"Congratulations on your wedding" Joana smiled at her
"She is the bride of that bastard, what a pity" a lady said besides Joana and clock her tongue in a pitiful manner before walking off.
Bella frowned when she refer to her husband as bastard
"What's that lady talking about?" She clutched her bouquet and stared hard at Joana
"Maybe she is referring to your husband being the illegitimate son of Nicholas Calvin, a renowned billionaire but refused to recognize your husband"
"Is that all?" Bella insisted when she sensed something in Joana's tone
"Well, rumor has it that he is a broke ass and only has his mother's fortune to his name and I must say, the fortune is not even that great and with the ladies? He is a demon, rumor also has it that the last lady who dared to date him ran off and only her knows what she saw because the only thing she could say about him was that, Daniel Calvin is worst than the devil himself"
Bella shuddered at this description and fear raced in her heart.
"Oh, I forgot to add that he was also an ex-convict, I mean he was in jail before but he is out now so it's not a big deal, I guess"
"Enough please, I don't want to hear more. Why didn't you tell me about it ? And you allowed me to get married to him?"
"You needed help didn't you and I helped you. You've got a place to stay and at least, he is handsome, very handsome I must say because I almost changed my mind" Joana drawled and sashayed passed her
"Ma'am, I was asked to drop you off, let's go" a man approached her, he must be the cab man
"Are you okay?" He asked in a concerned tone, she must have gone pale, who wouldn't feel that way after what she has just heard about the man that she married.
She forced a smile and nodded as she followed the man to the car. She frowned when she saw how expensive the car looks and she paused and stared at the man
"Wasn't I supposed to get in a cab? I mean, I may not know much about cars but this looks pretty expensive to be a cab right?"
The man looked taken aback and lost for a second, "oh yes, you're right but you see, your husband rented this car because it's your wedding day, I mean it's his too right?"
Bella sighed as she agreed with the driver and entered the car, this wasn't how she had imagined her marriage to be and the man that she had just gotten married to was not how she had imagined her husband to be, certainly, not an ex-convict whose ex-girlfriend had described as the devil himself.
Now, what will happen to her? He might just snap her neck the moment he gets back, she shivered in fear as the car stopped in front of a bungalow
"Welcome to your new home and congratulations on your wedding. Ah, here is the key to the building, your husband says that I should give it to you"
"Thank you" she murmured as she collected the key and went down from the vehicle.
"Home, my home" she murmured as she entered into the building, it wasn't so bad looking after all, it's even bigger than aunt Christy's house and Jeremy's house put together.
This is now her home and there is no going back. Although she is scared of the man she just got married to with all the news she has heard about him, she has made up her mind that this will be her home, at least for as long as he wants it.
She thought about her aunt and wished she could call her and tell her what's happening to her right now, her mind wandered to Ana's cousin that she had killed in the cottage, the police might be looking for her right now, she shuddered at the thought of going to prison for killing someone but no one will believe her if she tells them that it was self defense, the way no one believed her when Jeremy uploaded that disgusting photos of hers, Ana must be so disappointed in her.
She looked around the apartment and noticed that there wasn't much in the house, a sofa in the living room and a coffee table and that's it. Even the kitchen looks so empty, her husband must really be a broke ass. She thought to herself as she made up her mind to start looking for a job as soon as possible, at least to help out with the expenses.
Although she did not finish college, she hopes she will at least see a decent job.
She really needs that money that Joana promised her and she hopes to get it soon. She will use it to buy a few things for the house
Going into the only room available, she rummage through the closet for any of her husband's clothes because the only cloth she had brought with her is the wedding gown that she is wearing and which she is supposed to return immediately after her wedding but she will return it the next day.
She finally settled for one of his T-shirts and went into the kitchen to make something for them to eat.
*********************
"Boss, it's done, I dropped her off at your house and she didn't suspect a thing"
"Thank you Oliver" Daniel replied his driver over the phone, he paused when he felt hesitation in his driver's voice
"What is it Oliver?"
"Boss, I think she has heard the rumor about you and she looked scared"
Daniels lips turned up in a rueful smile, he could imagine what must be going through her mind right now
"She asked about the car and I told her that you rented it because it's your wedding day"
"Thank you Oliver" Daniel replied as he hung up.
He was standing in front of his mother's grave, "you see mother, I got married and like I promised, I will not allow your money to fall into the wrong hands, and from today, I'll start executing my revenge plan, I will get back every dime that was taken from you mother, including your company"
He will make sure he avenges his mother even if that's the last thing he does.
*
*
Daniel got home and met her sleeping on the sofa in his favorite T-shirt and he did not feel pleased about it.
She must have started settling in as his wife but he needs to set her straight that although they might be married, but that is only on papers. He would observe her first and if she is worth it, he might not divorce her after a year and would reveal himself to her that he is not actually the pauper she thinks he is and that he is a billionaire with many multinational companies linked to his name.
He moved to wake her up to tell her just how he feels about her in his favorite T-shirt but before he could touch her, her eyes snapped open and in one glance, she took in his stance and raised hand and all hell let loose.
*
*
Bella screamed when she saw Daniel standing beside her with hand raised, was he going to kill her already? She had felt his hand on her throat earlier or was it her imagination? she scrambled away from him and fell on her butt
Despite her resolve that she won't let the rumors get to her but will live as his wife, her resolution crumbled when she opened her eyes and saw his darkened face with hand that was stretched towards her, she scrambled for the bread knife that she was holding before falling asleep while waiting for him, "get away from me" she screamed as she pointed the knife at him
"Hey, relax" he said and brought his hand forward but she shifted backwards,
"Stay away from me, please, don't kill me" she begged, tears falling from the side of her eyes
Daniel stared at her for a moment and then threw back his head and laughed, damn, the rumor really got to his bride's head.
She looked at him in a puzzled frown and managed to stand up from the ground
"Now, why will I kill you?" He asked and his face grew serious once more
"Well, b... because.... because..."
"Because of the rumors? He asked and sat down on the sofa
She nodded and avoided his gaze for fear that he might get mad at her
"So, do I look like a murderer?" He relaxed on the sofa and crossed his legs, obviously enjoying her discomfort
"Murderer isn't written on anyone's forehead, looks cannot tell you who is a murderer and who is not"
"In that case, you can be a suspect too" he leaned forward and stared at her intently, "have you ever murdered someone?"
Bella paled instantly and swayed on her feet.