Chapter six

DANIEL

I watched her pretend she was okay with what I just said. She dared to deceive me, nobody gets away with deceiving me, not now or ever. 

I would never fall for such a clumsy trick, I pondered hard on why I fell for it but I couldn't hold on to a strong reason. "Could it be the stress from work?" I asked myself. My normal self would have caught on to such a trick even before it started. I didn't rise to this level by being so clumsy. 

I admit I let my guards down due to mental stress and I ended up with a stranger posing as my wife. But I will not just let it go like it never happened. I will make sure they all pay for what they did and I am starting with the fake wife herself. 

FEW HOURS EARLIER

It's only a matter of time before Anthony reports his findings to me. I had asked him to find everything there was about her and report it to me. I want to know who dared to play a fast one on me. They might have thought I'm as dumb as they are. 

F*ck! I'm so pissed at myself, for not seeing the signs or for seeing and ignoring them. I looked past the bride not unveiling in the church and I also overlooked the kissing because I wasn't fully involved with the bride. 

I wouldn't have thought it was a scheme to deceive me. All I have to do now is wait patiently for Anthony. I know all I want about Lewis and his family, but I need to make deep findings about the fake lady. 

.

I got off the phone with Anthony, he'd be in my house soon. I paced around the waiting room, anger written all over my face. All the time I spoke to Anthony about making the findings, she locked herself in the bathroom. I did not have to bother tearing down the door, I could sense the fear in her already. 

I spoke through my teeth "They will pay for this. No, they must pay for this". 

I heard a knock on the door, I didn't need to ask who it was, "Come in" I answered. I like how fast Anthony does his job, it's only been a few minutes and he was here. 

Anthony walked in smartly and unbuttoned his blazer as he handed over the files he gathered. I do not have the time to go through them. 

"Tell me the important things you discovered, I will go through the files later". 

I dipped my hands in my pocket, I listened with all attentiveness as he explained briefly in detail. 

Anthony cleared his throat and replied, "Her name is Anna Ricks, she works at Urban Grind cafe and is a part-time student in the community college. She currently has a debt to pay back, a total of $60,000". 

He took a pause and looked at me while I signalled with a hand for him to continue. 

"According to the agreement between her and Daisy, she's been paid $30,000 upfront and she would only get the balance if you annul the marriage". 

He told me the other things I should know and left the document while I dismissed him.

He turned to leave, and as he was about to open the door, he turned around to tell me Mr Lewis was planning to fly Daisy out of the country anytime soon to avoid backfires.

"I thought you should know", he finished off and left.

 I finally understood what was going on, Anna was stranded. I have her perfectly in my palm while I deal with the Lewis later. 

My mind jolted to the day I bought a cup of coffee at Urban Grind cafe, she was the lady who sent chills down my spine. I wouldn't just let her go until I found my reasons. 

PRESENT TIME

While I waited patiently for her to come out of the bathroom, I reached a decision that I would make her work for me. 

She came out about forty-five minutes after I entered the room again. As expected, she tried to buy me into annulling the marriage. I hate deceit, I wouldn't let things go like it never happened. 

I watched her try to convince me, but I'm a man of my word. She twisted her fingers, she looked down and weary. It was as if a cross was resting on her shoulders. 

"Look, I know you did this to clear a debt and your life is on the line if you do not meet the deadline", I then walked up to her and looked straight into her eyes.

"Daisy can only give you the balance if we divorce, but I won't agree to that". 

I watched her look devasted immediately, she looked so innocent. 

"I'll ask you a question now Anna Ricks, would you rather work for me and I help you  clear off the debt forever or you prefer to stay married to this total stranger without balance?" I asked her confidently. 

I noticed her trying to come up with a point to tackle me, she opened her mouth but words failed her. I smirked slightly, she had no choice. 

I had this feeling to keep her close. My body hair stood each time I remember when she handed me the coffee and my hand brushed hers. There is this atmosphere I feel around her that I can't fathom. 

Nevertheless, I refused to lose focus on letting her know she messed with the wrong person. After all, it might be lust like I've had for some very few ladies in the past.

I dished out my offer, it was her turn to give her response. 

She would be with me either way, I'm a businessman and I know how to make my prospects succumb. 

"What is the job you have for me", her voice shivering. 

"It can be very simple if you do it right" I answered and took a sip of water. 

"But first, we need to sign a contract".