Chapter 3-You Are On Sale

Natalie's POV

The limo ride was silent, except for the sound of Mitchell's frequent chuckles. I sat pressed against the window, watching the city which had turned dark.

Why had we waited until this moment? It was practically late at night.

Every car drive I have ever had was never this cold and silent. I remembered one ride I had with dad, I can still perceive the smell of coffee and his sweet cologne. His hands were squeezing mine.

How I wish he was here to tell me all this was some sick imagination or dream.

But ghost doesn't speak.

“Who is he?” I asked, my eyes still fixed outside the window.

She didn't answer. I didn't expect her to.

She even dressed better than I did.

“I deserve to know.”

A long silence, then, “Was a man with influence, power and money.”

“I believe that's not all to tell about him.”

She sighed this time, irritated. “He was a billionaire. Cold, private and dangerous, some say.”

My breath caught. “Dangerous?”

“Not to you,if you do what's expected of you to do. Just to obey.”

“Why me? Why not your daughter?”

“This is not an interrogation,I believe that's all I know. Now shut it up.”

I felt a chill run down my spine as she died down the conversation.

I sighed inwardly.

Suddenly.

It downed on me.

Was.

She's been using ‘was’ while speaking about the man.

“He was a billionaire?” My voice cracked up as the question rolled out of my tongue.

I was certainly looking nowhere except at Mitchell.

“You’re lucky, you know,” she answered with a shrugged shoulder. “Some girls would kill for this opportunity.”

I clenched my fists. “I’m not some girl. I’m your daughter.”

“And that’s why you’ll do it.”

**********

WILFRED'S POV

I've arrived at the grand hotel,this was the place where I would seal my fate with a random puppet. I got out of the door and strode directly into the private dinner hall.

I learnt the whole family was going to be present. One getting there,I pushed open the door and entered.

I met just three people there. There were two men in suits, while the other person present was a lady in a red outfit.

Her face was made up..yikes. Looks interesting.

I took over a seat at the dining table with my gaze fixed directly at my lawyer.

One of the men present was my lawyer, he has the legal papers,and I guess the other man was the bride's relative.

I am Wilfred Donaldson,the said broke Billionaire who is at the verge of bankruptcy. I am getting married to save the face of my company.

I don't need to be told, but I knew I always have this cold look which has kept people away from me.

I looked down at my watch, the time was past 8, yet the bride wasn't here. Could she be the type to always look lavish and dolled up?

As dangerous thoughts crossed my mind, the door was pushed open. There was no need for me to take a glance before I knew she had arrived.

The first thing that made me sure was the scent that wafted the air at once. My nose wringed up in disgust.

I heard the sound of clicking heels coming closer.

“Mommy!” Exclaimed in a lady's voice as if she had finally seen her saviour.

I threw a glance at the lady then back down.

I was about speaking, reprimanding her for not keeping to time, when I heard a voice come to my ears.

“Is this some kind of joke?”

Those words finally earned her a glance.

Who is she?

How dare she speak to me like that?

Does she have a death wish?

I finally looked up. Sharp. Distant and dangerous. I looked up to look at the daring lady who was being sold to me, whom I accepted out of pity. At first glance, I saw an ordinary looking female in a white dress. She hardly put any effort in dressing up. She looked simple.

But…

I cleared my throat, she did look stunning but she was an average looking female. She wasn't what I expected to see. Why was she late then? Busy with another man?

My eyes turned chillier, the temperature in the room dropped. Maybe it was the air-conditioning. Maybe it was me.

“You're late.”

I informed coldly.

Her gaze flickered over to me, my eyes were fixed firmly on her face expecting to see her move back in fear, but all that came out of her mouth were.

“And you are rude.”

I didn't speak. Not because I couldn't find words to tackle with her. But I was simply amazed by her audacity.

I'm in for lots of questioning and queries if I don't result in something heart wrenching.

At that moment when those words came out, the older woman who stepped into the room with her ran over to her and tugged at her shoulder.

She muttered something to her.

“Time is expensive, I don't waste time on useless deals. You are the one on sale, I'm simply here to collect.”

Just like lightning speed, the sound echoed loud and violent in the silent room.

I was the one who fekyt the pain, stinging right on my cheek. But the people present in the room were the ones gasping. I could still feel the hotness on my cheek. That was how intense the slap had been.

The audacity. The unbelievable arrogance.

I didn't speak,I didn't flinch nor did I touch my cheek. I only blinked once, then rose up to my full height, then leaned forward.

“If you're emotional now, I wonder how dramatic the wedding vows will be.”

I guess nobody expected that. I didn't expect that reaction from me either.

Just so she knows, she just started what she wouldn't be able to finish. Her life with me will be unbearable and filled with pains of different sort

“You're disgus…..”

Before she could finish her words, she was pulled back. The older woman…the one dolled up as if she owned the night, she was just about to raise her hand up in the air.

“You're angry, but I can assure you that's the least of your problems.”

The woman stopped at my words. This bride of mine didn't flinch at the warning, acting as if she didn't hear the dangerousness in it.

If not shown,I knew it,I read it from her eyes.

“You can go home, refuse to sign the contract and lose everything. But hit me again and I will kiss you in front of the cameras. Hit me after that and I'll bite….hard.”