TRAPPED

Preview:

"YOU'RE GOING TO MARRY BRYAN DILLS

Those words hit me like a bucket of ice water. I just stood there, staring at the woman who was supposed to be my mother."

MELANIES POV:

“Mom, please,” I choked out. “Can you just give my father back his company shares?”

My mom didn’t even look up from her vanity mirror, totally unfazed. “I’ve already told you what to do, Melanie. Just give Mr. Charlie what he wants from you tonight.”

A sick feeling rolled through my stomach. “I can’t just sleep with a total stranger!”

“Then you can forget about the shares,” she snapped.

“Mom!!”

Before she could say anything else, Dawson walked in with that annoying, smug grin on his face. My mom instantly softened, looking at him like he hung the moon. “Your dad and I are here for you, Melanie. Just leave that wretched old man behind.”

That was it. Fire flared in my chest. “Dawson is no way my dad!”

SLAP.

The force of her hand sent my head snapping to the side. My cheek burned, but the pain in my chest was worse.

“How dare you?” she hissed.

Dawson put a hand on her waist, playing the good guy. “Honey, take it easy on her.”

I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth and stared them both down. “Send me the address,” I said, and walked out.

Mr. Frederick is my real dad. We used to live as a happy family until my mom got married to Dawson and literally chased us out of our own house, including my sister Melissa. Days later, my dad and sister got into a horrific car accident. They’ve been hospitalized ever since. And now, my own mother wanted me to have a one-night stand with a total stranger just to pay their medical bills and get my dad's shares back. I honestly hated this woman.

By the time I got to the lodge, the rain was pouring. I fumbled with my phone, but the screen flashed once and died. Fuck, my battery is flat. How was I supposed to know which room she sent?

Was it 402 or 403? Standing in the dark hallway, shaking from the cold and sheer nerves, I decided to just go for 403. It sounded familiar.

I opened the door staggeringly. The room was damn dark, suffocatingly quiet.

Suddenly, a hand held me from behind.

“Good day, sir,” I said, shaking violently.

“What do you want?” a deep voice demanded. I could smell the heavy alcohol mixed with expensive cologne. He was completely drunk, his grip bruising but firm.

I was totally short on words. I couldn't tell him I was a transactional plaything. So, out of pure panic, the only words that came out were, “Sir... I love you.”

He let out a dark laugh. “Get lost.”

Fuck, how am I gonna do this? I can't leave without the money. “I mean it,” I said reluctantly.

Instead of pushing me away, he suddenly pulled me into his arms. He laid me down on the cozy bed and pulled closer slowly. When our lips met, I shivered, but a strange warmth washed over me. I actually felt a little comfortable with him on top of me. His hands moved over my body, slowly pulling my clothes away, and I did the same to him, needing to feel his heat against the cold rain outside.

The dark room completely drowned out the horror of my reality until the night consumed us entirely.

Early the next morning, I woke up and went straight to the bathroom to get washed. On my return, I found out that my one-night stand had already left.

I looked towards the side table and saw a thick bundle of money. Did he forget my words and actions last night? Well, sounds better for me.

I didn’t go home directly. I went straight to the witch’s house. She was supposed to pay for my dad’s medical bills after this.

I slammed the door open. “Mom, I’ve done what you want. Can you pay my dad’s bill now?”

My mom stood up, her face twisted in rage. “You bitch! What did you do? You kept Mr. Charlie waiting in room 402 all night, and here you are asking for money? You must be sick like your dad as well!”

My blood ran cold. Room 402. I went into 403.

“What... what do you mean?”

“What she means is that you get lost,” Dawson said, stepping forward.

“I leave whenever I want to,” I snapped, glare-locking him. “If there is any soul who should leave, I believe that could be you!”

I saw him raise a fist, but fuck, I had to spit the truth first.

“Melanie, you’re gonna marry Bryan Dills,” my mom said suddenly.

I froze. I thought I didn’t hear right. What did she just say? I’ll marry who?

“What?! Marry Bryan Dills? Do I look like a commodity which you can push around? First you made me have a night stand with a stranger whom I know not, now you want me to marry Bryan Dills? Do you really call yourself a mom?”

“Would you shut it?” she yelled. “It’s rather you marry Bryan Dills, or you forget about your dad’s shares. So the deal is up to you to decide.”

I was completely down. Why would a mother be this ruthless and wicked? But I had no other choice because I couldn’t let her keep my dad’s shares.

“Okay, I will marry him,” I said, my voice shaking but firm. “But promise you’re gonna give my dad’s shares back the week after the wedding.”

She actually smiled. “I know you’re a smart girl, you just act childish at times.”

“That’s not a promise,” I said, ignoring her chitchat.

“I’ll.”

“Still not a promise.”

“Promise,” she said reluctantly.

I walked out immediately, literally tired of listening to her lies. I rushed straight to my dad’s hospital to pay their bills with the money the stranger left.

But the moment I got to the ward, the doctor walked out looking down. “Sorry, Miss Melanie... we lost your sister.”

I froze. The world went completely silent. My sister is dead. My mom killed her by holding back the money.

“She killed her... the witch killed her! No, she isn’t dead right?!” I screamed, hanging onto the doctor’s coat.

“I’m sorry, miss. We’re all sorry. We all tried our best to save her.”

I collapsed, tears completely blinding me. Melissa was dead. What am I now? Why is she so wicked? Through the haze, I handed over the stranger's money to pay for my dad’s surgery bills. I couldn't lose him too.

Moments later, the doctor came out after two hours of surgery.

“Doctor!” I arose, calling out to him.

“He is fine, he just needs some rest,” he said. I nodded as he left. How the hell am I gonna explain Melissa’s death to him?

I walked into the room. “Dad,” I said softly after I saw his eyes open.

“Melanie,” he called out weakly.

“How do you feel?”

“Much better,” he said with a faint smile. I felt a sharp pain in my chest looking at him.

“Thank goodness,” I said, forcing a smile back.

“How is your sister?”

I felt completely broken. I had to look away immediately to avoid letting my tears out. “Dad... I’m sorry. I couldn’t foot her bills on time. I was late.”

A pin drop could be heard in the ward. Neither of us said a word.

“Dad, I’m getting married to Bryan Dills,” I said after we both calmed down.

His eyes snapped open. “What? Why? Did Ann force you to do this?”

“Not really,” was all I could say.

“Melanie, you shouldn’t do all these for the shares!”

“I should, dad. I should,” I said, almost sob-choking. He released a heavy breath and just stared into thin air.

“I’m going to meet him tomorrow.”

“Melanie, please—”

“Dad, you just recovered. Get some rest.” I kissed his forehead and left.

The next morning by 2:00 PM, I arrived at Mr. Bryan’s corporate office.

“Miss, do you have any appointments with our boss?” the receptionist asked, blocking me.

“Do I need an appointment to come to my fiancé’s office?”

The receptionist gasped. “Fiancé?” I just nodded. “I’m sorry, ma’am! Please go straight to the 99th floor.”

I smirked a bit. It’s really easy to freak people out.

But when I walked into his office, my mood dropped. There was a lady sitting on his lap. Since he already has a girl, why does the witch want me to marry him?

“What do you want?” the lady asked sassily, glaring at me.

“I came for him,” I said, totally irked by her attitude.

She glared at me, then at the man. He just signaled her to leave with a cold nod. After she strutted out, the man spoke first.

“What do you want?”

I froze for a fraction of a second. Those words sounded incredibly familiar. Even his presence and his scent... Strike it out, Melanie, it’s impossible. Anyone can wear the same cologne.

“Umm, I’m Melanie. The lady who is meant to be your wife.”

“Get out!!”

I crossed my arms, completely matching his energy. “Are you really that cool, driving me out without even hearing me out? Your workers must be suffering under you.”

“Go straight!” he commanded, his eyes narrowing.

“Well, I’m here to strike out our differences. I’m not willing to marry you, and I don’t think you want to marry me either. So let’s have a contract marriage.”

“Why?”

“Cause I’m not interested in living with a stranger. And perhaps I have a mission I have to accomplish within one year. So let’s have a one-year contract marriage.”

“What mission?”

“That’s my private matter.”

He leaned back, a slow smirk playing on his lips. “Well, I think the deal sounds smooth.”

“If there aren’t any objections, I’ll take my leave.”

He just nodded, and I walked out feeling a sudden wave of relief. But despite everything, that strange familiarity kept lingering in my mind.