Chapter 159: : A Plan in the plan

Jayden paced back and forth in the dimly lit corridor, his mind racing. The weight of Andrew’s words echoed relentlessly in his head. "They’ve drugged her so she doesn’t remember her past." It felt as if the walls were closing in on him, suffocating his determination.

“Don’t forget,” Andrew added somberly. “It’s as if they did something to make her forget. This drug just keeps her in that state.”

Jayden slumped into a nearby chair, resting his head in his palm, overwhelmed. “I need to get her out of there,” he murmured, a feverish desire igniting within him. “I need to get her out now.”

Andrew stepped closer, placing a supportive hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay? Hearing what those guys have done really makes me want to kill them.”

Jayden flushed, the intensity of his emotions surging. “Knowing Kia didn’t betray me gives me hope. I’m gonna get her out of there one way or another.”

Kali tossed her bag onto the floor of her room, frustration bubbling to the surface as she crumpled onto the carpet. “Mr. Scott, you are not going to get away with this,” she muttered, her voice tinged with a mix of anger and disbelief. As she rifled through her thoughts, a sudden realization hit her. “Why am I acting so childish?” she questioned, shaking her head as she pushed herself up.

With a determined resolve, she walked over to her desktop and searched for the marriage registry in Lagos. If he must marry, then he should marry,

she thought with a wicked smile. The clock ticked towards 10 a.m. when she found herself standing outside the courthouse, where Jayden would soon be wed. Clad in a short white dress, she took a deep breath as she entered the building, only to be met with the surprised gaze of Jayden, who stood just inside.

“What are you doing here, stalking me?” he snapped, his tone harsh as he took a step forward.

Kali felt the weight of all eyes in the room upon her and instinctively looked down. “I’m here to wish you a happy married life,” she said softly, handing him a wrapped box, her heart racing. “Can I give you a hug?”

Jayden hesitated, his anxiety palpable as he thought of her reaction to his wedding. “Thank you, but you know why I’m doing this. Are you trying to spite me?”

Kali felt a flicker of her excitement doused by his cold words. “What will happen to my feelings, Mr. Jayden?” she asked, surprised by the tremor in her own voice.

His hands ran through his hair, a sign of his own mounting stress. “I can’t promise you anything, Kali.”

As an adrenaline rush surged through her, she fought for composure. “Okay,” she replied quietly. Andrew, standing nearby, nudged her to move inside.

Moments later, surrounded by family and a few curious onlookers, Kali looked at Jayden during the ceremony, surprised at how her heart began to beat fervently in her chest as they exchanged vows. Once they had signed the marriage contract, Jayden slipped her a set of keys, a new phone, and two sleek black credit cards.

“As my wife, you and I are expected to live together,” he said, his tone authoritative yet oddly distant. “This evening, Levi, my driver, will come to pick you up. You only need your suitcase.”

Kali nodded, uncertainty swirling in her chest as she turned towards Zola, whose eyes brimmed with a million questions. “Wait, how did you convince him?”

Hours later, she arrived at her apartment, her mind racing. Ben, her best friend, entered just as she was parking her bag. “Hey, bestie! How was your day?”

With a smile, she mirrored, “My day was okay—you know my client got married today?”

Ben's smile broadened. “You mean that lonely worker? Good riddance! Kali, our lives are better without Zola and that job. I was thinking of pitching you an idea.”

Kali tilted her head, intrigued but also anxious about the arrival of Jayden's driver. “What idea?”

“Let’s get married. Since your parents want you to marry so badly, and we’re friends, it could work!”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “Marry Ben? You’re like a brother to me. Did you forget we’ve been friends forever?”

Ben frowned, attempting to convince her further. “It’s better than marrying a stranger who won’t love you, but I promise my heart will change.”

“Kali?” Ben pressed, sensing her hesitance.

She turned away, pulling clothes from her wardrobe. “Kali, don’t ignore me. Why are you packing a suitcase?”

“Okay, Ben, you’re going to find out anyway.” She turned to face him, her voice steady. “Jayden and I got married, and we signed a contract, so don’t worry.”

Ben stared, shock washing over him. He hadn’t expected her to marry Jayden—another man interrupting his plans to manipulate her into submission. “You can’t marry him! I warned you about this escort job!”

“Well, I already did, and I like Jayden. I’m hoping to make him fall for me, even if it seems impossible,” she snapped, her patience wearing thin.

“Are you kidding me, Kali? You’ll end that relationship right now.”

“Ben, you’re just my friend, and right now, I feel like you’re overstepping. Don’t you think it’s time I made my own choices?”

He stepped closer, frustration clear in his eyes. “Kali, please don’t marry a stranger because you feel desperate.”

Hearing the engine of a car outside, she glanced towards the window, spotting Jayden standing by a sleek vehicle. “He’s here. I’m excited, Ben. I can’t wait to start my new life.”

Ben’s grip on his phone tightened. “Don’t come running to me when he turns out to be just as crazy as the rest.”

Kali picked up her suitcase, heading towards the door. Outside, Jayden approached, offering to take her bag from her. She noticed a well-dressed man beside him and couldn’t help but feel anticipation surge in her veins.

Upon entering the car, Ben stormed out, striding towards Jayden with purpose. “I don’t know why you want to marry her, but I’ll talk to her family, and we will sue you. Did you know she was in an accident a few years ago? She is not in the right frame of mind to make decisions like marriage.”

Jayden’s smile was calm and confident. He knew the truth—Ben wasn’t who he seemed, recognizing him as Alan Watt in disguise. He understood that the people around Kali were puppets in a scheme to control her.

As they drove off into the city, Kali couldn’t shake off the feeling that this marriage was more than just a legal contract. Underneath the layers of tension, secrets, and half-truths lay a mystery that only time would unveil, binding their fates in a way she never anticipated.