His Devious Rule

Attacking the Matthews empire needs proper planning. They are powerful, have a large network and resources. Anya wasn't an idiot to go against them before she could be assured about her family's safety.

All the more, she never thought of going against the Matthews family as Alvin wasn't with her and she had no idea about their family situation.

Looking at his stubbornness to keep her next to him, she felt the need to think of a plan.

Alvin knew it was the best choice she could have chosen from her position. He let out a sigh and let go of her face.

He patiently asked her again, "Could you tell me what they did to you? Why did you vanish from the city? Did they hurt you?"

Alvin got to know it was the Matthews family who was making her leave from his side. So telling about the events could do no more damage. However, Anya held back. If Alvin goes against his family when she is busy with Harper's case, then her parents will be in trouble again and she won't be able to back up Alvin.

"I need some time." She agreed to tell him.

She was expecting him to get angry but Alvin surprised her by giving her a nod, "Deal with Harper Johnson first."

Anya's head titled. Even she didn't know she would have the power to deal with Harper Johnson.

How did he guess?

Anyway, Alvin burst her bubble of relief, "Your parents will stay here."

Anya wanted to be calm. So she tried to negotiate, faintly shaking her head, "You aren't responsible for our safety," She could arrange for her parents and her son's stay since she had started to control Harper's every action.

Alvin nonchalantly took the responsibilities by blaming himself entirely, "Wasn't I the one who pulled you into this?" Yet, he wasn't guilty because he wouldn't have got her.

She didn't like hearing him taking all the blame when it was Bernard's plan. She sighed and questioned what was bugging her, "Why can't you let me go?" She is just a friend to him, isn't she?

His eyes narrowed at her as he got more serious. He promptly voiced his intention, "I ran away once. I am not running away again." And he won't let her run away either.

"Huh?" Anya tilted her head in confusion.

'Ran away?' Leaving the country?

What does Alvin leaving the country has anything to do with her?

Didn't he leave because his father closed his start-up company?

Before she could ask anything, Alvin pulled the paper out of nowhere and showed it to her, "Don't you dare evade it again."

He started doubting who was more stubborn. Because he was the one who was giving in. He didn't realize he was also trying to control her.

Anya pursed her lips and accepted, "I thought either Harper Johnson or President Collins were trying to trap me." She included Bernard's name purposefully to see his reaction but he looked indifferent.

Alvin shot his next question immediately, "Who was that man? He isn't your friend." There was a hint of jealousy in his tone which Anya didn't sense.

Anya stayed silent for this question. If she says Jason is her chief and if Alvin finds out Jason, then it wouldn't be difficult to find her identity.

Alvin pulled her down the counter and removed her overcoat forcefully. He sounded extremely cautious and grim, "Don't take favors from men, especially the laughing ones. They will have ulterior motives for you."

Anya failed to keep the jacket on her. She retorted, disliking his words against Jason, "Chief isn't like that. He is a good man," Then she slapped her mouth falling into the pit he dug for her.

Alvin snickered. He was happy that the man was no friend of hers. However, he could guess she was close to her chief from the way that man treated her and seeing her protective of him.

He took her mobile out of the overcoat and threw the overcoat to the corner, imagining it as her chief.

Anya was glad she removed her identity card from it. She tried to grab, "Hey, I need to clean it and return." It was an expensive overcoat.

Alvin caught her wrist and pulled her away as he scoffed, "A stingy man. I will ask my men to send him a better one." For that, he needs to find who that man was and get his address.

Anya: "…"

Why was she feeling like Alvin dislikes Jason?

"No thanks," Then she flashed a mischievous smile, "A certain someone told me, I shouldn't take favors from men, especially the very magnanimous ones. They will have ulterior motives for me."

Alvin: "…"

Anya chuckled seeing him looking daggers at her as she went towards the door. She is aware that men try to be macho with motives. She has also seen many good-hearted men.

Alvin was a good man but he was too dominant and controlling and she doesn't know why he was adamant about protecting her and her family. He was going out of his way to protect her. Wasn't he?

As if waiting to ruin his image, Alvin wrapped his hand around her shoulder and said, "A husband should do everything for his wife."

Anya: "…"

His ideology was truly appreciative. But he was calling himself her husband again.

A good man? Scratch that. An unreasonable man. Perfect.

She took her mobile from his hand to leave the bedroom, but he held her fingers and twirled her.

"Alvin…" His tug wasn't rough, nevertheless, it wasn't soft for her to go against the momentum he created.

Her eyes widened trying to stop herself from bumping into him. Her hand lifted to hold him but he suddenly shifted his position without giving her support, causing her to trip.

Anya sensed his fingers slid off her fingers. She gritted her teeth, preparing for the fall without a hint of fear for the pain. Suddenly her back stiffened when his palm glided around her waist, stopping her from falling.

The rotating room came to a halt. Anya started feeling dizzy due to twirls and an empty stomach. She tried to stand on her feet but yelped, "Alvin…"

Alvin twirled her holding her waist, playing her like a doll, and gently pressed her down making her sit on the armchair that was in front of the mirror. She didn't even know when he turned the chair around.

She wanted to catch her breath and relax her dizziness but she gasped leaning back on the chair, looking at Alvin who held the arms of the chair and went close to her.

Her heart didn't beat in fear, started picking up speed looking at the gorgeous face going close to hers. The air didn't feel distant or cold. It wasn't tense in anger. It had a different kind of tension she couldn't fathom.

She swallowed nervously looking at his cognac eyes that were intently staring into hers. Her nervousness came out in her low voice, "W-what are you doing?"

She could only understand as she was uncomfortable due to his closeness. Her eyes darted aside when she couldn't bring herself to look at him. His gaze was deep and hypnotizing. She was afraid she might say her every deep down secret if he questioned

She didn't know what exactly she didn't want him to know.

Is it the secret behind Zane?

Is she afraid that he will know she was foolishly in love with him?

Is it her unwillingness to let him know she again fell for him?

Probably everything.

Holding her breath in nervousness, she forgot she could push him and get away from him. She pressed herself against the backrest, trying her best to look calm.

'Why doesn't she take it seriously?' Alvin wondered. She always took his words seriously. However, she ignores him whenever he talks about them as a husband and wife.

His slender long forefinger grazed down her jawline seeing her eyes widen. He gently tilted her head to make her look at him while he took a glance at the mirror.

He is good-looking. He has a well-growing business. He had a house… He had a lot of them. A hefty bank balance. He was accepting her son. Then, "Why can't I be your husband?" He asked bluntly. He wanted to know what he was lacking.

The nervousness slowly subsided realizing he did all these because she ignored his words. She pursed her lips and breathed. She requested in a low voice, "Please stop making fun of me with those words."

For someone who could only love from afar, those words give her dreams that she can't fulfill. That wasn't encouraging her, rather making her feel pathetic.

Displeased, he asked with a hint of annoyance, "Who said I am making fun of you?"

Anya: "…"

They weren't in a relationship. He wasn't her boyfriend. He didn't ask her out. He doesn't love her. He didn't propose to her for her marriage.

How was he going to be her husband?

Why does she have to accept just because he says so?

Who just says they are somebody's husband or wife?

Was teasing her so fun?

She will give him a taste of his medicine, "Fine, let's go and get married." She pushed him to stand and held his wrist, pretending to take him out.

Alvin was surprised for a second before following her as he checked the time, "Will the marriage bureau be open now?" He sounded indifferent, thinking to ask Ean to arrange everything before they reached the marriage bureau. He was neither excited nor appalled at the flow of events.

Anya jumped at the question. "What the hell!? Are you crazy?" She felt like she was going to faint. This was getting too much for her brain to handle.

Alvin gritted his teeth. He realized she didn't take his words seriously again. He felt something was wrong with this woman's brain.

Anya watched his face darken and very near to erupt his annoyance like molten lava out of a volcano. Her jaws dropped at the realization. He was being overprotective and going the extra mile for HER. He had taken her as his responsibility. And this man doesn't know how to express his feelings.

In disbelief, she lifted her hand to stop him from scolding her and asked in hysteria, "A-are you freaking serious?" She didn't want to become a fool by assuming anything.

Alvin had a strong urge to strangle her right then and there.

Does he look like he was making fun of her?

Wasn't he straight enough with his intention?

Wasn't his words clear enough to understand?

Wait... Is he lacking in showing it in action?

His long arm reached out as he stepped forward. His fingers slid around her neck and his lips crashed over her luscious lips.