Chapter 3: Caught in a Trap

Samantha's POV...

"Be my wife for six months, and I will give you all you ever wish for."

Again, he dismissed my questions like they were nothing but a passing breeze.

"I know everything about you, Samantha," he changed the topic so quickly it unsettled me. "Everything you don't even know about yourself."

I stared at him, my eyes widening in shock.

"I can rewrite your story and give you a brand-new life if you let me," he added casually.

I sat up, struggling to balance the storm of thoughts racing through my mind.

"I..."

No matter how hard I tried, the words refused to leave my lips.

"Answer me, Samantha," he said firmly. "I need to know where you stand. Once you agree, we sign a contract, and that's it."

His words snapped something loose inside me. I let out a hollow chuckle and slowly turned to him.

"I bet you're nothing but a good-for-nothing stalker," I said bitterly. "Tell me...why do you know so much about me? Do you even know if I'm married? If I have kids?"

I scoffed in disbelief, the thoughts spilling out faster than I could control them.

"I've seen this madness in movies. In novels. But never in real life," I hissed. "I may be poor, but I'm not stupid. Contract bride indeed" I glared at him.

"I want you to open this door so I can get out of this damn car and never come near me again. Because if you do, I'll drench you in acid." Lf looks could kill, he would've been dead already. I was stunned by his audacity.

His sudden chuckle caught me off guard.

"If you truly want to leave, I won't stop you, Samantha ," he said calmly. "But don't come begging when you're about to die of sickness."

He smirked. "And remember, your landlord won't take you back."

I froze at his revelation. The weight of his words sank in slowly.

"You know about that?" I asked after a long moment, disbelief coating my voice.

"You think I'd approach you without knowing everything?" he chuckled. "I told you, I know more about you than you know about yourself." A shiver ran down my spine.

"Samantha, you need me, and I need you," he continued. "That's all that matters right now. The ball is in your court. Will you make this work or not?"

He tapped the driver's seat, and his bodyguard handed him a file.

"To prove I'm not here to play games," he said, passing it to me, "this is the contract."

I shot him a sharp glare before taking the document.

"Go through it and tell me if you're fine with the rules," he said calmly.

"I'm not even agreeing to this yet," I snapped, rolling my eyes.

Still, I opened the document and began to read.

A six-month contract between Samantha Williams and Adrian Wolfe, the first page read.

"You even know my full name?" I muttered.

He said nothing.

I returned my attention to the document.

Contract Terms:

1. This marriage shall last for a period of six (6) months from the date of signing.

2. Both parties agree that no emotional attachment or romantic feelings shall develop during the contract period.

3. Physical intimacy is permitted only by mutual consent and shall not imply emotional involvement.

4. Both parties must present themselves as a loving married couple in public and at all official events.

5. Neither party shall interfere in the other's personal life beyond what is required by this contract.

6. The wife shall reside in the husband's residence for the duration of the marriage.

7. Any form of jealousy, possessiveness, or emotional demands is strictly prohibited.

8. The details of this contract and marriage must remain strictly confidential from the public and media.

9. Violation of any rule will result in immediate termination of the contract and financial penalties.

10. Upon expiration of the contract, both parties shall separate peacefully with no further obligations, unless otherwise stated.

"Who even gives someone these kinds of rules..."

The words died in my throat when my eyes landed on the amount listed below.

Mr. Adrian Drew shall offer Miss Samantha Williams a sum of $500 million for a six-month marriage, along with additional benefits.

I blinked in disbelief, not once, not twice but the figures remained the same.

When that didn't work, I pinched myself. Still, the numbers remained.

I looked up at him, then back at the contract.

Then back at him again. I repeated the motion at least six times.

"This couldn't be real" I finally spluttered.

"You're offering me five hundred million dollars to be your wife?"

It still wasn't adding up, no matter how hard I tried to understand it.

"Yes, Samantha. Five hundred million dollars will be yours once you sign this contract and become my wife," he assured me.

"But what about your family? What do they have to say about this?" I asked, my thoughts racing. "I don't even know much about you. How am I supposed to be sure you'll actually give me the money?"

"That's not an issue, Samantha," he replied calmly. "All you have to do is sign the contract. That's all I want. Don't ask questions. Don't be scared of anything. Just do what needs to be done, and that's it."

I sensed urgency in his tone, and it unsettled me. Why was he the one rushing? Shouldn't I be the one hesitating? And why me out of all the women in the world?

I couldn't hold back anymore. "Why me?" I demanded. "Why did you pick me of all people?"

And for the first time, he was the one freezing. It was as though I had asked the deadliest question in the world.

His gaze dropped instantly, and his lips trembled despite his effort to stay composed. Panic flickered across his face, and in that moment, I sensed there was more to this than he was willing to admit.

Still, I wasn't ready to walk away. I wouldn't turn down this offer for anything in the world.

I have nothing to lose like I have said earlier. Walking out of here is me walking into my own dorm, into greater poverty, into depression and I wasn't ready to do that.

I remembered, I have prayed for a miracle in the club and maybe my prayer has finally come to pass.

"Don't bother answering," I said firmly. "Just transfer the money to my account, and I'll sign the contract, just like you want." I was also shocked at my words.

As my words rolled out, I saw it immediately, his panic on his face melted into relief.

"Why did you argue so much if you were going to agree anyway?" he muttered, sinking back into his seat.

"Enter your details into this phone," he said, handing it to me.

I did as instructed.

Before I could even pull my own phone out of my bag, I heard the familiar notification chime.

"Sent," he said calmly.

I wasn't ready to believe him that easily, but staring at my phone, and my breath caught.

$500,000,000 sat boldly in my account, as if it were nothing.

An amount I had never imagined I would see in my lifetime.

"It's time to do your part," Adrian said, snapping me out of my daze.

I nodded and signed the contract without hesitation.

"Now that's what I'm talking about," he said, a smirk curling his lips. "See? That was simple, Riley."

"Now that the contract is signed and sealed, we move straight into business."

I didn't think much of his words, until he suddenly clapped his hands. Before I could react, the bodyguard seated behind us snatched my phone away.

"That's the first rule, Samantha," Adrian said coldly. "You no longer have the right to communicate with anyone from this moment onward. And that shouldn't be a problem...."

His eyes locked onto mine. "-since you have no family. You're an orphan."

Chapter 4: Follow My Rules

Samantha POV...

"Now that the contract is signed and sealed, we move straight into business."

I didn't think much of his words, until he suddenly clapped his hands. Before I could react, the bodyguard seated behind us snatched my phone away.

"That's the first rule, Samantha," Adrian said coldly. "You no longer have the right to communicate with anyone from this moment onward. And that shouldn't be a problem...."

His eyes locked onto mine. "-since you have no family. You're an orphan."

My ears rang in confusion as soon as his words hit me. I turned to him, my eyes holding the shock of a perfectly confused soul.

"What are you talking about?" the words hammered out of my heavy lips after minutes of thick silence. If it were the early hours of the day, the silence would have been loud enough to hear a needle drop.

"You shouldn't see an issue with it, Samantha. You just have to follow my rules," he drawled, like he hadn't just snatched my entire life away. "If you want to be on the safe end, you just have to follow my rules. Trust me. That's the way to win my heart."

He fastened his seatbelt and hit the front seat.

Win his heart? As if I was interested in that.

"I-"

"You don't get to oppose my rules, Samantha. They stay, okay?" he snapped, cutting me off.

"You don't talk when you're not permitted. You don't argue with me. You don't challenge me." His eyes seethed with provocation. "You just follow my damn rules. You follow me like the obedient dog you are."

A small smile crept onto his lips as his hand found its way to my face.

For the first time, I nodded, terrified. His eyes was doing something to me, and his terrifying smile wasn't helping. I had never seen a man this dangerous. One minute he was angry, the next he was smiling.

"I love it, Samantha. You're a good one," he said, tapping my head before turning away.

He tapped the driver's seat, and immediately the car pulled away from the curb. Within seconds, we were on the road.

"Once we get home, you're getting a makeover done. My wife isn't going to move around the house like a mad woman." He gave me a quick glance and drew a cigarette from his pocket.

I nodded like a scared little fool.

He took a long drag and turned to me again. "If only you knew how long it took me to get you."

Those were his simple words before he faced the window.

I watched him, unsure of what he meant. But deep down, I knew he wasn't a stranger. This man had known me for a long time. He chose me for a reason, but why? To what end did he go so far just to get me?

..........

I felt a soft tap on my shoulder, forcing my sleepy eyes open. I yawned, stretching my arms in different directions.

"Good evening, ma. The Don asked me to get you from the car," a voice said beside me.

That was when I realized I had been woken up.

I rubbed my eyes and looked around. I was still in the car, but how come...? The words seized in my throat as everything came rushing back.

He had been driving for what felt like forever, and when my tired eyes couldn't keep up, I must have fallen asleep. I pinched myself. How was I able to sleep in front of him?

"Are you okay, ma?" the lady asked, smiling gently.

I forced a smile in return. "I'm fine. I'll just get out of the car."

I stepped down carefully.

The young lady wrapped a heavy cloth around my shoulders as soon as I got out. "Welcome to the Don's house," she said, pointing ahead.

Staring at the massive paradise in front of me, it took everything in me not to scream.

My jaw dropped, my eyes widening in disbelief. Staring at the beauty before me, I completely forgot the chaos I was in.

"Is... is this Adrian's house?" I asked, desperate for an answer.

She looked shocked before replying. "It's not Adrian," she whispered in panic. "We don't refer to him as that here. We call him the Don."

I paused, then shrugged slightly. "How many identities does this man have?"

"I'll be in serious trouble if he ever hears that from you, or anyone," she said, her eyes pleading more than her tone.

I nodded, not wanting to escalate things. "Noted. Is this the Don's house?"

"Yes, ma. One of his many houses," she replied calmly.

"One of his many houses?" I wasn't expecting that. I simply nodded and let her lead.

"I'll take you inside, ma. Welcome once again."

I followed her slowly, my eyes resting on each masterpiece as we walked in. Even in movies, I had never seen a house this beautiful. Everything stood tall and perfect.

She pushed open the massive door leading to the sitting room, and my eyes fell on something even more fascinating.

Inside the large sitting room were five stairways, each leading to a different corner of the house.

"Your food is waiting for you in the dining room," one of the many maids who rushed to meet me said with a slight bow.

Embarrassment hit me instantly. She was obviously older than me.

"I'll lead you to the dining room," she added.

We walked for a while before finally arriving. I was definitely going to get lost in this house.

"Dinner, ma," she said, pointing to the food laid out before me, enough to last me a whole week.

"Dinner?" My confusion was obvious. "I'm not eating all this alone, right?"

She gave me a strange look before replying, "It's all yours."

"All mine? You've got to be kidding me. I can't even finish one portion of this."

"Ma! The Don wants to see you in his room now," another maid rushed in, breathless.

She looked like she had escaped hell, her clothes torn in places, bruises faintly covering her face.

Whispers followed as the maids slowly disappeared from sight, leaving only the one who had brought me out of the car.

She gulped, visibly trembling with fear, before turning to me.

"Let me show you to his room."

Chapter 5: A Record

Samantha POV...

The maid's legs almost gave way as she led me through the silent halls. I was tempted to ask her what was going on, but my lips felt too heavy to open.

Everything that happened with the previous maid replayed in my head, the way her lips quivered when she spoke, her torn clothes, the bruises on her body. None of it was adding up. My mind sat heavily in my chest, whispering warnings over and over again. Something was wrong.

I swallowed hard, trying not to think too much about it. I forced myself to remain calm, even though my mind was in utter chaos.

What if you're next?

Do you even know what he did to that woman?

You were warned not to get involved, but you didn't listen.

You have no family. You're just a poor orphan.

If he kills you and buries you here, who would come looking for you?

My thoughts refused to stop, driving me dangerously close to insanity.

"Nothing is going to happen," I whispered to myself when the whispers became unbearable. "He needs me. I am his wife."

I had to force some sense into my head.

"Ma'am, we're here," the maid said, stopping abruptly. "I'll leave you now."

She didn't wait for my response before turning and hurrying away.

"You're leaving alre-"

The words died in my throat. I swallowed them back, knowing I had no choice but to face my fears alone.

I stood there, shaking, staring at the large brown door for several minutes. Something about it felt different. It looked older, worn out, and nothing like the other doors in the house.

Why was this one different?

"Come in, Samantha."

A sharp pain pierced my chest at the sound of his voice. My legs quivered as my hand slowly wrapped around the doorknob. I didn't wonder why he knew I was there, he was a man of misery anyways.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before finally pushing the door open.

I froze and my heart almost leapt out of my chest when I saw him, his huge, imposing figure standing right in front of the door, staring straight into my eyes.

"Sweet Lord..." I gasped.

One hand flew to my chest, the other braced against my knee as I struggled to steady myself.

"Why did you do that for? You scared the living daylight out of me, and that isn't funny one bit." I took deep breaths, trying to calm my nerves.

He didn't answer. He didn't even act like he had done anything wrong.

He simply turned around and walked toward the bed.

I stared at him, wishing I could grab the flower vase resting on the table opposite me and smash it on his head. Nothing annoyed me more than how nonchalant he acted whenever he did something cruel or strange.

"Close the door and come closer," he said. His voice came out hoarse, heavy with authority and command, even though he made no effort to enforce it.

It hurt that I couldn't react, that I had to act like an obedient dog. I shut the door and walked toward him, just as he commanded.

His eyes slowly traveled over me, lingering on my face before he finally spoke again.

"My family will be here for lunch tomorrow, so keep that in mind and behave accordingly."

I stiffened.

"When they arrive, they'll have a lot of questions for you," he continued. "Answer none of them. I'll do all the talking. Do you understand?"

I nodded calmly. That wouldn't be a problem. I wasn't a fan of answering questions anyway.

"My mother will ask the most questions," he added. "She'll use every opportunity she gets to touch your stomach, because they all believe you're pregnant."

His words caught me completely off guard.

"Pregnant?" I blurted out. "I don't understand what you're saying. I'm not pregnant, so why would they think that?"

"Watch your tone, Mrs. Samantha," he snapped. His eyes slowly burned with rage.

But I wasn't listening anymore. I needed answers.

"Tone?" I snapped back. "How can you say that now? You need to clear the air because at this point I'm completely confused." I paced back and forth in agitation, my fingers digging into my hair as my ears strained for a response.

"I told them you're pregnant," he said coldly. "I also told them we've been married for a year now. That's all you need to know, for now."

I stared at him as everything slowly began to make sense.

"You'll wear this tomorrow." He tossed a black nylon bag at me.

I caught it, confused, then froze when I opened it.

A fake pregnancy bump.

"You're going to put this on tomorrow and keep it on until they leave," he said casually, grabbing a bottle of wine from the bar in the corner of the room. "I hope that isn't too hard for you."

Anger surged through me. This was the last straw that broke the camels back.

"This wasn't part of the contract," I snapped. "You never mentioned this. I'm already not okay with you cutting off my communication, and now this? Did you even ask if I was comfortable with any of it? I'm not your puppet an-"

"You see, that's what you don't understand, Samantha." He walked toward me, swirling the wine in his glass. "You are my puppet. And I twist you into any position I wish."

My breath hitched as he got closer.

"Do you remember what I told you in the car?" A sly smile crept onto his lips, the kind that sent chills down my spine.

"Why don't you listen, Samantha?" His smile melted into frustration. Suddenly, he slammed the glass onto the floor. It shattered, the sound echoing loudly through the room.

I staggered back in panic, and he followed, slow and deliberate.

My heart raced wildly when my back hit the wall. There was nowhere else to go.

"I'm not a difficult man," he said calmly as he closed the distance between us. "If you just listen."

His breath brushed against my neck. My body trembled as his hands wrapped tightly around my throat.

"I don't want to hurt you," he said softly. "Just be the good puppet you're meant to be."

His grip tightened. I coughed, gasping for air, my eyes burning as hot tears spilled down my face.

My feet slowly lifted off the floor.

"Be a good girl and obey every command without complaint," he whispered. "Or do I need to keep reminding you?"

With the last strength I had, I nodded.

"Good."

He released me.

I collapsed onto the floor, coughing violently, struggling to breathe.

"Now get lost with that useless nylon," he snarled, "before I come for you again."

He wasn't joking. His eyes were bloodshot, his face void of mercy.

I didn't know how I managed it, but the moment he took another step toward me, I fled the room.

As I ran, only one thought echoed in my mind.

What exactly have I walked into... and what really awaits me?