6

“Hi! I'm Oliver Hall. CEO of Olie's design.” His oblong-shaped face was graced with a gorgeous smile that spread all the way to his honey-brown eyes as he extended his hand to me for a handshake.

“Hi…hi!” My heart was beating so loudly in my chest that I failed to hear my nervous voice as I shook his hand briefly, and damn! His palm was so warm.

“As a designer, I would choose her over Ms Susan to model my dress…” he paused, then lifted his gaze to Susan, a soft smile playing on his lips as he said. “I don't mean to talk down on you, Ms. Susan. Just that her body fit more into the dress than yours even as a professional model.”

Susan's eyes burned with fury, her jaws clenched tightly as she threw me a murderous glare.

Hope and relief coursed through me. My confidence was suddenly boosted with just that single gesture from him.

My eyes wandered off to Viktor, and I was welcomed by his hard glare, which faded into a smile immediately his eyes met with Oliver's.

“Mr. Hall… you are here. This way, please.” He stepped forward, wanting to distract Oliver from me.

“You haven't told me your name yet. What's your name?” Oliver's eyes bored into mine as he asked.

“I'm Jessica. Jessica Hemsworth.”

“Jessica…” he muttered, his eyes scanning my body for a split second before looking back at my face again.

“You look good in the dress, by the way.” He smiled at me before walking away with Viktor, not even waiting for me to thank him.

*****

“What the hell was that, Jess?” Viktor's loud voice echoed in the room as he barged inside, slamming the door behind him.

The party ended an hour ago, and I returned to my room immediately while he was busy attending to the guests.

“What the hell were you doing, throwing yourself at another man?” He ranted.

I could see his reflection in the mirror in front of me. His eyes were burning with fury, but I didn't bother.

“I was modeling a dress, Viktor. That’s all.” I didn’t look at him.

“You didn’t have to smile at him like that.” 

I turned around, folding my arms across my chest. “And why does it matter?”

“Because you’re my wife.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Wife? You mean the woman you married out of convenience and barely speak to unless you’re angry?”

“Jessica!” He snapped at me, covering the distance between us, but I stood on the same spot. I didn't flinch.

“You don’t get to play victim here, Jessica. You wanted this marriage.”

I flinched slightly at those words. “Is that what you really think?”

“I know it. You planned it all. The sudden affection, the timing, everything—it was calculated. You trapped me, Jessica.”

He looked away for a second, jaw clenched. “You knew I was vulnerable. You used that to your advantage.”

“Fine. Then get a divorce.” I pushed him off and stated, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes.

He stared at me, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he huffed.

"Divorce?" he scoffed.

"That is really bold of you. First, you disobeyed me, and now you are mentioning divorce? Did something come over you?" He closed the distance between us, his eyes piercing into mine.

My stomach churned with disgust as his breath fanned my face.

"Don't even dream of it, Jessica. You wanted this marriage. You schemed this whole thing. What makes you think that I'm going to let you go now, huh?" he snapped.

“Jessica…” he pulled me close again, his arm wrapping around my waist. “You can't get away from me. We are stuck together.”

His eyes roamed around my chest lustfully, biting his lip.

"I never knew you were this sexy, you know?" He took his hand to my hair and ripped off the band, letting my hair fall freely down my shoulders.

"You look even more beautiful with your hair down." he hushed, his hand rubbing its way down my waist, as he leaned close to kiss me.

If this were my past life, I would’ve longed for him to come closer. But now, after seeing his true colors, all I feel is disgust.

"Get the fuck away from me!" I gathered the strength in me and pushed him away.

"Don't touch me!"

Viktor frowned. "Whoa! Is that a new pattern? You've been amazing me since today. I would've loved this new Jessica, but your gut is annoying the shit out of me ." he scratched the back of his neck, chuckling.

He stopped abruptly, his face hardened as he said coldly, "Strip, Jessica. Now!"

"What!"

"Don't make me repeat myself, Jessica." I watched as he walked over to the door, locked it, and removed the keys.

"I told you to strip!" His voice made me panic, but I didn't flinch. I could hear the pounding of my heart in my ears, my body was trembling inside, but I kept a straight face, not wanting to give him the benefit of seeing me scared.

"Have you lost your mind, Viktor?" My voice almost quivered, but I was glad I could keep it together.

“You know exactly what I’m saying.” His gaze dropped briefly to my lips, then returned to my eyes. “You’ve schemed me everything in this sham of a marriage. Now, you want to flirt with another man right in front of me?”

“I didn’t—”

He cut me off. “If you’re so desperate for male attention, start with your husband.”

Before I could react, he yanked me toward him, one arm locking around my waist. I froze, my breath catching in my throat, my entire body stiff with resistance.

“Let go of me, Viktor,” I said through clenched teeth, pushing at his chest. But he wouldn’t budge.

Panic surged in my chest, and I twisted hard in his grip. His arm slipped just enough—I broke free and stumbled back, racing to the door.

“Don’t come any closer!” I shouted, my voice shaking. “I swear I’ll call the cops if you lay another finger on me!”

He didn’t listen. His eyes darkened as he stepped forward again.

“You’re hurting me, Viktor,” I cried, my voice cracking as my back pressed against the door.

As if that would stop him.

Just as I gave up fighting, a knock came on the door.

"Shit!" he cursed silently.

"Go back, Jeremy. Daddy is busy!" he snapped out as he pulled his zipper down.

"Excuse me, please? Is everything alright in there?"

My eyes snapped open when a different voice spoke. A familiar voice that I quick recognised. It was Mr. Hall.

Viktor's face dilated in shock as he froze, and I heard him whisper. "Mr. Hall?"