Chapter 19 Marry Charles

Chapter 19 Marry Charles

Linda's POV

I could barely concentrate on the class as anger boiled deep inside me. I watched as Charles moved his lips easily, acting so unaware of the difficulty he had put me in by pulling the stunt he just did.

Why the heck would he bring our private lives to the public? What would people say? That I was a slut who got laid by a man getting married in two days? That I seduced my professor?

I felt Tina's sharp gaze on me. Her eyes were filled with both anger and hurt. I had kept her in the dark all this while and now she was probably wondering if I truly considered her my friend.

I massaged my forehead lightly, trying to ease myself of all the accumulated worries and focus on the class. But as I resolved to listen attentively, the softness of his voice spread warmth all over my body, extinguishing the burning rage.

This I hated but I couldn't help it. I couldn't help being lost just by looking into his eyes and the swift movement of his lips.

I forgot entirely that I was being studied carefully by Tina.

"We have come to the end of today's lecture," Charles announced and I slipped back from my thoughts.

Everybody felt relieved and began to chatter, their voices breaking the existing silence.

"Linda!" Charles called out and the whole class fell silent, all eyes turning to me.

"Make sure you see me at my office before leaving," he ordered and walked out of the class.

I clenched my fists in annoyance and sneered at his disappearing figure.

Just then, Tina stood from her seat and came to stand in front of me.

"How dare you betray me like that?" Her voice was filled with anger and hunger for more gist.

"Calm down, Tina, I—" I tried explaining but she interrupted me.
"Don't Tina me! Give me the whole gist from beginning to end," she said and took her seat beside me.
"There's nothing much to hear. Just that Professor Kane is Nikki's fiancé and they're getting married in two days," I replied plainly and she covered her mouth with both hands in shock.
"Don't tell me you slept with Nikki's fiancé!" she whispered.
"It's a long story, Tina. I'm not like that," I tried defending myself.
"Come on, don't regret it now. That's so cool as revenge for everything she's done to you."
"I don't plan on getting any revenge on Nikki. This is far from that."
"Far from what exactly?" she asked curiously.
"There are many things I didn't tell you. Things that happened within this short period after my mother collapsed."
"Yeah, sure. I thought you needed space so I decided to give you some, but I just realized that I missed out on a whole lot of events and my ear itches to hear them."
"Nikki gave me the money for my mum's surgery," I announced.

"In exchange for what?" she asked, knowing very well what Nikki was capable of.

"In exchange for my virginity."

"What!?"

"She made me sleep with her fiancé in her stead."

"Gosh! You substituted for her?"

"What else could I do? Mum was really in a critical condition."

"Don't blame yourself. You did what anyone else would do in your shoes. Besides, I envy you a lot! You slept with the hottest bachelor ever."

"Tina!" I hushed and she pinched me playfully.

"Promise me to keep this a secret. No one knows about this except you, not even Charles," I said, turning serious.

"Your secret is always safe with me. But are you sure Charles doesn't know? I've noticed the way he looks at you, like someone so familiar to him. His eyes dilate every time he sets them on you. How lucky."

"I don't know what you're talking about but I'm pretty sure he doesn't know it was me that night."

"Okay, fine. So tell me, why did you spend last night with him? Is that part of the deal?" she asked and my face fell.

"I'll be honest with you. Charles came to dinner last night at the Jenkins home, then Rick tried to rape me—"

"Rick the fucking gardener??"

"Yeah. But somehow Charles saved me and took me to his house. What happened, happened. We didn't plan it."

"So tell me, these few nights you've spent with him, something changed right?"

"Something like what?" I asked, a bit lost.

"Don't pretend to be a novice here. Aren't you hurt that he's getting married to Nikki?"

"No! Why should I?" I denied sharply, even when the fact that Charles could never be mine broke me into a million pieces.

"Don't deny it, Linda. I saw the way you looked at him. I observed every detail and noticed the blush that comes to your cheeks every time he calls your name."

"Tina! You're making me feel shy."

"Yeah, because I'm obviously being truthful—"

I glanced at my wristwatch and screamed.

"Gosh! I need to go see Kane. I'm already late for work at the Jenkins."

"See you soon, baby. Take care of yourself."

"Sure, my love. Take care of yourself too," I said and hurried out of the class.

I was already late for work at the Jenkins home, so whatever Charles had to say, he had better be fast about it.

As I approached his office, the anger welled up again and I impulsively flung the door open, forgetting that he was my professor.

"What was the meaning of the stunt you pulled earlier today?" I barked without greeting.

"What?" he said calmly, relaxing on his seat.

"Why did you bring our private lives to the public? What would people say? What if you lose your job?" I continued blabbing when he stood gently and walked towards me. In the blink of an eye, he grabbed my waist and pinned me gently to the wall. My heart stopped and words choked in my throat.

"Now that I've got you alone, you are all mine," he whispered into my ear as he traced my jawline down to the V curve of my shirt.

Then suddenly, he let me go and pointed at a seat.

"Take a seat," he said as I breathed heavily and sat down quietly.

"I've looked over your work for this class," he began, taking a seat opposite me. "Your work is excellent but it's often submitted late. I also noticed that you are enrolled part-time," he said, sounding very formal.

"I don't see what the problem is," I replied expressionlessly.

"You're not living up to your potential. You could be doing so much more! You should be going here full time."

"I can't. I can't afford it," I said, my voice cracking.

"I will get you a scholarship," he said gently.

"You don't get it," I said and looked away.

"You're right. I don't get it and that's why I brought you here. Please explain."

I took a deep breath and resolved in my mind.

"If I wanted your help, I'd ask for it," I said, standing up.

He held my hands before I could leave and stared deeply into my eyes.

"Why did you go along with Nikki's plan that night?" he asked and my heart flew away.

I opened my mouth but couldn't find words to speak. My hands began to shiver terribly and my heart hammered against my ribs.

"What do you mean?" I finally found my voice.

"You're not like them. Why do you play their games?" he asked so softly that I almost admitted everything.

But talking about games, he was the one playing a game here.

"Why do you play their games, Charles?" I snapped back. "I just want to be out of sight and out of mind. When it comes to this marriage, I just want both parties to stop using me!" I retorted, removing his hands from mine forcefully.

"You think I use you?" he asked almost in a whisper.

I noticed his eyes dilated and became watery.

I had to maintain my composure. Maximum composure.

"I have to go. I'm late for work," I said, cutting the tension, and hurried out of his office.

I couldn't let what had just transpired between us get into my head. My major problem was the Jenkins family. I wondered what hell awaited me.

When I reached the house, Jessica and Mr. John were waiting patiently for me.

Jessica held a measuring tape and Mr. John stood with his hands folded.

"She's here," I heard him announce.

"You're late! Come here quickly," Jessica exclaimed and dragged me towards her.

"Raise your hands up. I need to take your measurements," she said.

"What's going on?" I asked, looking confused.

"We need to fit you for that dress," Jessica replied and began to take my measurements.

"About the same size, no need to take in much," Jessica noted.

"What dress? What size?" I looked into John's eyes pleadingly.

"When you ran off with Charles last night," John began, "Nikki was so upset that she drove drunk with Rick. Unfortunately, they got into a car crash and now she's in a coma."

No. No. No. This couldn't be happening.

I opened my mouth to speak but Jessica raised her hand at me.

"Not a word from you. This is all your fault. She'll wake up soon but you're going to take her place in the meantime."

"You don't mean..." I stammered in shock.

"You're going to marry Charles in Nikki's place," Jessica said and tears rolled down my eyes.

"No! This is too much," I protested and looked into John's face for some defense but he shook his head.

"You're going to do it. You owe it to us," he said and Jessica smiled mischievously.

"Am I supposed to sleep with him after the wedding? Move in with him, have his baby? How long do I have to pretend?" I asked, almost screaming at them.

"As long as you're needed," Jessica snarled and pushed me into a chair.

"Now, you have to fit Nikki exactly," she said and walked inside.

"Please, can't it be postponed?" I pleaded with John, hot tears streaming down my cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Linda. We can't miss this opportunity. I can't afford to lose it," he said calmly.

"Are you still exchanging words with this brat?" Jessica yelled as she approached us with a sharp penknife.

My heart tightened as I saw the knife.

Let it not be what I was thinking.

She walked up to me and clutched my shoulders. "John, come help me," she told her husband and he came over.

"Please, what are you trying to do?" I cried.

"Nikki has a scar just above her shoulder. You should have the same too. Charles must not notice anything," Jessica retorted.

"Please! Please, Sir, don't let her do this to me," I cried, struggling against the firmness of her grip.

Mr. John suddenly released his hands and moved back.

"John! What the hell are you doing? You need this merger! Think about it and don't let her foolish cries deceive you," Jessica yelled at her husband.

"No, please," I pleaded.

But suddenly he moved forward and held me down tightly. His hands were so strong that I could barely move.

"Do it," he said and I closed my eyes tightly, begging my skin not to feel the sharp pain of the knife.

But the pain came, sharp and excruciating.