Chapter 2
"Tell me, Ruby!" The male voice behind her said, "Are you selectively deaf? I'm certain you heard me quite well."
Slowly, she swung around to face the man. There was an obvious look of disdain on his face. He raised a finger and flicked it at her, urging her to edge close to him.
Ruby was stunned, barely able to believe what was happening. Did he just agree to make her his wife in exchange for any money she requests for? She was at a loss at whether to cry or smile, rather she remained numb, staring down at the man.
"If we will pull this off, you need to stop acting like an aged donkey!" The man snapped.
She nodded.
"I asked earlier, what gave you the courage to approach me?"
"You look like a man in need of a wife," Ruby stated bluntly
The man frowned. He cast a glance at his wristwatch, and let out a long hiss.
She was right. He needed a wife. The woman he had agreed with to sign the documents with him had stood him up, even after he explained how important it was.
"I am sorry, Damon!" She had texted his assistant, "I can't do this anymore"
Jaxon had no idea that she was ready to keep to her word until he got a call from his assistant that she had fled her apartment and was nowhere to be found.
He barely had time now, he realized.
He eyed the waitress who stood In front of him, she looked nothing like the woman who caught his attention, and a pile of disgust formed in his throat, but he pushed it down, cleared his throat, and said, "Follow me"
Ruby jerked backward as he stood up abruptly from his seat, making way for him. He took long strides out of the busy restaurant, without turning to check if she was behind him.
There was something about the stranger that irritated Ruby-it made her feel like throwing up. It was only after she trailed behind him as they stepped out of the restaurant and into the streets that she finally figured it out.
He was rude! He had a tongue that only seemed to say hurtful things to her. Was this the kind of man she was? was agreeing to get into a contract marriage with? She asked herself. But, she needed the money for her sister's treatment. She was ready to do anything she could to help her sister.
Ruby was so caught up with her thoughts that she didn't notice where the strange customer had gone to.
Her eyes darted through the crowded parking lot. Cars lined up, filling almost every spot.
An alarm rang through her mind..
"Where is he?" She muttered, confused about how he had walked so fast he disappeared right under her nose.
"Ruby!" A familiar voice called out gruffly.
She looked in the direction of the voice and her eyes fell on the stranger who stood beside a sleek black car with tinted windows.
She half ran towards him, surprised that he had gotten that far before she even realized it.
His frown deepened as she approached him.
"I am fast becoming tired of having to give you simple instructions and struggle to pull through! All I said was to follow me, and you lost sight of me so quickly?" He said, rolling his eyes.
Ruby coughed, "I am so-"
"Get in the car!" He cut in, as he opened the car door and slipped into the backseat.
She jogged around to the other side of the car and got in..
A scream almost escaped her mouth when she realized that there were two other gruff looking men in the car.
They wore identical suits as the stranger from the restaurant and they had dark shades on their faces. One sat in the driver's seat, whilst the order was in the passenger seat in front.
She whipped her head to look at the man who had lured her into the car.
"You didn't tell me you had people with you!" She said in a slightly raised voice.
"I am not under any obligation to tell you that." He snarled.
Her hands felt clammy as she turned to open the car door, "I want to leave. Now!" She cried out.
The man turned to look at her, "Why are you so unsure of yourself? One minute, you are ready to sign a marriage contract with me, the next minute you want to leave. Why?"
She broke down in tears. This is what her desperation had caused her! She had foolishly walked into the trap of kidnappers, all because she needed money.
The man in the driver's seat said, "Mr Jaxon, the registrar?"
"Yes." The man beside her replied, not taking his eyes away from her face.
Mr Jaxon? So, that was the name of this rude stranger?
Soon, her sobs quieted down into sniffles, and she fell silent. She was doing this for her sister, just her sister.
After a short drive, the car pulled up outside a large building.
"Step out" Mr. Jaxon ordered.
The doors unlocked and she jumped out. He walked towards the entrance of the building and she scurried after her, desperate to get this over with.
She noticed one of the men from the car behind her, but she paid him no attention.
Ruby trailed behind Mr Jaxon as he led her up a fleet of stairs and down a well lit hallway to a small, unassuming office.
The room was sparsely furnished, with a single desk and two chairs. The door opened and another man walked into the office, some files in his hands. "Mr Jaxon," He said, casting a wary glance at Ruby.
Mr Jaxon nodded and sat, gesturing for Ruby to do the same.
"I'll give you a contract," he began, "You'll act as my wife, marry me on paper, and in return, I'll pay you a substantial sum."
Ruby nodded. Her eyes were fixed on the contract as Jaxon handed it to her. As she scanned the terms, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"It's for 100 days," Jaxon explained, "After that, the contract is null and void and the terms are simple. Your services as my wife will be needed when the need arises.." he deadpanned in a stern voice.
Ruby nodded again, "I agree."
With a flourish, Jaxon signed the contract, followed by Ruby's hesitant signature.
As they exited the office and walked down towards the elevator, Jaxon handed her a briefcase filled with cash. She unlocked it slightly and her breath hitched.
"Finally! I'll save Kimberly" She let out a sob, tears streaming down her face.
Jaxon was irritated. "Control yourself," he ordered.
Ruby's tears continued to fall, but she nodded, "I'm sorry. It's just... this is a lot to take in."
"I don't want you to draw any attention to us," He said with a clenched jaw. " This contract isn't just about pretending to be my wife, Ruby,"
He paused, more irritated by the sound of the words, "My wife."
She nodded again, waiting for him to continue speaking.
He exhaled and said, "It's about discretion. You need to understand that our marriage must remain a secret. No one can know."
Ruby wiped her eyes. "I understand. I won't breathe a word."
Jaxon's gaze narrowed. "If you so much as hint at our marriage to anyone, the deal is off, and I will make you to pay dearly for it. Do you understand?"
"Ye-Yes. I think so."
"Good. I don't pay you to think, I pay you to follow orders. Now, let's get out of here."
Ruby followed him out of the office with a heavy heart, firmly holding onto the briefcase of money.
As soon as they stepped out of the building, Jaxon's phone rang, and he answered, "Yes, I've taken care of it. The contract is signed, and she's been paid. The marriage will be kept quiet."
Ruby's mind reeled.