Chapter 3
"Don't give me that look!" Jaxon said sharply as he shoved his phone into his pockets. "You look like you've just seen a ghost!" Ruby swallowed hard. "Don't you want to leave? Get into the car, let's drop you off at the restaurant" "Oh-yeah," She muttered and went in. After the driver drove for some minutes, Jaxon broke the silence in the car. "Have this!" He said, handing his phone to her. Her right eyebrow shot up, "Why?" "Take this!" He said with impatience, "Ruby, one rule you must obey as long as we interact is to do whatever I say. Now, get this phone!" His voice was firmer With shaky hands, she collected the phone, eying him. The other men in the car were silent and a soft music played in the car radio. "Now, input your phone number in there." He said. She nodded and started to punch her number in, eager to please him. He had such a controlling aura that left her with no choice than to do whatever he wanted. He snatched the phone from her and saved her number. "What's your home address?" He asked, opening the note app on his phone. "578th Brooklyn Avenue" She said, watching as his fingers swiftly typed away on his phone. He demanded for her phone and she gave it to him, biting her lower lips in fear. He handed it over to her after some minutes. "One more thing, on no account should you be without your phone." He said in a low voice, "I'll be in touch if your services are needed," he said. "My services?" She blinked in confusion. "Your services as my secret contracted wife!" Ruby nodded. Her mind raced with questions, but before she could ask anything, the car came to a halt. "If you ever breath a word of this to anyone, I'll find you and snuff life out of you" Jaxon's cold voice filled the car. It was low and husky, yet the threat in it caused Ruby to gasp. "Now, get out." He added. She froze, confused and stunned. "I am done with you! Leave." He barked at her. She shuddered and pushed the door open, panting. As soon her feet touched the ground, the car door was slammed shut and the car sped away into the highway. For a second, Ruby forgot that she was now multiple times richer than she was in the morning. She looked down at the briefcase in her hand and felt grateful that the stranger, Mr Jaxon, had kept to his words. She stood in front of the restaurant, unsure of whether to go in and continue her shift for the day or just quit her job. She made up her mind, walked into the restaurant and took a permit to leave work for the day. She had more important things to attend to. Her sister, Kimberly. She had to visit her at the hospital and clear up her bills. Ruby took a cab back home, stuffed some of the wads of cash in her handbag, hid the briefcase, before leaving her apartment again. Just then, her phone rang. It was her best friend, Ophelia. "Hey, I've lost him," Ophelia wailed from the other end of the line. Ruby's brows furrowed, "Who's gone missing?" she asked. "It's Hugh, my crush," Ophelia replied. "He is finally out of limits, and I don't know what to do." Ruby grew confused, she asked, "What do you mean?" Her friend broke into tears and Ruby tried to convince her to come over to her apartment so they could leave for the hospital together. Within minutes, Ophelia arrived, running to hug Ruby and she sobbed on her neck. "Ruby! He's gone. My crush is gone for good" "Tell me, did he die?" Ruby asked as they flagged down a cab and got in. "No!" On their way to the hospital, Ophelia filled her in on the news. "The rich CEO, Mr Vaughn , just announced his marriage to some unknown woman. Can you believe it?" "An unknown lady?" Ruby asked. Ophelia shrugged. "No one knows who she is. He just announced it out of the blue, and now everyone's talking about it." "Girl, don't you think it's time to stop dreaming about these men who are way out of your reach?" "Yeah! I was going to stop, but I've had my eyes on Hugh for a while, and I refuse to believe that I've lost him" "You didn't have him before now, did you?" "In my imagination, Yes, I did" She snapped in feigned annoyance. Then, both women broke into laughter, throwing their heads backwards. "How's Kimberly?" Ophelia asked as they stepped out of the cab and strolled into the hospital's premises. "I've not seen her in more than a week now" Ruby's eyes become glassy with tears. Guilt choked her as she realized how much of a terrible sister she was. As they walked into the hallway, the doctor in charge of her sister's ward stepped out of an office and was surprised to see Ruby. He walked back in, beckoning on Ruby to go in, while Ophelia hovered in the background. "Ruby! I feared you wouldn't come any soon. Your sister's condition is critical. We're doing everything we can, but..." Dr. Thompson's voice trailed off. Ruby's eyes welled up with tears. "Please, doctor, you have to save her. I'll do anything." She rummaged through her handbag and pulled out a stack of cash and slid it across the table to the doctor.. "Take this. Please, make sure nothing happens to her." Dr. Thompson's eyes widened, but he took the money. "I'll do my best, Ruby. I promise." Ophelia's eyes were fixed on the cash, her mouth agape. "Ruby, where did you get all that money?" she asked. Ruby smiled at the doctor and pulled Ophelia out of the office. "We need to see my sister, now" "I know, but tell me, how did you wind up with so much money?" Ophelia asked with shock. Ruby hesitated, "I...I won a small lottery prize. Yeah, that's it." "Ruby, come on. You can't just win that much money overnight. Tell me the truth." Ruby's eyes darted as the walk down the hospital's hallway. She couldn't tell Ophelia the truth - Jaxon's warning was still fresh in her mind. She trusted her friend, but she was not ready to risk her life. Jaxon didn't seem to joke when he threatened to deal with her if she ever told anyone else what had happened between them. Ruby realized how silly it would sound to Ophelia if she ever mentioned that she walked up to a total stranger that morning, offer to be his wife, only to end up signing a marriage contract with him and getting a briefcase of money. No one would even believe her anyways, she realized. Ruby sighed, "I'm telling you, Ophelia, it was a lottery prize. Let's just focus on Kimberly's recovery, okay?" "Ruby, I know you're hiding something. You're not a good liar." Ophelia's eyes narrowed. "Ophelia, trust me, it's just a lottery prize." At that moment, both women walked into Kimberly's ward. Kimberly was wide awake, her face seemed pale, and she called out in surprise, "Ruby? You came! The nurse threatened to move me out of the paid hospital room." She broke into tears. Ruby held on to her sister's palm, sobbing, "I swore to myself that I wasn't going to let anything happen to you. I'm keeping my promise, Sis." "You got paid?" Kimberly asked with a frail voice. Ruby nodded, "Yeah, a bit more than that. It's a miracle." Ophelia's phone rang out, and she apologized, "I have to take this. I'll be right back." When she returned, there was a large grin on her face. "Ruby! I just found out from a trusted source that Mr Vaughn , my crush, will be attending a private event soon." She squealed, "That's not all! He'll be coming along with his mysterious wife. I really can't wait to see the woman who stole him from me.." Ruby smiled, wondering why her friend was still obsessed with a man who had made his marriage known An unknown wife too? It sounded cunning to her, but her smile slipped when she remembered that she was also someone's secret wife—someone whom she barely knew.Chapter 4"You don't just ring up my line, after making me sign a marriage contract with you and ghosting me," Ruby yelled in annoyance on the phone at the same man she was trying her best to forget.There was a short silence on the other end of the line."I know you heard me, Mr. Jaxon!" She said, more angered by his silence, "You went two weeks without speaking to me, I'm sure you can make it two years" She mocked."Watch your tone!" Jaxon's deep voice replied, "You're my wife now, and you'll do as I say." "I'm not your wife, not in any real sense. And I'm at work right now, so I can't just drop everything for you.""You'll quit that job, effective immediately," Jaxon ordered, "I don't want my contracted wife working in a place like that. You need to be available whenever I desire."Ruby's face flushed with anger. Her hands trembled as she gripped the phone. "You can't just dictate my life like that! I won't quit my job, and I won't be at your beck and call."Jaxon let out a mirth
Chapter 6early?Ruby laid on the bed, enjoying her quiet sleep. One that she hadn't gotten for weeks as she was running away looking for how to pay for her sister's treatment.Now that she found a way to save her and finally did, it was only right for her to get a good sleep.She groaned, rolling on her medium-sized bed as she stretched out her hands yawning loudly.“So peaceful..” she muttered, reaching out her hand for her phone that was lying on a nearby cupboard.She turned on the power button to check what the time was only to see a message on her screen.“I'll be at your place in thirty minutes, don't keep me waiting!” That was the exact message on her phone.She blinked her eyes as she tossed the phone away, wanting to return back to sleep.A few minutes later, she snapped her eyes open as realization hit her.“Oh my gosh!!” She gasped as she sat up from the bed almost immediately.“I literally forgot about this..” she gasped jumping out of the bed the next second. She had a d
Chapter six After a long and quiet ride, they finally arrived at the venue of the party, ruby sighed in awe at how beautiful the place was. There were lots of paparazzi around, taking pictures of the people. Ruby couldn't help but wonder how rich Jaxon was, he had an expensive car and had taken her to an occasion that screamed of luxury. Who exactly was he? “Here.” He handed over a silver mask to Ruby who slowly collected it from him. “Put it on..” he instructed as he wore his own black mask. Ruby lifted the mask up to her face as she wore it as well. “Don't talk to anybody and stick to me” he instructed as Ruby shook her head slowly. “If you do a good job, you'll be rewarded” he added as the driver stepped out of the car, to open the car door for them. Jaxon stepped out first before stretching out his hand for Ruby. “Come on..” “All you need to do is smile, and look happy, you're not an old hag.” He whispered coldly to her ears leading her towards a red carpet. “Over here
Chapter sevenRuby walked amongst the group of people as she walked to the bathroom. She needed time to breathe, she clearly did not fit in the world of the rich.She was about to get to the bathroom when she accidentally bumped into someone and the person’s drink spilled all over her.“Oh my gosh!” Ruby exclaimed as she looked at her dress which had been completely ruined and stained with red wine.“Oh no, this dress was hella expensive!” She muttered as she bit her lips in frustration. How was she going to explain to Jaxon that she ruined the dress he had gotten for her because she was not looking???“I’m so sorry miss, I really am sorry” The lady who had accidentally spilled the drink on her apologized.Ruby froze as all the hairs on her body stood. That voice!!! Even if she was sleeping, there was no way she would not recognize the voice. It was Ophelia. Her best friend!! she was at the party, but how? Ophelia never mentioned that she was attending any party.Ruby bit her lips har
Chapter Eight Ruby didn't utter a word while she was inside the car with Jaxon, even as the driver drove off.She could tell that he was really pissed but how was any of it her fault.Just when she thought that he was not going to scold her, his voice thundered in the car.“What was that shit that you displayed???” He asked, his eyes blazing with anger as she glared at Ruby.“I'm sorry..” she apologized in a low voice.“Sorry for your damn self!” He snapped at her.“Now tell me why you pulled that stunt, have you gone mad??” He questioned.“What was I supposed to do? Your rules clearly state that no one should know about our marriage and that lady was my best friend. How was I going to explain myself to her?” Ruby pointed out defending herself but Jaxon was not taking any of that.“Is that the reason you disgraced me? You were sitting on the ground in front of a lot of people. My wife” He scoffed in sarcasm.“She was so intent on talking to me, she also called me a thief, I feel beca
Chapter nine“Ruby, are you in there??” Ophelia knocked on Ruby's door loudly, in the early hours of the morning.“Ruby!!!!” She yelled, knocking loudly, not caring if she disturbed the neighbors.She had already called Ruby, but she got no answer.“Who's that?” Ruby muttered to herself as she stretched out her arms and legs, yawning loudly.“RUBYYYYYY” Ophelia screamed.“Oh my gosh!” Ruby gasped, startled as she fell off the couch she was lying on.“Ophelia? What's she doing here?” She asked herself, as she slowly sat up from the ground.She was so exhausted that she slept off on the couch.After walking miles last night, she finally found a taxi and the first thing she did was freshen up and then she fell asleep.Jaxon was a real demon that needed to be avoided and she prayed that he never called her again.“Ruby??” Ophelia called again, as she was sure that her friend was inside.“I'm coming” Ruby replied as she stood up from the ground in a flash.“Just a minute “ she added walkin
Chapter 10Jaxon barged into his assistant and best friend, Damon's office without knocking. He immediately regretted doing so.“Eww” his face scrunched up in disgust, as the lady who was in between Damon's legs, immediately moved away from him covering her face.“Seriously dude” Damon groaned, buttoning up his pants, the lady stood up from the ground as she dashed out of the office the next minute.“You should have at least knocked” Damon rolled his eyes as Jaxon sat on the chair opposite his friend.“And you should know the right place to bring whores to, not an office!” Jaxon fired at him.“Trust me, man. Doing it in the office just hits different” Damon smiled as Jaxon scoffed inwardly.“And you should do that sometime, I can arrange someone for you” he winked at Jaxon who frowned.“Shut up!!” He snapped at him.“Did you manage to stop my old man from coming?” He questioned about the reason why he had come to Damon's office in the first place.“Yes I did” “Your grandfather is not
Chapter 11 Ruby groaned in frustration as her phone vibrated in her pocket. She was at work and was not supposed to take calls, so she decided to end the call and put her phone on vibrations to avoid any more disturbances’ She looked at the screen only to discover that it was the nurse, Cheryl from the hospital. She had not gotten the chance to go visit her sister since she paid the bills as there had been a lot of things she was dealing with. She decided to take the call as her sister's health was more important than anything. “Hey Cheryl…..” She muttered after picking up the call. “I see you've decided to ghost everyone now you’ve paid your sister's bill” Those were Cheryl's first words the moment she heard Ruby’s voice. “I’m sorry, I've been caught up with a lot of things, how’s Kimberly doing?” she questioned. “I bring good and bad news,” Cheryl said, instead of answering Ruby's question. “What good news and bad news?” Ruby grilled as her heart raced. She silentl