Chapter 3

The Runaway Bride

RAYMOND

I stared at her with so much curiosity filling my mind. Why did she run away from getting married to me back then? Did she find me unworthy of her? Was that why she ran in the first place? Maybe she didn't like my status as an illegitimate heir of my family..

It wasn't also my choice to get married to her, but I wanted to fulfill a dying wish.

I continued to watch her sleep as different questions filled my mind. Vera used to be a very beautiful woman, I've seen her once before, her skin was as fair as snow and her hair was soft as silk and shiny.

What has happened to her? She looked so pale, worked out and old. What did Francis Coleman do to my betrothed?.

I clenched my fists hard, thinking about all the time she spent together with him..

I did my findings about him, he was not a good man. Francis Coleman was involved in cyber fraud and other illegal business activities. How could Vera fall in love and elope with a man as cocky as him?

Her face seemed so small, and she was very thin. She obviously didn't have a good life with him or even enjoyed her marriage with Francis Coleman. He must've made her go through a lot.

Even after everything, she was still so beautiful. I couldn't help but stare at her and get lost in the sight of her fairy looking face. Vera might've lost her dignity for getting married to a coward, but I won't let her suffer more once she accepts me.

I moved my hand slowly towards her face, trying to get a better feel of her soft skin. Her hair covered a part of her face and I slowly pushed it backwards.

She snuffled in her breath, she seemed so stressed out and seeing her feel this way provoked me the most. I must make Francis pay for what he'd done to Vera.

Picking up my mobile phone and leaving the bedroom, I stared at her one last time before leaving as I wondered how much longer she was going to sleep.

A  message from Collins popped up from my phone screen and I read it briefly. I had a meeting to attend which would take me two hours before I came back to meet her.

Hopefully, Vera will be awake then and I'll have a chat with her. The marriage agreement must be accomplished, especially now that she is back to fight for her inheritance from the hands of her step mother and sister.

Immediately I reached outside the bedroom, I met Collins waiting for me with some files in his hands. I took a single document out of the file and I read it as we both strolled off, heading downstairs.

“Collins, are these all true?” I asked him and he nodded. “Yes, they are. And there's even more.” He explained.

“What?” I was stunned, it was unbelievable.

“Boss, Mr Coleman has even penetrated into our company with the help of his father's relationship with your father, and I know that he is up to no good. I've sent someone to investigate and find out his motives” Collins narrated to me.

I couldn't believe that the cunning man had the guts to try out my company with his fraudulent actions. I wasn't going to make it easy for him. I promise.

With my fists clenched tightly, I smiled briefly as I read the front page of the file completely. “Francis Coleman is going to regret ever trying to mess with me after he's messed with my woman” I said.

Collin's eyes were fixed to my face as he carefully watched my mood as I spoke. He was trying to figure out my plans, but I had too many and he couldn't tell what they all were.

“Collins,” I called out his name and he quickly answered. “Don't you think it's better if I meet Mr Coleman myself? To at least make him a business offer in the company?”

“W– what? Boss, this man is a fraudster” Collins yelled out immediately.

I looked at him and I smiled. “Yes, I know. And I've seen his capabilities. I think it's just better that I offer him this, so he doesn't have to stress himself into falling inside my trap. What do you think?” I asked him.

He shook his head, feeling uncomfortable with my words. “Hmm, boss, you know what's best. If you think that getting into business with him is the best, then I'll support you. When do I set a meeting?” He asked him.

“Tomorrow, as soon as possible. Contact him right away if you may. But I need to be facing Francis Coleman tomorrow” I declared.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

VERA

I woke up feeling a bit of pain in my head and ache on my body. Glaring around where I was laying, the atmosphere seemed peaceful but I couldn't recognize where I was—which sent a little bit of fear into my heart.

I stood up from the comfortable king-sized bed I was laying on and I walked barefooted towards the window. I stared outside and I realized that it was already evening. The bright atmosphere of the bedroom didn't allow me to notice.

Outside the mansion looked extremely huge and beautiful, reminding me of my family villa which I abandoned years ago. I wish I had a way of contacting my family and going back there.

Just by thinking of it, I felt my heart ache sharply and I held my chest quickly. “I will never forgive you, Francis, for doing this to me” I vowed, my voice stuttering into a teary tone and I knew that I was about to cry. I quickly controlled myself. I had to get over it.

Even though I've lost everything and all my inheritance was probably in the hands of my evil stepmom and her daughter. For the past few years, I never imagined that I would ever think of getting my inheritance back after being with Francis.

I loved him so much which made me turn a blind eye to all of that.

My hands were holding tightly onto the window pane but I just had to let go. I recalled that I still didn't know where I was and I had to find that out immediately.

Still walking barefooted, I head outside the bedroom trying to go downstairs

Although I didn't know my way around or where I was heading, I just continued to walk down the long hallway filled with so many different bedrooms. I finally found the staircase and I sauntered downstairs to the huge living room.

The place was totally empty. Even though I could recall that a man appeared to me right before I passed out, I didn't know who he was and why he brought me here in the first place so I just had to leave. I wasn't ready to face another problem in my life as I was yet to figure it out and plan my next move.

All I wanted to do right now is to visit grandpa's tombstone at the graveyard.