LILY (Point of view)
The next day I reach the office very early.
After all first impressions are the best impressions. I pass by his door which is slightly open. I reach my desk and sit. I hear faint voices from Mr. Drayden's office. I look around. The floor is empty except for me. I can't help but overhear.
The voices are not clear. I just get bits and pieces of the conversation.
"Kade, you having a wife will no doubt improve the image of the company. Our new clients are very family-oriented. You having a wife and acting the family man will soften them up- makes you seem human. That is what the clients, customers and general public would like. We need to seal this deal or else our competitors will get it. Find a nice girl and settle down."
"Alright, I will think about it."
I hear his unmistakable deep voice.
Woah. What was that about? So Mr. Dragon..I mean Drayden will be getting himself a wife. Wonder who that unlucky girl would be..
I acquaint myself with my new colleagues. After an hour or so, Mr. Drayden calls me and asks me to get him coffee.
Black- with no sugar-piping hot.
After I get him his coffee, he asks me to do some documentation. He is a hard taskmaster. Throughout the day, he made me run errands for him.
I was tired by the end of the day. I was worked to the bone.
I am done for the day. I clock out.
"Miss Summers, I'd like to see you in my office.", comes a deep baritone.66Please respect copyright.PENANAuijBBfdWzg
I turn around. Sure enough, it is my boss.
"Of course, Mr Drayden."
I am nervous as I enter into his office.
His back is toward me, with his hands in the pockets of his slacks.
"Marry me.", he says and turns around.
"Wh-what?", I stammer..
"You heard me right, Miss Summers."
"You are crazy!"
"Ah-ah. We can do this the easy way, where I cordially ask you to become my wife. Or the hard way- where I threaten that if you do not marry me, I shall make sure no other establishment hires you. You do have your sick and frail mother to think about, don't you?"
"How can you be so heartless? You despicable monster!"66Please respect copyright.PENANAzSORVebqSI
"Language. Miss Summers. I am not a very kind man. You do not want me as your enemy."
"Kind!!? You do not even know the meaning of that word! And forcing someone to marry you is NOT cordial, you monstrous b*stard!"
The air in the room is suddenly hot. His large frame looms over me.
He grabs my waist and pulls me closer. My skin seems to grow hotter at the place where he touched me.
"I shall make you pay for this.", he growls threateningly.
I stomp his foot and his hold loosens. I take the opportunity to escape.
"Agh- why you little-"66Please respect copyright.PENANAhbHu0lpEYY
He is too fast for me. He grabs my wrist and yanks me towards him. My body is flush against his. He grabs my face and kisses me forcefully. His lips feel like molten lava. I can feel his rage and his need to overpower me in that kiss. It works. My legs go numb and it is only his hand supporting my waist that keeps me standing upright.66Please respect copyright.PENANATH9jcZLcYE
After what feels like an eternity, he lets go of me. I stumble but gain my balance. I look up at him with half-hooded eyes. His eyes are laser-focused on me.
"First kiss?", he prompts, his tone quiet but still sharp at the same time.
I just look at him dumbfounded.
How could he guess?
He draws closer. I take a step back. He tucks few loose strands of my hair behind my ear.
"Mia gattina, I shall make sure all your firsts are with me.", he chuckles66Please respect copyright.PENANAmOWzlHYiHE
"It is pretty late at night. I shall drop you. Also, we will be getting married at the chapel tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. All the arrangements are taken care of. Be present at the chapel by 9 a.m. I shall send the limo to pick you up."
That night, I cry into my pillow. I fall into a dreamless sleep.
The following afternoon, I am now a married woman, with a ring on my finger and a different surname. I feel hollow inside. Many women dream about their wedding day. Mine was just a nightmare that I feel I can never wake up from. I look at the stranger next to me. The stranger in question is my new husband. He seems relaxed- greeting his friends. Are they even his friends? Surely a man like him cannot have that many friends. They are his business associates probably. I plaster a fake sunny smile on my face to the guests who have come to congratulate me. 66Please respect copyright.PENANA9HonYKtTgU
Suddenly a hand snakes around my waist and he draws me close.66Please respect copyright.PENANAmhKU2I7noO
"Mia gattina. You look beautiful in that dress. I can't wait to see how you look like without it.", he whispers in my ear. My face reddens.66Please respect copyright.PENANAeJAI39Rq3B
That evening, we go into his condo- now ours. I go into the washroom and change my dress. I put on a black satin slip. I come out. He is there. I ignore him. I get into the huge bed.66Please respect copyright.PENANA3F1oTXiPCU
"You are not cheating me out of a wedding night."66Please respect copyright.PENANAkkkZsKUIqw
"What is the matter with you? Is'nt it enough that you forcefully married me?Threatened my career? Now you want to sleep with you?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAflLUodO0mb
"You are my wife- damn you! It is my right!", he bellows and draws back the comforter.66Please respect copyright.PENANAvdE9j8RBhD
"You can force me to lie with you. You can have my body without my permission. But know this, my heart is not yours to possess.", I spit out vehemently.66Please respect copyright.PENANA3WHFbdFED1
He pounces on me. My thin satin slip not even posing a barrier to him. He shreds it.
"You are an animal- a beast", I cry out.
"Only foy you, cara mia", he says and kisses me. His hands roam all over my body. He squeezes my breasts. He breaks the kiss and goes to kiss my breasts. I let out a sob.
"Please, no. I don't feel comfortable with your touch. Let go of me.", I cry out.
My sobs seem to bring him out of his stupor. His wild eyes soften when he looks at me.
"Lily, wife. Please don't cry. I am sorry. Obviously, today is a lot to process for you. You must be overwhelmed.", he says
I look at him in surprise. This must be very hard to say for him. The Kade I know would never apologise to anyone.
For the remainder of the night, he just holds me closer to him and for the first time in so long, I sleep peacefully in my husband's arms.66Please respect copyright.PENANAfEDg84GFbH
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