couldn't help but furrow my brows.
"You are a very selfish person, Miss Andrea Patson."
"What?"
That...was out of nowhere. Or maybe I didn't understand her. What kind of expression was I making? I know I wasn't being weird—a little angry maybe, but that was it. So, why did she keep laughing?
I was becoming anxious, as she—while laughing—turned around and took her seat once again. And only when she was sitting comfortably did she reply.
"You were very cooperative even after I kissed you on your lips at your wedding but now that I need you to be my wife, you are disgusted?"
Now, I got it. She was angry or I thought she was, because her expression suddenly turned cold—colder than what she usually got.
"N—no, you got it wrong."
I was a little taken aback by her sudden change in tone and shuddered a little, but at the back of my head, I was shouting. How could she become all serious after I said something—why did it matter if it was something I was doing? Maybe she didn't know why? Whatever that was, she was taking full advantage of her position.
But anyway, I still explained to her, no matter what, she was still the one who was signing my paycheck.
What did money make people do?
"....that was before I knew you are an alpha as well."
If I knew she was an alpha at the beginning, I would have left the other way. But she probably knew I was an alpha also, so then why?
As that thought came into my mind, my curiosity got the best of me and despite being in a tense atmosphere, I asked.
"And why do you need a wife?"
That was the question bugging me from the beginning. Why would she need a wife? So much that she didn't even care about what I was? Surely, a lofty person like her would definitely care about these kinds of things.
"If you don't mind me asking."
I added quickly. Looking at her face, it felt like I definitely hurt her pride.
"It's okay."
But, despite my low expectations, she didn't even think and agreed. My eyes snapped towards her in puzzlement and Alina explained as she rubbed her temples.
"My grandmother gave me my current position only after I got married."
It was one surprise after another.
I didn't know what J&K meant to Alina, but if it was like my job, then she was actually in a worse condition than I was.
So, that was why she married me? Now, I didn't feel as stupid as before because of marrying someone else.
Who was being more reckless? There were also many things in my mind, like why me? But I was suddenly reminded of something.
Grandmother? Then, it should be the great Alicia Kingsley, who made the Kingsley family as it was today and was akin to a legend.
Why did she want Alina to marry, though, before having the Ceo position? The respect I had towards Alicia Kingsley was so much that I, without even thinking, made Alina a guilty one. But as I was thinking that, I suddenly remembered something...
"Wait, so if you were to get a divorce, then...?"
I asked in a low voice. Alina still hadn't calmed down—it was a wonder why she was even answering me.
"Yes, she would take away J&K from me."
She flatly replied—definitely not someone who was about to lose her job and a whole company in just three months. Why in three months? Because...
"But we agree to divorce in three months?"
Well, it wasn't exactly three months, but close. As she heard my confused voice, her brows wrinkled further, and her face also showed a sign of confusion.
"Three months?"
What? Did she already forget?
Without stopping, I began to explain.
"Yes, we made a deal—"
But she cut me off as soon as I started to speak.
"I know what deal we make, Miss Andrea, and let me remind you again."
Miss Andrea?
I remember she called me Andrea before. Maybe by bringing up this topic, I soured her mood even more, as there was no softness or even amusement left in her voice.
"It is not three months but a hundred days. For a hundred days you need to pretend to be my wife—it doesn't have to be consistent. Only when I need you to be."
If I was shocked before, now I was flabbergasted as my mouth was agape with no voice coming out of it.
"What?"
I felt someone had sucked my soul and left me dry. But Alina's stern voice woke me up from my stupor.
"You didn't say that at that time."
There was a clear disappointment on her face but she still answered me.
"Yes, I did."
Yeah, she did.
My shoulder slumped downwards.
"But you misunderstood me."
It was actually a common situation to get misunderstood.
Then my face fell, and Alina sneered as she continued.
"I mean, do I look stupid to you…"
No, she absolutely did not.
My face started to darken.
"…and would waste seven days' worth of doing nothing?"
I was actually thinking that too.
And then, the blood vanished from my face but Alina's voice—word by word—started to echo in my ears.
"No, today marks your first day, and I still have ninety-nine days left—that is, if you improve your acting."