The Night Guest

Hannah

I thought signing my signature on that contract would be the toughest thing, but walking back home, legally married to a man you did not know topped it.

My mind shook still as I walked back home. My thoughts racing, a mix of disbelief and fear. I didn’t even know my husband’s name, but judging from everything he did just to get me to sign this contract, I surmised he must have been a big-time figure.

Still, for all I knew he could have been a cold ruthless man.

Any man who gave tough ultimatums on the condition of a marriage had to be.

‘What did I get myself into?’ I muttered to myself as I continued walking down the street, tears welling in my eyes.

I tried to look at the bright side of things. I now had five million dollars to my name, but the cost of it made it more difficult to feel good about it.

For years, I’d promised myself that I wouldn’t fall victim to the games of another man, or bare my heart so open to the point it gets broken, but he had left me no choice.

Here I was, about to marry a man who made every bad signal in my body go off.

I couldn’t imagine what he wanted with me. We only met once, but I could tell from a glimpse that he was manipulative, willing to do whatever just to get what he wanted, and right now, I was that thing he wanted and this filled my body with dread.

I sobbed quietly as I strode along, the memories reeling in my mind.

‘I wouldn’t be in this situation if not for you, Lily.’ I thought, my brows furrowing in anger.

“No,” I muttered and shook my head.

“You don’t get to ruin my life twice and have a happily after,” I said clenching my fists.

I tried to keep myself strong, wiping away the tears that formed, and consoling myself with the idea that I could use this marriage to track down Lily.

I didn’t know who my husband was or what he even did for a living, but I’ve met him twice and could tell just by being next to him, that he was someone of great influence.

And that influence was going to extend across to me and help me find my dearest sister.

I continued walking down the street to hail a cab back to my place when I suddenly bumped into a solid wall of muscle, almost falling to the ground. But then I felt a pair of arms holding me around my waist, preventing my fall.

Slowly, I opened my eyes and they widened in shock when I saw who had caught me,

“Edgar,” I said, my cheeks turning red from embarrassment.

I slowly regained my balance, and he let go of me, standing just a few inches away from me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.” I quickly apologized in a low tone.

He just stood still in front of me without saying any words.

“I didn’t see you the other night Hannah. Are you okay? You’ve been looking kind of off lately.” He said with a warm smile.

I don’t know why, but somehow his words triggered a pain I was trying to keep buried and before I knew it, a pool of tears started to fall through my eyes, which I quickly wiped away, while sniffing.

It would be so embarrassing if Edgar saw me crying and looking all pathetic.

I heard him sigh and then he reached out and held my hand softly, but still, I couldn’t look at him directly in the face.

“I’m sorry Hannah, I didn’t mean to pry. How about a cup of coffee? Dale left me the keys to the nightclub tonight. I can whip you up something, and just sit with you. It seems you might need the company.” His soft voice echoed gently into my ears.

Surprised, I lifted my head and met his soft grey eyes. My cheeks suddenly warmed as I caught his gaze, and for a moment, I almost said yes, but then my mind quickly changed.

Sitting with another man was not going to help me forget my current situation.

No. What I needed to do was to get home and work this situation out.

“No, thank you. I’m just tired and need to get home.” I said.

With a confused look, Edgar smiled and then nodded.

“Okay. See you at work tomorrow.” He replied and turned to walk away.

Right then, a taxi suddenly drove towards me. Without wasting much time, I flagged it down and entered the back seat. My mind was still heavily disturbed by my sudden marriage. I couldn’t help but reflect on being married.

Trying to escape those thoughts seemed much harder than I would have expected. Glancing out the window, I tried to take my mind off it, focusing on the slow drive as the car finally approached my apartment.

I pulled out a few dollar bills and handed it to the driver, then stepped out of the car.

Bringing out my phone, I checked my email again for any notifications from Royal Group Screenwriting School. Part of me still hung to the hope that this was all a fluke, and in no time, it would be corrected and I wouldn’t have to give my life away to a stranger whom the last thing I wanted was to be married to.

Still, there was nothing.

Hanging my head low, I unlocked my door and walked inside, heading straight to my room.

However, just then, I heard a voice, sending chills straight to my bone,

“You’re home late.”