Chapter 2

Lauren

“Are you going to let me in or you’re just going to stand there and stare at me?”

His sharp tone brings me out of my daze immediately and I instantly move to the side and open the door wider for him to come in.

I redden a bit in embarrassment, slowly closing the door behind him as I take that opportunity to quickly comport myself before following him into the living room where our parents are seated.

I walk slowly behind him, taking in the man before me. He’s well dressed in a fitted black suit, with his left hand in his pocket and the other holding his phone. He walks with so much confidence, it’s almost intimidating.

The room goes silent as he enters the room. He ignores everybody as he unbuttons his suit and takes a seat on the doubled sofa.

I sit down on the empty seat beside him which is the only vacant seat. I breathe out slowly trying to calm my nerves.

My dad clears his throat, breaking the silence. “Mr. Sabastian, welcome to our home. This is my wife Jenna and my daughter Lauren, we’re so happy to have you here.” He says with a wide smile on his face.

I roll my eyes at his politeness and I’m instantly reminded that I’m annoyed with this situation.

“Call me Andre, after all I’ll be your son in law in less than 24 hours.” He says so sharply that I flinch a little.

Why am I so affected by his voice?

“Haha, you’re right. Anyways, let’s all go to the dining table to have lunch then we can discuss” my mom says.

After lunch, we’re all gathered at the living room to talk about the wedding preparation and plans.

“Don’t worry about anything. The wedding arrangements is already settled. All you have to do is be present at the venue. I’ll be sending all your outfits including the wedding dress and accessories. Everything is already sorted out” Andre says in a bored tone.

“Since that’s all, I’d like to return to work now” he says standing up and fixing his suit.

“What do you mean you’re going back to work?” His mother asks in a scolding, standing up as well and hurriedly walking up to him.” You’re getting married tomorrow Dre, work can wait. Why don’t you try and get to know your soon to be wife?” She pleads, holding his fore arm and looking up to him as she’s quite petite.

He sighs heavily and pinchs the bridge of his nose with his eyes closed. When he opens them, his eyes are on me, glistening with….. anger?

What does he have to be angry about? This was literally his idea.

I’m glaring at him at this point.

Without waiting for his response, “Lauren dear, why don’t you take him somewhere private so you can get to know each other” his mother suggests, looking at me with a wide smile.

I smile back at her standing up, “Of course ma’am. This way Mr Andre” walking away without waiting for him.

When we’re outside, i inhale deeply like ive been deprived of air.

“Hmm! Not quite bad for a blind pick” he snorts.

I can swear he’s checking me out

I roll my eyes at the silly comment.

“Oh my god! So you had no idea what I looked like before asking for me in return for your investment?” I turn to face him. “ And here I was thinking you were so smitten by me to the point that you had to rush the wedding” I say sarcastically.

He laughed shaking his head with a bit of surprising in his eyes.

“Feisty. Mm” he rubs his chin like he’s in deep thought.

Walking up to me and stopping right in my face, he bends to get to my height and leans close enough to fill my nostrils with his manly scent.

“Now I’m more eager to marry you and put that sharp mouth into good use.” He says softly in my ear with a mocking tone. “I’d really love to see this feisty side of you in the bedroom”

My stomach clenches and I feel my face and… between my legs heating up as I stare at him in surprise. I can’t believe that those simple eleven words is capable of making me feel all these things at the same time.

“How…. What…. You…..”

“Hmm not so fiesty anymore? What? Cat caught your tongue?” he replies with a smirk on his face.

I’m tempted to smack the smirk off his face but instead I stand and stare at him.

He took a few step back still looking at me with the same smirk on. I release a breath I didn’t even know I was holding and I’m grateful for the space he has created between us. Why do I have such unusual reaction to him? I hide these thoughts behind the glares I’m shooting at him.

At least if my mouth can not function anymore, let my eyes save me some face.

“So you own a business of your own.” He says more than ask.

“Don’t tell me you ran a background check on me” I say, finally finding my voice.

“She can speak again” he says amused.

I roll my eyes.

He stares at me for a while.

“ You will have to stop working. No wife of mine will be working any kind of job, so you will have to close down your business or hand it over to someone else. I don’t really care, all I know is that you will not be working anymore.”

“What?” I ask searching his face to see if he’s joking but his face is stoic and unreadable.

I’m staring at him in disbelief.

“I know you heard me so there’s no need repeating myself” he replies bluntly.

“Hell nah! This must be a joke” I give a short dry laugh.

“You’re joking right?” I ask.

“Do I look like a comedian to you or someone that’s interested in cracking jokes” he replies coldly.

I laugh.

I actually laugh. “You’re so funny.”

I look at him again to be sure he’s not serious about this, but I’m met by his stone cold face.

“There’s no way I’m doing that Andre.” I fold my arms around my chest trying to contain the anger that is building up.

“Oh! But you will.” He says sharply.

At that, all my senses fly out of my head, probably blending with the breeze because at this point I’m seeing red.

“WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO?” I scream at him, taking a step forward. “ WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU THINK I WOULD STOP MY BUSINESS JUST BECAUSE I’M GETTING MARRIED TO YOU? WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?”

I’m shaking in anger.

“How dare you yell at me?” He replies coldly.

I feel literal chills and almost shiver, taking a slow step back.

“I am your fucking husband and I will tell you what to do because I own you” he says angrily. “The moment your father and I signed that investment contract, you became MINE and if I tell you to quit your job, you do it without questioning because you lost the right to your freedom and yourself the moment your father agreed to my terms.”

I stand there speechless, with each words piercing through my heart.

“Speak to me like that again and I will teach you a lesson. Take these few hours to fix your attitude because I will not tolerate any rubbish.” He pauses for a while, then continues.

“Remember what is at stake here. I will not hesitate to pull out my resources from your father’s company and make sure his business crashes to the point that there will be no pieces to pick up.”

I feel physically weak at this point.

“I will destroy you and your family without hesitation, for I’m not a person to be messed with.” He continues with the threats.

I feel my blood drain from my body and I stare at him with hatred stronger than I have ever felt in my life.

“ You fucking asshole” I muttered.

Tears are streaming down my face now.

These are angry tears. I feel myself vibrating from the anger but I’m too shaken to say another word so I just stand there in tears.

Seeing that his message has been passed across and probably understood, “Keep that in mind and never forget that. See you tomorrow wife.”

With that he walks away.

Leaving me in tears, fear and helplessness. I almost curse my father for putting me in this situation.

How did we go from banters to threats in less than a minute?

I don’t even realize when I get to my room or my bed.

As I lay in bed, it finally dawned on me that I’m marrying the devil.