Chapter 3
LorraineI scoffed and tried my best to stand up so that I could smack him in the face but my strength failed me."You've gotta be joking, huh? What makes you think that I need your help? The fact that I lost my boyfriend and my child doesn't make me helpless." My eyes turned misty as I burned in rage, wondering why everyone thought I was a piece of trash that they could spit on.Eden's emotionless words replayed in my head. He called me needy and helpless, then said I had a lot of baggage. Iris said that it was the case of a lost puppy found under the rain. Now, Dexter wanted me to marry him because of the same pity?"You don't have to be so sentimental about the proposal. I've made some background checks on you, and I discovered that you do need some savings or you'll be in big trouble." He stated passively, his hands plunged into his pocket.The face I'd admired earlier disgusted me, but nothing annoyed me more than the fact that he was right. I needed help, but I wouldn't ask for his help. Never!"What kind of trouble are you talking about? " I swallowed, my heart thumping faster to the extent of wishing that I could join my late mother in the grave so that I'd be free from all these problems.He hesitated in replying, pacing to and fro in silence which caused me to become nervous. I had to know what was going on."Talk to me, Dexter! Your silence is not what I need now." I urged him on, my voice rising in an angry crescendo.I wasn't in control of anything anymore, not even my own voice."I'm thinking of the right way to put it to you. Your ex, Eden Maxwell, took a loan in your name and I didn't get to find out until today." He spat and I reeled in shock, my lips parting widely. Then I burst into laughter, shaking my head and clutching at my stomach because of the pain I felt.It was obviously a lie to get me to do what he wanted. Eden could be many things but a debtor. He fucking hated debts!"That's not true, Dexter. Everything you've said right now shows how much you want me to warm your bed. I'm not that cheap, you know, so get out of here before I call on the doctor to take you out." I yelled at the top of my voice, my chest constricting as I panted heavily."One million dollars. That's what he took from me." He blurted casually, flashing a look at me that said he wasn't joking.I gulped, then swallowed. "No... No... No.. That's too much. What the hell did he use it for? He isn't even a businessman." I cried, leaning on the headboard in exhaustion and resignation, wondering why the accident took the baby's life and not my own as well."An elaborate wedding, I guess, and enough money to take his new bride for the best honeymoon he can think of. That's not my problem, Lorraine, what I need you to know is that you owe me money and with your current state. You can't even pay back, so why don't you marry me so that I can take care of you?" He drawled, his voice calm and unshaken.I'd always known him to be confident even in high school, it was no wonder he turned out to be this way; cold and cruel."Look, I'll find a way to get you your money, but I can't get married to you. Marriage isn't something that we should both rush into, Dexter. Besides, how could you allow someone to take a debt in my name without even making verifications? What if I was dead?" I questioned, angry at my confinement to the bed.I needed to be free to walk around the room, if not for anything but to be able to punch the metal table or stomp my foot on the tiled floor.He burst into a heavy bout of laughter which left me stunned, his voice resonating in the room and his eyes shut as he mocked me to scorn. I watched him laugh to his heart's content, and though I despised him, I couldn't deny that he laughed beautifully."That accident might have done many things to your brain, Lorraine. Have you forgotten how poor you are? With your meager sum of a salary, how do you think you can pay off your debt?" All traces of laughter had disappeared from his face with seriousness replacing it.His hardened expression reminded me of how cruel he could be when he wanted. I'd forgotten about Dexter or at least I thought I did until he came standing in front of me—flesh and blood.He reminded me that I was a pauper and I should have been hurt and bawling on the floor by his words, but I only felt chill because it was the truth and I was used to hearing such words from people."What are my options?" I asked impassively, staring into his eyes which were presently unreadable and then I let my gaze lower to his alluring cherry lips which I had no business looking at."Marry me or I'll sue you, and with my influence, you might spend a long time in prison. I bet you can't even afford a lawyer." His lips curved into a smug grin as he cocked his head cockily, then he approached my bed and lowered his body towards mine.The memories of the past came in as a flash, how he leaned in for a kiss that night and I didn't push him away because my body craved for it—his touch, his lips on mine, and it happened.I shoved the sizzling hot memory aside which made me feel like I'd plunged my body into a pot of hot oil and focused on the present. "To hell with you, Dexter. I won't let you have me the way you want just like it happened in the past. I'll surely get you your money." My reply got him shocked, but he hid it with his impassive mask and backed away.He straightened the jacket of his suit and shrugged, his hands still in his pocket. "You've got seven days to save yourself, Lorraine. Don't forget how vile I can be when tempted." He stalked out of the room leaving me drained and exhausted beyond words.How on earth was I going to produce one million dollars in seven days?Chapter 4Lorraine I was to be discharged today. It was supposed to be an exciting news but here I was, making plans on how I would disappear from town and travel to another country until the heat dies down. As a knock sounded on the door, my heart skipped a beat, thumping hard while I gripped the sheets and waited for the visitor to come in. "May I come in?" The voice of the nurse who had been taking care of me calmed my fear immediately as I nodded, merely mouthing that she came inside. She came in, her lips stretched in the soothing smile that I liked. I'd have made her my friend if I wasn't going to run away as soon as I left, besides the fear of having friends who could easily betray me had already enveloped me. The pain Iris caused me was still imprinted in my mind and I wasn't sure that I'd ever forget about it. "How do you feel knowing that you will be discharged today?" She asked, handing me some new clothes which surprised me. She took note of my arched brows and parte
LorraineA sharp pain tore through my head as my eyes fluttered open. I shut my eyes quickly and opened them again and tried to shove the pain aside by shaking my head, but it only compounded the pain.Slowly adapting to the empty bright room, I tried to get up, but then I realized that my legs were tied together at the back, and my hands also suffered the same fate as they were held together at the back of the iron chair.My intended scream was muffled by the rope my lips were covered with, bringing tears to my ears as my heart beat in a staccato rhythm.My fear skyrocketed when the door of the empty room was pushed open with some men trudging in a lackadaisical manner like they owned the world. My eyes gleamed with fury as I caught the sight of their leader, strolling behind them with his lips curved in a mischievous smile.I'd have scoffed if not for the restriction. I bet he was finding it funny."Untie her!" He ordered, his voice firm and hinged with disapproval.One of his bodyg
Chapter 6Dexter My brows furrowed at the thought of her bringing up new rules. Were they what she thought to be important right now? Though I wasn't happy with her request, I couldn't help but indulge her knowing that she could be stubborn if she set her mind on something. "What are the rules?" I asked with a bored tone, even though I was actually interested in her rules. She sighed, approaching me slowly. "I don't want anyone to know that we are married, after all, it's a contract marriage. The knowledge should remain between the both of us." "What the hell are you talking about?" I blasted her, but she kept my gaze, looking unfazed. "What's the use of getting married if no one gets to know about it?" She shrugged and folded her arms, her stance obstinate and annoying. Sadly, I'd have to put up with this for two years if we didn't end up killing each other. "You've succeeded in making me do what I don't want, so there should be some compromise at your end, don't you think?" S
Chapter 7Lorraine "Who's she to you?" I asked as a pang of jealousy rose up my chest. I shouldn't have felt that way, but right now I couldn't ignore the scathing urge to push the woman far away from Dexter because they clearly had a history. He stared at me briefly with his unreadable brown eyes boring into mine. "Why do you sound jealous? Should you be jealous considering the fact that you don't want anyone to know that we are married?" He used one of my wishes against me and I couldn't deny that it hurt a bit. "I just want to know what I'll be up against," I replied with a lackadaisical tone. "She seems like a lot of trouble and she's obviously into you." He was quiet for a while, like he was deciding if it would be appropriate to part with the information. But then, it was my right to know the people he was involved with since I was his wife. "She's my ex." He finally responded. My eyes widened in surprise then I lowered her lashes, apparently processing the information.
Chapter 8Lorraine Waking up to prepare for my first day at the agency filled my body with nervousness and a sizzling excitement. Finally, I'd be doing what I loved after a long time. Rubbing my sleepy eyes with the back of my hands, I realised that it had been a long time since I slept on a bed as comfy and plush as this. Dexter slept in the same room with me, but in a different bed as I'd wanted. I got up, tossing on my black robe as I'd gotten really self conscious because of the overly revealing nightwear that he had forced me to wear. "Good morning," I chirped as I reached for my toothbrush while scanning Dexter's bare chest with the corner of my eyes. God! His body was ripped with thick muscles that flexes with each movement. My fingers itched to touch his smooth skin and feel the sturdiness of chest. Dexter had always been a hottie since high school and I could remember girls sprawling all over the place just to have him notice them. "You are going to be late for work if
Chapter 9Dexter Sitting still in my office with the reminder that Lorraine was in the down floor practicing kept my restlessness burning. I wanted to see her beautiful face even though I had to do it under the pretext of supervision. The feelings were weird because I loathed her and I was supposed to stay several meters away from her but it wasn't working. Hell! I wasn't even comfortable allowing her to commute to the office so I sent one of my men to disguise as a cab driver so that she would be safe. And when he notified me that she was around, I had to rush to my floor to ceiling window which faced the entrance of the building to confirm. Unable to keep the urge away, I got up from my executive chair and headed to their practice room. If I'd known that Emilia would jump on me like a predator, I'd have stayed back and sent for Lorraine to come over. "What the hell are you doing?" I pulled away with a grimace, glaring at her satisfied grin. If not for the strong respect I had
Chapter 10Lorraine "Come join me." Dexter offered as I headed for our bedroom with a plate of cookies in my hands. His offer was gentle yet demanding at the same time. Only someone like Dexter could pull off such a tone with ease. I'd have loved to ignore him and move straight to our room, but what good will it do for the both of us? He was trying to call some temporary truce and it wasn't like I didn't enjoy being with him even if I wasn't supposed to. I sank onto the chair he sat with a grunt. "If you say so." My eyes darted to the bottle of whiskey on the table and the empty two glasses beside it. "Why do you have a bottle?" I questioned, hoping that my voice didn't bear so much concern. He poured some of the content into two glasses and passed one to me. "Let's say I'm a bit frustrated." He grumbled. "What could make the almighty Dexter frustrated?" I asked sarcastically, slightly interested in what he had to say. He doused another glass and relaxed on the back rest. "A wo
Chapter 11 Dexter The drive to one of my favorite bars seemed longer than the time I had to wait for Lorraine to be brought to me. Her crude response to my question yesterday was startling, but maybe she wasn't the angel I thought her to be. As I waltzed in, I saw my friends, yelling at me to come over. A smile stretched on my lips as I headed over to their spot and sank onto the seat they had reserved for me. Liam stretched his hand for a warm handshake. "It's been a long time, buddy. You are filling out so well." He said with a New York accent. "What can I do?" I chuckled and greeted Blake as well who was more focused on his bottle of rum. It's been a while since we met after a few years of being away from each other. I'd drowned myself in work and it wasn't until today that they forced me to come over for a reunion which I eagerly accepted. "How have you boys been?" I teased them with a smirk. Liam shrugged and was about to reply when he caught the sight of a beautiful lady