BOUND TO HIM BY FORCE

10. CLEARED TO TIE THE KNOT

Sleep caught up to me. There was no way to escape it as I cried, kicked, and turned, fighting a ghost I could not seem to get rid of. I could feel the sweat drip off my body as I tossed and turned and soon, my body was falling with a thud on the floor.

My eyes shot open, heaving with them scanning all around the room.

Where was I?

My heart was drumming hard, still hearing the devil’s voice on my shoulder.

“Kill him.” He whispered over and over, the hair on my nape soaring, a chill running through my body while it burned so hot.

My knees were raised, my arms coming around them, hugging them to me with my body rocking back and forth, everything coming back to me in bits and pieces.

My head was pounding, the room spinning, so I buried my head on my knees, my eyes closed shut wanting it all to go away, wanting to find peace in all my chaos. There were too many demons chasing me, ones I was just about to throw myself into and others that haunted me from my past.

I was scared, I was lost and alone.

My body rocked back and forth, not even knowing where my head was in all that chaos. It was just ringing until there was nothing but darkness engulfing and swallowing me whole.

A hand gripped my shoulder, tugging at me as I jumped where I was, turning with my legs falling from my grip. My heart was not even beating, it was thundering, eyes red and wide, my body ready to defend.

My eyes fell on a face I did not recognize but after a few seconds, it came ringing in my head, the memories bringing the name forward.

“Go shower.” Brute said, my eyes lowering, seeing him already showered, wearing dark jeans and a black t-shirt.

I wanted to say something but my throat was too dry.

I stood up, him out of sight. I pulled the throw blanket he had lent me, folding it, then placed it on the couch, followed by the pillow I had barely used. My body ached in every possible way it could ache; sure, my face was just showing the struggle I had faced in the past days.

My feet were slow, getting to the bathroom to pee, then I brushed my teeth and went into the shower. The water was warm, it loosening some of my tight muscles with me just standing under them, letting them fall on me. I could not stay in the shower for long because I did not want to increase Brute’s bill. A towel was wrapped around my chest, walking out of the bathroom to the bedroom where the bed was neatly made.

My skin was oiled, not even sure where we were going.

I had no clothes to wear, no underwear to put on me. I did not know what the devil’s plan was for me. He seemed unpredictable. What did it mean for me to be sleeping in Brute’s house? To me, it did not seem good at all. I did not know what my fate was and just thinking about it had my brain ache as if to shutter.

A knock pulled me from my thoughts, my head turned. I quickly pulled my towel to wrap it around my chest.

“I have your clothes from the car.” Brute said, with me rushing to c***k the door open just enough to accept the clothes.

“Thank you,” I said to him, with him nodding his head.

The door was closed, taking the stress off my shoulder.

I slipped on my black leggings and the t-shirt was followed by my dad’s sweater. I immediately felt better, hugging my form and just taking the warmth it came with, eyes shut.

My feet were bare, nothing to walk in. Brute’s shoes were just too big, there was no way I could even try wearing them. I guess I would have to walk barefooted. It did not bother me at all, much bigger things to worry over than that.

Everything was done, I had no other reason to stay hidden in his bedroom. I walked out, the door closed behind me, my hair in a ponytail.

He was busy in the kitchen, I could hear the clutter, he so tall I was too lazy to crane my neck and stare up at him.

He turned, seeing me, and pushed a plate towards me.

“Thank you,” I said to him, pulling the bar stool and slipping on it. The plate was brought closer, it being a sandwich with a cup of coffee. The coffee was most needed, just bringing the cup to my lips and taking a sip, slow sips since it was hot.

The cup was placed down after Brute slipped onto the bar stool opposite mine.

I swallowed and cleared my throat.

“Can I ask what your boss said about me? What is going to happen from now?” I asked, really wanting to know where I was standing. I could just still be in the woods.

“I don’t know. I was instructed to take you to a safe place. Today we are going for tests and from there I don’t know. He did ask for your personal details. Your brother sent them and I forwarded them so I think they are working on the marriage license. Let us hope so.” Brute answered back with me nodding my head and picking up the cup again to take a sip.

“How long do you think it will take for him to acquire the license?” I asked, wanting to see how long I had. There was no way I was tying my life to that man.

“Do I look like a marriage license distributor?” Brute asked with me swallowing.

“Sorry,” I said back to him as he sighed.

“Finish up,” he snapped out, with me quickly picking up the sandwich to eat. I did not have the appetite but ate the sandwich nonetheless, as fast as I could, then slipped from my seat to wash the plate.

My body turned when done, my hands wet and rubbing on each other with my head picking up, staring at Brute who was slipping from his stool. I was suddenly so nervous, my emotions getting the best of me. My mouth opened to close, taking a deep breath, and forced myself to speak.

“Uhm, did my brother ask anything about me?” I politely asked with a drumming heart. I missed him, I felt so alone and I hoped he was doing better than I was.

“No.” Brute just said, with me nodding my head and turning away.

I cleaned the sink then wiped my hands.

“Am ready to go,” I said to Brute, with him turning around and walking to the door.

I did the same, we walking out and to the car. I opened the back door, sliding in to close it after me. My eyes went to the windscreen, finding it clean from any blood and brains.

A deep breath was taken, the car coming to life and it soon began moving with me watching each house we passed. I wondered who lived in each house. Were they happy? I wished I was in one of those houses, I wished I was preparing for school and worried about boy drama.

My heart was not meant for the world I was thrown into.

It was still very early, staring at the car radio and seeing that it was past seven. There were barely any cars on the road, thus no traffic at all.

We drove into the city, taking turn after turn, it getting busier with each passing minute as people rushed to work.

I tried to think of what I would be doing if everything was normal. I would be getting back from my morning jog, running to the kitchen to help mom with breakfast because she could not be left alone with food. There were bad cooks and then there was my mother. She just needed her own category because she was that bad. I actually had a presentation at twelve on control accounts. Would anyone even worry that I would not be there, would anyone even care?

Kane.

How was he coping? If I was in his position I would be crying and freaking out. I hoped he was okay. I knew he would struggle but I hoped he let it go, that he let me go. But how could he when he was probably so confused about what had happened? He was probably going out of his mind in fear for me.

The thought of him suffering had my eyes burn but I blinked back the tears, my shaking hand brushing back and forth on my lap.

I shook my head, shaking the thoughts away because thinking of my past life would only bring me nothing but pain. I had to forget everything. I had to forget Kane. It hurt so bad but I would treasure all the memories we had together. No one would take those away from me, they would keep me warm through the dark days.

Darkness fell on us, having me blink and stare around. I could barely see a thing.

The car parked, Brute opening his door to jump out. I did the same thing, my feet hitting the cold floor.

I closed the door, quickly walking around, Brute waiting for me on his side of the car. He began moving from just seeing me and I followed after him. We were in an underground parking lot. There was an elevator, Brute pressing on the upper arrow, having the elevator doors slide open.

It had bright lights in it which were much welcomed than the dark and scary parking lot we were in from. I stepped in, some music playing as the doors closed us in. The elevator moved up, my eyes moving from corner to corner, seeing myself from the reflective glass. I looked worse than the previous day, hating what I had become. I could barely recognize myself, a shell of the person I was, a ghost floating through life.

The doors opened with light flushing in the elevator. White tiles were all I saw, along with shiny white walls.

Brute walked out and I followed suit. My heart drummed, only to nearly jump at two large, scary-looking men standing on the sides of the elevator. They had guns on them, me frowning, knowing it was going to go down. I never trusted these people; they could be here to finish what they had not done on the previous day.

A phone rang, my head snapping, taking every inch of the place we were at. My eyes were searching for exists and weapons I could use to defend myself. A large semi-circle reception desk stood and behind it was a girl. All I could see was hair, a voice gracing my ears as the girl answered the phone.

“Blackjack Private hospital, how can we help you?” Her voice was sweet and calm, you felt as if you could just pour your heart out to her. But wait, what kind of hospital?

The elevator closed after us; my feet cold from the tiles which were sparkling clean.

There was no one in sight besides the girl and the guards, no sounds whatsoever and to me it was having me on edge, pulling on the edges of my sweater. My head turned around while following after the mountain of a man before me.

Brute did not even talk to the receptionist, he just walked past, my head turning to the girl who excused herself from the call, staring at us.

“Sir, can I help you?” She called out, but Brute was paying no mind to her, just going wherever he was going. I followed, the girl huffing and standing up.

The phone was placed down, her running after us, the guards soon getting closer to assess the situation.

A door was opened with Brute getting in.

“You can’t go there…”

She was too late, me stepping in after Brute, who immediately closed the door shut on her face. I felt bad, that being so rude.

The door opened but Brute had already turned, walking away from it.

“Sorry doctor, they…” The girl trailed away with Brute taking out a black card.

My head snapped as I heard a chair cranking, feet shuffling with me taking the other person in the room.

A middle-aged man was rushing towards us to closely stare at the card. I swear I saw him pale, his eyes wide, taking a step back.

“Amber, it’s okay, go.” The doctor called out, hands shaking, holding them up in the air to drop them. He suddenly did an uncertain bow which had even me perplexed about what was happening.

The doctor straightened up; dark chocolate skin with dark curly hair. He was tall and strong, too strong to be that scared unless what he saw on that card was what I thought it was.

“Good morning, please, sit, anywhere you want. I have chairs, a couch. Do you want anything to drink?”

I thought the man would faint from his fumbling, barely even able to breathe with the sweat soon collecting on his forehead. He loosened his tie as Brute walked to pull a chair from the large desk belonging to no one else but the doctor. I followed suit, sitting with my eyes on the dark chocolate desk that surely cost a fortune.

The hospital was not just any hospital. What kind of hospital had guards that scary? And it was too exquisite with the view of the city just seen from the large glass just behind the doctor. He himself looked splashed with nothing but money. I was sure he was influential and very rich, but why be that scared, why scurry the way he had.

What was written on that card and why was he so afraid of this man I called the devil? It only nailed to my fear, paralyzed with fear.

“We are here for tests. If we can get on with them, it would be better.” Brute said as the doctor dared turn to stare at me but tucked his eyes away from one single look from Brute, who seemed to have been more pissed than I had seen him since the day I had met him.

“What kind of tests?” The doctor asked.

“All and the boss said something about bots.” Brute added with the man nodding his head vigorously.

“Perfect.” The doctor said, pressing on his glass phone which I had never seen in my life.

“Would you be comfortable going to the different labs or…” The doctor asked nervously.

“We are not leaving this office.,” Brute answered as the doctor nodded his head, quickly standing up.

“I will be back,” he fumbled out nervously, only to rush away.

I had never seen a person that submissive to another. I guess if the boss was there himself, the doctor surely would have fainted. I wondered what the tests were for, but I guess the boss wanted to see if I was clean before tying the knot with me. I was actually glad in a way, because maybe just maybe it would all buy me some time. If the results took a couple of days, I could have come up with an escape plan by then.

The door suddenly opened again, feet rushing with machines pushed in by different people all rushing as if the building was on fire. The doctor was screaming and shouting for them to move faster. It was a movie to watch, perplexed by what was happening.

A cup of coffee was placed for us on a table that was also set up, different baked goods were presented there along with different drinks and sweets.

I shook my head. I was rich, I did come from a very wealthy family, but what I was seeing was over my cut. Imagine a whole lab moved into an office because Brute did not want to leave the office.

A girl came, greeting me and asking to go to the bathroom, where I changed into a silky short dress that I would assume stood for a hospital gown. I was like what?! My feet were covered in pure white cotton socks; slippers slipped on.

“Thank you,” I thanked the girl with her smiling and leading the way out. Where were all these people coming from since when we got in, it looked like an apocalypse had hit the hospital?

We walked back into the office from the luxurious ensuite bathroom that was just gorgeous.

A hospital bed waited for me, the girl helping me up.

They constantly asked if I was okay, if I did not need anything and I was sure they would have given me a massage if I had said so.

“Okay Miss, I will take a few vials of blood which we will test, and then you will go to the bathroom to pee in a cup.” The man said as I nod my head.

I did not like needles. No one liked needles, but it was not something I would not fret about.

The doctor was gentle, his touch careful, not wanting to ruin anything.

Four vials of blood were taken before I was bandaged in my arm. I was helped down the bed and led to the bathroom while Brute dined in nothing but style. They were actually giving him a massage with a book in hand, just a normal day for him.

I peed in the cup, washing my hands before walking out. In my head I was planning nothing but my escape, trying to see different ways I could free myself from the hell my brother had got me into.

The nurse led me back to the doctor who checked my blood pressure, heart, and did an MRI. His head was buried in his iPad, writing notes after checking something and then moving to something else.

No part of me was not checked, even my legs were checked for sensitivity along with my limbs. Was I getting married or going to war? It seemed as if I was going to war.

When my external body was done, the doctor did a chest X-ray, moved on to do an ultrasound, checking my womb, I guess. I was just so confused, letting him do his thing, but lord, I was already tired.

I guess the doctor saw this, calling one of his nurses, who just smiled at me, then began massaging my temples. I wanted to pretest but it was so good I could not resist, relaxing on the bed and letting the doctor do his thing.

“We will do a cervical screening and a breast cancer exam now.” The doctor said with my eyes going wide.

“Uhm, I don’t want to do the smear test,” I stated, with the doctor turning and smiling.

“It’s okay to be scared, but it is not so painful, it will be over before you even know it. Just relax.” The doctor said, with me shaking my head side to side.

“I….” I swallowed, my eyes going to Brute, not wanting to hear what I would say, but he seemed too occupied to pay attention.

“I don’t think it’s necessary, I am a virgin,” I said, with the doctor nodding his head.

“One can still get cancer regardless of one's s****l history or the lack of it. It would be safer to do the test.” He said, with me shaking my head.

“Uhm, no thank you, doctor. I have a right to refuse and I am doing that. I would rather come back and do it after having s****l intercourse.” I said, with the doctor nodding his head.

I did not want to lose my virginity to a medical instrument. That part of me was saved for someone special and that person was not the devil that had stained my hands with blood. It could not be.

“Okay miss. Can we please move to that machine? The nurse will help you out of your hospital gown and cover you with a sheet.” The doctor said to turn and walk away. The nurse helped me down to the machine where I lay my bare breast on it. It was programmed, scanning my breasts while the doctor asked me about my family’s medical history. They really were digging, but sadly I knew nothing about my parent’s families.

All I knew was that dad had a sister who I was named after. She took her own life after being trafficked and made to be a s*x slave for many years. On my mother’s side, I just knew that her father was Mexican, abusive and she killed him when she was six. It was all a mess. With a family like that, there was no space to ask them about the illnesses in the family.

The doctor seemed frustrated from my lack of answers but nodded his head nonetheless and moved on to the next.

I did not know how many tests I did, but they were a lot. I was drained, a different doctor walking in and taking a seat. He asked a couple of questions, realizing that he was a psychologist. I was drained. I actually needed therapy but the things I wanted to actually talk about I could not tell him, so it was all fake nods and pretending as if I was okay. He dug as much as he could but that was not what he had been there to do. When he was satisfied with my sanity, he wrote on his iPad, sending the notes to the main doctor, who received them just that minute as his iPad went binging.

I was wasted beyond measure, but to my luck, lunch was served. I sat at the dining table with Brute while the doctor went through some results. There was some pasta coated in a delicious mushroom sauce. We also had some sushi and prawns along with other dishes of seafood. It was all delicious and I just knew they had a personal chef that had to show me how he did his prawns because they were so good. The prawns nearly had me forget about my problems with the sweet and sour creamy sauce that left me craving for more. Nothing but silence just filled the room, sitting back and waiting for what was next.

When the table had been cleared, a few more tests were done but we were done in no time.

“That is it for the day. Thank you so much for your patience, the results have been sent. If you would also like a copy, I could airdrop them to you or send them through an email.” The doctor said, shocking me to no end. All I could do was just stare wide-eyed at him as he took the only hope that had been gleaming in me. I thought I had a few days but I was wrong.

And just in that dilemma, a phone went off. My body turned, pale as I stared at Brute, having an idea who it was. I thought I would shutter. The fear flashing before his face told me exactly who it was and I knew I was screwed. The room seemed too small, just closing in on me with Brute hanging up and turning to me.

“We have to go.”