CHAPTER 1
Michaela stares at her husband from a distance. The handsome man with those pesky blue eyes, raven hair and a ripped physique. She won.
Three years before this man had walked into her office as her father's business partner. It was then that she had lost her heart to him. And he in return refused to even spare her a glance. No matter how hard she tried, he’d always be there for business. And business he did. The partnership turned out to be a huge success. Three new hotels, two major casinos and the ownership of the city's largest and most successful Laney Brother’s Booker Club private limited was all theirs. The money was insane.
But Michaela didn't give a damn about any of that. She wanted him. And so when the terms of partnership was renegotiated, she made sure he was left with no other option but to accept her as his bride. And with her father sitting on the other side of the table, the one who had partly contributed to his education after his father passed away, the deal was sealed. As people say...”there's nothing as troublesome as debt.”
“He’s mine.” She repeats those words over and over in her head. It’s almost surreal.
“You are looking beautiful in that gown.” Connor says as he moves closer to her.
“I know.”
“So you won eh? You bought him.”
It's as if someone has pierced her heart with a burning iron rod.
“I didn't buy him. I just had to use some ways in order to convince him. And what is it any of your business?”
“I was kidding. I'm your friend. I can have a little fun with you and anyways that man looks like anything but someone’s pet. I'm sure he had his reasons. Anyways it's time for you to unburden us.”
“what?”
“ Your luggage is loaded . It's time for you to get lost.”
“ I'm going to kill you Con.”
“ I’ll miss you Mickey.”
He hugs her. Trying hard not to show her his dismay. And when they break away Michaela almost crashes into Nathanial's chest. His jaw is clenched and eyes fixated on her.
“Time to go.”
He says, grabbing her hand so tightly that it makes her cry out. He drags her all the way across the after party hall, from the corridor and into the car. Her heels make it harder to keep up as her ankles keep twisting. And when she lands into the backseat of his SUV with a thud, she feels like screaming. She glances towards him with annoyance but before she could say anything he comes so close to her that it feels like all air has been knocked out of her chest.
He speaks from between his clenched teeth.
“What?”.
For the first time in this long she wants to get away from him. This cannot be him. This is someone else. Someone who is disgusted by her. Someone who wants nothing to do with her. Someone who is stuck by her because she was stupid enough to think she could have him by his wits just like all the other men in her life. But this was it. He hates her. She could see it in his eyes.
“ I’m going to be your worst nightmare.”
And with that he slams the door into her face.
She sits there staring at the ring on her finger. A fine band of platinum and she begins to cry and hitting the front seat with all her might.
“What were you thinking? You crazy little bitch. Look what you did. You fucking ass head.”
But the damage is done. She did this to herself. Now there is no going back. Her ego got the best of her and now she has to deal with the consequences.
By the time Nate returns to the car she has calmed herself. She is going to deal with whatever disaster is on its way.
“Where are we going?” She asks. And he keeps mum like the arrogant ass that she now knows him to be.
“So you are not going to speak for the whole journey?”
Silence.
“Huh. It's not as if I'm doing to talk to you. So how about you take your arrogant ass somewhere else.”
He surely speaks this time. In the most calm voice ever. Playing the words of hate like some fine melody.
“I don't have that option do I. Thanks to your stupid little 23 years old brain. Now I'm stuck with you for two fucking years. So how about you shut up , before I set this care on fire with you inside.”
“You make me sick.”
“Your feelings are reciprocated.”
“You know what your arrogance no more surprises me. What I don’t understand is why do you hate me so much. You don’t even know me that well. How can you hate something without caring to even know about it?”
“ Oh ! I know you alright. I know you better than anyone else, you manipulative little thing. You know what it's not your mistake. It's your parents who have spoilt you, made you believe you are some kind of a Barbie who can have anything she wants. Who thinks that the possession of everything is her birth right. Because daddy never said no for anything did he. Only a girl as vain as you would manipulate and marry a twelve years older man only to be at his mercy in return. But guess what I'm not your daddy. And these next two years you are mine and my words are your talisman.”
He was shouting. Eyes wide, noise flared, and looking at her as if he could savour her like a lion savours the sheep. Even the driver stole glances at him from the rear view mirror.
As for Michaela, she felt sick. The rage inside her rose like a tsunami.
“Stop the car.” She whispered at first.
But when the driver refused to do so, sure shouted at the top of her lungs.
“Stop the fucking car I said. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it right now.”
“Keep driving Andrew.” Nate said.
“If you don't stop the car right now I....”
“ You what? This is not your daddy's mansion. I am the boss his here. The car stops when I ask for it to stop.”
He was right. This was his domain. And she was nothing but a piece of his contact here. However, Michaela was no one’s slave. And the sooner he realized this the better it was going to be for him.
She rolls down the window and starts shouting for help at the top of her lungs.
It works.
People are staring at her. A police van begins to tail their car. And so the SUV comes to a halt.