Forced Heart

Chapter 5

'What is happening?' I asked myself. I had come here to have lunch with Bradley, and to ask him if he could provide me with a job in his company. I was sure there would be some position available so that I could repay him the money and go back to my life but here I was standing in front of him, wearing a ring. Never in my wildest dream, had I thought would I hear him propose to me.

No, scratch that. Not in my wildest dream, I thought I would hear him inform me about his plan to marry me.

Now I could very well feel the old metal on my ring finger. A ring which signified that now I belonged to him, a ring which signified that now I was his, he owned me, a ring which signified we were engaged without my consent. Still feeling utterly confused, I stared at my finger, hoping it was a dream. But I knew, this was the truth, the reality.

I didn't know how to react.

Finally coming back to my senses, I hesitantly spoke. "Uhm, I can't accept this. I already told you I would pay you for whatever you have given in exchange of me. I can't marry you, we barely know each other, and we can't just get married without love." He was just staring at me blankly, no emotion could be traced on his face.

I was about to return the ring when he finally decide to speak. "Don't remove that ring, I'm not asking you to marry me. I am telling you that I will marry you and that was a statement not a question." His eyes were piercing me, digging holes into my soul. He was mad, real mad. Oh how would I deal with him now?

"My meeting will start in a minute, so we better go to the conference room, now." He said, his voice suddenly cold and distant. I kept on thinking about how I was going to refuse to marry him. I had never been in a relationship before and this was all new to me.

Suddenly he stopped walking, causing me to bump into him from behind.

"I'm sorry!" I murmured, my hands instantly wrapping around his midsection to steady myself from falling.

His body stiffened.

"I'll introduce you as my fiancée to the businessmen inside the room, so better act normal in front of them." Then he opened the door, and we made our way inside the conference room.

As we entered the room, filled with men in suits, they stood up to greet Bradley. But what caught my attention was a lady in royal blue, tight dress. She looked at with disgust. Something told me, she was far from friendly, more of a b***h I guessed.

"Your new assistant, sweetie?" She asked, eyeing me from head to toe, but Bradley only glared at her.

"Everyone," He started, catching everyone's attention. "I want you to meet this gorgeous lady beside me, Farrah Jones. Soon to be Mrs. Anderson." He announced, making everyone cheer for us. They gave us their congratulations, smiling warmly except for of course, the woman.

Who was she? Was she his past lover? Girlfriend? Mistress? I couldn't think anymore as Bradley introduced me to his colleagues and lastly the woman who seemed so pissed at me.

"Love, this is Olivia, one of my colleague's daughter."

"Oh cut the crap sweetie, I am sure she knows me. After all, I am your girlfriend. You think she didn't know me?" She arched an eyebrow, looking at me intently as if gauging me to back out.

"Honey of course, I know her." I said not wanting to lose the fight. Bradley was stunned by my retort as I managed to hug him to act as a loving fiancée. "She's the past who taught you to become more of a better person. And I'm the present who is benefited to have you." She glared at me and if looks could kill, I would surely be dead by now.

It was like a torture, waiting them to finish their meeting. I didn't even know what they were talking about, plans, projects' budget and a lot more about business. I didn't miss a single death glare which Olivia was shooting in my direction while trying to look like she was all eyes and ears, focusing on the meeting.

After an hour or so, I sighed in relief as their meeting ended, and one by one the men in suits made their way out through the exit door. I was about to step out of the conference room, but Olivia blocked my way. She looked straight into my eyes and said, "Having his ring around your finger doesn't mean that he's really all over you. Sooner or later he will get enough of you, and surely dump you as well. Savor the moment you've got with him, to feel his bed." With that she left.

"She's a loser, don't mind her." He said, ushering me towards the door.

We entered into his cabin to pick up his stuffs then left. Taking the elevator down to the basement, we saw his chauffeur waiting for us.

Silence filled the car, and I couldn't help but to recall those words Olivia had said earlier. I didn't know the reason why they broke up, but I sensed their relationship didn't go on as planned and ended up in a bad way.

"Where would you want to stop first? Eat or shop?" He asked, glancing at me.

“Uhm, I really don't know your plans for tonight. I guess any will do. “I answered.

And so we went to the shop first, following his plan. We entered a boutique and directly headed to gowns section. There were several designs to choose from, very elegant and classic. The fabric was very soft and had a fine quality.

A sales lady came to assist us. "Good evening Mr. Anderson. This way to the gowns you prefer, please follow me." The top gowns were revealed once we entered a room with a VIP sign.

"Pick whatever you want sweetheart." He ordered, sitting comfortably on the couch near the huge mirror.

"I don't think I'll be needing a gown." I said to him.

"Sure you do honey, we will be getting married remember?"