THE WIFE'S GAMBIT: CONTRACT MARRIAGE

CHAPTER ONE My cheek flared with heat, the echo of the slap rang still in my ears, and time seemed to slow as the sharp pain radiated throughout my face. I stumbled back at the impact, my hand found my face impulsively, I lowered my head in case he tried to slap me again.“You're going to keep acting stubborn, huh?” Marco snarled, pulling me by the hair and lifting my face to meet his. “Do you know how much money I lose every day because of you?” He grabbed me roughly by the face, his breath reeked of cigarettes and alcohol, I wished I could cry but I had run out of tears somehow, anger and humiliation simmered within me but I was helpless against him, if I tried anything funny they could hurt me worse than they already had.“I will break you, you don't want to work right? Let's see how you do two more days without food.” He hissed, letting go of my face he stormed out of the room leaving me to the mercy of two Samoan-looking men. I crumpled up in a corner in the empty room, to th

CHAPTER THREE I woke up to the sound of someone rustling in the room and when I peered to see who it was, I saw Mrs. Elton draping the blinds shut. “Good morning, Mrs. Elton,” I greeted, stifling a yawn.“Oh dear, did I wake you? I didn't mean to.” She said, “It's really, okay, I should be up anyways, what time is it?” I yawned, looking around for an alarm clock. “It's 12pm.” She replied, turning down the thermostat.“Oh, shit.” I exclaimed, becoming fully awake. Mrs. Elton chuckled, moving towards the door she said “Brunch will be ready soon, Yara will help you out with your bath.” I wanted to let her know that I could prepare my bath myself but she left the room before I could say anything. Yara bolted in later, with a huge smile on her face, she looked like a happy person and the dimples on her face quite suited her personality, she was also quite the chatterbox. After I had gotten out of the bath, she had clothes laid on the bed and I wondered whom they'd belong to. Yara

It had been over a month since I signed the contract with Richard and to be honest there wasn't much to do. Yara wouldn't hear of me helping around the house, treating me like I'd break if I touched a sponge. And Remo; my assigned bodyguard wouldn’t accept my request to leave the house because ‘The boss’ disapproves of it. I had gained a couple pounds and my bruises had healed, well, most of them. “You're wearing this boring outfit again?” Yara sighed, as she walked into my room with a tray of smoothie and snacks. “I really like you, Mrs. Lenora but I hate your sense of style.” “No one wears fancy dresses and jewelry at home," I retorted, snapping my journal shut.“You're the lady of the house at least look the part, on some occasions.” She responded, leaving the tray on a stool, she went ahead to open the window drapes muttering under her breath. “And let some light in, this room looks as gloomy as your outfit.” “Sometimes I wonder who is incharge of who.” I chuckled, taking a si

“You wouldn’t be this tired if you went to bed when you were asked to.” Richard nagged, as Vanya handed me a cup of coffee at the breakfast table.“Is this Latte?” I yawned.“It's a Macchiato.” She responded, gesturing for me to drink up.I took a sip and grimaced at the bitter taste of the coffee. I've always been a sweet tooth and did not have a good liking for bitter things. “I can't take this, I need cream with it and sugar.”Richard shook his head at Vanya in disapproval and she retreated to the kitchen in silence, “What do you mean, I can't have cream and sugar with my coffee?” I ranted.“Take your coffee and breakfast, so that we can leave, I haven't got all day.” He reprimanded.“I thought you said Remo was taking me?” I asked, trying to gulp down the coffee in large portions. “Times like this, you make me feel like I'm dealing with some sort of child.” Richard sighed.“I don't recall ever telling you I was mature, you just assumed that.” I retorted, taking the last gulp of t

It had been a week since I had begun working at The House of Osvaldo, with my former experience, I had an insight on how things worked even though this was a luxury brand. Remo finally gave me the space I needed at work and I worked tirelessly with Michelle towards the launch of their newest fashion collection ‘Corletta’ .After one of my supervisions with Michelle and the designers for the collection, I made my way to the restroom to take a piss. I had my own private restroom but I didn't want to stress going up three floors to take a piss. The restroom was empty when I got in and I took a stall to relieve myself. I heard the restroom door open and some women chattering their way in, and for some reason I couldn't help but eavesdrop. “I was surprised as well when I heard the boss was married.” The first voice said, and the sound of water gushing from the tap accompanied it.“We all know he's gay, he's probably using her as a cover, I mean no one has ever seen him with a woman and