Chapter 4-The Cold Wedding

Natalie's POV

We finally arrived at the hotel, my heart heavy from lots of thoughts. Mitchell pulled me along until we reached the door. She pushed it open and we stepped in.

In there already was my step-father and my step-sister. Both the mother and daughter wore similar outfits. They dressed even prettier than I did. And in the room were two other men. I could tell at once who the groom was.

He sat at one of the chairs,dressed in sharp black from head to toe. Not even his tie was out of place. No phone in hand, no drink…just stillness.

So this was the man I was being sold to. He didn't rise, didn't greet me nor did he offer a smile.

How cold.

All those added to my anger, not even a name.

But the first thing he did was to tell me about being late. Did he think I wanted to be here?

My fingers curled up at the side. We kept bickering until I hit him. Where did that audacity come from? Up till the moment he threatened to do all those things.

My weakness ever since I was born was facing cold men. I've heard and seen their level of brutality.

The private dining room had turned cold as the man standing before me.

There was no flower, no music, no friends except the forced family I had to accept and the lawyer who spoke with folded hands.

“I guess we should start now.”

Mitchell finally spiked up trying to ease the awkwardness.

I stood still, while Mitchell went to take a seat beside her husband and daughter. They were her new family…. obviously they've been family for a long while.

I'm such a fool.

“You should take a seat beside your lord.”

My ears itched. Lord? I tried showing confidence to meet his gaze, but I couldn't. I was on a pretense, with a slightly raised chin,I took a seat beside him. But I didn't forget to leave a seat between us

The lawyer cleared his throat. “We'll begin.”

I was handed a pen, but I didn't take it.

If I took the pen, it means I am ready to sign my life away to this cold man.

“Ms, do you consent to this arrangement as agreed?”

The pen trembled in the lawyer's hand, still reaching out to me. My hand refused to move. The silence thickened. Then,a whisper brushed my ear. Low but ruthless.

“Sign,or I'll start making your life a living hell right in front of your mother.”

I froze. He must have seen something and must have used my mother against me.

My eyes darted over to her, who was wringing her hands nervously. The look on her face told a story of dejection and reluctance.

I wonder where she got her acting skills from.

I took the pen, then drew the paper closer to myself.

And then signed.

I didn't read it. What would be the use of spending another precious moment on that?

No vows, no rings. Just a name scribbled on a paper. I pushed it to him without looking at him.

“Mr. Donaldson.”

That was his last name.

In a few seconds, he stood up and looked down at me. “I'll be waiting for you outside.” The sound of something dropping on the floor rang in the room, then he walked off,no glance no acknowledgement.

I was about to sigh, knowing the hell I'm storming into. Then his voice came, right before he vanished from the room.

“Order something to eat.”

I knew that wasn't for me. I bit my lower lip harshly and then stood up ready to leave. I was on the edge of saying goodbye when I remembered that I have no family.

I dashed out of the room so that I could keep up with his pace.

Outside the hotel,I already could see him entering a black sedan. Just at the nick of time,I held the door that was about to fly close.

“I want to get my luggage from the car.”

“I could afford you, so which of your needs won't I be able to meet?”

Those words were hot slaps. He was getting back at me. He didn't waste time. He promised already to make my life a living hell.

My skin crawled at the words, I slowly slammed the door shut and did a turn. I opened the door and got in.

Immediately the car started, he had a driver. He closed his eyes and raised his chin, while I had to breath with care. I didn't dare breathe too loudly in fear that he might reach for my lung and snap it at once.

The drive was silent, I observed the road all through the drive to my new home.

The car drove into the compound, more like what I expected. It was a tall and huge building. At a glance, I could tell how cold it would be inside the house.

“Do you prefer to live in the car?”

Those words invaded my thoughts and that's when I realized that he had gotten out already. I opened the door and got out. Before I did, he was miles away.

At the entrance of the house, stood a burly man I'm black suit.

I could as well call my husband a devil. All I see surround him is pure darkness.

As the man saw us approach, he opened the door. I ended up running to meet his speed,but when I was about entering, the man let go of the door and the door slammed shut.

He didn't bother throwing me a glance.

What could that mean?

I don't value.

I got the door myself and entered. It was more like a palace. Something I have never witnessed.

“We sleep in different rooms, unless on special demands.”

What the hell of a special demand could that be?

“Take her to the guest room.”

I finally looked around to check who he was speaking to. At the side, there was a roll of ladies standing awaiting his arrival. I was impressed. No wonder dad had something to do with him.

He was royalty after all.

A lady stepped forward and started leading the way. As we continued moving, I was impressed, but I felt something was gone.

I realized it when I reached for my phone, and I found it gone. Then my purse…empty.

My ID, credit card, even my sim card.. they were all missing. I halted raising an alarm.

“I want to leave to check for my missing items.”

I was sure I had these things.

“No one leaves without sir's permission.”

I couldn't believe my ears. I stormed back to where I came from,but I was blocked at the door.

“I want to speak to him.”

“Sir's in a meeting.”

What? He wouldn't even have showered, yet a meeting had started all of a sudden.

Had I been kidnapped?