Chapter 2 - The First Night of an Unwanted Marriage

At eleven in the evening, Rebecca opened the refrigerator door slowly, taking out a bottle of mineral water. Her throat felt dry from earlier.

Before she could take a sip, a hand suddenly pulled her wrist roughly.

"A-ah!" Rebecca almost dropped the bottle.

"Nora, are you here?" Samuel's voice sounded heavy and hoarse; evidently, the man was drunk.

Rebecca froze. Samuel's body was now standing very close. His breath smelled of alcohol, his shirt was partially open, and the man's hair was messy. His eyes were dull but still sharp.

"Mr. Samuel... you're drunk," Rebecca muttered nervously, trying to pull her hand away. But Samuel didn't let go. Instead, his grip tightened.

"Why did you leave, huh?" whispered Samuel, looking at her deeply. "Why did you leave me, Nora..."

Rebecca was silent. Her chest felt tight.

"Mr. Samuel... I'm not Nora..."

But her words were cut short when Samuel pulled her into a hug.

Rebecca's neck was attacked by a hot kiss that left her frozen in place. She wanted to push him away, but her body refused. Her heart was beating fast, her brain was confused—but her body was already weakened.

Rebecca knew that this man thought he was Nora. But for a long time, only Samuel had filled her heart.

"Mr. Samuel... please, stop..."

But when those lips touched her again—this time more gently—Rebecca could only close her eyes. She gave in to the feelings she had been suppressing.

Slowly, her hands came up, returning the embrace. She knew this was wrong, but she also knew that tonight she was already drowning in Samuel's touch.

Samuel lifted Rebecca's body so gallantly. He was still calling Nora's name. Rebecca could only remain silent as she was led into Samuel's room.

***

Six o'clock in the morning. Sunlight filtered through the window blinds. Rebecca opened her eyes slowly. Beside her, Samuel was sitting on the edge of the bed. His back was to Rebecca, and his hands were clenched into fists.

"So... you teased me on purpose last night?"

Rebecca sat up immediately, panicking. "No! Mr. Samuel, I—"

"Don't play innocent!" snapped Samuel, then pulled Rebecca's body roughly. His hands gripped her shoulders.

"You must have planned this from the beginning! Teasing me, using me when I'm drunk!"

Rebecca shook her head quickly. "No, Mr. Samuel. I even told you from the beginning that I'm not Nora, but—"

Suddenly, Samuel's lips were pressed against Rebecca's neck—a hot kiss, but full of emotion.

Rebecca pushed lightly. "Mr. Samuel... not like this..."

But Samuel instead pressed Rebecca's body back.

"Isn't this what you want?"

Rebecca closed her eyes. Her tears were flowing.

Two hours had passed. Rebecca sat on the side of the bed with the blanket covering her body. She looked down, still not fully understanding everything that had happened. Her hands trembled as she tried to dry the tears that had yet to stop.

The door to the room opened quickly.

Samuel entered with a tense face, cell phone to his ear. "Did you get the medicine?"

Shortly after, his assistant, Bani, entered hurriedly with a pill.

"Here you go, Mr. Samuel. I got the medicine."

Samuel immediately grabbed the medicine and thrust it toward Rebecca.

"Drink," he ordered coldly.

Rebecca stared at the small bottle in his hand. Her face was pale. "What is this?"

"Pessary," Samuel replied without hesitation. "I'm not taking any chances."

Rebecca raised her face, shocked. "But, Mr. Samuel, I..."

"Drink!" snapped Samuel. "Don't talk so much."

Rebecca stared at him for a moment. Samuel's gaze was sharp, cold, and irresistible. With trembling hands, Rebecca took the pill and swallowed it slowly.

Rebecca felt her chest tighten, not because of the medicine, but because of the way Samuel was treating her.

As soon as Rebecca finished gulping down the water, Samuel looked at Bani.

"How was it? Any news about Nora yet?"

Bani looked down. "Not yet, Mr. Samuel. I'm still trying to locate Miss Nora."

"Useless," Samuel cut in. His jaw hardened. "Should I find someone else who is more competent?"

Bani could only remain silent, holding his breath. Then, Samuel asked Bani to leave.

After that, Samuel turned around and looked at Rebecca.

"Listen carefully," he said in a heavy tone. "What happened last night will not happen again. Don't tease me anymore."

Rebecca nodded slowly, looking down. "Yes, Mr. Samuel."

Samuel turned his face away and left the room without another word. The door closed loudly behind him.

Rebecca closed her eyes. Her breath trembled. Her heart felt heavy, but she could only hold it all in.

"I never teased you, Samuel, but you alone forced me to—" Rebecca clenched her hands, squeezing the edge of the blanket.

***

It didn't feel like a year had passed. The search for Nora had finally stopped a few months ago. Samuel had given up. Nora seemed to have evaporated into the earth without a trace, and Samuel assumed she would never return.

Rebecca woke up first from her long sleep. She turned her head slowly to the side of the bed. Samuel was still asleep beside her.

That handsome face—though still cold—was no longer as hard as before. The man had never really been warm, but at least he no longer pushed Rebecca away like he used to. In fact, a few months ago, Samuel himself had asked Rebecca to sleep in the same bed.

Rebecca smiled softly. She knew that her heart still loved the man, even though his status might still be hanging uncertainly.

As Samuel squirmed, Rebecca hurriedly looked away. She got up from the bed.

"I'll go to the kitchen first," she said as she smoothed her hair. "I want to make breakfast."

Samuel only mumbled softly, his eyes not fully open.

Rebecca stepped out of the room carefully, then began preparing Samuel's favorite meal.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Rebecca stopped buttering the bread. Samuel's footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs.

"I'll open it," he said flatly, though he still sounded hoarse from just waking up.

Rebecca nodded and returned to the kitchen. Then, Samuel opened the door. Instantly, his body froze. Someone was standing there.

That face...

The sound of Samuel's own breathing seemed to catch in his throat.

"You-"