THREATS AND DAUGHTERS

~FIA~

“Mr. Barrett.” I wasn't expecting to meet him here. Was this some kind of joke?

His signature smirk played on his lips. 

“Are you stalking me?” I couldn't help but ask. But he didn't give a response and just walked towards me. He got to me and whispered, his breath on my face, 

"Why would I?" I shivered. This was the first time he had come this close to me.

"I think we are meant to be. I mean, I was just driving over to Kayla's place to meet you." I glared at him.

"I did a little research about my wife and wanted to make sure she doesn't run or do anything nasty to herself." I shifted uncomfortably as he gently swept the hair from my face, his eyes locking on mine.

I cleared my throat, cursing myself for staring at him. 

"I'm sorry for your car. My insurance will be able to cover that." With that statement, I turned around to leave, but he stopped me.

"You can't leave like that, Fianola." I stopped in my tracks when I heard my name. 

I turned back at him; he was resting on his car's bonnet, the wind blowing his hair in different directions.

"What do you want from me?" 

"I want you. You are already mine, but I want you to move in willingly." I frowned.

"How long have you been planning this? Were you just waiting for the right opportunity?" 

"Maybe," He said plainly. Maybe. 

I would have rather faced the shame from my family than get married and sign a contract with this ruthless man. 

He held my cheek in his hands, bringing my face closer to his lips while he whispered. 

"This is a trap I've set, and you'd fall deeper into it." His last words left me confused. I didn't know this guy, and I wanted to flee from him, but any path I took kept bringing us together. 

I watched him inspect the car.

"You wrecked her," he commented, referring to the car.

"Damaged trunk and fuel tank rupture. How do you pay, Fianola?" He called my full name again, and I shifted uncomfortably; I couldn't defend myself. 

He walked up to me, his voice serious.

"You were given fourteen hours to do two things. You haven't done any. Were you planning on fleeing?" I gulped; his aura was so powerful that I couldn't look at him.

"I..., well, my..." I stuttered, avoiding his gaze. 

"The issue is... I..., my card is blocked, and I didn't think you were serious when you asked me to move in."

"Are you lying to a four-year-old?" He was amused, but I shook my head. 

"You will be coming with me." He held my hand firmly while he gave some orders to his chauffeur. I was helpless. 

"If it's the money you want, I will pay you. I can't move in with you." He didn't respond, didn't react.

"I want a divorce, then." He smiled at me like I had just done my worst.

"It doesn't work that way. We signed a waiting period contract. Our divorce can be finalized after two years. We have to live together, and if you break the rule, you will pay triple the amount you owe." 

"What?" My voice came out in whispers. He nodded.

"Didn't you go through it?" I looked at him. I couldn't tell him I didn't go through it. I didn't want to look desperate or careless before this man; I was already a mess. 

I braced myself for the worst. It wouldn't be that bad. I had spent three years with a man who didn't love me; this wouldn't be bad. 

"Well, I hope you are good in bed?" His signature smirk played on his lips again. 

"Are you?" I decided to act like a tough girl, and he laughed.

"We will check it out." 

His chauffeur arrived with a Rolls Royce Phantom. My mouth hung open. I wasn't expecting this. Who was this guy? 

"Return this car to Kayla; I'm taking my wife home," he added when his phone chimed. It was a call. 

"Any news about the lady from last night?" His face was desperate. Who was she? His sister? 

"You need to find her as soon as you can," he said to the person at the end of the line. 

"Yes, just the necklace," he added. 

Necklace. My mind went to mine. It was the last gift from Dad. 

I hadn't seen it since the wedding disaster. I hoped it was safe; I had given my word not to lose it.

I didn't even have the time to part with Kayla. 

Soon, we were driving back into the heart of the city.

I couldn't believe my eyes when we drove to his estate. It was the president's villa. 

I caught him staring at me and tried to hide my awe. 

"It's beautiful," I complimented while he nodded. 

We arrived at his house, and I met a massive building sitting out there. 

We drove in and met his five housekeepers standing outside with their luggage. I was confused. 

"Sir, we will take our leave now," they said with a bow and left. More like they were waiting for his arrival.

I was confused at the sight before me. 

"Why are you sending them away?" I found myself asking.

"I don't need them anymore; I have you," he responded, my eyelids battered in shock.

A little girl stepped out; she looked five.

"Fianola, meet my daughter, Jarvis." My eyes went to the girl, and the glare she gave me made me want to run out.

It was clear I wasn't welcome.

"You have a daughter?"

"Well, yes. You didn't ask." I gave a dry laugh, not believing the sight unfolding before me. 

"Jarvis, meet your new mum." I took a close look at her and felt chills. She didn't look like Barrett in any way.

She stood perfectly still, staring at me with pale, empty eyes.

She didn’t look like any child I had ever seen. Her gaze was as though she was the devil’s daughter.

I didn't mind; she was just a child, and I walked up to her. 

"It's nice to meet you, Jarvis." I tapped her messy ginger hair. She looked so unkempt. What were the jobs of the housekeepers? 

"If I were you, I would take my hands off her hair," Barrett said, and I immediately did so because she wasn't even blinking. 

My eyes went to her antique gown. It was worn out. Even the housekeepers' uniforms were better than this.

"Why is she dressed like this?" I fired at Barrett.

"That's how she loves her dresses." I cringed; was she even human? I hoped I survived the two years of marriage, so much for trying to save my face. 

A week in Barrett's house was like a year in hell as the days ran slowly. This wasn't what I was expecting.

Barrett suddenly became distant from me, and his daughter, Jarvis, didn't help matters. She had never spoken to me since I moved in with them. She didn't throw tantrums, but she rejected food, and she's just strange. She doesn't even go to school. 

My family had completely cut ties with me. Kayla alone cared if I was alive or not. 

Barrett had rules; I could only leave the house on Saturdays when I was going grocery shopping. I didn't even have time for Kayla anymore, and the shocking part was he paid me. Like I was some servant.

I didn't mind because I needed the money. If I was able to pay 150 million dollars, I would be free. 

I cleaned, did the laundry, or babysat weird Jarvis, who wouldn't talk to me. Maybe she was autistic. 

I stood, staring at the pool, my mind void of thoughts when the sudden sound of the gate buzzer startled me. We hardly had visitors; who must it be? I pondered making my way to the front door. 

I opened the gate and met fresh flowers and a delivery guy.

"Wrong address," I said, turning to shut the door when he said, 

"Aren't you Fia Denzel?"

"Yes," I replied, turning to face him as he handed me a small envelope.

My brow furrowed in confusion. 

"I didn't order flowers."

"Says here they're from a Walter, no last name," the driver explained.

"Just need you to sign here, please."

My heart skipped at the mention of that name. I didn't know who Walter was.

But since I had a fling with a stranger, I had been on edge. I tried burying the incident of that night, but I couldn't. 

I scribbled my signature as the driver headed back to his van. 

Once he was out of sight, I hurried inside, the envelope clutched tightly in my hand as I sat on the sofa. I opened the card to find out the content of the message.  

"Fia, I know you don't know me, but I do, and I hope you can forgive me for what I'm about to do to you. This will be the only time I'll be kind to you. It's not your fault, but you're so unfortunate to get married to someone like Barrett. You're beautiful and don't deserve the pain you will receive. Hate, Walter." It read as I stared with a confused and panicked face. Did I just receive a threat message?

"Who is Walter and what does Barrett have to do with him?" I thought as he walked into the room. Speaking of the devil, I immediately hid the letter.

"Hi," I greeted, but was surprised he didn't head straight to his room as usual, but just turned to look at me with a straight face.

"Your friend Kayla has been shot by some strange men, she's in critical condition." He said, dropping the bombshell on me.