Chapter two

THERE'S A PARTY

"What? How could you have done something like that?" Lauren asked with a wide eye. "Why'd you accept his offer?" She further asked while she watched Octavia sigh.

"I had to Lauren, there was no choice. It came with money, it'd go a long way to help us" Octavia replied earning a scoff from Lauren.

"So, that doesn't mean you had to accept his offer."

"It came with money. Money!" Octavia yelled out. "Money. It has always been our problem. We'd get money from it."

She exhaled, running her hands through her hair while Lauren watched. They're both best friends. They've been friends from childhood and Lauren was there when Octavia lost her parents.

"Goodness Octavia, you have lost it" Lauren shook her head with a sigh. "You can't just decide to get married to a stranger. And to think you signed the papers without informing me, that's blithe."

"Yes, it was a blithe decision which involved money."

"Goodness Octavia! You don't know these people. You don't know his story. He's dangerous from my research." Lauren yelled.

She's angry. Why won't she understand?

"Don't worry, I'd cope" Octavia forced a smile, her voice low. "I'd do anything to get you out of this condition" she added while Lauren looked away in guilt.

Her best friend did everything for her. She's a sickle cell patient and Octavia had been there for her all along.

"He's cantankerous " she mumbled hoping her best friend would reconsider her decision.

"I'd cope, it's just for three months " Octavia whispered. She accepted Marcus' offer the other day. She didn't care why he asked her such but she signed papers already and she's officially his wife.

"But… he wouldn't treat you well" Lauren protested in a breaking voice.

"He…" Octavia paused when her phone vibrated. She grabbed her purse bringing out her phone and her eyes furrowed at the strange number calling her. She picked nevertheless.

"And when the fuck will you be out of there?" Marcus' voice roared in her ear and she gasped.

"Get out now!" He added and ended the call.

"What? Is that how he talks to you?" Lauren asked while Octavia rushed to the window. Peeping through the curtains, she saw his car. A light gasp escaped her lips and she hurriedly packed her bags.

"Get a nurse, I have to go. Bye" she whispered, dragging the box she had come to get.

"Tavia…" Lauren whined after her.

"Bye" Octavia rushed back to hug her and with a smile, she ruffled her hair. "I'll send you money soon, okay?" With a last kiss on Lauren's hair, she rushed out of the living room.

When she sighted the BMW, she already imagined his face. For him to sound angry on a call, his face must be fierce right now.

She reached the car and she waved at Francis who smiled at her. The back door opened and she stepped back.

"Sorry, I was…" she was cut short by his glare. No, something else was replacing the glare. An irritating look. She traced his eyes and saw it on her luggage.

"You're not taking that to my house, right?" His voice was mocking and Octavia sniffled. She had come to get her dress but why's he staring at the box that way?

"I'm sorry but my clothes are in…" she trailed off when he looked up at her.

"Clothes? Like the one you're in?" He queried and behind that, Octavia could sense his mockery.

She nodded while he scoffed. "Get in and don't bring that in."

His tone was frigid and flat and Octavia sniffled in mortification.

"Why shouldn't she?" Octavia gasped seeing Lauren behind her. "Why?" Lauren queried with a hint of anger.

"Because it's my car," Marcus answered flatly. He hates women because putting up with them is a big task. But he chose this because he has to show Charles something.

"And? What if it's your car?" Lauren asked in anger. Marcus whipped her head to her. He exhaled before directing it back to Octavia.

"Get in when you decide" with that, his ear pods were in his ear.

"What?" Lauren was mad. She made to snatch his ear pod but Octavia held her back.

She gave her a pleading look and Lauren stepped back, "maybe he bought dresses already" Octavia forced a smile getting into the car while Lauren scoffed.

"Close the door" Marcus ordered and Octavia closed the door. She waved at Lauren who had tears in her eyes.

"Bye, be safe" Octavia whispered while the car started its journey with its tires screeching and immediately, they were out of the compound.

She sniffled, whipping her head to Marcus who only stared into space. Why's he cold? Is he always that way? The questions ran in her mind as she gazed at him.

"I hate your stares" Marcus voiced out and she was quick to look away. She faced the window seeing how cars drove on the highway.

"Don't ever disrespect me" Marcus ' voice came up and she turned to him.

"This is a fake marriage you accepted because of money. Don't ever think we're equals."

Octavia nodded. Of course she knows.

"You learn to reply" Marcus said and she mumbled a "yes"

She still couldn't believe he's this cold and that night, she watched him sleep peacefully. She could still remember the light snores he made while asleep. But now, he's so cold to her.

She rested on the window and soon, the car came to a slow halt.

"Shit! Paparazzi!" She heard him mumble and looking outside, the numbers of paparazzi she saw scared her. Is this what they experience?

"Drive through Francis" he ordered and slowly, the car drove through them while the paparazzi paved the way. They entered a big mansion and she watched how the paparazzi tried coming in but the men whom she recognized as guards were there to stop them.

The car finally came to a halt and Francis rushed to open the door. He stepped down and she made to step down when he stopped her.

"Use the second door, don't ever come down through my door" his tone was frigid and she wondered how dynamic he could be.

She nodded, opening the second door and slowly, she got down. A light gasp escaped her lips when she glanced around.

This place is hella beautiful. The steel door that was at the entrance was what captivated her first and then, to the landscapers that beautified the floor. The building had a color that gleamed gold and the awning windows added to the shine of the building.

Seeing Marcus ahead, she sniffed trotting after him.

They reached the entrance and the door opened while she got in after him. The calmness of the living room welcomed her but she didn't fail to notice how deserted it looked. A few sets of sectional sofa were around and a flower vase at the far end.

"You'll only stay in your lane" his voice made her look up and once again, she saw how cold his eyes stared at her. His look was impassive.

"You'll stay in your room. You have no business with mine."

What? Her eyes widened in surprise. They'd be staying in different rooms? Well, what'd she expect?

"You'll tell no one all this is a contract. We're in love and that's it." She didn't fail to notice how the words rolled out of his mouth.

"Okay."

"You'll act like my contract wife only outside of this house."

"Okay " her low voice came up and he nodded.

"Good, Pam will show you to your room?"

Pam? Is that the name of a person? Octavia wondered.

"Stay in your lane till the contract is over" he added and she nodded. He made to leave when his phone beeped.

She watched him bring out his phone before his face contorted in a frown. Marcus exhaled, whipping his head to her.

"Get ready, there's a party tomorrow."

What? Octavia was shocked. So soon?