Chapter 2: Her Decision.

The cool atmosphere fractured, replaced by a wave of uneasy concern. Each individual exchanging looks with one another.

The room went quiet. I could hear their eyes roving round the room. Everyone watched silently as the drama unfolded.

"Who was this man? and why was he so aggressive to his wife?." Lots of questions flooded the large hall.

The looks I received made my legs shake.

I snapped back to reality, did he just say "marry me?"

Brian's eyes widened. His cheek red. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth where the punches landed.

He gritted his teeth ready to retaliate.

I looked around hoping someone would step in. I saw the security personnel stand at a distance.

I walked towards one of them, "Please!, stop them."

The bulky man hesitated. Rex turned and signalled to him, snapping his fingers.

The personnel rushed over and dragged Brian by the collar.

Rex signalled for him to stop. He took a few steps back.

I heard a camera shuttle.

Brian hesitated, seemingly with something on his mind. I could tell by the way he lifted his right eyebrow.

He looked at the woman beside Rex, and his gaze lingered. She was in red, the same shade of red I saw earlier. I observed that after the tears in my eyes disappeared.

The woman seemed close to Rex and she held onto his arm long enough to make me slightly jealous.

Rex didn't seem to be interested in that woman. I saw the way he looked at me, almost like he felt something too but I wasn't sure. He looked at me with pity.

I despised that.

Brian gripped my arm attempting to drag me away. The security personnel moved closer.

He shot me a stern look. I understand what that meant. It was time to leave.

I didn't even find Damon and this obnoxious 44-year old man made mockery of me in public!

I checked the time again, by this time it was too late. I'd be married by morning.

As I turned away, heels clicked toward me. The woman in red appeared beside me, too close. Before anyone noticed, she slipped a folded note into my hand, pretending to wipe lipstick from my cheek.

I stepped back. Feelings of hatred creeped in. She understood, smirked, and went back to Rex sliding her hand into his.

I didn't want to leave with Brian. I had no choice. How could I explain to this stranger that wanted to marry me, I'd be married by morning against my wish.

"Rosella! Wait, please, don't go with him." Rex pleaded, stepping away from the woman. His eyes filled with pity.

Our eyes met, my face puffy and swollen, I let out a soft whimper.

He stepped forward.

I was filled with worry.

Brian dragged me away.

. . .

I hurried down the stairs ignoring the onlookers and their cameras. He opened the door and slammed it behind me.

As I got in, I opened the note with trembling hands.

Note: Stay away from him, he's mine. Stick to yours.

I crumpled it and tossed it aside before Brian came in through the opposite door.

The paparazzi's camera flashed.

The tinted windows shielded me from even more embarrassment.

"Drive," he ordered.

In motion, I took a brief look at my reflection in the window. My mascara had washed up leaving streaks on my face and the lipstick was still smeared on my right cheek even after the woman had tried to clean it.

I hated my battered look and wondered how my father could betray me like that.

He was responsible for all of this and if he hadn't made a ridiculous mistake, I wouldn't be in this situation.

I heard him unhook his tie. My blood boiled but I feared what would happen if I spoke. I stayed silent, slowly breathing through the pain in my face and heart.

He spoke up, enraged, "You shouldn't have made me hit you. You know I hate the thought of you with another man. When I saw you in that secluded place with him, I lost it. You made me mad!. I told you to stay put. You should've listened!."

Did, did he just blame me? I wondered.

I was infuriated. Those words pierced deep in my heart. His gaslighting wasn't new and although I didn't expect it, I knew he wouldn't take responsibility even when he knew it wasn't my fault.

"Stop the car, now!"

The limo came to a halt. The driver turned to look at me, astonished. He stared with his eyebrows raised and muttered something I couldn't quite hear. I unlocked the door but not before I eased my anger in a few words.

"I hate you Brian!. I hate everything about you. I will never marry you!. I don't care if we lose the company, I will not be enslaved by you."

I didn't know if I meant those words but I was too hurt to care. Was I going to give up that easily?. All I knew was that this was an opportunity to leave before I became wrapped up in his twisted game.

My heart was racing and a new batch of tears threatened to make way.

I stepped out throwing the diamond pendant necklace he gave me on his thigh. I no longer belonged to him.

He alighted, walking towards me but I was prepared to run.

"He won't marry you. He's the man responsible for your dad's bankruptcy. He took over the contract that belonged to your dad. He hates your family and he's desperate."

I was astonished. Almost second-guessing my choice.

"Why should I believe you, you'll say anything to control my every move."

"Come with me. I promise not to hurt you again.

Something about the tone in which he said that made my blood run cold.

I placed my purse under my armpit. He moved closer.

"Wait. Let me remove my shoes" I requested.

For the first time in nine months, he listened.

I took off my shoes and dumped them on the road.

"Babe, I love you."

I was taken aback but even more so, terrified.

I ran. It started raining heavily.

I had only gotten about 5 feet from him when I slipped, stumbling on my dress.

Thunder struck.

I turned but luckily he had driven off.

I brought out my phone and dialled a number, my emergency contact.

"Hello? Lily? I need you!..."

I gave her my location. I knew my sister would be there in no time.

My hair dripped and my dress clung to my skin. Not too long after, a vehicle parked very close to me.

She wound down.

"Hop in"

I got into the car with Liliana bawling my eyes out.

"What happened amor? Are you okay?"

I sobbed, "Brian... he... he..."

She cupped my cheek in her arm, it was the cheek he slapped.

She gasped, "He hit you?!"

When she saw I that I shivered, she turned on the heater and wrapped me with the blanket she brought.

She stretched her hand to receive my arm. The red finger marks on my fair skin stared back at her.

She was bewildered and I slightly trembled at her

touch filling her with worry and fury.

She gasped, "I'll call dad."

"The deal is off."