Chapter 10

JASMINE

Days passed like wind. They passed fast and quietly. A little boring if I do it that way. I stayed in the house with Blake as it was my new life now, at least for a year till the contract between us ended. But waiting for a year feels like forever. We didn’t talk much. We just exchanged greetings and sometimes not even that. I ate alone, slept alone mostly, and worked all day. I tried to avoid him as much as I could. I didn’t want trouble. I didn’t want his face in mine.

But deep down, I knew it was never going to stay calm forever. Not with someone like Blake.

My father’s company is doing fine now. Mr. Remington had cleared all his debts. I didn’t even ask how much it cost. I didn’t want to know. It made me angry every time I thought about it. My father got us into this mess, and now I was married to a madman because of him.

But I still watched my father. I watched him like a hawk. I didn’t trust him. Not anymore. Not after what he did.

That day, he called me to his office. I rolled my eyes when I got the message. I didn’t want to go. I really didn’t. But I went anyway. Out of respect. Or maybe just to see what he wanted this time. Or maybe just because I missed him and really wanted to have a conversation with him.

I pushed the door open and walked in.

“You called me,” I said, folding my arms. I didn’t sit.

“Yes, Jasmine. Sit down and stop standing, and staring at me like a spoiled child. I want to talk to you,” he said, looking up from some papers.

I gave him a long stare before I sat. “Talk, Dad. I don’t have much time.”

He nodded slowly and looked serious. “It’s about your marriage.”

I scoffed. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“I want to know how things are going between you and Blake. You’re living under the same roof now.”

I laughed without smiling. “Why do you care?”

“I care because I don’t want to hear that one of you has killed the other.”

I shook my head. “We’re not getting along. Just like before. We still hate each other and the feeling just got stronger and thicker. No surprise there.”

He leaned in with a small grin. “Have you two… you know, consummated the marriage yet?”

My jaw dropped. “What?”

“Should I be expecting a grandchild anytime soon?”

I stood up and glared furiously at him. “You’re disgusting.”

He laughed like it was nothing. “I’m just saying, Jasmine. Be a good wife.”

I hissed and walked out. I went straight to my office, slamming the door behind me. I sat down, fuming. How could he say that? Like I was just some baby-making machine. A tool. I clenched my fists. I hated that I was stuck in this marriage. I hated that he gave me away so easily.

The rest of the day went slow. I attended meetings, read emails and dealt with paperwork. I just wanted to go home and lie in bed and not think about anything.

When the day finally ended, I packed my things and headed outside. The company driveway was quiet, just a few cars left. I walked to my car, tired and annoyed.

Then it happened.

Strong hands grabbed me from behind and pulled me away from my car. I screamed and kicked. My bag dropped. But the person paused to pick it up and then continued to carry me away.I struggled to turn, and when I did, I saw Blake. He was smirking like a crazy person.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” I yelled, trying to slap him.

I hit him across the face, hard, finally getting an opportunity and grabbing it.

He held his cheek and chuckled. “You always hit first. You should work on that.”

“Don’t you ever try that again, you psycho!”

“Relax,” he said and leaned closer. “I missed you.”

I pushed him away. “You’re insane. How could you miss me?”

And then he kissed me. On the lips. I froze for a second, then shoved him hard.

“Stop it!” I shouted.

I reached for the door to get out, but it was locked.

“Open the door!”

“Not yet, little monster, ” he said, still calm. “I came here to take you somewhere.”

“Don’t call me little monster.” I gritted out. “And where?!”

“There’s a fundraising event tonight. I want us to go as a couple. You’ll be giving a speech.”

“What?! Are you crazy? Why would I give a speech?”

“I already told the host you will. It’ll look good. We’re married, after all.”

I stared at him like he had grown three heads. “You can’t be serious.”

He tossed a bag at me. “Wear that.”

I looked inside. It was a dress, a black one.

“I’m not changing in the car!”

“Why not? There’s a curtain behind. So little monster, use it.”

“Are you mad?!”

“I’ve seen many naked women before. Yours won’t move me. There's no big deal there.”

I gasped. “You’re sick. I am not a slut.”

“And you’re slow,” he said, grinning. “Use the back seat.”

I grabbed the dress and crawled to the back. I pulled the curtain closed and started changing. I felt so annoyed. I hated doing this. I hated that he always had his way.

Just when I thought I had some privacy, I noticed something. I peeked out.

“Blake!”

He was watching through the rearview mirror.

“What? I didn’t say anything.” he looked at me innocently.

“You pervert! Stop looking!”

“I’m just checking the traffic,” he said with a smirk.

“You’re unbelievable.”

I finished dressing and crawled back to the front seat. I folded my arms and looked out the window.

He was grinning again.

“What?” I snapped. “Why are you smiling like you have won a trophy?" 

“You have a nice body.”

“Shut up. You haven't seen my body.”

“I mean it. But oh well. You know full chest, black lacy bra, flat stomach, black lacy panties, smooth and very nice skin.” He shrugged looking at me knowingly.

I ignored him and looked out of the car but then I paused and I replayed everything he said. I blinked. “What did you just say?”

He looked straight ahead. “You heard me.”

I screamed. “You watched me?!”

He chuckled. “Calm down.”

“You’re a freak! You watched everything?!”

I hit him. On the arm. On the shoulder. On the chest. “You idiot! You sick pervert! How dare you!”

He tried to keep the car straight, but I hit him again. The car swerved off the road.

“Jasmine, calm down!” he said, trying to steer back.”You're going to murder us, little monster. Why don't you wait and we take this to the bedroom?" He winked at me.

“Don’t tell me to calm down! You watched me undress, you crazy man!”

He started laughing loudly, that is whole body shook.

“Why are you laughing?! It’s not funny!”

“I can’t help it. You’re so angry. It’s cute.”

“I’ll kill you! I swear I will!”

“Relax, baby. You’re my wife.”

“I’m not your anything!”

“You’re my very beautiful, angry wife.”

I screamed again and hit him on the head. He pulled the car back on the road and kept laughing. I cursed him in every way I could. I used every word I knew. He leaned in and kissed me again, quickly.

I screamed louder. “Stop kissing me!”

“You always taste so good when you’re mad.”

“I hate you, Blake!”

“I know,” he said with a wide smile. “But you still look good in red.”

I turned away and refused to speak again. My chest rose and fell. I was breathing hard. My face was hot. My heart was beating fast.

This man was going to drive me insane.

The rest of the ride was quiet. At least, from my side. He hummed a song, tapped on the steering wheel, smiled at random times. Like he didn’t just almost die from my punches. Like I didn't nearly get us killed. When we reached the event center, he parked the car and took a deep breath.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“I’m only doing this for the company. Not for you.”

He opened his door. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

I hissed.

He walked around and opened my door. I didn’t thank him. I stepped out and fixed the dress.

He leaned in. “You forgot something.”

“What?”

He kissed my cheek. “Your smile.”

I pushed his face away. “Touch me again and I’ll break your nose.”

He laughed again. “Let’s go, Mrs. Blake.”

I walked ahead, away from him and as fast as I could. Blake stayed close to me. Too close.

He whispered in my ear, “Don’t forget your speech.”

“I’ll wing it” I replied without looking at him.

“Good and smile, little monster. You look prettier that way.”

I gritted my teeth. This man was not normal. He was Blake. The psychotic freak.

And he was my husband.