He's engaged

The doctor came to the house instead.

Dave had never allowed me to go to the hospital but had his own personal doctors.

“What’s wrong with her?”

I heard Dave’s voice rise in panic. I still pretended to be unconscious, my heart beating loudly in fear that he would soon find out I was faking it.

There was a short silence. I was almost forced to open my eyes to find out what was happening.

“I’m afraid Miss Celine was just faking it,” the doctor let out, and I froze.

I immediately jolted up, pretending to be furious.

“How dare you say I faked it?!” I yelled at the man in his fifties.

The poor man looked terrified and bowed his head.

“I’m sorry, Miss Celine,” he whimpered.

I pressed my lips tightly, not intending to frighten him.

My eyes darted slowly and fearfully to Dave, who was standing above my head, his eyes glaring smolderingly at me.

I watched everyone leave the room and clutched the blanket, pulling it over me.

Dave moved closer, his hand raised, and I thought for a second he might hit me.

“Since you’re fine, follow me,” he said and pulled me up from the bed before I could resist.

“Where are we going?” I asked, curious.

He’s not going to take me to one of the places where he tortures his victims, right?

He didn’t answer but walked to my walk-in closet instead and came out with a dress for me.

“Be out in five,” he ordered and walked out of the room.

I stood there and stared at his disappearing figure.

What the hell? Why wasn’t he angry with me?

He would usually smack my forehead or yell at me for being impossible.

Did I take it too far? I wondered, feeling uneasy.

I dressed up like a good girl and even put on light makeup, no red lipstick.

I walked downstairs where Dave was waiting for me. He was dressed in a suit jacket, looking very official.

It made me squint a bit. I looked down at my dress and realized how formal it was.

Dave came to me and offered his arm. I coiled my hand around his, and together we walked out of the house.

The cars stopped in front of the Sawyer Corporation.

I turned to look at Dave, who bore a serious, cold look. “Why are we here?” I asked him.

“You will soon find out,” he simply replied and got down from the car.

Lines of guards escorted us into the building. As we stepped into the elevator, I looked at Dave but kept my lips shut.

We walked to a door, and the guards pushed it wide open.

There were directors, executives, and shareholders seated, awaiting our arrival. They all turned their gazes to us the moment the door opened.

“Dave?” I called him, a little panicked now.

His grip tightened around mine as he pulled me into the room. I tried not to meet anyone’s eyes.

We made our way to the head of the long table, and Dave finally let go of my hand.

“Sit down,” he whispered to me.

I stared at him, hesitating. But his firm, scary gaze made me obey without words.

Everyone stood up immediately after I sat down and bowed their heads low to welcome me.

“Chairwoman Sawyer,” they all chanted.

I almost jumped up from my seat, but Dave’s hands firmly held my shoulders, forcing me to remain seated.

I clenched my fists, realizing what this was all about.

---

After the meeting was over, I waited in the room until everyone else was gone.

I finally got up and turned to Dave, who had been standing behind me this whole time.

Without warning, I slapped him hard, letting out my anger.

I stood there, breathing hard, in rage and fear that he might hit me back.

When he turned to me, I raised my hand to hit him again, but this time, he gripped my wrist and stopped me.

I struggled to get free and tried to use my other hand to hit him, but he stopped me and pushed me back into the chair.

“Let go!” I screamed at him. “Let go, you jerk!”

He didn’t let go.

After a while, I got tired and stopped struggling, letting out heavy breaths instead.

“This is all for your good, Celine. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you,” he said, but I wasn’t ready to listen.

“I don’t want to,” I yelled.

“It’s your father’s hard work. You can’t just give it up,” he retorted.

“I don’t care!” I blurted out.

Our breaths collided heavily as we both panted.

Dave took a long, deep inhale and stared into my eyes. His hands moved from my wrist and gripped my face carefully.

“I know you are afraid, but I promise to protect you,” he said.

Staring back into his eyes, I could not help but trust him. I knew he would do anything to protect me.

He always does.

My heart beat a little too loudly again.

I pushed him away and put some distance between us.

“You should have informed me,” I said.

“If I did, you would never agree,” he replied, his hands in his pockets.

I paused, biting my lip lightly.

“What if I don't want this?” I asked him, suddenly wavering.

Dave moved closer. His fingers brushed my hair, and he cupped my cheek in his palm.

I let myself relax in his touch.

Warm.

“I’m still here.” His voice was comforting.

I nodded and finally smiled.

He took my hand, and together we walked out of the room.

When we got downstairs, reporters had already gathered. I tried to stay calm and cool as they rushed at us, throwing questions.

The guards hurried ahead of us to make way for us to get through.

I smiled, ignoring their questions and clinging to Dave.

“Mr. Monsterrori, is the news true?”

“Are you really getting married to Miss Marino?”

I froze at that statement.

My eyes widened instantly.

What?!

I turned to Dave, grabbing his jacket.

“What on earth are they talking about?” My voice rose higher.

My eyes flared in fear.

He looked at me, his gaze firm. He wasn’t saying anything.

My grip tightened on him. I searched his eyes for an answer. I withdrew my hand from him and took a step back.

“Dave Monsterrori, you traitor!”