CHAPTER 3

“Oh damn it!" John said in a frustrated tone and looked back.

Ms Barbara's curiosity got piqued. She readjusted her sitting position.

“What is it, John?" She asked him. “Who is that?"

John stroked his cheek. “That's Bradley. He's here. And right now, he is making his way to this living room."

Ms Barbara got up from the couch immediately and stared at Sloane. Then, a wry smile crossed her lips.

“You created this mess by yourself. So, I will leave you to it. Make sure you clean it up."

Sloane was confused. What was she supposed to do in this situation?

“I don't understand," Sloane said. “What do you expect me to do? I just—"

Ms Barbara cut her off before she could finish the rest of the words.

"Fix this! That's all you have to do. I don't give a damn about how you do it. Just get this mess cleaned up. I believe I have made myself clear enough." She looked at John. “Let's go. Let her be."

The two disappeared through the staircase and left Sloane to deal with the situation all by herself.

“What the heck?" Sloane muttered to herself.

She giggled amidst her frustration and placed her hands akimbo while waiting for this man to walk in.

Her breath got heavy when the hinge turned. But the moment Bradley walked in, there was a sickening glare from him. Sloane was not the kind of a woman to fidget. She simply stood her ground.

“Good evening, mister," she said calmly. “You must be Bradley, if my guess is right."

Bradley was tall, but not not tall enough. In fact, he was the same height as Sloane. And John was right. His hair was brown in colour. He may look good to some other people. But to Sloane, who was meeting him for the first time, he was a load of trash.

He walked straight to her and launched a slap.

"How dare you?!” He growled angrily.

Sloane chuckled mildly and looked at him.

"Though I never met you, I have always known that you are one arrogant son a bitch!"

Bradley attempted to slap her again, but she held his hand.

“You don't get to hit me a second time in a row," she replied and let go of his hand. “I am not your goddamn property. Get that into your head, mister!"

Bradley stroked his hair and giggled evilly. Then, he looked at her for a moment.

“Oh well, maybe I need to refresh your memory. You are going to become my property. And it does not matter how long you think you can dodge away from me."

Sloane was beginning to enjoy the fact that she had made a mistake earlier on. Although she had no idea who the stranger she had gotten married to was, she could beat her chest and swear that he was nothing like the arrogant brat standing in front of her.

"Breaking news,” she replied. "That is never going to happen. Not anymore.”

Bradley smirked. “Are you saying you will not get married to me? Did you purposely keep me waiting earlier on?”

Sloane smiled and folded her arms against her chest.

"Well, you are free to think whatever you wish to think, Bradley. But maybe you don't know it yet. I am a married woman.”

She could see shock registered boldly on his face. Somehow, she enjoyed the feeling of putting the arrogant fellow in his place.

"What…did you just say? Married? How the hell is that possible?"

Sloane smiled and replied, “You have no idea what's possible, my dear."

Bradley lost his cool. Anger erupted in him.

“Ms Barbara Wentworth!!" He yelled out so furiously. “Barbara!!"

It didn't take up to three minutes before the woman descended through the staircase and joined them.

She could tell everything was wrong the moment she saw the fury in the eyes of Bradley.

"My soon-to-be son-in-law,” she called him. "What is the matter? You seem a bit upset. Do you mind talking to me about it?”

Bradley cocked his hair angrily. “A bit angry? Is that all you can see?"

Ms Barbara threw a furious glance at Sloane. She could tell Sloane didn't do anything to ease the tension that was already there.

"You can tell me what the problem is. I will handle her by myself.”

Bradley smirked. "This family has insulted me. And I won't take it lightly.” He paused for five seconds and asked a question. “Your daughter is already married. But somehow, you made me wait for no reason. Is that how little you think of me and my father?”

Ms Barbara shook her head immediately.

"No, no. That's not the way to put it. Sloane made a mistake earlier today. She mistook someone else for you. She was there. But she made a mistake which we are still trying to find a way to fix.”

Bradley chuckled mildly. “Are you aware of what would happen if I don't get married to Sloane? I made it clear that I want her."

Sloane sighed and said, “Well, you don't get to have everything you wish for in life."

Ms Barbara gnashed her teeth and glared at Sloane.

“I'm your only hope to strengthen your family's business. You know that, right?” Bradley continued.

Of course, they knew. And that was the reason he was taking advantage of that little window to take Sloane as his wife.

“I will not just refuse to help you. I will equally make sure that you don't get help from anywhere. Do you understand that?"

Ms Barbara swallowed down. “Give me some time. Just a little time to fix this."

Sloane chuckled. “In this case, mom, there's nothing to be fixed other than this ill-mannered fella."

Bradley gnashed his teeth tightly. “You have forty-eight hours to correct this madness and bring her to me. There will be no extension. Remember this!"

Bradley turned and stormed out of the house. Ms Barbara followed him outside in a bid to appease his anger.

Sloane was completely flushed. Everything was just sickening. For one thing, she was grateful that it wasn't Bradley she signed her marriage with. But on the other hand, this decision to stand her ground was about to throw the family's business in serious jeopardy. That aside, the chances of her mom getting surgery had slimmed down.

Ms Barbara walked back in angrily.

"Sloane!” The woman yelled her name. " What has come over you? You agreed to do this!”

"Well, I did. But things have gone sour. Besides, I'm happy it's not him.”

Ms Barbara drew closer and pointed at her.

"If you don't fix this mess, Sloane, there will be no help for your sick, pathetic mother. Remember that."

She was mute.

“You heard him. You have just forty-eight freaking hours to correct this madness that has gotten into your head. Otherwise, you should prepare for the worst."

Ms Barbara was done talking. She stormed out, leaving Sloane alone.

She sank into one of the couches. In her head, she was thinking about the stranger she had registered her marriage to.

She needed to find him at all costs. He could be her ticket out of her misery.