"Wifey, what are you doing in the middle of the damn road?"
I snapped out of my daze, anger boiling inside me. "Don't you dare call me that. I'm not your wife. I'm not marrying you"
"Cute," he said, smirking. "You actually think you have a choice?"
Before I could reply, Asher came rushed to my side , gripping my arm protectively. Maya stumbled behind trying to catch her breath.
"Ohhhh," She dragged the word, eyes widening as she looked at him up and down . "Now I get why you don't want to marry Asher-you've got a better option. I don't blame you girl, he's hot."
I eyed her immediately because she's definitely not supposed to be preaching to the choir.
"What? I'm drunk not blind?"
"I'll take both of you home" Asher said as he held my arm tighter.
I yanked my arm free from Asher's grip and glared at him "Stay away from me. Whatever deal my dad made, I'm not part of it."
He chuckled before stepping back into his car. "We'll see wifey"
"Okay, we didn't get ivited to the wedding?" Asher said sarcastically.
"Haha, very funny."
"Wait! I knew he looked familiar!" Maya cut in. "Hand me your phone Asher." He handed over his phone looking as confused as I was.
"I knew it!" She said pointing towards the screen "That man is James Bellarie, one of the biggest, richest business tycoons in New York." She handed Asher back his phone afterwards.
"How and why is he calling you his wife???!" A question I don't fully know the answer to.
"Guys, please, we've had a long night. I promise I'll explain later. But now, let's go and get some rest." We all headed to Asher's car, he dropped me and Ella to our various houses and went to his.
-----------------------------------------------
The next morning, I woke up with a massive headache. All the drama, alcohol started having effects on me. Next thing I got was a text from my mom
MOM: A man will come and deliver a contract for you to sign today, Do the right thing.
I let out a sharp laugh that turned into a cough. The right thing? More like the selfish thing. My parents had already sold my future; they weren't going to make me complicit in it.
By mid-morning, a knock rattled the front door. My pulse kicked up. I knew who it would be. When I opened it, a man in a tailored suit stood tall, a leather folder in his hand.
"Miss Anderson," he said smoothly. "Mr. Bellarie asked me to deliver this personally. The terms are clear. He expects your signature."
He held out the folder like it contained salvation. My stomach churned, but I forced a smirk. "Let me see."
I took it, flipped it open just long enough to see my name typed in bold across the page, binding me to a stranger. To him.
And then, slowly, deliberately, I tore the contract right down the middle. He looked at me as if I had gone mad, at this point I'm surprised I haven't.
"Tell your master," I said "that I'm not property he can buy. He'll have to find another little toy to play house with."
I shoved the shredded remains back into his hands.
"You'll regret this, Miss Anderson," he murmured. "One way or another, everyone always does."
He left without another word, before turning his back to leave. I shut the door immediately and and fell down on the floor, scared and unsure about what I had just done.
I felt relieved at the same time scared. I didn't know much about James but I knew he was powerful enough, for him to be able to make my dad grovel. He had once been one of Newyork's most feared bosses-until "the big thing" happened. No one ever spoke of it, but whatever it was, it was enough to bring a monster to his knees. I just couldn't shake of the unease.
Every corner of the house suddenly felt too quiet, too still. My dad's study suddenly caught my attention , it's door half open. I hesitated only for a seecond before pushing it open. It smelt like old books and whiskey, papers scattered everywhere, envelopes, but yet the room still looked organised.
I began searching in desperation. I didn't even know what I was looking for- proof, maybe. Something that could explain why he'd sell me off like I was a bargaining chip. After searching for minutes, I found something. It wasn't specifically saying "Reason for wanting to sell my daughter" but it looked like it mattered. I laughed at my own sarcasm. I pulled it open and froze.
It was a photo. My dad, James and two other women I didn't recognise. One looked like she was in her late 40s and the older looked like my age. There was something written on it, just five words.
SHE DESERVED IT, DON'T FORGET.
My chest tightened. I didn't know what it meant, but I knew one thing, it wasn't just business between them. It was something darker. My phone buzzed on the desk and I went to check who it was. It was an unknown number.
UNKNOWN NUMBER: You should have signed the contract.
I scoffed, he's just pathetic if he thinks I'd be that easy. I took a picture of the photo and left the study.
Later in the evening, my mom and dad came back. I rushed downstairs hoping to see Carlito because I hadn't seen him all day. I was told by his teacher that he was taken out of school by my parents for something. He wasn't with them. My dad went to his study leaving only me and my mom in the room.
"Did you guys drop Carlito for a slumber party or something?" I aasked her
"Uhh no, didn't he come with with the bus?"
I called his name. I looked around. Nothing. Panic clawed at my throat until my phone buzzed.
A message.
"Sign the contract—or you'll never see your brother again."
My knees buckled, and the phone nearly slipped from my hands. "No… no, no, no…" My chest tightened as I stumbled back home, my mind spinning.
"Ella, what's wrong? Where is Carlito?" she said running after me.
The moment I burst through the door, my dad looked up from his desk. "Ella? What is it?"
"They have Carlito!" My voice cracked as I shoved the phone at him. "They kidnapped him—because of your deal! Call the police, now!"
He froze, eyes glued to the message. His silence was deafening.
"Did you hear me?!" I screamed. "Carlito is gone!"
Finally, he slammed his fist against the table. "We can't call the police!"
I blinked at him, stunned. "What do you mean we can't? They have your son!"
"If the authorities get involved," he said through gritted teeth, "we'll all be dead by sunrise. Do you understand me? Dead. This is bigger than you think."
His words hit me like a slap. My blood ran cold. The phone buzzed again in my hand. Another message.
YOU HAVE 3 HOURS.
I stared at the screen, heart pounding.
Was I really about to give myself up to the man I hated just to save my brother?
The walls felt like they were closing in, and in that moment, I realized—
I had no way out.
JAMES' POV
"Do you want a lollipop my friend?" I said as I handed it over to my pried possession. Carlito. He was hesitant at first, then he reached for it. He was the perfect leverage.
I did my research, I found out she loved him more than anything in this world. Her weakness, her soft spot. That was where I hit the jackpot. She'd definitely do anything to save him, even if it meant giving up her own life.
I couldn't wait to see the look on her brown eyes, the fury, I enjoyed it too much. Maybe marrying her wouldn't be that bad.
A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.
"You called for me sir?"
"Yes" I answered "I'd like you to take my buddy here shopping for new toys" His eyes beamed excited by the sound of that just. Exactly any five year old would.
"Then after that we'd go meet your sister" I bent to his height giving him a reassuring look.
"Thank you, friend" He replied with a hearty smile. Such a shame I was never this happy when I was five.
"Keep him out of sight, nobody must know where he is" I said lowering my voice. They left immediately after.
An hour later, I was informed of Ella's arrival, apparantly she had come with her dad. The more the merrier.
The heavy doors of my office swung open. Her father stepped in first, his face pale with exhaustion, then she followed. Her cheeks were flushed, her cheeks were flushed, her fists clenched, her eyes burning with fire. Damn, she was so furious. And yet, the sight made something dark stir in me. She was tempting, the kind of woman you'd want to break just to watch her rebuild herself again.
"Where is he?" she demanded.
"Safe. For now" I replied.
"James" her father tried, stepping forward, "you don't have to do this"
"Mr Anderson to you," I cut in "After everything you owe me, I have the power to take whatever I want from you" Ella immediately shot me with a confused look, still oblivious to the world around her.
She moved closer, the hate radiating off her. If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under. And still, I found myself smiling. She didn't know yet her rage only tied her to me deeper.
"Bring him out. Now" she snapped
"You're in no position to other me around Miss Anderson. You want to see your brother? You know what to do."
"Please Ella," her father plead. "Just sign it."
I slid the contract across the desk, my smirk widening "Sign it, and your little Carlito goes home with you."
"Finally with trembling hands, she snatched the pen. I could almost hear her heart breaking as she realized the trap had no escape. When the tip of the pen touched the page, victory surged through me. She signed it. Finally.
I snapped my fingers, the door opened and one of my men appeared, holding the boy by the hand.
"Carlito!" Ella screamed as she rushed to embrace him in her arms. I could tell that she obviously loved him more than anything.
She thought she'd won by getting her brother back. She hadn't realized yet— but she'd just stepped into my cage.
And I had no intention of ever letting her go.