Chapter 5

Chapter 6

This had to be the eeriest ride back home, and more than anything, Aella was grateful that it was almost over.

Throughout the ride home, her mind flashed back to the sight of jubilation when she agreed to get married to Damien. She remembered plastering a fake smile on her face as people of high caliber came to congratulate them both with huge gifts.

"Finally, my son has become a man," his mother said with tears in her eyes as she congratulated them especially.

"There's no need to cry, mom."This is supposed to be a moment of joy. Don't dampen it with  tears, Damien consoled her.

"I'm not crying because I'm sad." She got herself some handkerchiefs to clean her eyes. "I'm just happy that you've finally gotten over that daughter of Jezebel called Amelia. I'm happy you've decided to settle down with a good girl. Although the information came as a shock to me and the marriage was a quick one, I'm satisfied that you're now married. Your bride looks even more beautiful than that ex of  yours, she teased Aella, who managed to smile a little at her compliment.

"Now, you both know the next thing to do. I want to hold my grandson in my arms before I leave this world, Damien. I want you to give an heir to your father's  wealth, she said with a more serious face.

"Stop acting like you're dying tomorrow, mom."Don't  worry, he dragged Aella close with his hand on the small of her back and placed a kiss on her forehead. "We'll give you what we want as soon as  possible,"he assured his mother, and they all had a hearty laugh.

Funny how the same person who acted romantic hours ago had his head buried in his laptop, barely acknowledging her presence, despite the fact that they were in the same car. She needed no one to tell her that he was doing all that for show.

"We're home, boss," his driver announced, and he got his eyes off the laptop for the first time since the ride began.

"Good. Get  down, he ordered Aella without even looking her way.

As they highlighted and approached the two-way mahogany door, the driver followed behind with a small bag that contained Aella's belongings.

"Thank you, Phil. Hand me my wife's bag. I'll take it from  here, he said to the driver.

The driver obeyed and took a bow before taking his leave.

Once they got into the house, Damien left the bag to fall to the ground, and it fell on Aella's feet.

"Ow! That hurt!", She cried in pain, but he didn't bother to give her a response.

"You don't have to keep acting in front of other people, you know. If you didn't want to take the bag, you should've allowed  me, she muttered in annoyance.

"Keep shut as you follow me," his baritone voice filled the large living room.

Aella couldn't help but gape in awe at the magnificence of Damien's house. She noticed the other fleet of cars outside, but his interior screamed wealth. From the Persian rug on the marble tiles to the high, whitewashed ceiling that held fancy incandescent lights, The furniture looked expensive without even being used.

"I know you haven't seen wealth before, but I really need to get some rest for tomorrow. When I say, Follow me,  obey, his harsh words interrupted her moment of admiration, and his gray look wiped away the smile on his face.

Still, she had no choice but to follow him up the gold-laced stairs.

"I know we signed a contract, but staying with you in the same room as you will be the last thing I'd do."

"I've never allowed a pauper into my room, and I won't start now," he cut her off.

Shock and anger flowed through her veins, but she didn't say a single word. She simply followed him to a small, barely cozy room.

"This is where you'll stay until the contract is off," he instructed.

She took a look around the room and nodded. It's not like she could complain.

"Fair enough. I forgot to ask, when do I get to start working?"

She turned to the doorway, only to realize that Damien had left her by herself in her room.

She walked to the bed and collapsed on it, allowing it to embrace her.

"Even if I made the wrong decision, I did it for my family." Slowly, her eyes shut, and she drifted into a deep sleep.

****

"I need to talk to you, Damien!" She barged into his room. She knew he'd have her head cut off for her actions, but she didn't care. It was urgent.

She scanned the room, only to realize that he was nowhere to be found. Just then, she heard the revving engine of a car downstairs. She walked to the window and saw Damien driving out of the compound.

"Shit!!", She cursed and swore at herself angrily. She was too late.

"Now I'd have to wait till he gets back before I tell him to fulfill his own part of the contract," she sighed, slumping on his bed.

Just then, she felt his vibration in his pocket.

She took it out of her pocket, and she saw that it was a call from Dr. Martinez.

"Good morning, doctor. I know my grandma's health is at stake. I promise I'll pay the money soon.

"I'm surprised you're sounding like this. I just called to thank you for paying her bills on time. We'll start the surgery  immediately, the doctor said.

Aella was confused.

"Her bills have been paid for already?" She mumbled, perplexed.

"Yes, it has. You'll have to come to the hospital to sign some documents, however. Have a nice  day, the doctor said, ending the call.

Aella was still trying to figure out what was happening when she got a call from an unknown number.

"Who's this?" she questioned immediately after she picked up the call.

"It's Collins," was the answer she got.

"What?!", She jumped from the bed in sheer shock.

"Wh... How did you?"

"I just got woken up this morning, and they told me I was free and that you'd paid for bail already. How did it happen?"

It didn't take Aella long for her to figure out what was going on.

"How did you get the money for the bail, Aella? How did you do it?" came her brother's question.

She heaved a sigh of relief.

"I got married."