"The saddest thing about betrayal; it never comes from your enemies."

➳ ➳ ➳

Alexander was never one to give up easily, what he wanted; he got it. If he didn't, he killed. Killing innocent people had become a habit for him. He enjoyed the power it gave him, and it made him feel stronger. He loved the pleading look on his victim's faces and the way they begged for him to show mercy. Alexander was also a very charming and handsome man, and he continues to be. With his ocean blue eyes, thick black hair, defined jawline, and well-built body, he still manages to catch the attention of many women. He never had to beg a woman; they begged for him. All of them loved him, but he never did except for two individuals. Alexander Hale only loved two women in his life, and they both broke his cold heart, making him the monster he is today. It's true when they say that a woman can change a man.

Paulina Cox, was his first love and the one that hurt the most maybe because he had never experienced true heartbreak before. He first saw her when he was twenty years old; she lived at a small dirty house, opposite to his, with her father. She was three years younger than him and the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on. She had piercing green eyes which in the sunlight could be mistaken for blue, her nose was small and pointy, her heart-shaped lips always looked so pink and inviting, and her hair was long and wavy with a chocolate brown color reaching down to her waist. She had a petite frame, but he adored it because the way she got on her toes to kiss him, and the way he held her up in his arms and spun her around, always put a smile on his face. She was perfect, almost too perfect to be real.

After two years of being secretly together, because of her abusing father, she suddenly disappeared and then one night while roaming the streets in a drunken state, his eyes fell on a small figure of a girl inside a building who was standing in the row with some other girls. Even in the state he was in he knew that it was Paulina, his Paulina. He approached the old building and looked through the window with curiosity. When he read the sign on the door and saw the way the girls were dressed, he realized what was really happening. His Paulina was now a prostitute, a Doll. He could give her the money, the love, the happiness, he could give her the moon if she asked for it, but instead of staying with him, she decided to do that to him.

That night is printed on his mind forever, he was so angry, and he felt so betrayed and heartbroken. He still remembers the shock and embarrassment in her big green eyes when she saw him walk inside and demanded to take her for the night. He took her in his house, and he screamed at her, he yelled so loud the neighbors could hear, but she didn't speak at all, not even for an apology. At that moment, something snapped inside of him. It was the monster that awakened. He took her by force, and she cried and cried, hot tears running down her pale face. After weeks she came back telling him that she was pregnant with his child and asked for protection, but he didn't believe her. She was a broken doll, and that was the last time he ever saw her again.

Veronica Starr was the second love of his life - if you could call it that - it was more like an obsession he developed with her.

He met her five years later at the company they worked in together. They never became more than just friends, and he was always forced to look and observe her from afar wondering what it felt like to be kissed or touched by her in an intimate way. That's until Maxwell Starr came into the picture. Veronica seemed to develop a crush on him, it was like a spell, and she couldn't stop thinking and talking about him to Alexander. One night he confessed his feelings to her and finally kissed her, but her response wasn't the one he wanted to hear.

Maxwell soon became the owner of the company, and his name became known to everyone making his jealousy arise. He wanted to ruin him for taking the woman and the success he wanted; he even thought about killing him. After two years, they got married while Alexander was there, yet again, forced to watch their happiness. And the same year, Veronica gave birth to a healthy baby girl which she named Angelina, and wanted Alexander to become her godfather, but he denied because every time he looked at the face of the innocent baby he wanted to kill it. He hated it.

He left the company and became a boss of his own, he did some illegal stuff and killed people but soon managed to create his dark empire and become known and feared. Secretly he kept making plans to take Maxwell's companies, ideas which soon came to a stop when ten years later he learns that Veronica and Maxwell were dead and the young girl was missing. Maxwell had made a testament in which he gave some of the companies he owned at Desmond Snow, a close friend of his, and the other more significant part of wealth to his only daughter which she could take when she became eighteen. That ruined his plans, but not everything. He searched for the people who killed Veronica and Maxwell. It was a small gang that he took to his side and protected. They helped him find the missing girl, and when he did, he kept her captured in his house and away from everyone to see. To them, she was gone.

His plans were going great until the moment Nicholas Snow stepped into the picture, again. They were once friends. He was in the gang that killed Maxwell and Veronica Starr. Only the murder was, Ethan. It's true, he killed them, but it was better for Alexander to twist the truth and make her believe or otherwise for his own benefit. That would help his plan. If Nick isn't on his side, then he is an enemy, a threat. Alexander plans to destroy what was left of Maxwell Starr, but to do that, he must take care of anyone trying to stop him.

Alexander rested his back on his seat, taking a sip of his vodka and smiling to himself. Everything was going the way it planned, Angelina was doing what he ordered her to do to free herself.

Stupid girl, you'll never learn.

She doesn't know that it's all a lie and she won't be leaving anytime soon. He cannot risk people finding out the fact that she is the rightful heiress of Maxwell's wealth. First, he will take the Snows company, and then he will take what belongs to Angelina. He will have the world in his hands, just how it was supposed to be from the very beginning.

A loud knock was heard on the door, and Ethan walked inside with a hard expression on his face. He never trusted him, but Ethan was the only one who could get the job done perfectly, whenever he wanted, and he needed him now.

"You called for me?" Ethan asked, placing his palms on the wooden desk and leaning towards Alexander.

"Yes, I did. You have a mission, and I want it done before Nick comes back from New York." Alexander used his serious, raspy voice.

"Get inside the house, hide this in his office." He told him and grabbed a black bag from the floor and threw it onto the desk with a big thud. Ethan looked at it and narrowed his eyes, slowly placed his hand on the zipper before opening it. He looked inside and tilted his head up to look at Alexander with an evil smirk on his face.

"You have an evil mind" He stated, and Alexander nodded as he stared.

"This will be the end of Nicholas Snow, there are only a few things that Angel has to do." He said with a dry laugh.

[Nicholas]

"Nick, are you even listening to anything I said?" Enrique asked me angrily shaking my shoulder a bit. I glanced just one more time at my watch before looking up at him.

"No, sorry," I told him, running a hand through my hair. Where the hell is she? She was supposed to be here half an hour ago. She knows I hate that, she knows I hate when she doesn't listen to me. I swear, she's doing this on purpose, just to make me furious.

"C'mon man, where's your date?" He asked me.

"I wish I knew," I whispered back, turning my back to him to look at the crowd in hopes of finding her somewhere here. Looking up at the staircase, I managed to make out a slim figure, and beautiful curves enter the door. I narrow my eyes a bit, furrowing my eyebrows, trying to get a better look.

She came closer and just stood on top of the staircase, and that's when I saw her, I saw Angelina. A true angel. She looked absolutely amazing. She is by far the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, and the more I looked at her, the more I lost myself in her beauty, it's like she has a spell on me and it scares me, a lot. Yes, I will admit it. I'm afraid of letting myself get attached to someone because every time I do they end up leaving and I'm alone again. That's why it's crucial for me to keep the attachment we have as physical and nothing more.

I didn't realize I was staring at her for too long and that she had seen me. Her brown eyes shined, and she looked down at the ground with her face flushed. She looked like she didn't know what to say, or where to go. Adorable. I slowly started making my way towards her.

"Nick, man. Listen." Enrique says, trying to catch my attention, but I ignored him.

"Shut up," I said with a low whisper.

"Fine, I give up talking to you, I'm talking to a wall!" I heard him say with a sigh, but I didn't bother to reply. I moved through the people and finally managed to reach the end of the staircase. Angelina was descending the stairs and sucked in a breath when she saw me standing there waiting for her. Once she was at the last step, I extended my hand out for her to take as she delicately placed her small, warm, soft hand on my palm. I smiled at her and guided her to the buffet, giving her a glass of wine.

"You look beautiful," I told her truthfully and offered a genuine smile which she immediately returned, almost leaving me breathless at how angelic she looked.

"Thank you, Mr. Snow." She replied and turned her gaze to look away from me as she blushed. I was desperate, and I wanted to look at her face all night. I gently took her chin between my fingers and forced her to face me again.

"Look at me," I whispered, stepping closer to her. Her cheeks were still reddened and looked at me through her lashes and biting her lip.

Oh, how I want to bite that lip.

I still don't understand how a girl like her ended up in the Dollhouse. She doesn't fit in there. The time I spent with her made me realize how she has nothing in common with the others. Why is Alexander so interested in her? He wants her back, but I'm not planning to do that, I will help her escape that hell. She doesn't deserve this, any of it.

"You didn't wear the dress I told Melissa to give you," I stated, looking down at the elegant crimson dress she was wearing and admiring the fact it fit perfectly, showing off her curves. It had a long slit on the side, giving me a good view of her long tanned leg. I bit my bottom lip, trying to block all the dirty thoughts from my mind.

We are at a charity event. For fuck's sake Snow, control yourself!

"Yes, it was beautiful, but I liked this one too." She said, keeping her tone low. I could tell she felt uncomfortable to be surrounded by so many people, especially when they had nothing in common. Besides me, she doesn't know anyone here, and I'm not the best company.

"It's better than the one I chose," I confessed out loud, cursing myself. She smiled at me and nodded her head in agreement. At the same moment, a slow song played, and I smirked. I placed the glass of wine to the side before turning my gaze back to her.

"Want to dance, Miss Star?" I asked her, waiting for her to take my hand, I extended towards her. She looked around the room and found people dancing and then her brown eyes looking at me, unsure.

"I don't know how to dance." She said, but I used my delayed, extended hand to grab her and pulled her closer to me until our chests touched and one of my hands slowly trailed down her side to rest on her waist. She placed her hand on my shoulder and glanced at me. I could feel the fast pulse of her heart on her wrist as I touched her skin. I just had to tease her, so I whispered and brushed my lips against her ear.

"Don't worry, darling. I'll guide you."

[Angelina]

My eyes slowly from his emerald eyes to his lips as those words left his mouth, and I swallowed nervously. Our proximity was clouding my mind, and the only thing I could think of was the feel of his touch. Even though I had the fabric of my dress over my skin, his touch was hot and almost sweaty. Why is he like this? He goes from cold and distant to kind and friendly so fast. I like this side of him, the way he smiles and the cute dimples appear on his cheeks. Then again, how long do these last?

"One look and I can't catch my breath."

The song began, and Nick moved slowly and positioned himself tall and taking a step on the side, making me follow him. I looked at his feet, trying to keep up with him and I heard him chuckle, so I looked up at him.

"Don't overthink, darling." He said, smiling.

"Two souls into one flesh when you're not next to me. I'm incomplete."

He started moving faster, and I tightened my grip on his shoulder, taking in a sharp breath as his eyes burn into mine. The depth of their color left me breathless. He took a step forward, and I moved with him, the warmth radiating from his body, making me want to be as close to him as possible.

"'Cause I'm on fire like a thousand suns. I couldn't put it out, even if I wanted to..."

Nick smirked when he noticed the effect he had on me and slowly pushed me away from him and spun me around. My dress flew, and I grinned, looking up at the ceiling as the cold air hit my body.

"These flames tonight... look into my eyes and say you want me too as I want you."

He pulled me back up, and my body pressed against his again. By now, I didn't care anymore about the moves or if I was dancing correctly. I felt like everyone had disappeared, and all I could hear was the sound of the music and my beating heart. Nothing else mattered, Nick has captured my full attention.

"Oh, love, let me see it in your heart, all the broken cracks, and broken parts. The shadows in the light, there's no need to hide."

"Nick." I breathed as his hand let go of mine a stroke my hair. Then he wrapped it around my waist, bringing me closer to him.

"I'm on fire like a thousand suns. I can't put it out, even if I wanted to. These flames tonight, look into my eyes and say you want me, too. Like I want you."

"I got you, Angel." He whispered in my ear, pressing the side of his face on mine, breathing slowly and deeply. I hesitantly wrapped both of my arms around his neck. I took in his scent and closed my eyes, my chin resting on his shoulder. I felt my heart flutter.

It's like a hunger in me. Yeah, it's never-ending. Yeah, I'll burn for you (I'll burn for you)

The song soon finished, and Nick pulled away, I immediately missed his warmth. He bowed, smiling cheekily at me, and I did the same.

"For someone who can't dance, you did great." He stated, looking amazed at me.

"Thank you, Mr. Snow," I told him playfully, sending him a little wink. He bit his lip and stared at me. Was it something I said?

"Come, I'd like to introduce you to some people." He said, and I nodded my head following him as he walked to the group of people on the other side of the room. I had recognized two people, one being Enrique and two being Bianca, the journalist Nick fancied. My face dropped when I spotted her, and a weird feeling grew in me. It was jealousy.

Nick stopped in front of them and placed his palm on my back, forcing me to be within complete view.

"Let me introduce you. This is my date, Angelina. Angelina, this is Enrique, Klause, Paul, and Bianca." Nick said, making me freak out a bit on the inside. He told them I was his date, in front of her. That made me question many things. Does Nicholas Snow like me?

"Oh, Angelina you look incredible." Enrique was first to say, smiling widely at me. He took my hand and kissed the back of it, making me blush. From the corner of my eye, Bianca was rolling her eyes, but I didn't bother even to look her way. The other men in the group were polite and friendly to me like Enrique. I found myself enjoying their company. That is, of course, until they asked me personal questions.

"So where do you work, Angelina?" Paul asked me, taking a sip from his wine. My lips parted taken aback by his question. That was something Nick and I never planned. He never told me what to say if people ask about my life. Now, I know he doesn't want me to say that he took me from that place, but neither do I. My eyes moved between them, feeling Nick stiffen beside me, looking at Enrique who's smile faded at Nick's gaze. I know that he knows the truth, he saw me that day in Nick's office and must've told Nick, but it doesn't bother me. I feel like I can trust him. It's the others that I don't want finding out.

"Are you alright, Angelina? Why don't you answer?" Bianca asked, taking a step closer and smirking at me with icy eyes. She pushed her long, straight hair behind her back and tapped her long, plastic red nails on the glass she was holding impatiently. The look she gave me was evil, and it looked like she knew something. Something she isn't supposed to know.

He wouldn't, would he?

Nick wouldn't tell her unless he was too blinded by her 'beauty' and didn't care. He has told her, that's my only explanation. I started boiling inside with anger, and I clenched my fist by my side, I had to come up with an answer.

"Bianca, you know?" Paul asked her.

"Maybe." She replied, staring into my eyes and at the moment, I wanted nothing more than to grab her by the hair and smack her pretty face on the wall.

"I-I work-"

"She works as a model," Nicholas answered for me. Their eyes widened, and Klaus shrugged.

"Not surprised." He said with a smirk. I glanced at Bianca and then at Nick. I wanted to leave from here, right now. I didn't come here to be humiliated by people, and Nick had no right to tell anyone about where I'm from.

"Excuse me, I have to freshen up my makeup a bit," I say, making a stupid excuse and walking away, pushing myself through so many people. I didn't even know where the bathrooms were, and I just wanted to get out of there and away from them.

Why did he do that? Why does he have to ruin everything?

I found an exit door that led to the garden and was going to step out of the main room before a pair of strong hands grabbed my arms and stopped me. I came face to face with Nick, who was looking down at me concerned.

Yeah right.

"Are you okay?" He asked, reaching his hand out to touch my cheek, but I flinched away.

"No, I'm not okay, Nick." I hissed, trying to keep my voice low because I knew people can still hear us. Nicholas straightened his posture, rubbing his temples.

"What's your problem now?" He asked, annoyed.

"What's my problem? My problem is that you're lady friend, Bianca, knows about me and who I am, but I'm sure she isn't the only one. If you brought me here to humiliate me, then you did a great job." I told him. He stared at me in shock and reached out for me again, but I put my hands on his chest to keep distant. A few people looked at us with curiosity, but I didn't care.

"You're wrong. I didn't tell her