Chapter 32 CHAPTER 32: The Ultimatum
Adam
Fury gnawed at my insides as I stormed out of the hospital. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to turn back and apologize, but I let my ego win. Regret, sharp and bitter, twisted in his gut. Leaving didn't solve anything. It didn't bring Hazel any closer, nor did it magically erase the possessiveness in Williams' eyes. I had seen it, the way Williams held her hand, a silent claim of ownership. It mirrored the cold, calculating grip my own father used whenever he introduced a 'potential candidate' to me.
The thought of my father sent a fresh wave of anger crashing over me. The man's relentless pursuit of a marriage for me had become a twisted obsession. My father had been on my back trying to marry me off for his own selfish gain and I would never marry anyone for my family’s gain. If it means waiting for another year and six months for Hazel, I will. She will leave Williams after the contract. I knew she would. She just needed a little bit of convincing to change her mind and I knew she was not in love with him.
As my gaze swept across the parking lot, I noticed a tinted black car which I recognized instantly – my father's signature shadow, following me wherever I went.
Two burly figures, Hank and Harry, my father’s bodyguards, emerged the moment I stepped outside, their expressions stoic as usual. With a sigh, I climbed into the back, the plush leather offering a cold comfort. My father sat across from me, a triumphant smirk twisting his lips.
"Hey, Dad," I muttered, the word tasting like ash in my mouth.
"Still hung up on a married woman, are we?" he sneered.
The air crackled with his derision. "She loves me, Dad," I snapped back, defiance momentarily flaring. But his booming laughter quickly doused the flames.
"Love? Love doesn't put food on the table, you foolish boy!" His voice echoed in the confined space, each word sharp and dismissive. "I blame your mother for this whole 'love nonsense' you cling to. If you don't pull yourself together, I'll be forced to take drastic measures."
His words sent a shiver down my spine. I knew him all too well. My independence, my desire to build my own life, had always been a thorn in his side. He saw me as an extension of his will, not his own child.
"I won't let you control me," I growled, a futile attempt at regaining some semblance of power.
"Control?" He scoffed. "You've enjoyed the freedom of my money for far too long. From now on, it's obedience or an empty bank account. Take your pick." My father has never made idle threats as fear gnawed at my insides.
"Dad, please," I pleaded, desperation creeping into my voice. "Just give me more time with Hazel."
"More time? I've given you more time than anyone deserves! Three months, Adam. Three months to find someone suitable. I will give you three months before I choose your bride for you. Understand?" He said, not waiting for a reply, he continued.
“In the meantime, you will keep going on dates and I will keep sending suitable matches for you until you make a choice” he thundered.
Helplessness washed over me. I nodded in agreement as the car pulled to a stop at my house.
Stepping out onto the familiar pavement, I felt the weight of my burdens double. A quick rest would do me good, as I needed a clear head to convince Hazel to choose me, to choose love over the gilded cage Williams offered. The clock was ticking, and the game had just gotten a lot more complicated.
As I got into the house, it felt strange and airy. I was too tired and stressed out emotionally to feel relaxed, so I went to the only thing that kept me relaxed. I got my laptop out and tried to catch up with the two days’ work I'd missed, but the figures and codes in front of me looked like little pebbles. I stared and willed my brain to process things but nothing seemed to work. I stood up and went into the bedroom to take a nap. As soon as I got in, Hazel's eyes stared back at me everywhere I turned. My mind went back to the day Williams had barged into our privacy. I remembered how vulnerable Hazel was, how I really wanted to save her from him, wishing I had done more. Maybe if I had told her who I really was, maybe she would be mine now. I slumped on the bed as regrets washed over me like torrents. I don’t know how long I lay there and when sleep overtook me, but when I jerked awake and checked my time, it was almost midnight.
As I woke up, everything came back, and I did not want to be alone, so I made a call.
“Hey Sophia, where are you?” I asked, wincing from the low thumping sound and the loud murmur of people talking and laughing in the background.
My relationship with Sophia was easy and straightforward. We had an agreement where we enjoyed intimacy without the complications of a romantic relationship. She was a really laid-back person that loved fun. She gave little or no care to life and all her days were spent at the club and hanging out with friends thanks to her rich family who funded her lifestyle. Anywhere there was fun, Sophia was there and she wasn’t demanding or complicated.
"Sophia giggled into the phone. “Hey handsome, sorry, it's a bit loud here. I'm at the club with some friends.'"
“Want to keep me company tonight”? I asked in a low tone.
“Would love to babe. She replied,
“Let me know when you come over” I drawled.
“Listen babe, I can barely hear you over this noise, but I’m sending my driver to pick you up so get ready, and he will be there in 15 minutes, okay. See you babe” and she hung up the call.
I dropped the phone and rubbed my eyes. I was not in the right frame of mind to stay indoors, so I sat up, stretched and sluggishly stood up from my bed to find a suitable outfit for a club.
I rummaged through my wardrobe and finally settled on dark denim jean trousers, plain black button shirt, a brown leather jacket and brown sneakers. I paired the look with a brown Rolex wristwatch and a necklace. Dressing up has already made me feel better. As I stood admiring myself in the mirror, my phone pinged, and I checked to see a message from Sophia.
Sophia: Your ride is outside. I can’t wait to see you.
I sent a smiley emoji and grabbed my wallet.
As we arrived at the club, bass pulsed through my chest as I stepped out of the car. The club entrance pulsed with colored light that bled out onto the sidewalk and a line of eager night clubbers waiting to be admitted. A bouncer stood guard. I was not in the mood for preening, so I texted Sophia. I was around, and before I could say jack, the heavy oak doors of the club swung open and Sophia rolled out, a vision in emerald green tight-fitting short dress which exposed her endless model legs. I gulped and smiled.
"Hey, babe! You made it!" she purred, her voice husky with amusement before pushing past the bouncer with a smile that could melt glaciers. He barely grunted in response, his gaze flickering on her wrist where a chunky VIP bracelet gleamed in the strobe light. Problem solved.
She grabbed my hand, pulling me through the doorway. The air inside throbbed with a primal energy, the music of a living entity that vibrated along the floor.
“Damn, you look delicious” she said while going in for a hug and a perk on both cheeks, which I returned. Then she proceeded to unbutton my shirt and I placed my hands on top of hers to stop her.
“What are you doing, Soph?” I asked, wide-eyed.
“Loosen up Adam, you are a bundle of nerves” she teased, before proceeding to unbutton some more buttons on my shirt. She took a look at her handwork and nodded her head.
“Come, my friends are waiting”, she dragged me to a part of the club that had less lighting. As my eyes adjusted to the environment. I counted two girls who were openly ogling me and three guys, and sipping really expensive wines. When they saw us approaching, they made room and I was dragged down by Sophia. As soon as my butt hit the soft plush cushion, she placed both hands on my neck and dragged my head down for a searing kiss. Our mouths tangled in a delicious dance before she came up for air.
“What was that for” I whispered in her ear?
“Just marking my territory” she replied.
I rolled my eyes.
She made some introductions while I faked a smile and waved when all I wanted was a good tangle on the sheets back at my place. We had some small talk, and then I decided to take control. I stood up, helped Sophia up, and we stepped to the dance floor. A slow song was playing, and I needed something to take my mind off Hazel, so I held Sophia in the waist while we moved to the dance floor.
As the bass thrummed through my chest, a steady pulse vibrated in the soles of my feet. Maya leaned close, her head nestled in my neck, and I wrapped my arms around her waist, the familiar scent of her flowery perfume filling my senses and sending delicious signals to my groin.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement. One of the guys from Sophia’s group of friends was walking towards us, a confident swagger in his step, and before I could react, he slipped between Maya and me. Then he turned to me and gave a flirty smile. I turned to Sophia and saw her broad smile and the little glint of pleasure in her eyes. She gyrated between both of us before dragging us off of the dance floor. We followed her as she stepped outside and beckoned to her driver.