MARRY ME NOW

I was on my way home from work. I had to leave earlier than my closing time. I have been sick lately. I just have to relax, I guess. My body felt sore, I easily got tired, and I had headaches, and so on. I should have been worried, but I wasn't because I was never almost sick. That doesn't mean you can't get sick.

I sighed. I drove slowly because I felt dizzy. Maybe I should just come down and take a cab or something? That would be stressful, so I decided to continue my slow drive home. Soon I got home. Carson, my husband, won't be home by now. He left earlier today to go sign some contracts, which was good because I don't want him worried about me being sick. Whenever I am sick, Carson stresses himself and refuses to go to work just to take care of me.

I giggled, remembering the day I had a fever. He refused to go to work so he could be with me. Fulfilling all of my wishes. I am seriously so lucky to have someone like him in my life.

I drove into the garage and stopped the car.

I got out of my car and locked it, and I spotted Carson's car. Well, that's a surprise. It was only 2 pm. Maybe he got the contracts and signed them. I'm so proud of him!

I guess I can't hide that I am sick today. I walked to my front door and unlocked it. The sitting room was dead silent.

Where was he? It's either he is here, or he's in his home office. So if he is not here, then he would be in his home office. I strolled to his little office and called, "Carson?" I was replied with silence

"Carson?" I called again, this time my voice louder. He wasn't in the sitting room or his office. He must be in our room, then. But that's odd.

I mopped through the stairs to where our room was. "Sweetheart, I am home!" I say sweetly. I moved closer to the door, and I stopped in my tracks when I heard moans. I giggled. Was he watching porn?

"Baby?" I called, opening the door, my eyes widened, and my heart suddenly beat faster than ever. I could hear my heart beating against my chest and tears gathered in my eyes.

They stopped, and she got off him. I swear I just saw her smirk at me. I heard Carson groan, and next to him was the girl I called my best friend.

I moved away from the door, closing the door behind me. I turned to walk away. This had to be a dream. Oh god, please let it be a dream.

Running out, I went to my car. I didn't want to be anywhere near them at that moment, but I didn't know why I waited for like five minutes, Hoping he would come to meet me and explain this. I drove off, going to only god knows where.

More tears spilled out of my eyes. Why? Why would he do that? I thought he loved me.

And why does it have to be with Sara? Someone who was like a sister to me. I can't believe she would do such a thing.

It felt like my heart had been ripped off my chest.

My hands started shaking. I had to stop driving. I parked my car on the side of the road and started crying so hard.

You would regret going to him someday! My aunt's voice screamed at me.

He's going to use and dump you!

Don't return here when he does, and I won't accept you! You should reconsider getting married to him!

These made me cry harder. She had been right, I guess. She had always been against my relationship with Carson.

Someone knocked at the window of my car. "Hey, sorry for disturbing you, but it's getting late, and it's really dangerous out here." A guy said.

I slowly turned my head to look at the time. 6:57 pm?? I looked back at the man. "Thank you." I could barely hear myself, not sure if he heard until he nodded his head. "You're welcome." He said. I sighed and drove off.

I was so confused. I didn't know what to do, I finally got to the house, and my body felt numb.

When I got in, I saw Carson in the sitting room, and he was talking to someone on the phone.

His eyes met mine for a brief minute, and he cut the line of whosoever he was calling.

"Sign that." I looked at where he was motioning at a paper on a paper holder, and my eyes widened when I saw its contents.

Was he going to divorce me? I didn't want a divorce. Yes, I was angry at him for cheating, my blood was boiling, but I didn't want to divorce him. He's Carson, the man I married, the man I love. I have always treasured him, told him how much I love him, and he told me he loved me too. He showed his love for me in all kinds of ways. I can't believe this! "Cars" he cuts me off when he snaps. "Just fucking sign it." he snapped.

"Carson, you don't have to do this. We can still make our marriage work out. Please, I love you, Carson, please! Don"

"Make what work out, Tessa? I have been in this loveless marriage for three years! Just fucking sign the paper and get the fuck out of my house!" He gritted.

I was shocked. Loveless. Does he think our marriage was loveless? I was scared to say anything back to him because he looked so angry, and I had never seen him this angry before. It scared me.

Were you thinking of staying with him after what you saw earlier?? My subconsciousness screamed at me. I just could not imagine not being with him.

With tears spilling out of my eyes, I moved closer to him, "Carson, please don't do this; you've always said you love me a," he cut me off again.

"Well, I don't love you. I never loved you, Tessa."

"You don't mean that., I said. It came out as a whisper. "I fucking meant it. Sign the papers and fucking leave my house." He gritted out.

The glare he gave me scared me a lot. With a shaky hand, and took the pen, hoping he would stop me from actually signing the paper.

My hand moved on the paper, creating my signature. That was it? Were we no longer together?

I can't stay here anymore, no. I couldn't, and I rushed upstairs to the room I was sharing with him, packing my stuff together.

More tears flew down my eyes, and soon I was done packing. I went out of the room, and I noticed a smirking Sara behind a door.

I still can't believe she had done this. I looked away from her and walked out.

What was I going to do?

I have no family, yes, my parents are alive, but the last time I saw them was when I was 610 years old.

My dad was an abusive man, and he abused my mother and me. After some time, he left, and we never heard from him again, though some of our friends said he was dating a very rich woman.

My dad had left when I was six years old, and my mom left when I was ten, and from what I had heard, she, too, had run to her lover.

The day she left, I was home alone for a day until my aunt came and took me to her house. It turned out my mom had pleaded with her to take care of me. But taking care of me was something far from what she did. I became a slave to my aunt.

I couldn't go to my aunt. She won't accept me back. How could I have been so foolish? So blinded.

I got outside the house, and taking a glance at it, I walked away. I had to look for a place to stay.

Where? I have no clue, and I could book a hotel room... I sighed frustratingly before stopping a cab.

"Nearest hotel, please., I said, entering the cab. After driving for 10 mins, the cab stopped. I got out and gave him his money.

I walked into the hotel. "How much for a night?" I asked the bartender.

"250 dollars, ma'am." She replied. Oh god. Where else could I go this night? It was late, and it looked like it was going to rain. A cold breeze swept through the hotel. I shivered as the cold breeze touched my skin. The amount was much, but hotels around here are pretty expensive.

Suddenly it started raining. Could it get any worst? The place started to get crowded.

I should book a room before all the rooms are taken. "Here., I said, handing over to her my credit card.

After slotting it, I typed my pin, and she gave me back the card. "Sorry, ma'am, it's my job to see you to your room, but there are lots of people here, and they need to be attended to, but here is a map to your room. It's on the 5th floor."

"It's okay, thank you., I said, taking the map from her. I dragged my luggage with me and walked to the elevator.

Entering it, it moved immediately. It moved for five minutes and stopped. Am I on the 5th floor now? It felt like I have been in here forever.

I looked at the little button which said 3rd floor. What the hell?

A man walked in. His heavenly smell filled the elevator. Jesus.

He is sinfully handsome. Don't know if he's even real. Of course, he's real!

I gulped, looking away from him. He didn't even seem to notice me. After 4mins, the elevator stopped. Thank goodness.

When it opened, there were four men in suits bowing down. At who? Me?

Oh, they were bowing at this sinfully gorgeously handsome sexy man. Do you have to the point that out? Who wouldn't? "Boss." One of them said. He walked out, going in the other direction, and the men in suits followed behind him.

I don't know why, but I forgot all my problems for the 5 minutes I took that ride with him.

The elevator moved again. I was on the fifth floor! Oh god. It was moving towards the sixth floor!

How big was this building?!

After 2 minutes, it stopped. I sighed and walked out, and I had to find an elevator ride back to the fifth floor.

"Ha!" Someone shocked me, making me scream. My body shook, and I held my chest before looking at the guy who did it.

He was a handsome guy who wore casual clothing. He smiled, showing his adorable dimples. He was so handsome. Not as handsome as that guy in the elevator, though.

This isn't what I should be thinking, and I just got divorced!

But seriously? Was I comparing strangers now? "Hey, I'm Jake; nice to meet you." He said after I calmed down.

"I'm Tessa... Nice to meet you too." I replied.

"What's a beautiful damsel like you doing here all alone." He said, and I blushed.

"I was going to the fifth floor, and I might have stayed in the elevator a bit longer and..." I said, and he laughed. I don't know why, but I laughed along with him.

"You're so pretty." Oh god. He wasn't helping, and my face was getting redder.

"Thank you, do you know the way back to the fifth floor?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's this way." He said, pointing to an elevator door. "Thank you," I replied.

I walked to the elevator, but there was suddenly red light. "Elevators have been shut down due to the heavy storm; we hop" a lady's voice said. The other words didn't pass through my ears.

What? What? My eyes widened. What am I going to do? I could have been in my hotel room, on my bed, crying into my pillow if I wasn't so distracted by some stranger. "There's a staircase we could use." He said behind me. Thank god!

"Oh, there is? That's a relief." I said, and he chuckled, but there was a hint of surprise on his face as if he was surprised that I didn't know there was supposed to be a staircase.

"Come with me." He walked forward, and I followed behind him. We got to a staircase. A long staircase, if that's the only way down, I have to use it.

Ugh, how was I going to drag my luggage down this staircase? There was so much work. It felt like I could collapse at any given moment. My body was weak.

We walked down slowly, and it felt like I was going to fall.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Yeah," I replied. Okay, I was not okay. My legs were giving up. After walking for what seemed to be like forever, Jake halted.

For a moment, I thought we had reached, "are you sure? You don't look okay."

"I'm perfectly fine" he cuts me off when he came in front of me and bent down. "Hop in." He said.

He was going to give me a piggyback ride!

"You don't have to..."

"It's okay." He said firmly. I sighed. If I wasn't so tired, I wouldn't have. I hesitantly climbed on his back. He took my luggage and held it with his free has as he used one arm to hold me, and he started climbing down again.

After what seems like hours, we finally reach the 5th floor, and this hotel must be huge.

Coming off his back, I blushed, looking away. "Thank you."

"No problem, you seem new here. Do you know the way to your room?"

"I'm new, but it would be easy to find it, seeing I'm already on the floor."

"I guess this is a good night here, in case you want to contact me... If you have any problem, you could always reach out to me." He said, giving me a contact card.

I took it from him before saying another thank you. I walked away to find my room.

Room 16c

After searching for it for a couple of minutes, I got there. I entered the room, and it was a comfortable room.

I sighed. All I wanted at that moment was to clear my head. I flopped myself on the bed.

Third Person's POV:

Tessa tossed around the bed, she could not sleep, and tears streamed down her eyes. She prayed to wake up and see that it was all a dream. To wake up beside Carson and see him looking at her with his caring eyes like he has always done.

Things didn't turn out well for her. She cried for what had happened, and she cried for Carson. Cries escaped her lips.

She felt sick and had thrown up a couple of times. She remembered her aunt, and she knew she would eventually go to her.

After all, she has no place to go. If she stayed in the hotel room for a week, she'd be stranded, speaking of money for her to eat and to take care of herself.

She had never thought she would ever regret going to Carson. She thought love conquered it all.

Was she wrong?

The weather wasn't helping either. It was so cold that she clutched the duvet closer to herself.

Tessa's POV:

I woke with a huge headache, and it felt like someone had hit my head with a metal.

I groaned, standing up from the bed. I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and take my bath.

If I had to go to my aunt's place, I had to leave early, and it is pretty far from here. Sigh.

After I was done, I got ready, throwing my clothes on me. I took bags and walked out, but not before checking if I had forgotten anything.

I walked to the elevator, I pressed open, it opened, and I walked in. It was about to close, but then it opened again.

A man walked in. That sinfully handsome man, again.

I gulped, looking away. Even his aura is scary. He was in a suit. It looks really expensive.

Did he notice me? He didn't seem to, and he didn't glance once at me.

I maintained my place in the elevator. Soon it dinged and stopped. Oh, thank god!

I walked out quickly, going to the exit. Immediately I was out, and I called a cab.

I was in front of my aunt's house. Should I just go back? Go. If you want to suffer.

God, please save me. I inhaled and exhaled a couple of times before going to the door. I knocked on it.

The house hasn't changed a bit. After a couple of minutes, the door opened, revealing my aunt.

A huge scowl formed on her face. "You! What are you doing here?! I told you not to come back here! He's dumped you already?" She screamed at me. I just looked at the floor, my eyes blurry with tears.

"Answer me!" She shouted when she noticed I wasn't answering her. Were those tears forming in her eyes?

"Yes."

"Ugh! I knew it! He's of no good, and what are you doing here?"

She asked me. How was I going to answer such a question? Why was I back?

I looked around my old room, and it hadn't changed a bit. I dropped my bags on the table next to me.

I was so tired. I sat on the bed, more tears spilling out of my eyes. I didn't know when I had fallen asleep.

"Are you sleeping?! Don't think I'd let you stay in this house without you working for me! Go and work, and the house needs to be clean. I have guests coming." Aunt snarled at me. I quickly stood up from the bed.

"I'm sorry," I said. She just glared at me and gestured the way I should take it. I sighed, walking out of my room.

I cleaned the whole house. Everywhere. Even outside the house.

I was unusually tired lately and started throwing up. What is wrong with me?

I took my phone, went on google, and typed my symptoms.

The first thing that popped up was pregnancy, and I can't be pregnant. But, there's a chance that I could be...

I had to go buy a pregnancy kit.

My eyes widened at the kit in my hand. I was pregnant! Oh god, what do I do? "The guests are here! Go meet them." My aunt said. I quickly hid the kit, holding my hand to m back.

Why do I have to meet them though

"Okay," I replied.

"Wait. Put on something nicer." She said, walking out of the room.

I wore a pink gown, not bothering to check how it looked. I know I look like a mess. Whatever guests she has, I don't know them.

I sighed, walking out of the room. I mobbed to the sitting only to see aunt smiling widely at two men standing in front of her.

"Of course! She would love to go now! Cara!" She called, beaming. Cara is her only child and daughter, and she is a year older than me.

Cara waltzed in, and her face was heavily stashed with makeup. I'm, I'm not surprised.

"And there's my niece, Tessa. She's just like a daughter to me." She motioned for me to come closer.

Just like a daughter to me, my butt.

I walked closer, I don't know why, but I already hated the two men in front of me.

"Let's sit down."

I sat down on the seat next to Cara, and I noticed the side glare she was giving me; she had never liked me.

The rest was a blur. Seriously, I wasn't even listening, and my mind was on so many different things.

I felt someone's eyes on me. Looking to the opposite side was one of those men. Why was he looking at me? Is there something on my face?

I quickly looked away from him, and when I earned a glare from an aunt, what was this all about?

They talked a bit more. Besides me was a blushing Cara. I shook my head, sighing, and let this be over.

It was finally over, and those men left. I went to my room and closed the door behind me, and I went to where I had placed the pregnancy kit.

I can't believe there is an actual human growing inside of me, and it feels so unreal. My room door suddenly opened, revealing my aunt.

"I need to talk to you." Was the first thing aunt said immediately thereafter entering the room.

"Okay," I replied.

She smiled at me. Weird. "Here, sit down." She motioned for me to sit down on the bed, I sat down, and she sat down with me.

Her smile got wider. "I had always known you'd bring nothing but good luck." She said.

Okay, this is weird. She had always called me bad luck. What was she talking about?

"Wwhat do you mean?" I asked curiously. "You see those men? The one who came earlier? Well, the one who was staring at you, he's interested in you. I told him that you're single." She asked, where was she going with this?

"What do you mean by that?" I asked again. "He's interested in you, and he would love to make you his wife, isn't that great news?" She said, giggling.

Why would he be interested in me? I barely know him, and neither does he. He barely knows me, and he would love to make me his wife. It sounds stupid.

Was she being serious? "I am not interested," I said, and she gave me a deadly glare.

"I'm doing something great for you right now, you should be grateful, and you're going to get married to him. You have no say in this, and you live under me. You are my responsibility." She scolded. Okay, this was insane. She was insane.

"Are you being serious right now? I'm not getting married." I said, standing up. She was doing this for money.

She has always been obsessed with money, and she could even sell her right now, but not limited to a child, for money.

"Listen to me, young lady, you're going to get married to him. If not, leave my house! And I assure you, you're going to suffer out there. I'm doing this for your good." She snarled, getting up from the bed.

For your own good? She was doing this for her benefit, and if I have to leave this house, I'm so not getting married ever again.

"I am leaving," I said, going to where my bag was; why did I even come here in the first place? Because I don't have any place to stay...? "are you kidding me? I told you! You're going to suffer out there!" She shrieked.

What's up with eating? I ignored her, packing my stuff. I know I'm going to suffer out there, but it's better.

Nope, it's not.

Pushing the thought out of my mind and walking out of the room. "You're so stubborn, just do what I say, and your life will be great." She said.

Great? More like hell.

Going out of the house, I didn't glance back, but I could hear her shouting. Where would I go? Why can't my life be normal? I'm the with child.

Oh god, could it get anymore worst? Thrashing my hair and arranging it back, I walked off.

~

After walking for what seemed like hours, I got tired. I walked towards the left side of the road, bending down, and I cried.

The world sure hate hates me. I cried for what seemed to seem like hours. Well, it was hours. I looked at my phone. 4 pm?? Drops of water hit me.

It was going to rain. I looked up at the sky, and just then, the rain started. I stood up and ran to the nearest building.

I tried to enter, but the door was closed. I'm sure it's not a house. At least it does not look like one.

The door opened, revealing two bulky in. I gulped. They looked so scary.

Aye, aye, young lady, you got a card?" One said, card? What were they talking about? "Card?"

"Oh, it's a beautiful young lady. Oh, just let her in! Look at the storm coming!" A lady said, smiling. She looks nice.

"Please come in, dear." The lady said, taking me by the hand and leading me in.

Inside was so warm. There were lots of people, girls with almost nothing on.

Everyone looks expensive. What did I get myself into? I gulped again.

"It's okay dear. Loosen yourself. You're fine!" She screamed over The loud music, and I managed to nod.

"Come with me," she said. Should I go wither? I mean, I'm still scared standing here alone.

I followed her, and we stopped at a place, "I think she'd be great tonight." She told a man, the man wore a suit.

Was she talking about me?

The man surveyed me with his eyes, and I felt highly uncomfortable. He smirked. "Yeah, she looks tasty." He said, making me gasp.

I looked at the lady. "Oh, don't worry, it's not what you're thinking, and oh dear, you look so tired. Come, I can offer you a room tonight." She said it felt sincere.

"Okay," I said and trailed behind her. We walked till we reached a door, "here is it! Go have your bath and relax, dear. Here is the key." She said, handling a bunch of keys, and left.

Oh, thank god! I opened the door and entered, and I locked the door with the key room was nice and dimmed and Lighted. Should I have my bath? I mean, I'm really dirty right now.

I went to the bathroom and quickly took a bath and threw on some clothes to were going out.

I saw a man, well, that man of earlier. "Awe, I was expecting you to come out only with a towel."

How did he get in here?

I gulped, looking at the man before me. It was a setup! What an idiot am I? I should have known. A huge grin plastered on his face.

He walked closer to me. "Don't come closer!" I screamed at him, but he didn't even seem to hear what I just said.

His grin was sickening, and I looked around to see if there was anything I could use to protect myself when he suddenly jumped on me, resulting in the two of us falling on the bed.

"Help! Somebody help! Please!" I screamed for help, but no one came. The man pressed his body against mine. He brought his head to my neck and started kissing it. My effort to push him away was in vain.

He was so much stronger. Tears spilled out of my eyes, "stop, please, don't do this, I beg of you!" I cried. He stood up from me, and he quickly unclasped his belt.

I thought this was my chance to escape, but his arm suddenly wrapped around my waist, pulling me back. Kicking and screaming did nothing to him.

I spotted the vase on the stool behind the bed, I stressed out to reach it, but I couldn't reach it.

Oh god, please save me. Stretching further for it, I finally reached it. I took hold of it and hit him on the head with it.

He released me and held his head. "Ahhh." He growled. I took the chance to run.

Bolting out of the room, I ran through the long passage, and I reached the place where they were so many people dancing.

"Find her!!!" I heard him growl, and I had to hide. I quickly bent down and hid under the table that was close to me.

My heart was beating so fast. What if they caught me? More tears slipped out of my eyes.

After some minutes, I heard, "where there fuck could she be?!" It was that man, he was shouting at someone or persons.

"She didn't leave the club, sir, and I'm sure she is somewhere around here." One replied.

"Go fucking find her!!!" He growled. I whimpered, and I might have mistakenly touched something, and it fell with a loud noise.

"Who's there?" A man with a deep voice asked. Fear took over me, I froze, and the table was suddenly flipped over.

I looked up to see 5men before me. One of them was that man. He had a stupid smirk on his face. Suddenly I was grabbed by two men. "Let go of me!" I shouted, trying to leave their grasp.

"Please, I beg of you." I cried, and suddenly a man walked towards where we were."

"What are you doing, man? She's Vick's fiancee." The man said, fiancee?!

Something crossed the men's faces, and it was fear. Whoever this Vick guy is, he must be rich or something.

"Come with me." The guy said, grabbing my arm. He practically dragged me out of the club.

"Where are you taking me to?!" I screamed at the unknown man. "Home." He replied.

Home? What was he talking about? We reached outside, and there was a car just beside the door. He opened the car door.

"Get in." He said. I should make a run for it. "Don't even think about it." I heard him say.

He nodded his head towards the men around, and they work for him too? Or whoever this Vick guy is.

If I ran now, they would catch me. I gulped before entering the car. The door closed, and the man came into the driver's seat and drove off.

I looked carefully at the road, just in case I saw a chance to escape, so I would know the way back.

We were suddenly in a familiar environment. Was he taking me back to my aunt's?

My eyes widened when we stopped just right outside her house. He came out of the car and walked to my door, and opened it.

"Come out." He said. I climbed down.

"Thank you so much. Please greet sir Vick for me." I heard my aunt say to that man. She knew who Vick was!

I was sitting down on a chair in the living room. "I will." He replied. I heard the door close and footsteps coming closer to where I was.

My aunt reached the living room, and she was glaring at me. "You never listen to me! If that man had raped you. Oh god." She said.

My head was down, and I couldn't look at her. "Just do as I say, and you'll live a wonderful life, Tessa." She said.

I didn't answer her, and I couldn't. If I leave again...

You'd regret ever going to him!

You're so stubborn!

If I go again the third time, maybe something so much more may happen to me.

She's Vick's fiancee.

My mind went back to what that man had said. "Wwho is Vick?" I asked my aunt to ignore what she had been saying.

"He's the man I was telling you about, the one who is interested in you." She replied.

"Well, I said this before, I'm not interested in him. Do I have to say it out loud?" I snapped.

"You don't have a choice in it." She snapped back.

"What do you mean by I don't have a choice in it? This is my life!"

"I might have never said this before, but Vick isn't someone who takes no."

"Stop! I don't care, I'm not getting married, and there's nothing you or he can do about it."

"Oh, that's where you're wrong."

"I'm pregnant." I blurted out. Hoping that would stop this madness.

"What? You're lying." She replied. "I'm not. I'm pregnant, and it's my exhusband's."

She started pacing around the room. "You're going to abort that bastard."

"No. You don't tell me what to do." I snapped.

She turned to look at me. The last time she looked at me like that was when I was 16. I had broken an expensive architect by mistake.

"You bastard! I've had enough! How dare you talk to me like that!" She lunged towards me, grabbing my hair tightly.

"Stop!" I cried, but she didn't. "You're going to abort that bastard, do you hear me?!"

I managed to push her away, resulting in her falling to the floor. Cara came rushing into the room and saw her mum on the floor.

She glared at me, helping aunt up, I thought she was going to stop, but she didn't.

~

I cried, trying to clean myself. My body hurts so much. Cara had joined aunt earlier.

I can't believe this is happening, and it has to be a dream. A bad dream.

After some minutes, I managed to clean myself and entered the bed. My breathing was heavy.

Closing my eyes, I waited for sleep to come, but it didn't. I cried the whole night.

I woke up to the sun piercing through my eyes. Did I sleep?

I stood up from the bed and went into the bathroom. I took my bath and noticed the red scar on my left arm.

I was done. I got out and wore a simple gown. My stomach was grumbling.

I haven't eaten since yesterday. Oh god. And a baby is growing inside of me.

I walked out of the room and went to the door leading outside, but there were two men just beside the door.

Who are they?

I slowly walked closer to the door, attempting to come out. But they blocked the way.

"Excuse me, I have to go out," I said, but they did not reply to me. It was as if they didn't even hear me.

"You're not leaving this house, at least not until when you're going to your husband's house."

It was aunt, and she was still on this? I turned towards her. "Why won't you just leave me alone? I've told you this before, and I'm not getting married."

"I'm doing something great for you. You'd thank me for this someday."

I didn't answer her. I turned to look at the men, glaring at them. Who do they think they are?

I am a human, and I have my right to movement. "Let me pass, or I'm going to call the cops."

They didn't even flinch. They were keeping me caged, and I hated this. I couldn't stop the tears that slipped out of my eyes. I hate this feeling.

"Here, drink this," Aunt said, sitting next to me on the bed. I've been crying all day long.

I'm trapped.

"I don't want it," I said.

"You have to drink this, it's good for you, and it would stop the pain you're going through." She said.

I slowly took it from her and dropped it on the table next to me. She smiled. "I'd go bring something for you to eat." She walked out of the room.

Immediately after she left, I went to the bathroom and poured it on the floor. I don't know why, but I didn't feel like drinking it.

I went back to the room and sat down on the bed. A few minutes later, an aunt came back with a tray of food in her hand.

"Here, you should eat." She said, smiling at the empty cup behind me. What did she put in that?

I didn't drink it, so I didn't have to be scared.

I looked at the food before me, and my stomach growled.

"I heard she is pregnant."

"Yes... She will... Uh, had a husband. I gave her a drink that could abort the child..."

"I'm leaving for Italy in two weeks, and I want the wedding before then."

"Yes, of course. I'd prepare her."

"Do so" "Isn't this illegal? Forcing someone to get married?!" I snapped at the two idiots before me.

"Tessa, do"

"Tessa, what?! I told you I'm not getting married to anyone, and you're not going to force me to do what I don't want to!"

I noticed the Vick guy staring at me, and I felt like poking his eyes and making him blind. I glared at him.

"I guess we'd have to do this the hard way." I heard him say.

"Hard way? Like this isn't hard enough. Why won't you just leave me alone? You barely know me, and you want to get married to me? That's stupid and path" he cuts me off with a growl.

"Shut up." He looked straight into my eyes this time. He got up from where he was sitting and walked toward me.

He looks so scary at that moment. I backed away till my back hit the wall.

He reached me and trapped me between the walls. "We're going to get married a week from now, and there's nothing you can do about it."

He was so close, and our bodies touched. I felt disgusted. I needed to push him away. But he seems strong, so strong.

Tears slipped down my eyes. I don't want this. "Please, let go of me." I pleaded, and he replied to me with a growl.

I was in my room, bawling my eyes out.

Why does this have to happen to me? What have I ever done to deserve this?

I sniffed. I took my bag behind me, looking for my phone, I turned the bag around, and everything in the bag came out.

A card caught my eye.

Here, in case you want to contact me... If you have any problems, you can always reach out to me.

I don't think I can reach out to him with a problem like this, and I don't even know him.

Yeah. You don't want to involve him in a matter like this.

I think you should reach out to him. Who knows, he might be able to help you.

Two voices argued in my head. I don't think it's proper to reach out to him with a problem like this.

Okay, watch yourself getting married... Or signed off.

I don't want that! With shaky hands, I took my phone and typed the number on it.

The phone rang, but then it was sent to voicemail. This might be a sign that I shouldn't call him.

Throwing my phone frustratingly at the other side of the bed, I lay down.

What an ill fate I have. I shouldn't have come here in the first place, and if I hadn't, I would have been living in more proper life.

Tears streamed down my eyes, with a headache coming along with them. Suddenly my phone rang.

I stretched out to take my phone and looked at the caller's id. No name. I tapped the accept button before putting it close to my ear.

"Hhello?" I asked. "You called." Came a cool manly voice. Was it the number I called earlier?

"Are you... Jake...?" I asked.

"Yes, I am. Jake Carl."

"Do you remember? That night at the hotel? I'm Tessa."

"Yes, I do. Never thought I was going to hear from you again. How have you been?" He chuckled.

"Ii'm fine." Tell the truth!

"Are you? You sound rather down."

"No... I mean, yes."

"What happened?" You can sense the worry in his tone. "I'm not okay," I suddenly cried.

"It's a long story. Can you help me?" I asked hopefully. "Where are you?"

"At mmy aunt's, she's hholding me, hostage." I stammered. "Do you know the location?"

"Yes," I replied, and then I told him the location. "Relax, okay? You'd be alright." He assured me, and I nodded my head even though he would not see me doing it.

"I brought you juice, and you should drink it all." I heard my aunt's voice and quickly hid my phone.

"What were you doing?"

"I was uh... Searching for something, I kept... In my bag."

"Okay, dear, drink this." She said, giving it to me. I waited, expecting her to leave, but she didn't.

"I would leave when you're done with the juice." She said with a smile.

Who knows what she put in this? I gave her something to abort the pregnancy.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and she walked out. I walked towards the door, trying to make out the voices I was hearing.

Had he told someone? Were they the people at the door? "What are you talking about?! I live here with my daughter and niece, and no one is pressuring anybody here!" I heard my aunt say.

The other person said something I still couldn't make out. "I'm sorry, but both girls can't speak to you now. They are asleep."

"You can't go into my house without my permission! I told you they are not available right now."

I was going to step out to go to them when a hand suddenly clasped my mouth, pulling me back.

I tried to scream, but it came out as muffles. Oh, why?

"Shh." The person whispered. I tried kicking, trying to make a noise, but the person entangled his legs with mine, stopping me from kicking.

Tears streamed down my eyes. I was never going to escape. "See? I told you I was trying to get sleep myself, and then you guys came. Oh my, and my blood pressure is high. Please go now. I have to rest." An aunt said dramatically.

I squirmed, trying to break free or at least hit something to make a noise.

I noticed the man bringing out something from his pocket. A handkerchief. He was going to make me sleep!

I squirmed harder until something fell, making a loud noise. He managed to put the cloth on my face, making me fall asleep.

Someone, please save me.

I stretch out my body. Where it seemed like the most comfortable place I have ever been in my life.

Where was I?

My brain suddenly recalled what had happened earlier, and I snapped my eyes open.

I heard the door opening and footsteps walking closer to me. When the person reached where I was, my eyes widened.

Jake.

He smiled at me. "You're finally awake. How are you feeling?" His smile was warming, and it could light up a dark room.

"Ii'm fine... What happened?"

"Nothing much. What matters now is that you're okay."

I tried to get up, but he stopped me. "I think you should have more rest. Stressing yourself now is not good for your health and that of the baby."

When he said that the baby was making me relax, my baby was okay. I smiled at him gratefully.

"How can I repay you?"

"By taking care of yourself." He said, and I nodded my head.

"Thank you so much."

"You don't have to be."

"Uh... About my aunt, ddid anything happen?" I asked in curiosity.

"Nothing much. I'd go bring something for you to eat." He said, walking out.

I pinched myself on my arm to know if this was a dream or not. It wasn't.

Tears flowed down my eyes. Tears of joy. I was free once again. I won't have to see aunt or that man.

Ever again...

"Tessa, I saw what happened earlier." I turned my head to look at Yvonne, she was giving me a weird look.

"What do you mean? And stop with that face, it's creeping me out."

"Don't pretend that you don't know!"

"No, seriously, I don't know what you're talking about."

"You and Jake! The way you two held each other's hands today, the way you two looked at each other..." She said dreamily.

Oh god. She was talking about what happened earlier, I had incidentally slipped and Jake caught me.

I and Jake have been friends for two years now and nothing is going on between us. "I told you, Jake and I are just friends., I said and she scoffed.

"That's what you always say, even when you know it's not true, just fine, but that won't stop me from shipping."

I rolled my eyes mentally. "Did you hear?" She asked. "Hear what?"

"About the boss, he's going to come to our branch tomorrow, I gotta go do my beauty treatment!"

The boss, he was coming? I've never seen him personally, I have only heard of him. "Okay., I replied.

~

I woke up to someone practically jumping on me, Jesus. I shifted my eyes to see Anne.

How did she? "Mommy!" She said giggling and moving closer to me, she wrapped her hands around my neck. "Hey, baby., I said hugging her back.

"Let's go brush our teeth and have our bath?"

"Hmm." She replied.

~

"I'd be going now, please take care of her, and thank you so much., I said to Zara.

"Of course, see you later." She said and I smiled and walked out the door. I went to my car and drove off to the office.

I recently bought the car from my savings. Just a year after I gave birth to Anne, Jake had helped me secure a job.

Not just any job, a job in one of the biggest companies in the world, and the pay is really good. Though I think he has a connection with the boss.

Perhaps, they were a friends

I got to the office and walked in, oh god. I was 20mins late, I walked faster and finally got to my work department.

But it was unusually empty, where are the other people? I saw a cleaner. "Hey, do you know where they"

"They are in the conference room, with the boss." She said and my eyes widened.

Oh, snap! I quickly took my bag and practically ran to the conference room. I got to it and opened the door.

All eyes were suddenly on me. I blushed at the attention that was suddenly on me.

I walked closer to the big table, "I'm sorry for the disturbance." I said and slowly took a seat to sit down.

"You were saying?" I heard Jake say, oh thank god! The attention was now off me.

Thank you, Jake.

"It's going to be like this..." And just like that, the meeting went on, damn. How could I not know about this, what if I'm given a query?

Soon the meeting was over and the employees started walking out. "Did you see him?!" Yvonne screeched, Jesus, my ears. Placing a hand on my ear, I asked. "Did I see who?"

"Austin Kings!" She squealed, I'm pretty sure if she does that one more time, I'm going to go deaf.

But no, I did not see him. "No., I replied and she looked at me like I just said the most abominable word ever.

"Look." She said pointing to a man in that. Jesus. I almost got a heart attack. Was he for real? So handsome, hot... Sinfully handsome... What the hell am I saying? Now I see where all the ladies here were staring at, not all though, of course, Jake also has some spotlight, have I ever mentioned Jake is so handsome and so hot? Oh, stop!

And you say you're just friends with him? Yep, just friends. I don't even think I'm ever going to start a relationship ever again.

"Just his smell alone will melt you, it's so good." I heard Yvonne say. No doubt she was going to try and get him, she's obsessed with him.

"Wish you the best."

"Oh, he's the best!" She mused. I looked at my time. "Let's go back to the office?"

"Yeah., she replied. We walked forward and then we had to pass where the boss was. Just when we were going to pass him, Yvonne fell to his feet.

She did that on purpose.

"Oh my. I'm so sorry." She said slowly standing up. She shyly tucked her hair in the back of her ear.

I expected him to like say. 'Oh, it's okay.' But he didn't, he just stepped away from her and walked towards where Jake was.

Rude much?

"Are you okay?" I asked and she just nodded her head. "Let's go., I said and we walked towards our department.

~

It's been an hour since we got here and it's been a boring day. I sighed getting up, I had to go give Jake this file. Did I mention Jake was my senior?

I got to the office and opened the door. "Hey," I said smiling at him, he returned the smile

"Hey." He replied. "I came to give you this, I've done the necessary process," I said giving it to him.

"Thank you." He said. "No problem." I turned around at walked out of the office.

I got to the elevator leading to my department and entered it, it moved for 3mins and stopped.

I came out and walked to my office. My office phone suddenly rang. "Miss Tessa, the boss requested for you to come to his office immediately."

Jesus.

.

.

.......

"Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost." A voice said the person waved at my face, and I turned to see Yvonne.

"I think I'm in trouble."

"Why?"

"He asked for me... Mr Kings." I said and her mouth formed into an 'o' shape. "Remember? I came late today, what if he wants to fire me"

"It's okay, calm down... Maybe... Well, he might just want to know why you were late, I don't think he would fire you and I could escort you there if you want."

"Yes. Please do."

"Okay." She chirped with a huge smile on her face. She entangled her arm in mine and we walked towards the elevator.

We entered and the door closed and it started moving. "Relax, you look tensed." I heard Yvonne say.

I sighed. Soon it stopped and we stepped out and walked towards the reception. Yeah, there was also a reception here for those waiting to see him.

"Thank you so much, you can go now" she cuts me off.

"It's okay, I want to be here for you, what are friends for?" She said with a friendly smile.

"Thank you," I said and walked towards the lady beside the table on the lefthand side. "Mr Kings called?" I asked.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry ma'am but Mr Kings is not at work now and he never asked for anyone." My eyes widened. Then who called?

"Oh. Thank you." I said turning around. Yes! He wasn't calling me, but who did?

"What happened?" Yvonne asked. "Unfortunately, he never called," I said.

"Oh... Then who called you?"

"I don't know." The person did say 'boss' though. Wait. We call some people at higher levels than us bosses.

"Was the person referring to another person?"

"Maybe, I suspect the person would be Jake, he always calls you."

Ah, yes. What was I thinking? How could my mind just go to Mr Knight? Aren't I stupid?

"I'm sorry, I perturbed you for no particular reasons."

"It's okay, you might want to go see him, it's been a long since he sent for you."

"Yes, I would see you later," I said walking to the elevator. I got in and pressed the 4th floor.

It finally stopped and I got out and walked to Jake's office, but he wasn't there.

I looked around. "Oomph!" I collided with a wall. Stupid wall! I looked in front of me to glare at it.

But it wasn't a wall, but Mr Kings. Good thing I hadn't fallen. "Oh, I'm so sorry"

"Are you blind?" He suddenly says with a scowl catching me off guard. "Uh?"

"Wow, she's dumb." He said, his dark eyes surveyed me and I felt like punching them. But, he's my boss. You're going to let him insult you?

"I'm not blind, and I'm certainly not dumb," I stated firmly, he might be my boss, but he shouldn't insult me.

"Excuse me, I don't have time for this." He said.

"Yeah, but you do have time to insult ladies," I said. And that's the stupidest thing ever, go find something better to do. I hissed in my mind but the way he was looking at me said I said it out.

Oh, I did! "What... Did you just say?"

"Nothing, I wasn't talking to you... I was... Recalling a movie I watched."

He raised an eyebrow, amused. Those perfectly shaped eyebrows. Damn.

His phone suddenly rang, oh thank god! I gestured that I have to go. This is a huge opportunity! I quickly walked away glancing back only a few times.

"Hey, why are you so much in a hurry?" I looked at the person in front of me. "You called, right?" I breathe.

"Yeah... A long time ago, but you didn't come so I had to go do it myself." He said. What? He went to go do what I was supposed to do, I felt so bad, I'm taking advantage of our friendship. Pfft, you didn't know he was the one calling you though.

"Oh, Jake! I'm so sorry, i"

"It's okay." What's up with people cutting me off?

"No, it's not... I feel so bad, how can I repay you?" I said. "It's okay, Tessa... Besides, it turned out if I hadn't gone there myself something would have gone wrong." Oh.

"Okay," I said with a smile, he suddenly brought his hand towards my face.

Was there something on my face? His hand moved towards my ear and he tucked the loose strands of hair beside my ear.

Oh. "Thank y"

"What's going on here?" A beautiful voice said. But see what I meant by people cutting me off?

I turned to see Mr Kings, and with the look on his face, one could tell that he was angry. Well, he has been like that all day, I guess, because this morning at the conference room he wasn't looking happy, I'm surprised those ladies gawking at him didn't notice his mood.

I don't blame them though... Cause he is sure as hell one good look

Shut up!

"Nothing, sir," I replied. I noticed Jake studying Mr Kings, I looked at Mr Kings who was looking at me. A blush crept to my face.

"I was telling her, how beautiful she looks," Jake said and my eyes widened, what? that was not what we were talking about.

"Are you two dating?"

"No," I said.

"No... Yet." Jake said. What the hell? "I see."

Something tells me they know each other so well, yep. I think they do. Who would taunt their boss? because there were taunting looks in Jake's eyes.

They were looking at each other in the eyes, you know, the friends taunting each other thingy.

~

I sighed slumping on my office chair, after a long walk back to my office it felt like I was going to collapse.

I would have taken some rest, but you see the paper works before me? It says no to rest.

I sighed and began doing some paperwork. A lady walked in with an envelope in her hand.

"I was asked to give you this, ma'am." She said and gave it to me before walking out.

Who sent this? I opened the envelope and my eyes widened at its contents.

.

.

.

......

I looked at the paper in my hands again, you know, just to know if I had read right. Transfer?? Why would they transfer me? I mean it's not yet time to be transferred.

I'd have to go resume there tomorrow. Oh god and it was not just any department, the boss' office was there. I would have to do my work strictly and make no mistakes.

There, I won't be able to get any help from Jake or Yvonne because it's a bit far from their offices.

My alarm suddenly went off startling me. 06:00 pm I kept the paper back in the envelope and placed it inside my bag.

I stood up and arranged my things before going over to the curtains to lock them.

I took my bag and walked out of the office, I'm going to miss it, I can't believe this would be the last time I'm going to be here.

"Hey, my car broke down. Can you give me a ride?" I heard Yvonne say, immediately after I got out of the office. "Sure," I replied with a sly smile.

"How was work today?" She asked as we walked towards my car.

We got in before I answered. "It was fine... Except for the part when I got a transfer letter." I said and she gasped.

"OMG, we won't be close to each other again, what if I need help with some files." She said then sighed. "Where were you transferred to?"

I brought out the transfer letter and gave it to her. She gasped again. "Oh my wow." She said surprised.

"Haha, it's surprisingly next to Mr King's office." She said before I could reply.

"Yes," I said sadly. Not because I was transferred to where he was, no. But because I was going to be far away from her, we always help each other and other stuff.

"You know, I bumped into Mr Kings earlier today," I told her and her eyes widened in interest.

"Oh, you did? What happened?"

"Well, when I was going to Jake's office, I bumped into him then he said pretty things and I might have talked back at him, he was going to... Well I don't really know, but someone called him and I left and then I saw Jake and I was telling him how sorry I was for not answering his call, then Mr Kings came and asked if we were dating and Jake said yes."

"Are you kidding?" She said with a laugh that stopped immediately. "And then what happened?" She asked curiously.

"Nothing, except the fact that Jake was taun wait, do they know each other?"

"Yeah, they've been friends for a very long time."

"That explains why," I said starting the car. Yep, the car wasn't moving.

"Anyways, it's okay. I would come and see you there from time to time." She said smiling friendly, I smiled back.

"You don't have to stress you"

"It's okay, I would love to do it."

"Ah, thank you," I replied. I drove for 10mins, before reaching her house. She got out. "Thank you, see you at work tomorrow." She waved and I waved back with a smile before driving off to mine which was 3 blocks from mine.

I got out of my car and locked it before walking into the house, it was silent. Where was Anne? I miss her so much.

I walked towards her room, hearing giggles coming from it. I opened the door to see her running around the room with Zara running behind her.

"Mommy!" She called when she caught sight of me, and she ran towards me. taking her in my arm, "how are you, baby?" I asked.

"I'm fine." She replied with a huge grin on her face. "Thank you so much, Zara."

"My pleasure." She said with a smile, her eyes still on Anne.

~

I joked in my bed when my alarm went off, oh god. I stood up from the bed and went into the bathroom.

I brushed my teeth and took my bath before coming back to my room to dress, I went out of the room and go straight to Anne's room to check on her.

I can't wake her up, because it was rare. Yeah, the only time I can talk to her is when I get back from work or during weekends or when I have a leave from work.

She was sound asleep, I closed the door back and went to the living room where I had kept my bag.

The door suddenly dinged, I walked over to it and opened it, revealing Zara.

I smiled at her. "Good morning." I greeted. "Good morning." She said back with a smile.

"I'd be going now," I said.

"So early?"

"Yeah... I was transferred and I can't go late anymore." I said with a small laugh. "Ah."

"Goodbye, please take good care of Anne," I said and she nodded her head with a friendly smile.

"Definitely." She replied and I walked out of the house to my car, I entered and started the car, and t roared to life.

~

I looked around my new office, it was really beautiful and bigger than my old office. And the work I had to do was also very different.

My eyes moved to the correspondence in front of me. What am I now? A secretary? A P.A?

No way. I took my bag bringing out the letter I got yesterday. shifted to a personal assistant.

I choked. Jesus, why didn't I see that yesterday? Like it's going to change anything.

I've got a long day ahead of me.

.

.

.

......