Chapter 3

Jacqueline’s POV

I sat down at the back of the car, with my eyes at the window. I watched the buildings and people we had driven past. I moved away from the door and leant against the soft seat. I turned to the side and glanced at the bodyguard, who was sat close to me.

Though he sat at a distance, but being close to him left like torture. A complete nightmare. I diverted my gaze to the window again. My eyes slowly began being teary. The thought of being close to that nut job, who calls himself my husband, frightened me even more.

I had no thoughts of getting married, especially not to him. A simple task has turned to an everlasting nightmare. Oh, great! I became someone’s wife within an hour. An hour! If I could turn the hands of time, I would’ve stayed home and preferred being insulted by my landlord again.

The car drove on a bump, which made me to jerk and hit my head on the headrest of the driver’s seat.

“Ow!” I moaned in pain, as I rubbed my temple with my fingers.

I turned to my side and caught the bodyguard looking at me. His facial expression was blank. He let out a sigh and shook his head. I wonder what he could be thinking of. The driver sounded the horn as we pulled up in front of a wrought gate.

The gate wasn’t that tall but overshadowed the building from the outside. Soon, it began to wheel open. The gate-keeper stood at the side, holding a remote. The driver switched gear and drove in. He drove towards the garage and parked right at the entrance.

The bodyguard seated beside me got out of the car. I watched him as he walked over to the other side and stood at the door. He pulled it open.

“Get out of the car!” He said coolly.

I sluggishly got out. I turned my head around and flashed a glance at the gate. It was still open. Maybe I could run away and finally be free from this mess. Maybe I could convince them that this is all a big mistake and I was misunderstood as someone else.

“Mrs Northman!”

The bodyguard’s voice snapped me out of the trance. I looked at him. He stared at the gate for awhile and signalled the gate-keeper to close it. I turned my head around again, watching the gate close automatically. There goes my escape plan.

“Follow me.” He said firmly.

If I had meant Rex, I would’ve mistaken for the boss. Both arrogant and cold people. I let him walked a few steps ahead of me while I walked behind him. He rang the doorbell and waited for someone to answer. I stood at the door and admired the building. It was a duplex, though some of the walls were glass.

The door creaked open and a maid stood close to it. She held it open and waited for us to enter. We entered and she closed the door behind us. The bodyguard stood and scowled at her.

“Have you lost your manners?” He asked her.

She furrowed her brow confusingly.

“That’s the boss’ wife.” He introduced me to her.

She looked at me. She scanned me from head to toe and guffawed. Usually, I would normally be upset but I’m already used to this. I like my body and clearly wouldn’t change because of peoples’ opinions. I rolled my eyes.

“Are you done?” The bodyguard said plainly.

The maid managed to control herself and replied in a nod.

“Show her to her room.” He ordered.

The maid glanced at me and sniggered. How many self-centred people live here? Isn’t there a normal person in this house? A normal and slightly kind person. Is it too early to request for a divorce?

I followed the maid. Though, I was a few stairs behind her. I had my eyes on the floor as I climbed up. I could partially see the living room, if that was it. We got to the landing. She walked towards a door and pulled it open. She stood at the entrance.

I stalled for a minute and walked in. It was dark, though the corridor’s light partially reflected in.

“It’s dark in here.” I said plainly.

“You’ve got hands. Turn on the lights yourself.” She scoffed.

Did she just—? I furrowed my brow surprisingly. I clenched my fist and bit my lower lip. I groped the wall, looking for the switch. I stumbled on a wooden shelf and knocked down something. It landed on something.

“Be careful not to break anything.” She replied.

It would have been a lot better if she had just helped. She is already used to being here. I finally found the switch and turned on the lights. The room looked a lot bigger and better than in the dark.

“I don’t want to be too nosy but…” She said.

I looked at her. She had a smug smile on her face. It was obvious what she was about to say would only piss me off.

“…you should try going to the gym. Maybe, lose a few pounds or more. That way, my boss will find you attractive. Just like his ex-fiancée, Samantha. I still don’t know why they broke up but she would’ve definitely been in the best position to be his wife.”

I wanted to give her a piece of my mind but a part of me held me back. She sniggered as she left the door. I quickly walked towards it and closed it. I turned the key in the keyhole until it was locked.

My eyes leaked as I let go of the key. Being forcefully married wasn’t enough, now I’m being insulted by some maid because of my weight. I never wanted this. Hasn’t life been cruel enough? First my mum left me, Dad died and I was forced to stay in an orphanage throughout my childhood. No one came to claim me, not even to adopt as theirs.