I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 203

“I can only say this to your face.”

Alexander Ramirez glanced off to the side.

Aaron Lee strolled over, flashing Natalie Watson a bright smile. He handed Alexander a folder, then quietly slipped away toward the elevator.

“We still need to make this official and sign something. Even if you agreed, if you suddenly run away, how am I supposed to find you?”

Alexander took a few steps closer, holding the document out to her.

Natalie immediately took a step back. The moment she grabbed the folder, Alexander had already brushed past her and walked inside.

The apartment looked exactly the same as when he’d last been there. Nothing had changed.

He headed to the table, poured himself a glass of water, and sat on the sofa like he owned the place. “Come sit down,” he called out to Natalie, who was still standing by the door.

He moved around so comfortably, it was almost like he lived there.

Natalie just stared, speechless. Still, since he was already inside, she had no choice but to close the door and walk over.

“Are you overthinking this? I’ve already agreed, I’m not going to back out. I don’t go back on my word.”

Alexander frowned, giving her a look. “Are you implying something?”

He was talking about how he’d once refused to get a divorce, then later changed his mind.

Natalie felt awkward.

She just wanted to make her stance clear. How was that a jab at him?

“I’m not that childish,” she said.

But if he really insisted on a contract, fine, she’d sign it.

Natalie opened the folder, expecting to see just a single page. There was only supposed to be one extra condition. Instead, she found herself staring at a thick stack of papers.

“Alexander Ramirez, are you kidding me? This is too much!” she snapped, her brows knitted tight.

The first half-page explained her debt and how she’d pay it off. Everything after that was full of weird scenarios, like what would happen if Alexander called her and she didn’t show up, or if she was late, and how much she’d have to pay as a penalty.

There was one clause that went, “If the Creditor calls the Debtor for lunch and the Debtor doesn’t come, the Debtor must pay the Creditor the full cost of the intended meal.”

“Wait,” Natalie blurted out, not wanting to deal with him again the next day.

She thought for a second. “How about I revise it? Once I’m done, you can check it. If you’re okay with it, I’ll sign.”

Alexander paused, actually thinking about it.

After a moment, he nodded. “Fine. But I haven’t eaten yet. You can’t let your creditor starve, right?”

Natalie raised her left hand, showing the bandage. “My hand’s hurt. I can’t cook.”

It was a solid excuse. Unless he was completely unreasonable, he couldn’t make an “injured” person cook for him.

She raised an eyebrow, looking way too pleased, like she’d finally won an argument he couldn’t talk his way out of.

Alexander just looked at her. Then, without saying anything, he started unbuttoning his suit jacket, slowly, one button at a time.

Natalie’s eyes went wide. She rushed over and grabbed his hands, clearly on edge. “What are you doing?”

Alexander glanced down at her slender fingers pressed against his hand. He gave her a slow, teasing smile and leaned in closer. “Don’t you know what I want?”