chapter 0002

Scarlett shut her eyes tightly, only to snap them open moments later. Clutching the document as if her life depended on it, she asked, “What the hell is this?”

“You must be literate. Even if you dropped out at the basic class, you were taught how to read, write and understand.” He said, his gaze fixed on the screen of his phone.

Armani was giving him updates about the shipment he had gone to receive from the port. Since he was unable to make it to the port himself, Armani was going to join him when he was done to give a comprehensive report.

“That's not the point here, mister. I asked what the hell is this? A marriage contract out of the blue? Are you even thinking?” She yelled, grabbing the edge of the bed rail.

The mumble in the ward from his men was enough to make her shut her mouth, but instead, it fueled her anger.

“I asked a question, are you thinking? I bet you aren't.” She snapped. Hitting her palms, she said,

“For the record, you are the offender here. Running over me with your car… at least to maintain your dignity by not being a hit-and-run driver, you brought me here.” She scoffed, pushing her hair from her face.

Scarlett continued to express her displeasure on top of her voice while Damien flipped through some files that had been brought to him. He had shut his ears totally to her words as he gave his current duty his maximum attention.

“Are you even listening to me?” She yelled, when he wouldn't even say a word to her. Thinking he would respond, she sealed her lips, her gaze burning against his skin.

If only I can snatch those papers and shred all of them into pieces — she said in her head, visualizing how she was going to go about it.

Grabbing her head because of the dull ache she was feeling, she reclined on the pillow, her eyes slightly closed.

When Damien didn't react, she assumed her former position and this time around with a firm voice said, “I'm not signing this, regardless of what you do or intend to do. In fact, I'm going to shred it.” She threatened.

“Even if you attempt it, it wouldn't make a difference.” He paused and after engaging her in an eye contest for a few minutes said, “You've been speaking for over twenty minutes now, whereas if you have decided to sign the paper, it wouldn't even take you up to a split second.”

“I'm not signing anything.” She snapped.

“Then you have to pay for the damage you made on my car.” He said calmly, signaling to one of his men, who immediately walked up to him with his iPad.

“Show her.” He said and immediately, he placed his iPad before Scarlett, whose mouth dropped open involuntarily.

“For… my life isn't even worth this, how can I foot the bill?” She mumbled, alternating her gaze from the iPad to Damien, who was running his finger on the outline of his jaw.

“Say something, I can't afford 3.6 million.” She said, This time around, her voice was breaking. “Moreover, it was just a scratch. I should be the one requesting for money since I was the one who was hurt, the car is merely an object.” She added, rolling her eyes.

“An object you can't afford.” He retorted, causing Scarlett to recoil on the bed. Her gaze fixed on him.

Few minutes flew by before she found her tongue to speak.

“Sir, please, let's settle this another way. I can't sign this contract, it's going to make me lose purpose and focus for life. I have great dreams and I don't want it to die… sir, please, let's do this another way.” She rapped, her eyes already brimming with tears.

“Can you sign the contract already? It's getting to six hours around, and immediately it is complete, I wouldn't spare you, I will do whatever I intend to do without your opinion.” He said.

Gulping, Scarlett began to run her fingers against her neck as she stared at him, different thoughts spiraling through her mind at the same time.

It was at this point that the ward door creaked open and Armani stepped in.

Immediately he locked eyes with Scarlett, she snapped her face aside. Just like Damien, he looked good. Knowing fully well that she was going to drool over him shamelessly, she had to take her eyes off him.

“Everything is inside the flash drive.” Armani said, connecting the device to his laptop.

While the two talked business, Scarlett was busy thinking of how to avert the contract. It was either she signed it or paid a whopping sum of 3.6 million she had no idea on how to get.

Should I call Isla? No way, that betrayal wouldn't even think of helping me. — she said in her head, racking her brain at the same time in hopes of coming up with something tangible.

Or maybe I should take a loan from the bank, but I don't have a collateral to tender. They won't help me — she thought.

Muttering incoherent words to herself, she began twirling her hair between her fingers, her gaze fixed on the bed rail.

“You have just ten minutes left.” Damien said, breaking through her thoughts.

“I already told you I can't sign the contract. You are a stranger, I don't know you nor do you. Please, let's settle this amicably and we will go our separate ways.” She rapped, avoiding their gazes.

“Since you are bent on not signing the contract, feel free to call your family and friends to help you foot the bill.” Armani said, his hands tucked in his pocket.

“If I have someone to help me, you shouldn't be the one suggesting that to me.” She scoffed.

“Then go ahead and sign the contract.” He said, accompanying it with a shrug. Glaring angrily at him, she tried to contain her anger, but couldn't. Her chest kept rising and falling in quick succession.

“Five minutes left.” Damien cut in, his gaze fixed on his wristwatch.

“You can count all you want, there is nothing you can do to change my mind. Absolutely nothing.” She said stubbornly.

Immediately it was the elapsed of ten minutes, Damien rose and with a firm voice said, “Take her with me. We are going to sign the marriage registry right away.”

“Yes sir.” Armani replied, signaling one of the men to assist him. Despite Scarlett struggling, they lifted her off the bed as if she were a piece of paper.

Thrashing about, she tried to wriggle herself from their grip, but couldn't. “If anything, think about the fact that we are strangers. We don't know ourselves.” She yelled, inching towards him, but Armani pulled her backwards.

“You have six months to learn about me.”

“I don't want to. I'm definitely going to call the cops, I swear, that will be the end of you.” She yelled.

“Shut up.” Damien said, casting her a quick glance.

“Fuck you.” She yelled in return, trying to kick him but instead, her foot made contact with the wall. Not minding the pains she felt, she continued thrashing around, trying to gain freedom.