CHAPTER 18 — I'M DUMPING YOU.

🦋 BENITA 🦋 

Since my runaway plan was a complete failure, I thought that at least my life would go back to its normal routine.

Going to work, coming home and going to bed. So I woke up very early and prepared for work. When I got out to leave, six men were standing at the entrance to the mansion.

“Did he increase the security in the house so I won't run away again?” I thought and scoffed, “What's the need? They could stay outside.”

As I approached the door, his men blocked it, I stood there stunned.

“What are you doing?” I asked calmly.

“You are not allowed to step out of this house, ma'am,” the one in front retorted.

“I'm not running away,” I explained. “I'm simply leaving for work. I understand your boss threatened your life when I left, but you found me, didn't you? I'm just going to work; I'll be back soon.”

I stepped forward again, but they refused to step aside. “I'm telling you I won't run away,” I snapped, “I give you my word, so step aside.”

The front man inhaled sharply, “You are not allowed to leave this house, ma'am, you are not allowed to go to work or anywhere else, you are not allowed to walk around the neighbourhood, not even in the compound.”

I frowned, confused, “I understand you are scared, but…”

“I'm sorry, ma'am, but you need to go back inside,” he retorted.

“And who gave that order?” I yelled, “You? Step aside!”

“I did,” Felix’s voice echoed from behind me. “Stop wasting your time, they won't move an inch.”

“Why?” I reasoned out, “I'm only going to work.”

“You are not allowed to go to work. You are not allowed to do anything that concerns leaving this house.” He declared. “Three years ago, I received a call about you being kidnapped. I thought it was a prank call. When I got home, you were fine, so I thought I was only paranoid. Turns out you were really kidnapped that night, and I couldn't do anything about it.”

A sad chuckle escaped my lips, “Is you realising that I was kidnapped 3 years ago, really the problem here? Didn't you ask him to kill me and send my dead body for burial? I almost died that night, yet you are here acting like you care.”

He stared at me in shock, “You heard that?”

“Yes!” I barked, “The call was on speaker, I heard everything you said that night.”

He shook his head, “I thought it was a prank call.”

“Regardless,” I murmured, “Even if it was a prank call… You should have been worried.”

He slammed his eyes shut, “Who said I wasn't?”

I pinched my nose, “Fine! It happened three years ago, nothing would happen to me now, I have a driver.” I dismissed with a smile, walking towards the door.

Felix dragged me back, “You are not allowed to leave this house anymore, Benita.”

“Why?” I snapped, suppressing my anger, “Did the contract also say so? Did the contract also state that I'd be imprisoned? I'm your substitute wife, not a prisoner, so you have no right to stop me from leaving.”

He brushed his hair back with his fingers in frustration, “You….”

“This has nothing to do with that stupid kidnap, so stop using a kidnapping case you never believed as an excuse.” I interrupted, “You are only scared I'm going to run away again, and this time, you'll never find me.”

He froze, “No, that's not why.”

As he spoke, his tone was convincing, but his smile seemed forced. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, avoiding eye contact. The more he denied, the more his body language betrayed him.

“Then give me a reason,” I whispered, “Why should I stay? And don't tell me it's because of the contract.”

Felix's voice was firm. "What is it you want to hear?" he asked, looking straight into my eyes. But his eyes darted slightly to the side, and his hands fidgeted in his pockets. “There is no other reason, aside from the contract.”

Felix walked out of the house, and his men blocked the entrance so I wouldn't be able to leave.

I bowed my head sadly and walked back into my room, changing into something more comfortable.

I can't believe I'm being locked up again, I thought that phrase was over.

“I hope you have a very terrible day at work, Felix.”

*** 🦋 ***

I slept for hours, I just didn't feel motivated to do anything, not like I had something to do.

I got out of bed and walked towards the sitting room. The man stood where they were at dawn. They seemed dedicated to not leaving that spot. Felix must have threatened to take their life if I left this mansion.

I took a bottle of water and headed back to my room, and just then, Felix returned.

I glanced at him coldly and proceeded to walk away.

“My day was terrible…” he announced, and I paused.

“Did he know I prayed he had a terrible day at work?” I thought.

“You weren't – there so,” he added.

I nodded and resumed my steps towards my room.

“Can we talk?” He asked out of the blue.

I turned around, “About?”

Just then, one of his men rushed in, “Someone is asking to see you.” He announced.

“Ask the person to leave,” Felix retorted.

“We asked her to leave since it is late, but she refused, and we have been trying to get her to leave,” his man explained.

“A lady?” Felix asked, confused.

“Yes, she claims to know you personally and won't leave unless she sees you,” his man muttered.

I stood there and glanced from Felix to his bodyguard, the only lady that has visited this mansion was the chairwoman.

“Let her in,” Felix commanded and glanced at me.

A few seconds later, his bodyguard walked in with a young lady trailing behind. When they got to where we were standing, the bodyguard bowed and left.

I was still confused; I didn't know what was happening or who the lady was.

“She can't be a cook,” I thought, “She looks too rich to be a cook.”

“What are you doing here?” Felix asked coldly.

I glanced at him, wondering why he was being mean to someone who seemed close.

“What do you mean?” She asked with a bright smile, “I'm here to claim what belongs to me.”

“What belongs to her in this house?” I wondered.

“You must be Benita,” she muttered, turning to face me. I nodded, and she smiled at me. “I'm Rose Fred.”

And then I realised, she's the Rose, Felix’s real bride. 

She came back, and now that she's back, my part of the contract has been fulfilled.

I turned to face Felix and sent him a glance that said, “Now that she's back, what other excuse do you have?”