Chapter 14
After spending these few minutes observing Edde's house I noticed that he didn't have a guard or are they somewhere around the Mansion, he definitely has a maid but few as it seems…
Trailing behind him my eyes couldn't stop staring at his naked back which had the face of a lion drawn boldly on it. His huge masculine body kept calling me, so tempting that I couldn't take my eyes off him. I know that I should be hating him but… How dare he leave his room shirtless to welcome a visitor! Did he do it internationally or was he just feeling at home?
Getting outside of the Mansion, the backyard actually, I first sighted the most luxurious pool I have ever seen with multiple color LED Light installed inside of it which made the pool look clean and attractive, they were lots of attractive lounge chairs around the pool giving it the mini beach vibe, wondering why Edde brought me to this place I quietly followed him to the secluded spot he wanted to sit.
"Have a sit" he calmly offered, which I obliged to sitting comfortably on the lounge chair as my eyes drifted to the pool trying to avoid eye contact with Edde as he was looking closely at me which was getting quite weird.
"You've got a baby inside of you and you're still a college student without a husband and we both know that commoners don't speak well about single mothers…" He said as I nodded in confirmation knowing how bad people in my street are with gossiping.
"Yeah, Edde…" I tried saying as he cut me off.
"Shhh, I wasn't done talking" He said as he kept the pieces of papers on the lounge chair he sat on "The Internet has already started spreading bullshits about us even when we have been seen together just once" he said in a deep sigh as he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, I wonder where this conversation is leading to "To save my reputation and yours equally, we will be getting married" he announced as my eyes shone in disbelief, he can't be fucking serious! "But, on a contract" He said as I wrinkled my forehead in confusion.
"You're confusing me" I said, staring closely at him as he shot me a hard glare.
"That's why you should keep your mouth shut and listen to me!…" He yelled, making me flinch slightly as my eyes went to the papers.
Fuck it, this ain't happening.
"I am sorry I can't marry you even if it's a contract…" I said bluntly, throwing my eyes to the pool as I heard him smirk, what kinda man Is he!?
"Well, does this sound like a plea to you? This is a goddamn command and you do not have a choice!" Hearing that from him triggered my hidden anger as I turned swiftly to him with obvious fury in my eyes.
"How dare you Edde, I mean you don't know me and you think you can force me into marrying a scumbag like you!?"
"if you're all goody as you're claiming to be, why did you get wasted in public and have a one night stand with a man you don't know!?" He yelled as my tongue sealed for some reason I didn't understand, making me angry with myself.
"Edde I won't have you insult me" I said standing up from the chair about to leave his presence.
"If you step an inch I will make sure you're homeless with that whore you call a mother, the apartment you live in is charity and I know the owner of the apartments in that poor place you base, just a call and you both will be thrown out to the street of New York" He said as my eyes glittered in tears knowing how badly it would affect us if the house is taken away, we have stayed in that apartment ever since I was ten and as long as I can remember we haven't paid any rent and the house is quite comfortable for us.
I can't bear losing my home, why is Edde being so mean?… And how did he know about my mom?
"Sit down" he said in that authoritative tone of his as I sat my ass back down wiping my tears off.
"so here is how it goes, you will sign a two years marriage contract with me which means that once the child is a year old you will leave him for me and go live your life, I will give you the sum of 3 million dollars to enable you forget about the child forever" He said as I just stared at him with tears in my eyes, the money he offered was huge but forgetting my own child can't be possible!
"The marriage contract with me has some rules, but…"
***
He slid the papers to her, looking solemnly to her beautiful honey brown eyes, she stared down at the papers and back at his cold expressionless face.
"What's this paper for?" She asked not wanting to read out of it.
"It's a document to seal our deal, so sign it" she hesitated with lots of thoughts running through her mind.
Maybe it isn't a good idea and it wasn't too late to say no, but she also needed the money for family and school!
Elizabeth stared at the papers contemplating if she should sign them or not, she was scared of having regrets after signing them… I mean no woman would happily leave her child for someone she isn't sure will care, knowing fully well that Edde was a carefree man she thought twice about leaving her childs aspect.
Sighing deeply Elizabeth grabbed the pen and signed the papers, 3 million dollars isn't a small money she needed it Anyways.
"Done, any other thing?" She asked with teary eyes, she kinda regretted signing the papers.
"Yes, the rules… Read this and get it stuck in your brain because each time you go against the rules you get punished so…" He said as she hesitantly took the papers from his hand, going through it her mouth fell open in disbelief. What kinda rules is that for a god-damn fake marriage!?
Rule Number 1: You can't leave the house without permission and the chauffeur must take you wherever.
Rule Number 2: You're not allowed to have a job while this contract lasts which means that if you have a job already, re-sign.
Rule Number 3: I make the choices of outfits you wear, you're not allowed to choose your outfit no matter what.
Rule Number 4: You can't argue with me even if you find my decision disagreeable.
Rule Number 5: You are not allowed to be seen with any other man if not me, talk or flirt with them.
Rule Number 6: You have to be submissive to me whenever we are getting intimate, you obey whatever you're asked to do in bed.
Reading through the rules she couldn't believe her eyes as she lifted her eyes to Edde who stared back at her expressionlessly "This is garbage Edde, you can't be serious making such Threatening rules for a contract marriage!".
"Let me make this clear to you Elizabeth, The rules you see should be taken seriously if you don't want to be my prey, no one has dared cross my path so don't start it" Edde said lowering his gaze at her.
"But I can't have sex with you again! I don't wish to quit my job! In Fact I don't agree with any of your sick rules!" Elizabeth yelled angrily as tears streamed down her cheeks "why must you make things way too difficult"
"Well, as it is you do not have a choice, I am paying you anyways" He shrugged his shoulders as Elizabeth bit her lips angrily "It was my dad's idea for me to marry you but what he doesn't know is that it is gonna be a contract marriage, so know how you talk about us around him, we will go see my dad tomorrow to tell him that you agreed to marry me… And yeah we are having a court marriage" Edde said as Elizabeth just stared at him blankly as her brain kept calculating about how her life took a new turn.
*
*
Throughout the day till the next day my mind wasn't at rest as I locked myself up curled up on my bed as my brain thought of different issues.
Edde has told me to get ready by 5pm for us to go see his father but seeing my situation I doubted that I would be able to go see Mr Reluc with Edde.
I stood from my bed headed to the mirror as I stared at my ridiculous image, my eyes where damn swollen and red as I have been on my bed crying since the previous night I came back till this moment, my mom had asked how my day went when I came back yesterday but I avoided her question knowing that my day was horrible, Edde treated me so bad.
"Honey! I made your favorite soup! Open the door please, your food is getting cold!" Mom called out in a worried voice, I could tell she had a cigarette on her lips because I could perceive it. "Elizabeth, I hope you're Good! Please say a word to me so that I can confirm that you're alive because I am on the edge of breaking this door!" Mom yelled as I chuckled lightly, cleaning up my tears.
"I am okay Mom"
*
*
Sitting in the dining room of Mr Reluc I tried my best to flow with Edde's lies even if I wasn't happy, I sipped the wine I was served to keep myself busy and ignore his endless lies.
"Elizabeth I am just so happy you accepted to marry my son, that's the best choice for the sake of the baby and your reputation I am sure you won't like to be a single mom and you won't like to see your baby grow up without a father" Mr Reluc said as I faked a smile nodding my head.
"I am just so lucky that Edde is wise enough to think of taking responsibility for his child, I mean… Most men will deny getting me pregnant" I pointed, faking a smile as I glanced at Edde who sipped his wine rolling his dark eyes at me.
"Awww, I must confess you both will make a lovely couple!" Reluc said holding our hands together which kinda made me uneasy "Edde when is the date for the engagement?"
"Firstly, it will be a court marriage which will be held in my house in two weeks time!" Edde announced as a smile curved Reluc's lips.
"To us!" Reluc excitedly raised his glass as we all clicked the glasses together.
©Pop Precious
