Chapter 03

Headache.

That was the first thing I noticed, as I opened my eyes and closed it again to adjust better to the brightness of the day.

Raging headache. It felt like my head was on fire.

Pure mad headache.

I opened my eyes again and stared at the very unfamiliar ceiling, and with a start looked around the room - but I was in a strange place. A room that looked like a hotel room.

This wasn’t my hotel room. The bed was too large, the sheets too luxurious.

Panic began to set in, but the throbbing in my head was too intense for me to move much. I tried to think, to piece together the events of the previous night, but everything was a blur.

Suddenly, the sound of a toilet flushing jolted me further into consciousness.

The bathroom door creaked open, and a man walked into the room.

He was wearing nothing but a towel tied around his waist. I tilted my head staring at him.

He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place him.

He caught my eye and gave me a knowing smile. “Good morning. How are you?”

How am i?

I feel like my head is going to explode any moment from now. But I did not say that.

“Where am i?'' I whispered and cleared my throat when the words came out throatier than I had intended.

The man smiled, “I take it you do not remember anything that happened last night?”

Besides the obvious fact that I drank myself to stupor?

I blinked, trying to force my fuzzy memories into focus. Bits and pieces started to come back—dancing, laughing, and then… him.

Oh my.

I closed my eyes rightfully as embarrassment kicked in when I remembered just about everything - almost.

But I remembered enough to know that I had begged a man - a total stranger - to sleep with me.

Yup.

That is the level Natalie Wilson has stopped to.

“Do not beat yourself up, honey.” he said and I glared at him.

Easy for him to say. He was not the one who did the begging.

“It was a beautiful night for me at least.”

I rolled my eyes, “Well I am glad that you enjoyed it. Now how does it work? I assume it is time for me to take my leave.”

He raised his brow in confusion, “What?”

“This - one night stand thing. That is how it works. It is time for me to leave.”

He chuckled and sat down on the bed, and I caught a whiff of the soap he had used.

“First of all, you are not going anywhere in that condition. I already sent for an aspirin and breakfast. Secondly…” He fixed his gaze on my face, “I see you did not remember everything.”

There was more to remember?

Well how worse could it be?

I have had my night of freedom and passion. It was time for me to do what I had to do.

Looking at the clock, my heart dropped when I realised that Iris and Alfred must have likely moved into my house now.

The 24 hours were almost over.

They had taken over.

“Natalie -” the stranger called, jolting my senses back into the present, “Last night was more than just a one night stand.”

I groaned, “Oh God. I hope that you are not going to be one of those clingy ones who fall in love at first sight, are you?”

Because what was the point anyway? After today I would cease existing on this earth so he better check himself.

He smirked, “I am afraid that this is much better than love at first sight. Or worse - depends on the perspective.”

What was he talking about?

As if he could hear the question in my head, he lifted his hand, and I saw a glint of metal. My eyes widened as I realised he was wearing a ring.

Panic surged through me again.

“Oh my God, you are married? Please do not tell me that I just slept with a married man?”

“Look at your hands, Nat.” He said laughing. I did and saw a matching wedding ring.

My heart skipped a beat, and my mouth went dry. “What… what happened?” I stammered.

The man raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “We got married last night.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stared at him, my mind racing. Married? How could I have gotten married and not remembered any of it?

“You’re joking,” I said weakly, hoping he was playing some kind of cruel prank.

He shook his head, “No joke. We went to one of those 24-hour chapels and tied the knot. You were quite insistent, actually.”

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. This couldn’t be happening. My life was already a mess, and now this? Married to a stranger? I peeked through my fingers at him, trying to remember more.

This is not how I planned everything. So not how I wanted last night to go.

Could my life be any worse?

Could it be just any worse than it already was?

Tears filled my eyes.

Married to a stranger. Natalie Winslow, married to a stranger.

Or the reporters would give anything for such a headline.

“What’s your name?” I asked, feeling ridiculous for not knowing.

“Sebastian,” he replied, a hint of sympathy in his eyes.

I nodded and straightened my spine, “Sebastian. Thank you so much for what I assume was a glorious night, and thank you for not being a serial killer. But this ring and marriage or whatever it is - it means nothing to me. Really.

So we are going to get a divorce.”

“No,” he said flatly, shocking me.

“We are strangers. Besides, you cannot possibly force me to stay married to you.”

“I have no intention of forcing you Natalie, what I am going to do is give you time to rest, and we will discuss it when you are not hung over. Right now I have an important matter to attend to.”

Important matter?

More important than this?

But I did not argue. What was the point anyway? He is not going to see me anywhere by the end of the day.

Sebastian leaned over and gave me a peck before getting up.

I watched him silently as he quickly got dressed in plain jeans and a blue shirt.

“I will be back in the next couple of hours. The room service will be here any moment from now with breakfast and aspirin for that bad headache. Eat sleep…amd oh, Natalie -” he said and smirked, “I would not run if i were you. Because trust me, I will find you anywhere you go.”

I raised my brow and smiled sweetly, “Run? How dare i?”

He chuckled, “Get some rest wife. We will handle this once I get back.”

With that he left the room and my smile dropped.

Married to a total stranger.

I almost laughed at the absurdity of the whole thing.

Less than forty eight hours ago, I had everything. A life, two successful companies, a beautiful sister, and a rich fiance.

Now - I have literally nothing, aside from a wedding ring that has bound me to a man I knew nothing about.

My dad would be totally rolling over in his grave right now.

The room service came in a few minutes later and I took the tray I got from her to the bed and took out the bottle of aspirin.

I had no interest whatsoever with the food.

What was the point anyway?

I stared at the bottle with tears in my eyes.

“I am sorry Sebastian.” I whispered, opening the bottle, “that i will have to put you through this, but you will come back to realise that a stranger just made you a widower.”

The noise on the television which was on all morning blurred into the background as I emptied the contents of the bottle into my hand.

But a name from the reporter caught my attention and halted me.

“Sebastaian Knight, for the first time in five years, was seen just outside a hotel. And he looks ready for business. People are wondering what the reason for his re-appearance to the public might be? Is it because of his broken engagement? Or is he finally back to fight for his empire?”

I walked over to the television and indeed there was a picture of Sebastian about to get into a car.

Sebastian.

Sebastian Knight - a name that every human being in Vegas knew by heart, let alone a business mogul like me.

Who would not know the name of the richest man in the country?

My knees shook and I staggered back into the nearest chair I could find - staring at the television.

I had just had a one night stand with the mighty Sebastian Knight.

My stomach turned as realisation hit me.

I am married to Sebastian Knight, the richest man in the country.

I groaned, but then stopped - and pondered through the thought again.

I am married to the richest man in the country.

And at that moment, it was like God was shining a bright light on me - ideas started hitting my head and without hesitation, I ran to the bathroom, flushed the pills down the toilet and quickly got dressed, dashing out of the hotel.

I called a cab, which drove me straight to Sebastian’s company.

But when I got there, a woman in a suit stopped me.

“Excuse me ma'am. How can I help you?”

I almost groaned but straightened my shoulders and maintained composure.

“I am here to see Sebastian Knight.”

The woman looked at me with a weird expression and I winced imagining just how I looked in the sexy outfit I had on.

Not exactly professional.

“I see,” She said coldly, “Do you have an appointment?”

I swallowed, “Not exactly but if only you can let him know that natalie -”

“Mr Knight is a very busy man, ma’am. You cannot meet him without an appointment.” She said and left, leaving me alone in the hallway.

I clenched my fists in frustration but took deep breaths to calm my nerves.

I am not going to be able to do anything without a calm mind. So I need to stay calm and collected.

Dear God, help me.

I murmured and ran towards the elevator before anyone could catch me.

I heard the woman yelling after me but I did not stop until I got into the elevator and quickly closed the door.

My chest was burning - as I counted backward from fifty waiting for the elevator to get me to the destination I wanted.

I had no idea where Sebastian was but there is no way I am leaving this building until I find him and talk to him. Even if it means searching through every floor in this damn building.

The elevator stopped at the fifth floor and I stepped out, my eyes darting around, before I approached the biggest door.

Grateful that there was no bitch here to stop me, I threw the door open and groaned.

Oh yes, Sebastuoan was alright. But he was in a conference meeting with several other men.

And they were all staring at me.

“Natalie?” He called, shock written all over his face as he stood up from his chair.

I ignored the blatant stares thrown at me and walked up to him, as gracefully as I could.

“I need to talk to you urgently.”

His expression looked like he was battling with what to do but then he sighed.

“I will be done in the next thirty minutes. Just wait for me outside, okay?”

I nodded and stepped on the pyramid , deciding to wait.

I am making good progress.

But as I lurked around in the hallway, I heard the ping of the elevator and my heart flew into my mouth.

Could it be that bitch?

However when the door opened, it was none other than Alfred and Iris.

What were they doing here?

My eyes locked with Iris’ who smiled as she looked at me.

“Natalie? What are you doing here?” Alfred asked.

“Did you have to ask? I mean look at her. God I know that you are in some sort of difficult situation but you do not have to whore yourself out.”

I breathed deeply, clenching my fist.

Remain calm Natalie. It is not worth it. It is definitely not worth it.

“I assume you have left the house. The help told me that some of your personal items are still there so I will do you a favour…come over and pack your things.”

My nostrils flared, “I do not need any sort of favour from you, Iris. You might think you have won, and you now have it all - but I hope you enjoy everything now that it lasts - because I will be back. I will come back to take everything that belongs to me and I will make you beg on your knees for mercy.”

Her eyes widened slightly but she laughed, “Blah, blah, blah. All rants. Get a grip, Natalie. You are now nothing and that is what you will be for life. Seeing you, I guess you have already accepted that - because obviously you have resorted to using otter means.”

“Say whatever you want to say Iris. That is your business.”

“I do not have the time to exchange words with you. Alfred and I will be signing a billion dollars worth of contract with Mr Knight today. That is just the beginning. You? You have nothing and you will never have anything as long as I live.”

“Natalie..” Alfred whispered but he stopped with just a glare from her.

Since when did he become such a puppet?

But I guess it is none of my business.

“I only want to put her in the place she belongs. You will suffer, nat and you will be the one to come crawling on your knees, begging. Because I will make sure that your life in this country is a living hell.”

“I wonder who dares to talk that way to my wife.”