When do you stop obeying me?

Rebecca

Men are chameleons. If Luke could change, who is Collins? What is even wrong with my heart? I promised never to love again. Was I really starting to fall for him? Just because he welcomed me with a rose? Or because I couldn’t stop thinking about his abs after I accidentally bumped into him and his towel dropped?

Thank goodness I looked away fast enough. It would have been too awkward if I had seen his dick. Stop imagining! I scolded myself.

His eyes… the way he smiled whenever he spoke to me… it reminded me too much of how things started with Luke. Hadn’t I learned my lesson already? Falling for men was a trap. I should be warning other women how dangerous men could be.

The car stayed quiet as Collins drove us to his mother’s house, but my head was filled with thoughts.

Should I never go back to Luke again?

Should I ask Collins to help me leave this country?

If I agreed to help him reconnect with his mother, maybe he would help me too. But what about the video Luke wants to use blackmail me? I didn’t kill my parents. But who would believe me?

Just then, my phone rang and dragged me out of my thoughts.

Luke was video-calling me.

The moment I saw his name, my heart dropped. It slammed hard against my chest.

What was I supposed to do now?

Was this the maid job he sent me to Collins’ house for? My makeup? Oh God…

My hands shook as I held the phone. There was no way I could answer that call. There would be too many questions.

Then it stopped. I let out a breath of relief. But before I could relax, the phone started ringing again.

For some reason, I didn’t even want to remember I was Luke’s wife. These few hours away from him felt like freedom, and I wanted to enjoy it for as long as possible.

The call rang again and ended again.

I wasn’t even paying attention to what Collins was doing anymore. I just prayed Luke wouldn’t call back.

If I had known what Collins was about to do, I would have stopped him immediately. But before I realized it, it had already happened.

“Hello, Mr. Luke. I noticed you’ve been calling Miss Rebecca.”

Oh my God.

Did this man even know what he had just done to me? Who asked him to call Luke with his phone?

I couldn’t even scream. I just knew I was finished. What if he handed the phone to me?

“Yes,” Luke replied calmly. “And you were actually the next person I planned to call.”

“Miss Rebecca left her phone behind. She went to the supermarket to get a few things.”

“That’s good. I just wanted to confirm she arrived safely.”

“Yes, she’s here. She’ll probably call you when she gets back.”

“Alright.”

The call ended.

I already knew what Luke meant beneath those calm words.

Soon, he would remind me of the thing he wanted me to steal.

“Thank you,” I said with a low tone before I even realized it.

The heavy pressure on my chest suddenly eased a little.

“Is he your boss?” Collins asked.

I had no reason to hide things anymore. A few seconds ago, he had saved me. And if our plans were to survive tonight at his mother’s house, I needed to relax around him. But answering that question meant talking about Luke.

And every time I heard that name, my whole horrible life replayed in my head like a movie.

“How did you and Mr. Luke become friends?” I asked instead.

“The truth?” Collins smiled lightly. “Luke and I were rivals back in college. We met again during a conference. I guess he had read about some of my discoveries. Right now, I’m working on a major software project.”

My phone beeped before he could continue.

A message from Luke.

“Well done, Killer. Your freedom is in your hands. Do what I asked, and I’ll delete the video of how your eliminated your parents.”

My stomach tightened. So this was it.

My freedom now depended on getting access to Collins’ new software.

“What’s wrong?” Collins asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. “You look worried.”

“No.” I forced a smile. “I’d actually love to see some of your software programs.”

I paused quickly, realizing how suspicious that sounded.

“I mean… I want to know you better.”

The smile on his face widened immediately.

“Are you planning to extend our contract?”

Rebecca! I heard my own voice inside my head.

This is your chance. Take it.

Whenever men wanted more from a woman, it usually meant one thing.

Sex.

But I couldn’t imagine myself giving my body to Collins.

This wasn’t about love.

I just wanted freedom.

“Rebecca?” Collins called again. “What are you thinking about? Is there something bothering you?”

I shook my head, but his eyes stayed on me.

“Honey, don’t forget I’m your fiancé.”

I burst out laughing.

“I want to spend time with you in your computer room,” I said quickly. “I want to learn programming…”

My hands moved as I explained, but my thoughts were scattered.

“Is that all?” he asked with a small laugh. “When we get home later, I’ll teach you anything you want. As long as you stay with me.”

“But I’ll need to be there while you learn.”

“Why?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

“I’m working on antivirus software. But let’s forget work for now. We’re almost at my mom’s place anyway.”

He glanced at me again.

“You still haven’t told me how much you’re charging for this. Aren’t you getting paid?”

I stayed quiet.

A few seconds later, the car stopped in front of a huge white mansion.

If only he knew what I truly wanted.

Freedom from Luke. I want to get out of that marriage so badly.

“You know what?” Collins said suddenly.

I turned to him.

“You look nervous. Are you scared to meet my mom? Or is there something you are not telling me?” He paused and added. “Don’t worry. She’s friendly… just very curious.”

“Thanks for the warning,” I replied as I stepped out of the car.

He quickly came around and placed a hand on my waist as we walked toward the entrance.

The moment we entered the house, I noticed the expensive furniture and perfectly decorated living room.

“Collins!” A heartbeat female voice. “What are you doing in my house?”

“Is it a crime to see my mom?”

“I am tired of fighting for what I want.” She majestically came down the stairs. 

“Mom, this is my fiancee. Please! We can talk about it later.”

“Give me one reason you have been hiding her from me?” 

She walked closer to me and looked at me from head to toe. 

“You have good eyes. In nine months, my grandchild will be ready.”

My eyes were moving left right between two people who weren't ashamed to express their anger in front of me. Does this woman think that I want to be pregnant for her son? She must be out of her mind.

“Sincd you rejected my gift, I have no choice. Let’s go to Palazzo to celebrate your birthday.

********

By nighttime, we were seated inside a massive luxury hotel. Colorful lights glowed around the hall while soft romantic music played quietly in the background. The table was full of different foods. We finished eating and there was toast.

After the toast, Mrs. Ezra, Collins' mom, took a sip and said to her son.

“Leave us alone.”

Collins was reluctant to stand up from his seat.

“It will be fine. I just need a moment with her. Woman to woman.” She commanded. Still Collins wasn’t comfortable.

“When do you stop obeying me?”

Reluctantly, Collins stood up. He placed a kiss on my right cheek.

A few feet away, Mrs Ezra pulled her chair towards the table and asked something I wasn’t prepared for.

"How did you meet my son? And what is his favorite meal?"

How does she expect me to know her son's favorite meal? This was a trap.

She was about to find out this was all fake.