CHAPTER 2

CELINE’S POV

My heart beat wildly against my chest when I realised this was happening again. The past is going to repeat itself and I might make the same mistake twice, which is something I will never agree to. I remember what happened after I tried to run out of the room.

Father came just in time to meet us here. We came for a party and I left because I got humiliated by my friends in college. I was about to leave the restroom to breathe in some fresh air outside when I stumbled across Nicholas in the hallway. I helped him into his room and the rest is a story.

“Get your hands off me,” I said with gritted teeth, breathing heavily and that seemed to do the magic. Nicholas' eyes flashed open and he saw me. His eyes scanned the room as if trying to process what was actually happening.

His lips parted but I knew what he was going to say next. He is going to ask me what I did to him but I don't need that right now. I want to leave this place quickly and escape from my father before he catches us here. We were here to celebrate Nicholas' father's business but instead, I ended up having a one-night stand with Nicholas.

“Tonight is a mistake, Nicholas. We were both drunk and which is why this happened.” I said and quickly picked up my dress. Tears threatened to fall from my eyes but I swallowed them back even though I wanted to lash out at him.

I wanted to ask him why it had to be me of all people. And why did he allow Gina to maltreat me so much as to even cause my death? Maybe he would finally realise I have loved him all my life. Maybe he would come to acknowledge my existence.

He kept looking at me, not saying a word and I picked up my bag from the floor. He got down from the bed, revealing his nakedness and my face flushed red. I didn't expect him to be this shameless and this scene didn't appear in my past life.

“I will compensate you for this, Celine,” he said, calling my name and it kept ringing in my ear as if I just heard a sweet lullaby. So he knew my name?

I know I was supposed to be happy that finally, the guy I have had a crush on actually called my name in this lifetime but I know the kind of person Nicholas is. He was my husband after all and what did he just say?

Compensate me?

Now that felt like a blow and can't stand the humiliation that might come after this.

“Sorry, if anyone needs to do that it will be me. I'm in a hurry, so I need to leave now and thanks for the great fuck.” I said and left the room, not bothering to check what Nicholas' expression was like.

Shock, Shame or Embarrassment?

I don't even want to know what he thought after giving him a rude reply. My heart was still beating like crazy and I am happy I said those words without stuttering but then, it seems I was late. Father was already walking towards my way.

“Dad” I called but the moment Father got close to me, he slapped me across the face and I staggered with shock evident in my eyes. My cheeks burned but father's eyes were red with anger.

My eyes were brewing with tears instead and it didn't go unnoticed by Father.

“Who were you with?” Father asked and I swallowed hard. I had thought he wouldn't know once I escaped from this place but it seems he was deliberately informed.

“Dad” I said and gave him an awkward smile just to divert his attention.

“I lost my way after going to the restroom. No one was…” I began only to get cut off.

“She was with me” I heard a commanding voice say behind me.

My heart skipped a beat, knowing fully well that it was Nicholas. With each step he takes towards me, my heart skipped a beat.

“What?” Father asked in shock. He raised his hand again and I closed my eyes, waiting for him to slap me across the face.

However, the slap didn't come. I flutter my eyes open to see Nicholas holding Father's hand.

“You were with Nicholas?” Father snapped, his voice laced with disappointment just like in the past.

Nicholas released his hand and adjusted his shirt, which was a little bit rumpled, evidence of what had happened between us.

“You will take responsibility for this Nicholas. You defiled my daughter and you will have to marry her. No one will want to be with her knowing that she had something with you.” Father said and I know it was all a lie.

In the past, I thought he wanted me to marry Nicholas because of what happened only to find out later that it was all because of his company. I know Nicholas wouldn't agree to this just like in the past. He hated my guts and I had already made it clear that this night was a mistake.

“Father, nothing happened between us…” My voice trailed off when Nicholas suddenly cut me off.

“I will take responsibility for my actions,” Nicholas said and my eyes widened with disbelief.

What did he just say?

No.

I think I must have heard wrong.

“I know I am at fault here so I will do your wish. I will marry Celine as per your request.” Nicholas declared and I felt air sucked out of my lungs.

“Good. Then we will have to make things hasten.” Father told Nicholae and he didn't interject.

What changed?

Why is he suddenly acting weird?

This is not how things were in my past life, nor could my actions have struck a nerve in him. I clenched my hands against my side.

“Celine” Father called my name, looking at me.

“Meet me at the hall when you are done. I know you will never disgrace me. You have found yourself a worthy man. We will talk later, Nicholas” Father said and walked away, leaving us.

“You forgot this,” Nicholas said and showed me my necklace. I shut my eyes and opened them again.

“Seriously?” I asked and took a step closer towards Nicholas.

“What are you driving at? Why did you suddenly agree to my father's outrageous request?” I asked him and he tucked his hand inside his pocket, looking down.

When Nicholas looked up, it took everything in me not to swoon at his beauty. “You told me we had a good fuck, so I was trying to do it again with you,”

“Wow. So you think I am so cheap that I would even have something to do with you?” I asked him and continued. “Well, If you think I took advantage of you, then take this.” I said and took out some bills from my backpack.

“Take this and use it to take care of yourself” I said and Nicholas sighed.

“Advantage of you?” Nicholas asked, his voice laced with anger. In a twinkle of an eye, Nicholas closed the distance between us. He tilted my chin and a cold smile graced his lips.

I breathed in his expensive cologne and I felt the boldness in me breaking. I will never let him intimidate me. Not in this lifetime.

“You think I want to marry you or something?” Nicholas said and my joy knew no bounds.

I know he will not agree to this so he can reject me right now. All I need to do is tell him to inform my father that he can go on with it.

“But I had to do this because of your father,” Nicholas added and my heart jumped in fear. He is going to marry me.

“I am saving you from shame Celine. So be a good girl and act like we are deeply in love. I am going to agree with this marriage and see how far things go.” Nicholas said and brought out his phone from his pocket.

This wasn't what he said in the past. So why is everything changing? I still need to convince him one last time. I insulted him, so I thought he was going to back out of this.

“Why?” I asked when he suddenly turned to leave.

“I know you have a reason, so tell me. Is the money I offered you not enough? Do you want me to give you more?” I asked Nicholas and he turned to face me.

“So you really thought I needed your money?” I asked in disbelief. I know he didn't need my money but I only want to anger him.

Nicholas took a step closer and I stopped breathing. I can't believe he still has the same effect on me.

His hand caught my waist and I almost gasped in shock. “You are a virgin, Celine, so I am trying to make things right,” Nicholas said in a whisper and my face flushed with anger and shame.

He caught on.

He knew I was a virgin.

Fuck!

I laughed out and slapped his chest tightly. “Wait, I thought you were drunk? I think you are being delusional here Nicholas. A virgin at this age?” I asked and tried to hide the nervousness in my voice.

“Sorry to hurt your ego. I have been with many men before you. Don't think…”

“Hello Father. I have an urgent matter to discuss with you.” Nicholas said, cutting me off as he walked away.

My throat burned and I felt bile rise. I am going to let him walk away after trying to humiliate me. This is just an excuse. He couldn't possibly know I am a virgin.

“Come back here Nicholas!” I yelled, biting the inside of my cheeks.

“I can't agree with this. I am not going to marry you!” I yelled out in anger and ran after Nicholas.