MIRANDA
I turned my attention to where the DJ was and realized that he had no intention of playing a song for me, so I turned to the next best thing; my voice.I began to sing one of my favorite songs offkey while swaying my hips to the right and left. It was embarrassing, I knew that....anything to get Mr. Grumpy to send me back to the people I loved, right?Some in the audience began to laugh while the others stared in surprise, just like Hazel. The emcee realized at this point that I had lied to him, and he had made a big mistake by giving me the mic.He sought to correct his mistake and tried to take the mic from me but I evaded him and ran off the stage. I continued to sing while moving around different tables and dancing as well. At this time, some in the audience could not contain their laughter anymore.I turned my focus to Hazel again and noticed he had gotten over his shock. He was whispering to two men and I quickly recognized them as part of security.They made their way toward me after Hazel spoke to them but when they got close, I climbed onto one of the tables and jumped to the other side. Fortunately, the heels of my sandals were low so moving wasn't a chore.I kept singing and dancing until I was standing in front of Hazel. His anger was palpable and from the way he fisted his hands, I suspected that he would have punched me if there weren't so many people present.I smiled at him and sang even louder as I shook my waist seductively. His gaze remained on me but he said nothing to me. The security men suddenly caught me from the back of my arms and the mic fell off my hand.As they began to drag me outside, I bellowed, "My jacket, I need my black jacket."However, the men did not stop dragging me until they got to the door. Just as I was pushed outside, I turned to ask them to give me my jacket but it was thrown at my face right at that instant. Apparently, someone had picked it up while I was being dragged outside."Get lost," one of the men yelled at me.I rolled my eyes, put on my jacket, and began to walk away. Fortunately, Mel couldn't see me from where the car was parked, otherwise, it would have been troublesome if I had to explain to her what I'd been up to.When I got to the car, she was surprised to see me."So soon?" She inquired. "I thought you'd be there for a few more hours."I smiled, "What would I be doing there? It's a boring party filled with old people. Hazel just introduced me to everyone as his wife. Afterward, I got bored out of my wits and asked him if it was okay for me to go. He said I could leave since I had been introduced to all the important people. He would have dropped me off but you are here so it wasn't a big deal."She smiled, "I'm so happy things are going so well between you and your husband, and I know that his mom would be very happy too when she finds out.""His mom?" I asked.She nodded, "Yes. She came to my agency a few days ago, and after I was assigned to work for her, she gave me a little orientation. One of the things she told me was that your husband could be very difficult and mean sometimes but he wasn't a bad person. She wanted me to look out for you and never let him hurt you in any way. But she was worried about nothing because your husband seems to have fallen for your charms.""Hurt me?" I was surprised that his mom cared so much. Was she really such a nice woman? How would a nice woman separate a young girl from her loved ones because they are financially indebted to her? She was just a snake pretending to be a saint before Mel.I couldn't care much about her fake love. I thoroughly embarrassed Hazel before his important guests and that was what mattered. No right-thinking man would still keep as his wife, someone who did what I had just done.From the look of things, I would be returning home the next morning, since it was already very late. I didn't even need to take anything with me because all my belongings were back home. I thought about Collins and sighed.It hadn't been up to forty-eight hours but I felt as though I had been separated from him for a year. Once I arrived back home tomorrow, he would be the first person I would visit. I would explain everything to him and we would make love afterward. I could not wait for tomorrow to come.""A penny for your thoughts?" Mel asked interrupting my daydream.I stared at her as she added, "You were silent all of a sudden and smiling too. Whatever is on your mind must be making you happy."I smiled, "Well, I was just thinking about Hazel's mother and could not help smiling. I mean, how many girls are lucky to get such a kind woman as their mother-in-law?"Mel nodded with a smile. I asked her to join me for dinner when we got back home. She hesitated at first but when I made a sad face, she gave in.After eating, I asked if she had gotten any message from Hazel about me but she said, "No, why would he send me a message concerning you when he can just talk to you? Besides, I doubt that he has my number. You know what? I'll get you a phone first thing tomorrow, that way you can give Hazel your number and you guys can communicate whenever you want."I forced a smile, "Thank you very much."I didn't want to get a new phone because I wanted to go back home and get my phone from my mom. I was still upset that she had not sent it, but I guess if I had a new phone, I could call and text Collins when I wanted.I was leaving the next day, anyway, so there was no need.I said good night to Mel when the clock struck ten and went into my bedroom. After locking myself inside, I went into the bathroom to bathe.I had never thought I would enjoy a cubicle bath in my lifetime because I knew how expensive it was to install one. At the very least, I got to enjoy a little luxury during my involuntary stay at my so called Husband's house.After bathing, I changed into a robe and sat on the bed. I had thought Hazel would return to create a ruckus but he disappointed me that night. Nevertheless, I was patient, just like he was. I would wait for him to do it in the morning.Right at that moment, I heard a knock on my door. Did Mel want to spend the night with me? I wondered about it and opened the door, thinking she was the one.Instead of Mel, I saw a tall, angry man in a tux, he had taken off his bow tie though. I guess he wasn't so patient after all.I was just about to smile when he suddenly kicked the door, causing me to take a few steps back.He walked into my room, closed the door, and gripped my shoulders painfully as he pushed me to the wall and hit my back against it.I endured the pain I felt and just stared at him as he seethed, "Who the hell are you?""I am Miranda Hazel Duke, your wife," I replied softly."Did an enemy plant you in my life to destroy me?" He thundered. "If that is the case, Miranda or whatever your name is, I will destroy you first. I will crush you like an ant and bury you forever."I smiled, "Stop making useless threats, Hazel. If you do not want me in your life, I will not beg you to keep me. You can end this sham of a marriage and send me away, and that would be completely fine by me."An expression of surprise flashed across his face briefly and it made me wonder, "Did he not want to let me go? How much exactly did my parents owe this evil man that made him still want to keep me? I had to make him change his mind.""I do not make threats, Miranda," he said. "This is a warning; do not try to get in my way or embarrass me ever again. I have given you no rights as my wife. Live your days quietly here but away from my sight.I am not opposed to striking a woman, nor am I incapable of murder. Do not push me.""I'd like to see you try," I replied boldly.He finally let go of my shoulders, "What did you say?"I folded my arms, "I said if you do not want me as your wife, send me away. Otherwise, get lost.""How dare you?" He angrily lifted his hand to slap me and I closed my eyes as I braced myself for the pain.HAZELI stopped my hand midway from landing on the cheek of the brat in front of me. I had never raised my hand to a woman before and I didn't think I ever would until Miranda appeared in my life like an erupting volcano. Of all the women in the world, why did it have to be her? How did I get so unlucky?I stared at her face as she closed her eyes, waiting for me to hit her. Where did she get her courage from? It was almost as if she really wanted me to hit her, but I had no interest in giving her that satisfaction. I walked out of the room, my mood worse than it was when I went in. I had never met someone more insolent in my entire life. As I got into my room, I called my mom. When she answered the call, I asked, "Why, mom? Why would you do this to me? Are you deliberately trying to punish me because of what happened?""What is going on, Haze?" My mom asked. "You called so late and you are asking me weird questions."I sighed and tried to be calm. I didn't want to speak disrespectfu
MIRANDA When Hazel raised his hands to slap me, I became afraid. Even though I closed my eyes and acted like it wasn't a big deal, my heart was racing inside.However, he walked away without another word. I didn't understand him. I had made it clear to him that it was okay to send me away, so why didn't he say anything about it?Did I go through the trouble of humiliating myself before so many people for nothing? I sat on the bed feeling sad. Why wouldn't he send me away and get another wife?That night, sleeping was difficult. I kept hoping that when I woke up in the morning, Hazel would have made up his mind to send me away but that didn't happen.I was instead introduced to two ladies and a man by Mel who told me that they were among the many tutors who had been chosen for me.I was going to be homeschooled? What did these people take me for? A handicap? I didn't want to make an issue out of it because I knew I would be leaving soon.However, I had no intention of sitting through a
MIRANDA "The cops are here," one of the men rushed into the room and reported.Hazel instantly let go of my neck while I struggled to breathe as tears rolled down my cheeks. I quickly wiped my tears and walked out of the room. All the men had disappeared and I could see Hazel leaving through the front door.I followed behind him and was surprised to see Mel standing outside with so many armed policemen. She stared at me in shock while Hazel ignored them all, got into his car, and drove away.The police wanted to go into the house but I said, "There's no need, sir. My husband and I were the only ones there."I didn't want a situation where I would have to follow them to the station and give them my statement. It was futile because a man like Hazel was bound to be powerful and highly connected.I got into the car with Mel and she still wanted us to go to the station but I told her, "There's no need, Mel. It was all planned by Hazel.""I don't get it. What happened between you two that
HAZEL I gulped and my Adam's apple bobbed. What was Miranda trying to do? The same crazy girl who had dared to slap me earlier and confessed her hatred for me was now in my room, trying to seduce me. I did not need a soothsayer to tell me that she was up to no good. This was definitely a trap.But why was my heart beating so fast? I could not deny that she was beautiful. Her sparkling eyes shone as she walked toward me. She was 5'9" tall, and her slender legs which were exposed to my view made her seem graceful as she walked.Her radiant skin shone in the brightly lit room and a cascade of molten red hair fell down her shoulders. Her wasp waist called out to me, urging me to wrap my palms around it.She did not stop walking until she was standing in front of me. Her heart-shaped lips parted and her dazzling halo white teeth gleamed. She placed a hand on my chest and I spotted her beautifully varnished fingernails.She was nothing short of a seductress and unfortunately, I was caught
HAZELI finally emptied my wine bottle and began, "You're no stranger to the fact that in the past two years, my mom has been hounding me to get married again. I swore I never would and she swore I would never live peacefully. She was at my place every single day of the week, crying, making a scene, and threatening to kill herself. When I couldn't take it anymore, I proposed that we both come to a compromise.She was the one who drafted the agreement and according to it, she would pick a wife for me and we would live together for a year. If after one year, I still wanted the wife, then everyone would be happy.However, if after one year, I wanted to spend the rest of my life alone, she would back off and let me be. She had a lawyer draft the agreement and we both signed it.She prepared the marriage document and I signed it too without caring who the bride was. This was because I had a plan. I intended to provide my so-called bride with luxury, however, during the one year of our mar
MIRANDA I had expected a different result. I thought Hazel would push me away the moment I placed my hand on his chest, after all, his hatred for me ran deep. I expected him to lose it and finally ask me to leave his house but he caressed my lips instead.I took a step back in fear. I was tempted to run out of his room and quickly wash my lips but my efforts would have been in vain. So, I held on a little longer. Even when he ordered me to get out, I refused. Who would have thought that he would walk out of his room, leaving me behind?The moment I heard him drive out, I picked up my jacket and left. I walked back to my room with my shoulders sagging in defeat. Why was nothing going my way?What was Hazel's breaking point? There had to be something legal I could do to make him send me away without giving away my intentions. But what if there was nothing? I recalled how he had told me earlier when he kidnapped me that he wanted me to live a miserable life. Did he plan to make good on
MIRANDA"Didn't Hazel tell you that he was married before?" Shayla asked and I shook my head. I couldn't care less what Hazel's history was. I just wanted out. Perhaps if I found out why he and Shayla were divorced, it would help my plans.I smiled, "I'm so sorry for keeping you guys out here. Your daughter looks so beautiful and you are both welcome."She smiled back, "Thank you," and walked in with her daughter who I really found adorable.I reached out my hand to stroke the little girl's hair but she pushed it away and cried, "Don't touch me!""Grumpy like your father, huh?" I thought. "What a shame.""I still think Princess is adorable," I told Shayla as I went back inside with her.""I should be leaving. I have no intention of bumping into Hazel," Shayla said as she handed Princess over to a nanny I had never really paid attention to.She was about to leave when I said, "Hold on, Shayla. To be honest with you, I was forced into this marriage and I would do anything to get out. I'v
MIRANDA I knew I was outnumbered but there was no way in hell I was kneeling for anyone. I began looking around for a possible escape route since the only plan I could come up with at this point was running away.However, there were too many students surrounding me and no way for me to escape."I think she needs a little encouragement," Ashlynn walked up to me and raised her hand to slap me. However, I caught her hand and flung it, pushing her away in the process.As she staggered backward, Jake angrily raised his hand to also slap me but someone suddenly came in between us and caught his hand."How dare you?" Mel asked and punched Jake's stomach.He took a step back as he groaned in pain. I did not miss the surprised gasps of everyone around."Deal with the both of them," Jake ordered and all his minions swarmed at us."Run away right now," Mel instructed me as she put herself between me and the boys and began to fight them. Some were beaten to the ground with just a punch and others