Chapter Four

Laura Visited

Octavia batted her lids vigorously as her brain tried processing it. Charles? The same Charles? A girl approached him and he turned to her. When she was near enough, he pulled her into a kiss.

Octavia's eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets as she watched them kiss. She sniffed and a lone tear trickled down her face. He…is kissing someone. The sight is hurting her.

She fell to her seat, her heart breaking as she watched them pull away. Charles turned to her direction and he smirked. That smirk… the smirk she admired a long time before.

She watched as he whispered something to the lady and the lady nodded. He turned around and walked away.

Octavia sniffled, wiping the tears off her face. He ignited old memories she had tried to bury.

"Hi Octavia" she raised her head to see the lady staring at her with a small smile. Oh, she knows her name. Octavia scoffed internally before mumbling a reply.

"Ohh, common Octavia, we are ladies, we shouldn't allow the hate between our husbands get between us."

Octavia stopped at that. Does it mean Marcus and Charles hate each other? Her eyes widened remembering she said husband. Does that mean Charles is married?

"I'm Quinn by the way" she stretched out her hand and slowly, Octavia took it.

"You look beautiful," she added, taking a seat beside her. Octavia forced out a smile, her thought running miles.

She felt people staring at them but when her eyes darted around, she saw no one. Maybe she's only nervous.

"I'm really sorry about the attitude of my husband towards Marcus. It's just something that happens in business but we can be friends right?" She cocked her head to Octavia while she only stared at her.

Be friends? Be friends with Charles' wife?

"No thanks" Octavia rolled her eyes bringing out her phone while Quinn chuckled.

"I understand you hate me pretty much but I'm kind of lonely here, maybe we should just talk" she chortled and Octavia glanced around.

True to her words, the ladies around were in groups and they seemed like the youngest in the party. A waiter came by and Quinn took one, urging her to take one but she refused remembering Marcus' words.

"So, tell me why did you hide your relationship. The marriage was sudden and it came as a shock or is it a contract like mine also?"

"Your marriage is a contract?" Octavia asked, whipping her head to her. She nodded and Octavia gasped. Charles is really not married. That means… no, that means nothing.

"Mine is a contract though I love Charles and I really wish he reciprocated that" she mumbled with a hint of sadness and Octavia suddenly felt pity for her. Charles will never love her, she's sure of that.

"Is your marriage a contract too?" Quinn asked.

"You have no business with that" the baritone voice came up and they both stood up to their feet.

Octavia's eyes widened when she saw Marcus gaze angrily at her. She saw his fist tightened together and a feeling of trepidation took over her.

"It's none of your business" he repeated and Quinn forced a smile.

"Mr Marcus Rodriguez, it's a…"

"Let's go" Marcus cut her short and Octavia trudged to him. When she was close enough, he grabbed her hand leading her to the door.

"Mr Marcus!" "Mr Marcus!"

Octavia could hear people call behind them but the grip on her tightened at those calls. She whipped her head to him and saw the fury. Is he always angry?

"Don't stare at me" he snapped and she swallowed hard. She wanted to speak but restrained herself. He led the way out to the car and immediately, he pushed her in. She gasped at how he pushed her in.

"Is everything okay Marcus?"

On hearing that, she realized Francis was in the car already.

"Drive out of here" Marcus slammed the door hard and Francis nodded.

Marcus took in deep breaths ruffling his hair. Coming here was a total waste of time. He hates it when people act all greedy in business. He wasn't ready for the partnership but they forced him but now, he's pulling out of that deal.

"Are you okay?" Octavia summoned up courage to ask and that's when he spared her a glance.

"Were you going to tell her it's a contract?" He shot at her and she exhaled.

"I…"

"I don't want to see you with her ever again" his voice was final and she nodded.

Marcus shot his eyes, running a hand through his hair. Good lord, he needs to be alone. Dealing with people is a lot of work.

"Wait…" Octavia called out and he turned to her.

"Since you're angry…" she took in a deep breath leaning to him. "Unbutton these" and gently, she unbuttoned three of his buttons while he watched.

"Else you might just damage your neck veins" she muttered, moving to the other side of the car. She's sure he was angry from wherever he came out from.

Marcus wanted to speak but swallowed back his words. He should just let this go.

The drive to the house was silent and soon, it entered back into the mansion. Immediately the car stopped, he walked out slamming the door and she exhaled. He's always angry.

"Don't stop taking care of him" Francis helped her open the door while she stared at him puzzled. Did she hear that?

"Don't stop" Francis closed the door as soon as she stepped out and immediately, he walked away.

She scoffed, reminiscing on his words. She's only being nice because she needs money. Slowly, she walked inside to her room.

Immediately, she fell down to the colossal bed and taking off her heels, she began brooding. Is she going to put up with his attitude every time? She looked down at her arm and saw it reddened. Forcing herself to pick up the ointment, she applied some.

Will she keep up with this for three months? With that, she fell to the bed falling into a deep sleep.

Halfway into her sleep, her phone vibrated. She groaned, reaching out to her phone and on seeing the caller, she exhaled.

"Yes Lauren, I'm asleep, I'd call you later" she mumbled drowsily.

"Come downstairs Octavia, I'm downstairs."

What? The sleep vanished from her eyes immediately, "which…"

"Downstairs Octavia, I'm in your house."

Octavia gasped immediately. Lauren is here? Why? How?