I woke up with unbearable pain on my lower body. I shifted in the bed, groaning as I opened my eyes. I looked at the fancy ceiling above and realized it was not my bedroom. “Shit,” I murmured, remembering the impulsive decision I made the night before. I slowly looked to the other side of the bed and saw the sleeping man who saw my most vulnerable state.

“Even asleep he’s hot,” I said with a laugh. I tried to get out of bed but my legs almost gave out, and I sat back down on the bed. Still without clothes, I covered myself using the blankets. It was a long night, I could still vividly imagine it.

“You’re trying to sneak out so soon?” I almost jumped from my seat and I turned around and saw him wide awake, enjoying the view of my bare back. I fully covered myself with blankets and ignored him.

He stood up from the bed and walked away before coming back a few minutes later with a whole feast on a tray. I already put my clothes back on before he returned. I eyed him curiously and he placed the food down on the bed. “Eat so you regain some energy,” he said and I looked at him with suspicion.

“I don’t even know you,” I remarked, making him laugh loudly. His face is more charming now compared to last night where I was intimidated.

“Yet here you are,” he said with a laugh. My stomach growled loudly and I closed her eyes in embarrassment. Why did my stomach have to betray me at a time like this? Defeated, I started eating the delicious meals while he watched me intently. After the long tiring night we had, food was the best recovery.

“Tell me how you’re going to avoid marriage,” he suddenly said, making me stop eating. He looked me up and down, waiting for an answer. “Did I do a great job aiding you?” he asked with a sly smirk and I rolled my eyes.

“I’m arranged to marry someone and let’s just say I have no intentions of marrying him,” I said with bitterness in my voice. He nodded his head and sat down closer to me. Xavier lifted my head and examined my face. “It would be a shame for just any man to marry this pretty face,” he commented and I pushed his hand away.

This sly man!

“My mother said he wanted a virgin. Out of all my siblings, I was the only one left. And any more of that is none of your business,” I muttered with annoyance and only continued eating since I was starving. He stayed silent and laid down on the soft bed.

I finally breathed a sigh of relief after he stopped pestering me with questions. I barely even know the guy yet I already revealed my intentions of approaching him. I’m only glad he’s not offended of some sort.

After regaining my strength, I grabbed my purse and pulled out a blank cheque and handed it to him. “Let’s never see each other again,” I declared before standing up, still struggling to keep my body from falling. He looked at the cheque and back to me with a menacing stare. I almost flinched.

“That’s it?” he asked and I nodded my head.

I looked at my phone buzzing from all the calls from my family. “You’re exactly my type but we can never cross paths again,” I said in disappointment while he only stared at me looking down on him while he was sitting on the bed.

“Put any amount on that and it’s all yours,” I said, pointing to the blank cheque he had on his hand. I thought he would protest but he only watched me leave. Better, I guess. Only after I was gone, he let out a loud chuckle, looking at the paper I left.

The moment I returned to our family villa, I was met with harsh scolding from my mother. “Where have you been? You’re going to meet your future husband today and you’ve been gone all day!” my mother looked like her blood was boiling with anger and I only rolled her eyes in response.

“Listen—” I was cut off.

“Go and take a shower. You look like a ragged racoon with that hair,” my mom said in annoyance.

“Listen—” I grabbed my mother’s shoulder to get her to pay attention. “I can’t marry him,” I declared and my mother was already tired hearing that from me over and over again. The maids in the villa were already preparing everything for his visit yet I was about to announce the most diabolical thing.

“I’m no longer a virgin,” I said with a wide smirk. My mother’s mouth dropped to the floor before pulling me away from the people around. “We’re about to go bankrupt! How dare you go against our wishes?!” she freaked out and I almost scoffed. As if that’s my problem.

“Rhea! Your marriage will be the only thing that can salvage our family!” she shouted in anger; her face twisted from so much stress. I only looked at her, unimpressed.

“Go to your room and get ready. You’re meeting him whether you like it or not.” With my mother’s unwavering spirit, I was forced to return to my room and take a shower.

“Fine, I’ll tell that man myself.” I am determined to stop the engagement from happening, and I would do anything. After getting ready, I wore a loose shirt and pants and headed downstairs.

Her mother, who saw her walk inside the living room, stood up in anger. I looked at my three older sisters who were sat obediently on the couch. “What? Don’t I look dazzling?” I asked sarcastically and spun around.

“Change RIGHT NOW!” my mother shouted. Her voice echoed in the villa but I stood firm.

Moments later, a maid walked in the room. “Mr. Ackres has arrived.” There was a cold silence among all of us. It felt as if cold water was thrown above my head. I gritted my teeth but smiled slightly.

“I told you. I am not marrying that man!” I snapped in anger while my mom walked up to me and grabbed my arm. I tried to get away but her grip was firm.

“I’m no longer a virgin so he could go ahead and shove that idea up his ass!” My sisters’ eyes widened and their jaws dropped, they all looked at each other in confusion. One thing about me, I was never interested in relationships to begin with. They only left me with no choice.

“There’s no need to fret.” They all froze in place as they heard a man’s voice a few feet behind me. My brows furrowed, that deep voice seemed familiar.

His heavy footsteps slowly approached us. My mother’s grip loosened from my arm and stepped aside. The moment the footsteps stopped, everyone was already looking above my head. “There would be no problem marrying your daughter,” he said as his voice rumbled.

I slowly turned around before her eyes looked up to see his face. My face went through emotions from confusion, anger, and betrayal. I took small steps back as I looked at him from head to toe. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Rhea…” He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. His eyes never leaving mine.

His stare, dangerous like a wolf with insatiable hunger. I knew he was trouble yet I walked right into his trap. I could see the cunning smirk on his face. “I’m Xavier Ackres, your fiancé,” he whispered in a low yet sultry tone.

Mrs. Moore, my godforsaken mother, was over the moon to hear the engagement was still happening. She was thrilled to know that her own fucking daughter, the pawn she chose to get her riches back, is already acquaintances with Xavier Ackres. She introduced everyone to him before he finally requested that we talk alone. I was too speechless to even say anything earlier.

Once there was no one else in the room, there was a long silence. My eyes, filled with rage, glared at him. “You tricked me…” I whispered in disbelief and he leaned back on the chair. We were sitting in front of each other yet I felt we were miles apart.

“Tricked you? Baby, you wanted to have me,” he said much pleasure in his eyes.

He shifted in his seat and leaned forward. “If you hated the idea of our marriage, you should’ve tried harder to escape.” I stood up and slapped him across the face. He scoffed before standing up, his towering figure I could now not recognize as the same man I spent a night with.

He stepped closer, my chest against his torso. I could feel him breathing hard as his eyes were locked on mine. “Didn’t I tell you? Once we start, you can’t back out.” His words echoed in my mind. In my pure rage, I tried to slap him again but he caught my hand. He pulled me by my waist, pressing himself against my body.

“Our wedding is happening in a week. I love that defiance in you but don’t try running away,” he whispered sweetly and kissed my forehead.

“I’ll always end up finding you again,” he whispered in a deadly tone before letting me go. I was only silently bewildered, watching him walk away. Once he was out of sight, I sat down on the couch while gripping my hair in frustration.

“So stupid! So fucking stupid! What have I done?!” I scolded herself, almost screaming. I feel like I’m about to have a panic attack, I can’t even breathe! My eyes landed on the coffee table that had a piece of paper neatly folded.

I grabbed it and opened up the familiar paper. “Hah!” I said in disbelief. Placed on the palm of my hand, the blank cheque I gave Xavier now has words written on it. I crumbled the paper and threw it across the room.

The blank cheque now has my full name, Rhea Moore, in the blank space.

The day after meeting my “fiancé” was a blur. News outlets were flooded with news of our engagement while I was being fitted for a wedding dress. I looked outside the window of the dress shop and there were paparazzi taking pictures of me. “What even is so special about marrying him?” I asked before rolling my eyes.

“You’re marrying the richest man in the country. It’s only fitting they get curious,” my mother interrupted my thoughts.

I couldn’t count on how many wedding gowns I already tried yet none of them stood out. It’s been hours since they started looking for the perfect dress my mother adamantly insisted but all the paparazzi suddenly vanished from the window.

The hell? Confused, I glanced outside and saw them swarming a familiar car I rode all the way to that hotel. “How annoying,” I said while the lady tightened the wedding dress on me, and I could hardly breathe.

In walks Xavier Ackres with flowers in hand as everyone watches him walk to his “fiancée”. The people inside squealed in excitement while I looked at him with disgust. “Get out of my sight,” I said but he merely smiled and offered me the flower.

Acting and all, I got to give it to him. He’s annoyingly handsome and manipulative.

I looked at the flower and grabbed it. I could smell the scent of each rose and there was a small smirk on his lips. Jokes on him, I had no intention of playing nice.

I threw the bouquet on the floor. “Rhea!” mom screamed.

“Oops… I dropped it,” I said with a cunning smile to Xavier.

“Everyone. Leave,” he commanded and before long, everyone left the shop with the blinds covering the paparazzi from seeing us. I thought he would be outraged because I threw the flowers to the ground but he instead sat on the couch.

“Have you picked an outfit for our wedding already?” he asked and I sighed. I eyed him with annoyance.

“Is that why you’re here? Really?” I asked while struggling to breathe from the dress. It was too tight on me and I haven’t eaten all day because mom insisted on it. “Just so you know I’m making your life a living hell if you marry me,” I threatened while trying to adjust the dress.

I didn’t notice him come up from behind and unzip the dress. I breathed out but was still wary of him. “I don’t mind being ruined if it’s because of you,” he answered, only irritating me further.

“Where was this feisty attitude when you were shaking beneath me in bed?” he asked and my face instantly turned red. I hit him on his chest hard.

“LEAVE!” I shouted in embarrassment.

Chuckling, Xavier followed my wishes and headed out of the door. Only then did everyone return to help me with changing. My eyes landed on the floor, as I stared at the flowers and kicked it away before changing into a different dress.

I thought that the news of my defiance against the marriage would be the headlines that afternoon but I was dead wrong. Photos of Xavier handing me the flowers and when I was sniffing it like I was enjoying his gift were the ones posted online. Not a single one mentioned my tantrum or a photo of what happened.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

It was then I realized that my future husband, Xavier Ackres, could manipulate anything to get what he wanted. It wasn’t because I was stupid to fall for his trap, he was just steps ahead. Before I could even plan, he already shackled me in his arms.

After that… I tried my best to run away, or to even hide. Yet he always managed to track me down and brought me back to our villa. There was no news, no leaks, no nothing of my attempts to escape! He was scrapping everything clean!

When the day of the marriage finally came, the whole world was watching. It was only me who was uninterested in all the expensive jewelry, venue, and decorations around. I was sitting on a leather chair while getting my makeup done, tuning out the sounds around.

“Are you ready to walk down the aisle?” My mother who was over the moon asked gently and I refused to answer.

“I know this is hard on you… But it’s the only thing that could keep our family afloat,” she explained for the millionth time already. I continued ignoring my mother while my legs fidgeted in my seat.

She bent down and held onto my hands. “Mr. Ackres is a good man… he will treat you right.” She then stood up and left the room. Sitting there looking in the mirror, I wanted to believe what she told me.

Walking down the aisle to a love song while my groom looked at me with admiration seemed to come out of a fairytale. The guests were all eyes on me as I walked down the aisle, dragging my long wedding gown on the floor. I looked like a princess, shining under the chandelier lights, walking to her prince charming.

A princess stuck to a tower because my prince charming wouldn’t let me out.

“You’ll regret this,” I whispered to him the moment I met him at the altar. He smiled softly and held my hand. To everyone else, it looked like we were a loving couple. To us, it was like a warzone. I was gripping onto his hand tightly that’s enough to break a bone yet his expression never changed.

How is this man not affected? He’s even more annoying than before.

I tried hard to get a reaction out of him by stepping on his foot with the sharp end of my heels but was unsuccessful. I glanced at him, still bewildered that I’m about to marry the man I tried so hard to avoid. He glanced back at me with a cheeky smile and I looked away.

He was wearing formal attire for the wedding day. His hair slicked back, as if he was actually there to marry a woman he loved. It was a sight to see, he knew I liked his handsome face. How dare he use it against me? “How long is this fucking ceremony,” I murmured. He glanced at me and snickered.

“Eager to have me in bed?” he joked, and I glared at him.

After what felt like hours of waiting, we finally reached the end of the ceremony. “You may now kiss the bride,” the priest said and the crowd cheered. I tried to back away but my now husband grabbed my waist, and pulled me in for a kiss and the crowd went wild.

This barbarian! I swear I’m going to scream if he continues!

Luckily, it was only a few seconds of kissing before he let me go. I almost wiped my lips but he held my hand as if he sensed what I was about to do.

At the reception of the wedding, I was approached by my sisters after I was done changing into a fitted white dress. “I can’t believe you fucked the man you wanted to get away from.” My eyes widened and hushed them. I’m already beating herself over that and they reminded me all over again.

I kind of told them what happened and they just kept teasing me about it. I shouldn’t even have told them but I was freaking out too much.

“Rhea, if you need someone to talk to… We’re here for you, okay?” Their words seemed meaningless to me now. If they really cared, they wouldn’t have let their youngest sister be the sacrificial lamb. Nonetheless, I merely nodded.

After the long tiring day, it still hasn’t sunk in to me that I’m married. My eyes followed the man who I ultimately despised yet was also drawn to. My newlywed husband started walking towards me when he saw me looking at him and I tried to leave. “Ready to leave?” he asked and I shook my head.

“You know what? I would much rather stay,” I tried to keep us from being alone in a room yet he carried me bridal style, and started walking out of the venue. I tried calling for people to stop him yet no one dared.

We entered the limousine and he placed me down. “It’s our honeymoon, baby. All of this—” He guided my fingers along his chest down to his crotch. “—Is all yours.” My face instantly heats up by his offer.

The drive to his massive estate felt so quick and I wasn’t prepared for what night we were about to have. He carried me all the way inside, and I didn’t have time to even look around before he brought me to the master’s bedroom.

“I’m really tired—” I tried to protest.

“Getting shy now after using me for one night?” he asked with a laugh while removing the dress I was wearing. I didn’t say anything but my face was tomato red.

He guided me to the bed and pushed her down. “Spread your legs.” When I didn’t obey, he spread them himself. I was only wearing my undergarments and he could see the outline of my wetness through my underwear. He lightly flicked my clitoris, making me shiver, before removing my underwear.

“How cute pretending you don’t want this.” I hate to admit it but he’s dangerously attractive.

I thought he was only going to do what he did the first time we did it but I was wrong. He lowered his head and slid his tongue from my entrance upwards. I let out a faint moan, feeling the wetness and heat from his mouth.

“Mr. Ackres, I have urgent news to say!” There were loud knocks on the door. I took a sharp breath and looked in the direction but he wouldn’t stop licking me. “f-fuck—” I bit my fist, trying not to make a sound.

He put a finger inside while sucking my clitoris, hitting the spot. We only did it once before yet he already knew my sensitive parts. How is this man so good? “You bastard…” My legs wrapped around his head while he relentlessly pleasured me as my body shook from his touches.

“I can’t anymore—” I breathed heavily as uncontrollable juices came out and he savored every last bit. I was sweating profusely as he pulled out his finger and stood up. “I’ll be right back,” he announced before leaving the room.

I could still feel his tongue on my skin and shivers went down my spine. This is dangerous. I hate to admit it but that man makes me experience pleasure I couldn’t ever imagine. Moments later when he came back, he brought a glass of water.

“I need to leave and will be gone for two days,” he said with a sigh. I looked down before looking at him again.

“Don’t be too disappointed, we’ll continue where we left off,” he said as he handed me the water.

“What? Who’s disappointed? I’m glad you’re leaving!” I grabbed the glass and started drinking the water. He walked to the closet and grabbed a polo and placed it next to me.

“My father is in critical condition, that’s why I need to go,” he explained and my face softened. I don’t have many memories of my father. He was always away and barely talked to me before he passed. I never really knew what it was like… Xavier suddenly kissed my forehead but I pulled away quickly.

“I’ll be back soon, my wife…” I sat there as he left the room, still getting used to that term. I was no longer single and free, now Mrs. Rhea Ackres.