Chapter Four

Janelle

It was…Damian.

But how? I opened my eyes wide to confirm that I wasn’t seeing wrong and lo and behold, it was indeed him.

I got up quickly, grabbed a cloth to cover my body. 

He chuckled. “That won’t be necessary. Your body will be mine,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

I furrowed my brows, and snapped back, “I am nobody’s object.”

He replied, his voice cold and confident, “Yet. You’ll be, soon.”

I didn’t say a word. Our gaze locked. I studied the way he studied me too.

His eyes were calculating. It was hard to guess what he was thinking.

He uttered, “Is this a staring contest? I’ll win if it is.”

I didn’t reply.

“Do you want us to keep doing this or I should just wake your friend?” He asked. 

Then Ashley turned, as if she was about to wake up. I stood up and grabbed his hand, leading him outside to the back door.

I pushed him to the side.

“How did you find me?” I questioned.

“Tracker,” he said as his eyes narrowed down my body.

“You placed a tracker on my body?” I yelled and he placed his palm over my mouth to avoid drawing attention.

He laughed. Sharp and cold as ice. “No,” he said.

“There’s a tracker in my car. I placed it there so that I could track thieves.” he added as he emphasized on the last word thieves.

“I am not a thief,” I said with confidence.

He smiled and said, “you didn’t steal the car—you stole something else,”

Then, he leaned in, his breath against my skin. Hot. 

He whispered, “my heart,”

My lips parted, but no words came out.

His heart?

He moved back and saw my cold, irritated expression. 

“That was supposed to be a joke,” he said and he faked a cough.

I kept my face still, refusing to give him the reaction he wanted.

“I didn’t know even the devil made jokes,” I said and he didn’t seem to appreciate it. Before he could respond, Alex—his bodyguard—appeared.

I turned away, avoiding eye contact.

Then I heard a slap. Damian was hitting him.

I just stared.

“How could you let my woman drive down to a village and sleep in a stranger's home,” Damian said as he kicked and hit Alex.

Alex bowed and kept apologizing, “I’m sorry sir.” 

“I’m sorry sir.”

“She’s to be delivered brand new! What would you do if something had happened to her? Especially now that people have their eyes out for her,” Damian spat.

I’m wanted?

He was about to hit him again, but I moved in.

“Stop!” I ordered. Damian smirked and slipped his hand back into his pocket.

Alex stepped in front of me and bowed, “I’m sorry Miss Janelle,”

My brows lifted slightly. 

I turned to Damian, “If this is how you treat people, then consider me out. I won’t be a toy you could just punch any time you like,” I said.

I turned to walk away, then he interrupted my steps, as he said, “was that a yes?”

“What?” I asked.

“If I stop hurting people, would you move in immediately?” He asked.

Before I could talk, Ashley's voice echoed as she called, “Janelle! Janelle!”

Damian was ready to move towards Ashley, but I moved closer to stop him.

“Stop!” I said. He looked at my lips and smiled. “You have nice lips,” he said and turned.

“I’ll be expecting a reply tonight,” he said.

“Also Janelle…how well do you trust this couple?,” he said before walking away. Alex turned to me and said, “the car engine is back on, and still fully tracked,” he then bowed and followed Damian.

Is the couple also after me?

As soon as I made sure they had left, I rushed to Ashley.

“Hey…” I said nervously.

“Where were you?” She asked.

“Just roaming around. Morning exercise, you know...” I replied.

She frowned her brows, and fixed her gaze on mine before speaking, “your mom has been calling nonstop,” She said as she held my phone out to me.

“Is everything okay? You’ve been acting strange since yesterday,” she said with concern written in her voice.

I nodded as I waved an assuring smile. “Yes, I’m okay.”

“Then what was that about Damian claiming that you were his?” She asked.

“Promise you won’t freak out.” I pleaded and she nodded.

“You know that stuff I said about being sold off to a billionaire…blah blah.” I said and she nodded correspondingly. I paused, “that was about me.”

She didn’t react. More like she didn’t understand.

“I’m being sold off to Damian Cooper as a slave in the disguise of a bride!” I said.

“What?!!” She yelled.

“You’re What?!” She yelled again.

I covered her mouth with my hand and told her to shush as I sighed. “Yeah. I’m practically Damian’s if I don’t pay up $500,000,” I said.

“My parents have the documents and the deadline for the contract signing is tomorrow,” I said.

“Only God knows what will happen if I don’t sign it before tomorrow,” I added.

She sighed,  “you wouldn’t want to find out,” she said.

She leaned in and continued, “Out of all the Cooper extended brothers, the man I fear the most is Damian. He’s ruthless and dangerous…he’s practically the king of shady dirty money.”

“What do I do now?” I asked.

“Janelle, as much as I hate to say this…you have no choice. Accept it.” She said and I was shocked. Even brave Ashley suggested I accept a death contract?

The couple interrupted us.

“Good morning ladies,” the man said, and we greeted with a lowered bow.

“I trust you had a good sleep especially after yesterday’s drama,” he asked.

“How did you…”

Then I thought about Damian’s word

How well do you trust this couple?

I stammered, “something came up. We’ll be leaving now. Thank you so much.”

“So fast?” The woman asked.

“Yes, I checked and the car is okay now,” I said.

“I’ll be sure to repay you for your kindness in the future, thank you,” I appreciated again and held Ashley’s hand as we left.

I turned back to make sure the couples weren't following. 

Then Ashley leaned in, “What happened? Isn’t it too early?” She asked.

“I think this couple is working with the masked men from yesterday,” I said.

As I turned back to check again, I didn’t see them. Ashley and I ran to the car and drove away. 

In the car, miles away from the village, we could finally relax our nerves.

“Right…I totally forgot a dramatic moment happened yesterday,” Ashley said.

“Yeah, you fainted,” I replied.

And God knows how much I want to faint right now. 

Because I had decided to sign the contract…and walk straight into his world.