Chapter 2: You'll Need It

Tara

He enters the elevator. He's immense. My God… I want him… and that breathtaking beauty. But it's not his beauty that leaves me speechless, it's his gaze, a killing gaze. He towers over me, holds out his hand to get his phone back.

— Give it to me.

I touch my blouse while looking at him. His eyes follow my gesture and plunge into my cleavage. A flash of desire? Maybe, but so brief I thought I'd imagined it.

— It's in my blouse. Come and get it.

— Stop playing games with me, young lady. I don't have patience for your childish antics.

— Then I'll consider that you don't want your phone anymore.

He approaches so abruptly that I tremble with fear. I curl up, as if to protect myself. His breath brushes my face; I slowly open my eyes and lift my head to meet his devastating gaze.

He leans in slowly and whispers in my ear:

— Tell me, little bee, what do you want? You're buzzing in my ears like a bee, are you going to sting me? What do you want to give me back my phone?

— Just one kiss, to give you back your phone.

— Little hussy, you won't taste my lips. They are sacred; my body is sacred. Not everyone gets to taste them.

— I'm not just anyone; I am your future wife.

He bursts out laughing as he tries to push me out of the elevator.

— We're blocking people from moving. I didn't know I was engaged. Since when, anyway?

I stare at him and answer confidently:

— Soon you'll know, and it will be with me.

— You can keep dreaming. Why would I stay single at my age? To saddle myself with spoiled little girls like you, who only know how to chase after men?

— I'm not what you describe. I studied; I have degrees; and I run my own company with an iron fist. And you, besides managing business with your father, what do you do?

— Give me my phone.

He makes a move towards me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my father approaching with long strides. I make the only decision that comes to mind to get his attention: I throw myself at Mike and kiss him with all my might, then I struggle as if he were the one trying to assault me. He doesn't understand, tries to hold me back to "keep me from hurting myself," and I scream:

— Daddy! Help!

Time seems suspended. My father stops, sees us, and charges. Mike turns around and receives a punch that makes him stagger. He wipes his mouth; his lips are split.

— What are you doing to my daughter? You're as crazy as your father.

My father holds me close.

— Are you okay?

— Yes… he… he tried to assault me.

My father lands another punch on Mike. The latter doesn't defend himself, but says coldly:

— Your daughter is a liar.

— I trust my daughter. She has never lied to me. You will answer for your actions. No one lays a hand on my princess.

— Daddy, I want him to marry me. He must make amends.

— That good-for-nothing isn't good enough for you, princess.

— But he's the one I want.

— Are you sure? You can find better than him.

Voices rise; my father is furious.

— Do you think I'm merchandise? I'm here, damn it! No one will force me to marry this liar.

He gets up and faces my father. The two men are red with anger. Then my father grabs his phone; to my great surprise, he has his father's number.

He speaks firmly:

— Tell your son to marry my daughter. He tried to rape her. He will answer for his actions, otherwise I declare war on you.

He hangs up and turns to Mike:

— We'll be waiting for you at our table. With the ring.

We leave him there. Before leaving, Mike's phone rings I'd forgotten I had it. I hand it to him; he snatches it from my hands. No matter. I got what I wanted: he's going to marry me. He'll soon be my husband. I'm over the moon.

On the way, my father stops and looks at me gravely.

— He never tried to rape you, did he?

I lower my head. He lifts it so I look at him.

— You know… it will be hard for him to like you. Didn't you have another solution?

— At the moment, it was the only one I could find.

— Good luck, my girl. You'll need it.