Fixed Marriage

Episode Seven

Gail has been busy reading one of Mark Manson's books, The subtle Art of not giving a f*ck. It had been three days since she left Vander's place. After a long conversation with Chandrea, she ended up in a condominium at Hotel de luxe. It was one of the high-paying condos in the city. She liked the coziness and the views of the city from the balcony. And that is where she was now, reading the third book. She was on the third floor and there were 30th floors in the hotel. Her mother had visited her yesterday, making sure that she was alright and secure. Somehow, she started to adjust how her daily routine changes. Sooner or later she might be able to go out without feeling scared. Not to mention that she had made friends with Chandrea. She mentioned the last time they talked to pay for a visit to her place. The doorbell rang, which interrupted her focus on the last page, her slender legs instinctively taking steps toward the door. And there was her new friend Chandrea, wearing her broad smile and carrying two paper bags with her.

"Hi! I didn't forget about my words last time. I brought some food too." She spoke with a hint of excitement. Gail had to widen the space of the door.

"Wow, that's a lot of food you got. Please come in," she helped her carry the other one and placed it on the kitchen counter. Just in time, the clock hit at 12:00 noon, and she could feel her tummy starting to get hungry.

"Aw. This place was very elegant and comfortable. Can I stay tonight?" Chandrea blurted out, she couldn't hide her laugh. The woman was eyeing her with a pitiful and pleasing look.

"Sure thing. We could watch movies tonight too. But before that, let's get going." She heard her utter yes in agitation. Later on, they both drowned themselves in the food Chandrea had brought.

"Desserts were here! Let's make sure to fill our stomachs with this!" Gail shook her head. She was not only childish but also a gourmet woman. Her stomach was already full, but the desserts she had ordered were mouthwatering.

"How can you eat a lot of food, Chand?" she muttered. They started eating again, like a hungry slave who hadn't eaten for days. And she admitted that it was good to accompany her. Not because she buys plenty of food, but because of her sincerity. She felt and saw it towards her gesture.

" Well, I have a fast metabolism. No matter how long and lots of food I eat. I couldn't gain weight faster. You didn't tell me that one of the Collins was renting in the next room." The name she spoke rang a bell to her ears, she even stopped swallowing.

"What do you mean? Who's Collins?" For some reason her heart did beat rapidly after hearing the name.

"Vander Collins, the good looking monster. s***h womanizer and was born with so much wealth." If she hadn't got hold of the spoon, it could've been dropped to the floor. She was lost for a moment. ' I hope this will be our last conversation and not to meet you again,' Her mind had clearly remembered his words the last time they talked. Now she found herself living in the same building as him. What is worse is that he was next door.

"How did you know? I didn't really know about it. I just arrived three days ago and I never set foot outside. How could I have noticed it." She didn't know what to do, she started to embrace her new life and new place. 'Right, I could avoid him. It's not like I wanted to see him either. It was just a coincidence.'

" Are you okay? You look nervous. Well if I was in your state, I would probably be freaking out then." She wiped her lips afterwards. Gail's mind has a lot of questions. And asking her friend was the only thing that could help her.

" Was he really a womanizer? How did you know this? " He was different from Chandrea's opinion. She had seen his gentleness and care. Maybe he was just a serious person. She never saw him smile when she was with him before. Or maybe there were plenty of things she didn't know about him.

" I have this cousin. We have not really been close since she was a spoiled brat. But she had mentioned her one-night stand with Vander Collins before. He was a sadistic womanizer, Gail. I didn't know how she could say it was a wonderful s*x when she became his slave and hurt her at the same time f*ck her, hardly. " Her eyes went wide after hearing those words. She tried to speak but couldn't find her words.

" I know it was shocking. But it didn't just happen with my cousin, there's plenty of women out there he had a one-night stand with. Mostly, they were brats and models." Her eyes had glimpsed the chair next to her. She dropped herself off and tried to breathe normally. It was weird when she felt flustered after hearing his story. She found it fortunate the last time they had shared the night together was when she was drunk.

"Chin up, Gaily! We will be going shopping now! Don't worry, it's my treat! I know you have your own money, I just feel like wasting plenty of dollars now!" She was startled by her high-pitched voice. Gail had to cover her ears, but then she realized they would be going outside. It meant she might encounter him!

" What if we meet him on the first floor? or in the elevator? I can't.. " She strongly disagrees without realizing her words. Now the woman in front of her has her brows furrowed.

"And why is that? You sounded like you were avoiding him. Well, he was really interested in women who possessed astounding beauty, and you're one of those. But the way you reacted seemed like you knew him, didn't you?" She was lost for words. Her lips were parted and she was trying to come up with excuses in front of her, looking suspicious.