3 Repurcussions

Matt had done something horrible and I was left to suffer the repercussions of his actions. It has been a week since Matt made that disastrous announcement. We went back to our house escaping the circus around us. I had never known paparazzi to be this vicious. My father was furious when he saw what Matt had done. But he was forced to accept the congratulations. They thought that we got married recently. I shiver with terror when I realise what they would do if they had any clue about what caused our separation. I hadn't stepped a foot outside. I'm on a long leave from my company citing personal reasons. I was getting restless because I couldn't imagine the state of our business because of my long leave. My father hardly did anything remotely beneficial for our company. But what choice do I have? We haven't done a press conference or anything till now. We decided to lay low so far Matt is doing the same. I wondered why would he subject both of our companies to bear the brunt of his brash decisions.

I knew he hardly cared about what we were once to each other. So why was he hell-bent on revenge? By stating our marriage in public he was announcing to the world he had forced us to be tied together forever.

"The newspaper is saying all the nastiest things about you Mer", said Lisa with a frown.

"I know I have stopped reading them and even deactivated my social media accounts", I said with a sigh.

"I wonder whether Matt is dealing with the same hate", said Lisa.

"I don't think so. He is a man and they are hardly bashed in the public for having a love life", I said to her.

"Hey I hope he is regretting this too", said Lisa.

"I don't think so. He is rejoicing in my suffering too much to regret it", said I.

"I think he is still not over you", said Lisa eyes dancing at her new findings.

"I don't think so", I said remembering the leggy brunette he had slipped away that night. He had moved on even better than me.

"There is someone to see you Meredith", said Mrs Singh my housekeeper and mother figure.

"Who is it?", I asked.

"It is me Mer", said a quiet voice.

"What are you doing here Parker?", asked Lisa ready with her third-degree interrogation.

"To talk to her, said Parker rolling her eyes.

" Why didn't you stay and talk to her at Sundance? ", asked Lisa trying to look innocent.

" I was very shocked that night. I just left when I realised that I was being strung along ", said Parker.

" I didn't string you along Parker. I genuinely cared for you", I said to him.

"I realise that I made a mistake of leaving without Seeking an explanation", said Parker.

"You are right. Now it is too late. Goodbye", said Lisa with a fake smile.

"Im not going to leave till I talk to Meredith", he paused then said, "alone".

Lisa looked at me and I nodded my head. I had to hear him out even though he didn't do me the same courtesy.

"I'm watching you Parker so you better not try hurting my best friend again", said Lisa.

"Hey I'm her fiance why don't you take your issue up with Matt he is the one who hurt her", said Parker irritated.

"Hey don't tell me what to do and don't shift the blame for your mistakes to another one. Also, I will deal with Matt just the same way I did with you", said Lisa while sauntering away from us.

"First of all I want to say sorry for leaving like that you don't deserve it", said Parker.

"You don't have to say sorry. I was the one who hurt you by hiding my previous marriage", I said.

"I still can't believe that you fell for a guy like Matt. You were a sorted person", said Parker.

"I wasn't the same person I'm now. I had insecurities about my body and your rejection of me initially. I know we haven't talked about it. But clearly, you knew I was attracted to you like everyone around me. Matt helped me get over you in a way. I fell for him because he saw me when you didn't ", said I.

" That was a long time ago Mer. I don't remember seeing him though ", said Parker rubbing his face.

"Just the same way you never saw me", I said.

"Are you trying to get back with me?", asked Parker a little angry.

"No, I'm only trying to tell you the truth about what happened between us. Me and Matt fell in love after he saved me from confessing my love for you while you were with your ex-fiance", said Meredith.

"Excuse me are you accusing everything happened because of me? I was with somebody that night. Yes, I, admit I ignored you but frankly, you were very young. Then the next time I saw you I was in a relationship", he said.

"I know it is not your fault. Matt helped me get over you and our relationship just went from there. Something else also happened but I'm not comfortable talking it right now", I said.

"I'm not faulting you for loving the guy. You got married to him and didn't tell me while I proposed that sort of baffled me", said Parker.

"I didn't know that I was married till very recently. Matt informed us about it. The lawyer we hired was a fake one. He didn't file it in the court", I said.

"Damn it! I can't believe that this is happening! What if we find out after the wedding? I? would have been so scandalous thinking of it is giving me nightmares", said Parker.

"I know Parker I'm sorry for putting you in this situation", I said.

"You don't have to say sorry. It is not your fault", said Parker kindly.

"Meredith I have to talk to you. Glad that you are here too Parker", said my father entering the room without hesitation.

"What is it, I asked nervously. I was afraid Matt had done something else that we had to pay for.

"Matt wants you to be his wife for three months to help him nab a deal", he said pleased with himself.

"What the hell Father I said outraged that he had suggested something crazy like this.

"I'm not done talking yet Meredith. He is ready to give us an interest-free loan. Think of what it can do for our business. We won't have to listen to those bastards on how to run our business", said my father scoffed.

"They are our creditors they have a right to tell us things", I said with a protest.

"Shut up girl! I know what I'm talking about. I have run this business even before you were wrong. You always say that employees are our family. Your family is going to lose their job if you don't agree to this. I raised you after your mother ran away with the pool boy when you were young. This is the time to repay your father for his sacrifices ", said him.

" You are not understanding I'm sure he is not going to give us the money just like that ", I said.

"Yes. He is a fool enough to give it away for free. Can you imagine someone paying this much money just so he could spend three months with you? You should be flattered. I wonder what he sees in you", he said with a shrug. Only my father can compliment me in such a way that I felt so degraded.

"I'm not flattered. I'm horrified. Also, he, is not giving me money for free he is getting to torture me in return", I said agitated.

"You have to bear it for the sake of our company", he said not even remotely sad at the prospect of his daughter getting hurt.

"I can't do it Father please don't make me. Tell him, Parker. Make him understand ", I begged him.

"Meredith baby just relax Okay? Your father is not entirely wrong. You must save the company. It is your inheritance", said Parker.

"That is correct. The company is your responsibility Meredith", said my father.

"Also Cutting Edge Inc. has been stealing all our contracts. We are now facing a financial crisis because of it. I was hoping you would help me to extract information on his quotation ", said Parker.

"What? You want me to spy on him? You know what he would do if he had any idea of that ", I asked bewildered.

"Do it secretly Meredith he will never know. He had nothing five years ago. Now he is a billionaire I'm sure you are curious too on how he got it", said Parker.

"I'm not curious", I said to him.

"But you will do it anyways for me your fiance", said Parker.

"I thought we broke up", I said.

"No. We aren't broken up. I will marry you once you get divorced. Isn't it a great news, asked Parker.

It was great news I wish it didn't come with constraints.

"What if I say no?", I asked him.

"I will still support you. But we need you to say yes Meredith. Matt's Cutting Edge Inc. will destroy our businesses if you don't agree with us", said Parker.

"I don't know I'm very confused", I said.

"You don't have to get confused. He is the one who announced the marriage in public. Everything that happens after is upon him. Don't you want revenge on him?", asked Parker.

"I don't want any revenge. Only wish for him to leave me alone", I said to him.

"He will only leave you alone if you agree to be his wife for three months", said him.

I was silent rather silenced by Parker and my father. I didn't want to go and live with Parker just for the sake of my company and Parker's. Living with the guy I once loved crazily is going to be very difficult. With Parker, it was only a crush but it was Matt who was my first love. I'm still bleeding from the deep wounds he placed in my heart. I knew it was going to end badly.

"I have to go now", said Parker.

I nodded my head and walked him to the door. Once he reached the door he hesitated. I perked up. I knew he had changed his mind.

"Can I have my ring back?", he asked scratching his neck. He was nervous.

It threw me over the edge but I quickly removed it and gave it to him. He smiled in relief. Did he think I wouldn't return it to him?

"I don't want it on another man's wife", he said with a laugh.

I was another man's wife now? I had no idea how our relationship would be from now on.

"You have to call me after you go to his house when it is safe. We can't raise suspicions in him", said Parker.

"I'm afraid Parker, Matt won't spare us if he had a hunch of our plan", I said.

"No, he won't know anything. Just relax I will protect you from him", he said with another killer smile.

I watched Parker's slim hands and body. I doubt he could save me from Matt who is double his size. But I smiled at his kind words.

He left then without a kiss. That was when I realised that this is how it is going to be from now. Parker can't be seen with me. Our relationship has to be secretive I wondered whether Matt gives a damn about me dating Parker. He told us to do a contract marriage, not a real one. I have another duty to do as well to spy on Matt for Parker. I don't know whether I will be able to do it for Parker. Matt is not a guy who one can easily fool.

"Meredith you must attend a press meeting tomorrow with Matt explaining things", said my father.

"What?", I asked in surprise.

"He called right now and asked you to wear something white", said my father.

I fisted my hands angrily he had no right to boss on me. But I knew my father would force me to obey him.