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.

The mansion was awfully quiet now that I was alone in this big empty prison I now have to call home. Xavier was in a rush last night, and I had no intention of stopping him. Somehow, being alone after being surrounded by people the whole week was comforting. Looking around, the lavish master's bedroom the size of an apartment is empty. I didn't notice it yesterday but it looked soulless.

There was merely a king-sized bed, a night stand, and a walk-in closet. “How odd,” I muttered before getting out of bed and leaving the bedroom. The halls were eerily empty, the lights were still turned off. “How cute,” I muttered after spotting a photo on the wall of Xavier’s childhood days where he was frowning.

A maid suddenly walked towards me, dropping a whole bucket of water on my clothes. There was a loud splash from the water hitting my body, and a loud thud from the bucket hitting the floor.

My eyes darted to her while her expression looked mildly irritated before softening. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Rhea Moore,” she apologized as she picked up the bucket from the floor. Thinking my eyes must be deceiving me, my eyes furrowed.

It didn’t look like she meant it but her expression was strange. Why even call me by that name in the first place? Didn’t I just marry their employer?

“Watch where you’re going,” I snapped angrily.

She bowed down and walked away. I went back to the bedroom and took a shower, before leaving the bedroom again. This time, a couple maids were gossiping. When they turned to look at me, their smiles faded.

Walking past the maids, their eyes were piercing the back of my skull. “What is up with these people?” I muttered before l stumbled downstairs and saw the kitchen. I’m famished since I haven’t eaten since last night.

“Isn’t it odd he left her the night of their wedding?” I hid behind the wall after spotting people talking. They seemed to be cleaning the kitchen and I listened closely.

“Everyone knew their marriage wasn’t going to last,” the other one answered and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Even now I can’t catch a break.

The moment I walked inside, the smug smiles they had on their face was gone. They simply avoided eye contact and left the room. Somehow there were a lot of people in the mansion but they seemed to be avoiding me.

The whole day I spent in the mansion, no one spoke to me. Even when I tried to ask for help with meals, no one even offered a hand.

I have no idea how to cook, I was forced to eat some burnt eggs I desperately tried cooking. “What useless maids did he hire? How annoying,” I murmured, knowing they were completely doing this on purpose.

I don’t want to be bothered so I’ll let it slide.

I thought everything would be okay, that they’d just completely ignore me. But I was dead wrong. Strolling through the empty mansion, I felt the ice-cold bucket of water once again hit my body. I stood there in disbelief, shaken to my core.

I was dripping wet like a puppy.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?!” I turned around to look at who threw the water, but there was no one there.

Breathing heavily while my vision turned red, I looked through the mansion until I spotted a couple maids. “Serves her right. She’s not even part of the family,” I heard a blonde woman say while holding onto a mop.

“He’d snap back to his senses… I know he’d prefer me,” she added and I stared at her in disbelief. My fist clenched in anger. Not because of what she said, but because of how they’ve been treating me.

“Blondes are what most men are into. I’m sure he’s no different.” My hair was dark brown that reached my midwaist. The audacity of this woman.

“A mistress doesn’t sound so bad.” Her irritating smile made my blood boil. One thing I hate in the world is disrespect.

My body was dripping wet from the cold water yet my whole being was hot and angry. I stormed closer to her, everyone around noticing my presence but her. Once she turned to look at me, it was too late. “You want to play games? I’ll show you my games.” I yanked her hair hard, pulled her head down.

Her so-called friends gasped but couldn’t do anything.

My vision has been all red, piled with anger and frustration since yesterday. She grabbed my hand gripping onto her hair but I continued pulling her. “Are you enjoying this?!” I asked while she screamed at me.

“You psycho–” She whimpered as I dragged her down the stairs.

When I reached the first floor, everyone was already looking at us in disbelief. Her long blonde hair wrapped around my fingers, her body dragging on the floor. My breathing was ragged, my eyes cold and menacing.

Before I could do anything else, the two front doors opened. The sun shone from the sun blinding me, as the man who had been gone for two days walked inside. Everyone froze including me. “Well if it isn’t Mr. Xavier Ackres,” I said sarcastically.

I forced the woman to stand up and pushed her towards him.

“If you were going to marry me, at least have the decency to have a mistress hotter than me!” I screamed, my voice echoed as everyone stayed silent.

It’s not really the issue but she dared imply I was uglier than her.

“Is this how you really treat your wife?” I walked towards him with seething anger. His eyes darted down my body, my clothes still dripping with water. His expression was unreadable, he was stoic and only stared at me and no one else.

“Leave.” His voice was low and dangerous.

“LEAVE!” Everyone scattered away, including the woman I dragged along with me. His voice was like a grueling thunder. Intimidating and commanding. There, standing under the sunshine by the massive mansion doors, stood the two of us. My body was shaking from rage while he walked towards me.