Sold to the Devil

VI - TROPHY

“Why do I even need to study those things?!” I yelled at him when I couldn’t take it anymore. I feel like a bomb that is ready to explode!

We just got inside the room where he checked in. He took a presidential suite for us. Even though I was taken aback by the luxurious place, I still nagged him right after I closed the door behind me. The two assistants were left outside, so I was free to shout to my heart’s content.

“I told you, I have a reputation to maintain.” He scanned me with his eyes from head to toe as if trying to prove a point. I arched one of my perfectly shaped brows. Does he have a problem with my outfit? Did he just forget that he was the one who put everything in my closet?

Though he didn't tell me to cut this shirt I am now wearing. Since I took my coat off and I am still barefoot, yeah, I may have looked like a homeless person beside him. But that's not the point here. Why did he pick me to be his wife if he was planning to change me into another person?

“You won’t fit my image if you stay like that. I need you to be a trophy wife.” He frankly said before walking out on me. He went over to the bar to get a bottle of wine.

I wanted to smack him with that bottle he was holding after hearing what he had to say!

A trophy wife?!

What does that even mean? A wife that he can show off to everyone? Why? He can show me off while I'm just being myself. Can't he see how gorgeous I am?! Is he blind?

“Trophy wife? I didn’t know you were such a sexist!” I spat bitterly at him.

“It’s not that. I just want to protect my image,” he nonchalantly said while filling a glass. "I need someone with class. Someone whom I can bring around anywhere. Someone who wouldn't embarrass me in front of other people."

I can feel steam coming out of my nostrils and ears.

"I go to a lot of social functions. Being my wife means you need to attend those too." he continued, completely unbothered by my obvious anger.

"What do you think people will think if they see you clinging to my arms looking like that? I would be a laughing stock among other businessmen." he looked at me with disdain in his eyes.

“Then why didn’t you get someone who fits your “image”?” I ranted and quoted my fingers in the air. "If you are really who you claim to be, getting yourself a woman shouldn't be a problem, right? They must be flocking down at your feet, waiting for you to notice them." I said angrily, but he just looked at me.

"Why didn't you pick one of them? Surely, there would be someone who could put up with your high standards! Instead of trying to change me into something that I'm not?" I angrily snarled.

“I can’t just get anyone. I need someone without commitments. Someone who would quietly leave when everything’s over,” he explained while looking at his wine glass. His voice is unbelievably calm despite my outburst.

I watched as he swirled the glass with his long, slender fingers wrapped around the glass. The motion seemed to be hypnotizing me. I blinked to get myself out of the trance.

“In short, you need someone disposable?" I asked after a while.

"Someone whom you can easily discard after using? Someone who's dispensable? And you think that that someone is me?!” I asked furiously. My patience is hitting its limit. I can feel my nostrils flaring as I breathed heavily.

“You were the one who said that. Not me.” he said sarcastically. He took the glass to his mouth to take a sip of his dark colored wine. I gulped as I watched how his lips touched the transparent glass. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. Why did I suddenly think of his lips touching mine instead of that glass?

I took a deep breath and channelled my inner thoughts to where they should be. I should be mad at him. Right!

When I look back at him, his eyes are back on me. He's looking at me without any expression on his face. It was enough to bring back my anger. I am now imagining a lot of ways to torture him!

Where should I start?

Maybe I can tie him up in his sleep. Then I will strip him off his clothes. Wait... I don't think that would lead to torture. Ugh!

"Why did you choose me then?" I asked.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. I didn't choose you." he sipped his wine again. "Your father offered you. I just accepted because I didn't have any other choice. I was running out of time." he stated.

"How many times do I have to tell you that he is not my father!" I roared.

"Whatever," he hissed. "It doesn't matter who he is. In the end, what matters is he sold you to me. I own you!" his voice got a little louder.

"You have no choice but to do whatever the hell I want. Deal with it." he said with conviction.

Yeah right. I wanted to roll my eyes. Why am I even arguing with him?

I asked myself but instead, I walked out on him before I could really hurt him. I went to the luxurious bedroom and immediately dropped my exhausted body on the bed.

The tiredness from the long flight, immediately followed by vigorous training, seemed to catch up on me now.

When I opened my eyes, the whole room was already dark. I was still disoriented when I got up. I took my phone from my pocket and used it as a flashlight. I went to the light switch then turned them on.

The bright light suddenly flooded the whole room, making me squint. I looked around and found that I was alone there. Well, I didn’t expect him to stay with me… But why do I feel disappointed? Tss.

I tried to shrug off that unwelcome feeling as I walked over to the closet and found my things carefully placed inside. My luggage is already unpacked and all my things are carefully organized inside the closet. I wonder who did this when Walter was with me during the whole day. I shrugged. He probably asked the hotel's housekeeping service? I don't know. I don't care. I shrugged before walking around.

The next thing that I checked was the en suite bathroom. It is spacious and very cozy. There’s a bathtub, a shower stall and even a sauna!

I noticed the toiletries that I brought with me are now neatly arranged on top of the sink. There's nothing left for me to do but to enjoy my stay!

“I’m so lucky… lucky lucky lucky…” I sang while taking off my clothes. My mood has already shifted, thanks to the good sleep.

I think a nice, relaxing bath will do wonders for my dead-beat body. But maybe I should try the sauna first. It has a transparent glass door but the interior is made out of wood. It went so well with the white and brown theme of the whole bathroom.

I turned it on and sat on the wooden bench. I sighed as I felt my aching muscles starting to relax. When I felt strained from sitting down for a few minutes, I just laid down on the bench. Because of that, I fell back into a nap. I guess my body clock still isn't used to the different time zone.

The next moment my eyes opened, my vision was blurry because of the steam inside the sauna room. I hurriedly went out butt naked because I felt suffocated inside. I just moved to the shower room to finish my bath.

"How did I even fall asleep there?" I asked myself out loud while frisking my hair with a towel.

After that, I quickly got dressed because I was already starving. I have no idea how long I have fallen asleep but my intestines are telling me that it took a long time. I hurriedly put on some comfortable loungewear that I carelessly pulled from the stack.

Then I went out of the bedroom and saw Alistair eating on the fancy dining table. He just gave me a cold glance before going back to his food.

The delicious aroma of his food filling the whole room made my stomach churn even more. I'm so f*****g hungry. What did he order? It smells so good.

I went to the table only to be disappointed when I saw that there was no food for me. Didn't he order for me? What am I supposed to eat?

I went to the kitchen island but it was empty as well. Then I opened the refrigerator but there were only drinks in there! What's worse is, most of them are cans of beer. I'm so tempted to take one and throw it at his head.

“Where’s the food?” I asked grumpily.

“You can call the room service to order.” he told me while languidly chewing on his steak.

“What? You didn’t order anything for me?!” I grumbled. I'm not so lucky after all.

“I don’t know what food you'd like to eat.” He simply answered, not minding my sudden rage.

“I'm not picky with my food! I will eat anything! Especially now that I am hungry as a bear!” I almost screamed, but he remained calm. Almost emotionless. Is he always like this?

“Then stop wasting more energy on shouting. Use the phone to order.” he pointed at the telephone in the corner of the living room.

“Don’t worry, the service here is excellent. You’ll be eating in no time.” Then he lifted his fork and took the piece of meat into his mouth.

I gulped at the sight of it. It makes me hungrier. His food looked so delicious, I wanted to take a bite. I’m sure he won’t allow me, but why not? At least I can get back at him for making me so pissed and f*****g hungry.

Without thinking twice, I went up to him and grabbed the fork from his hand. I pierced a big piece of steak on his plate and quickly took it to my mouth before he could even react.

"Hmm!" I groaned when the savory meat landed on my tongue. I even had the guts to smile at him.

"What the f**k do you think you're doing?" He snarled as he snatched back the fork from my hand. I didn't miss how his gaze went down on my lips.

"Eating? I told you I'm hungry!" I said with an arched brow before turning my back on him. I walked over to the living room. I could hear him uttering a string of curses while I was walking away, but I chose to ignore it. At least I saw another expression on his face. I think it's worth his anger. I was chuckling in my head until I got to where the phone was. I immediately called for room service.

Now I feel okay because he is just as pissed as I am. We're even! I smirked while talking to the receptionist.

There’s a menu list beside the phone. I chose the one that seemed the easiest to pronounce.

“Would that be all ma’am?” the person on the other side asked.

“Yeah, just please make it faster.” I demanded before throwing an accusing look at the man who was now still sitting comfortably at the dining table while eating. He equaled my gaze as he chewed on the last piece of his meal.

How could he eat like that knowing that I am starving here? What a heartless bastard he is...

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked.

Woah! Does he really have the guts to ask that? He’s so dense! Ugh!

I rolled my eyes at him and said goodbye to the receptionist after finalizing my orders. Then I put the phone back in its cradle and folded my arms over my chest.

I glanced back at him and noticed that he was now staring at my folded arms. I looked down at it and immediately figured out why.

My arms kind of pressed my chest up, making my cleavage pop out of the neckline of my fitted tank top. My eyebrows shot up. A naughty idea came into my mind.

I pulled down the hem of my top with my other hand while I used the other to simply push my breasts up even more as I carefully watched out for his reaction. His eyes remained glued to my chest for a few seconds until I heard him clear his throat before looking back at his now empty plate.

Tss. Weak! Let's see how long he can hold himself. I don't believe for a second that he's not the least attracted to me. Why would he even consider making me his wife if he doesn't find me appealing? I tilted my head as I continued to watch him. I was wondering what this whole plan was about. Am I really just going to pose as his fake wife?

But why?

I think marriage for convenience is a thing for people like him. Could that be the reason? Is he arranged with someone that he doesn't love? I frowned. I think the better question would be if he really believed in that word. I know men like him. They hate commitments. They think that they can just f**k and leave anytime they want.

With his good looks and status, he can get away with it. I'm sure women would be throwing themselves at him just to have a taste.

I admit that he looks really gorgeous. I was attracted to him when I first laid my eyes on him. But the more we stay together, the more I see his asshole attitude. I wouldn't want to put up with him!

My thoughts were interrupted when the buzzer went on after forever. I almost ran to the door. I’m not kidding. I’m really so f*****g hungry!

I hurriedly started eating after the room service attendant finished setting it up on the table.

“Uhm!” I moaned in delight as the delicious flavors hit my palate.

God! This tastes like heaven!

I put several spoonfuls inside my mouth when I heard Alistair clearing his throat again. I looked up at him while chewing the food.

“I enrolled you to an etiquette class, didn’t I?” he queried.

“Yeah!” I uttered with my mouth still full. He almost grimaced at that sight.

“Then stop eating like a pig!” he snapped.

I grabbed the glass of lemonade and drank before going back at him.

“We only trained for proper posture and walking!” I defended myself.

“It doesn’t matter! You should at least know the basic manners!” he insisted indignantly.

Ugh!

I picked up my plate and decided to take it to my room where I could eat peacefully! This man is unbelievable!

“Don’t talk too highly when you yourself are not practicing proper manners! Don’t you know that it is only right to call your companions when it’s time to eat? It’s also right to get them food when you get yours! So don’t you dare give me your lectures!” I ranted before marching on my way back to the bedroom.

I slammed the plate on the coffee table and sat on the carpeted floor. I continued eating while still fuming mad. Not even this state of the art bedroom can calm me down! I wanted to drag him and throw him off the Eiffel tower!