Chapter Two

"No reason, I just lost my temper. I'm sorry." He apologized, but his apology wasn't going to help me now. 

I pulled myself to my feet and told him, "I'm sorry too. I need some time alone, don't follow me." I told him sternly and left the office. 

I took a cab to the only place that brought me peace. I went to the cemetery to visit Mum. 

The moment I reached her headstone, I busted into tears. It was like all the tears I had been trying to hold back for so long, came pouring out that moment. 

"I'm getting married Mum," I started, "you're probably wondering why I'm crying when I have such good news. I'm crying because I'm not happy, everything is a mess down here. Dad wants to marry me off to a stranger. My life wouldn't be like this if you were here mum. Why did you leave? Why?"

I wailed profusely. Although I never get any response when I visit, this place always made me feel like a part of Mum would always be with me. 

I spent the remainder of the day there and left when it was dark. The house was in a state of chaos when I arrived later in the night. 

The moment I stepped into the living room, there was silence everywhere. Dad stood up, "My study! Now!" He yelled and I scrambled in the direction of his study. 

As soon as I closed the door and turned around to explain what happened, my head whipped to the side as a result of the slap that landed on my face and immediately, tears started falling down my face. 

"What the fuck happened this morning?" He demanded from me. 

"I'm sorry sir. It was all my fault." I started and he cut me off. 

"Of course, I know it was your fault, but what did you do?" 

I was about to start explaining when the door opened and Jake walked in again. When he saw me holding my face in an attempt to soothe the pain the slap had caused, his eyes turned red. 

"Did you hit her?" He asked rhetorically and reached out for my hand, "C'mon Kate, we're leaving this place right now." 

I just stood numbly as the scene in front of me unfolded, Jake registered the look of shock on my face and reached for my hand, and started pulling me out of the room. 

"Good luck making it out of here." Dad taunted and we stopped. 

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jake asked. 

"It means there are now security details placed everywhere in this house and they'll be monitoring Kate till the wedding is over this Saturday. This deal is very important to me and nothing or no one is going to stop it. You're not allowed to step foot out of this house till Saturday." Dad announced. 

And immediately after, the door to his study opened again and two looking hefty men came in. 

"Escort Kate to her room right now and you're permitted to use force if you face any resistance from her." He told them and they nodded. 

"Do you have to go this far?" Jake asked, not quite believing what was happening. 

"I don't have to answer that question but I'll answer so that you can let it sink into your skull," Dad started, "the company belongs to me and I'll do everything in my power to keep it afloat and I don't mind marrying off a daughter who's not useful to me in the process." He finished and leaned back in his chair. 

I had all the answers I needed. There was nothing more that needed to be said. 

"It's okay Jake, I'll do whatever he wants. I'll marry Ethan." I told them and the security men escorted me back to my room and they locked the door when I entered. 

The routine continued till Saturday. I was allowed to come out of my room only to eat and the moment I was done eating, they escorted me back to my room.

The Saturday morning I was dreading all week finally arrived, it was a gloomy day. The clouds were grey and it looked like it wanted to rain, perfect weather to match my current mood. 

The door to my room opened without me requesting for it to be opened and Dad came in. I was on high alert the moment I saw him and I sat uprightly immediately. 

"Do you know what today is?" He asked and I nodded my head. 

"What did I say about using your words whenever I talk to you?" Dad shouted at me and I quickly opened my mouth

"I'm sorry sir and I know what today is," I answered with a shaky voice and Dad smirked because of how I was acting. He was feeding off my fears

"I don't need to remind you of what the consequences will be if you disobey me and try to do something funny, do I?" 

"No sir, I'm well aware of what will happen if I do contrary to what we discussed." I nodded attentively. 

"Good girl." He roughly grabbed my cheek and patted it. 

"You can come in, we're done here." He said and some people entered into my room. 

I discovered they were hairstylists and make-up artists and just like that, they start dolling me up for my big day. Some of the girls gushed non-stop about how lucky I was to be getting married to Ethan Robinson.  

I wanted to tell them I was ready to give up the position and give it to them but I didn't say anything, I just smiled and kept quiet. 

It took about three hours before everything was ready and when everything was set, I got into the car waiting for me downstairs and it drove off in the direction of where the wedding would be held. 

Dad was waiting for me at the entrance of the building when I got there, "Don't mess this up for me Kate." That was all he said to me before the doors opened I looped my arm through his and we made our way into the room. 

There were a lot of people present, even though the only person I recognized that was there for me was Dad. Stephanie and Sofia weren't even here, I wasn't surprised but I thought they'd at least show up since I was doing this for them. 

This marriage would seal whatever deal dad had made with the Robinsons and they would be able to continue to live the extravagant lifestyle they were already used to. 

What even hurt more was that, Jake wasn't here as well. I guess I had no one again. I blinked the tears away from my eyes and focused on getting through this. 

The program started immediately after I reached the end of the aisle and I mounted the altar with Ethan, "Let's get married." He said and grinned evilly at me.

I didn't know I had zoned out, only when I heard, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." It was then I became aware of my surroundings again and I noticed Dad had even left. 

I thought Ethan was going to kiss me but he angled us in a direction so that others wouldn't be able to see us and he placed a short kiss at the far corner of my mouth. 

The crowd gathered behind us erupted in cheers and we walked out of the room. He started pulling me in the direction of the main entrance, where a black car was parked in front of the building and I was guessing it was for us.  

"Don't you want us to meet your wife?" A voice called out behind us and we stopped and turned around.

I saw a couple approaching us, the man shared a few similarities with Ethan, but you could tell he was older than Ethan. 

Ethan rolled his eyes and addressed the man back, "Well you'll find a way to meet her anyways. There's no point keeping her from you." 

The man whacked Ethan at the back of his head and pushed him out of the way, "Hello, I'm Liam, Ethan's older brother and this is my wife, Emily." He introduced the other person to me. She was a petite woman, with a large baby bump. 

I exchanged pleasantries with them and before we could say anything again, Ethan stepped in and interrupted us, "You have to excuse us."  

He said and pulled me out and pushed me into the black car that had been waiting for us. 

"You must be wondering what the rush is for right?" Ethan turned to me and asked. 

I didn't answer nor look at him, so he continued talking, "Do you remember when I promised you I'd make your life a living hell? Welcome to hell Kate Robinson."

He grinned wickedly at me and I knew I was doomed.