He strode off with impeccable style. He positioned himself so that he was facing me directly while leaning back on the sofa, and he waited patiently for a few moments for me to respond. And I was unable to think of a single one. What was I doing on his bed?He picked up the phone with his well-manicured hands and said, 'I should inquire with the front desk; I can't remember ordering a Mail Bride to my room.'The unknown man seemed like a successful businessman who might shred me to pieces in seconds, so I mustered all my strength to sober up before negotiating with him. Nonetheless, I had no choice but to give it a shot in order to keep both myself and Mrs. Cha out of trouble.I needed to interject.In my best drunken attempt at a coherent phrase, I pleaded, 'Please don't contact reception; give me a minute and I will clean everything and leave.''Are you a guest?'I tried to avoid making eye contact by looking away but still maintaining a conversational tone by nodding.'Do you work
I followed him into the living room in an effort to have a better understanding of what had taken place; nevertheless, I did not have the courage to question him directly. He picked up his phone and stepped out to the balcony, likely to have an important conversation. while I stood there unsure of what to do next, debating whether I should sit down and try to make myself more comfortable or whether I should continue standing. Why were there so many reports outside? In the four years that I have worked at Elite Oaks, I have never seen so many media congregate in the hotel before. Why was this happening? I cocked my head to the side to get a peek at him. His gaze immediately landed on mine. Still on the phone, he came back in and asked that I take a seat; I folded my silhouette in my arms and took the chair in the farthest corner to minimize being in his line of sight. With the booze still pumping through my veins, I was stumbling in and out of consciousness. A few hours ago, I pi
Once Mr. Colton and Winston had left the room. I headed to the restroom in an attempt to make myself appear at least slightly presentable. I glanced in the mirror. I had not gotten nearly enough sleep, and it showed in my appearance—my hair was a mess, and there were dark circles underneath my eyes. My skin resembled a dried out desert. I couldn't help but wonder what Mr. Colton saw in me that made him want to tie the knot. I despised seeing myself in such a mess. As I sprayed cold water on my face, the mascara ran down to my cleavage and stained the top of my ivory dress.After taking off any remaining makeup and brushing my hair, I pulled it back into a tight ponytail. My collarbones and naked shoulders were on full display. I went through the medicine cabinet looking for mouthwash in order to get rid of the putrid stench of alcohol that was coming from my mouth, and I slathered on a generous amount of lotion all over my olive-coloured skin.Before leaving, I made sure to maintain a
Winston and Mr.Colton left for a meeting. I was left alone in the suite, so I went for a walk around the suite and looked at all there was to see. I had cleaned this suite a number of times before, and each time, everything remained exactly the same. Nevertheless, this time, something felt different.After hearing a knock on the door, I began to head in that direction. Perhaps it was Mrs.Cha, who came to pick me up. I was clueless as to whether or not she was aware of what took place the previous night
Winston turned towards me and questioned, "Ms. Zara, are you married?"I wondered why on earth this particular conversation had any relevance to my marital status. Why did it have anything to do with what had transpired thus far? I quizzically raised an eyebrow and inquired, "Why does that minuscule detail hold any significance right now?"The two men's eyes locked onto me like a pair of confused children. It was clear that my choice of clothing had thrown them for a loop. Now, I'm not saying I was actually married or anything, but I did give off that vibe. Their puzzled expressions spoke volumes. It was as if they were trying to decipher the mystery that stood before them in a wedding gown. Was I a blushing bride, ready to walk down the aisle? Or perhaps a daring fashionista pushing the boundaries of societal norms? The possibilities were endless, and their bewildered faces only added to the intrigue. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself as I soaked in their confusion. It was like a
I was in a state of dumbfounded silence, as if someone had hit the mute button on my life. The irony of being rendered speechless at a time when I needed words the most!Before I could even begin to describe my shock with words.Winston clarified, "It will be a Contract marriage, and you will be paid generously at the end of each week. When the term expires in eight weeks, you will also be gifted with a luxurious apartment in the center of the Dorian coast."All of it seemed too good to be true, and it most likely wasn't. When it comes to money, that would completely alter my situation. I was out of a job and in a dire situation financially. I once attempted to be married out of love, but it was a horrible experience, and it didn't work out at all. But, a marriage without love?I was miserable at the thought of getting married, but ultimately, last night, I decided to stop thinking about it at all.However, the duration of this commitment is merely 8 weeks, and once it finishes, I wil
With an overwhelming feeling of urgency, I accelerated towards the washroom, driven by the desire to enhance my outward appearance to at least a modest degree. My reflection caught my attention. My sleep-deprived state was apparent in my disheveled appearance, with my unruly dark hair and the presence of weary, dark shadows beneath my eyes. My skin resembled an arid desert. It was embarrassing to see myself in such a mess. As I sprayed cold water on my face, the mascara dripped down my cleavage and soiled the top of my ivory dress.Once I thoroughly removed every trace of makeup from my face and delicately brushed my hair, I elegantly gathered them together, fashioning a sleek and secure ponytail. My exposed collarbones and shoulders were prominently on display. I rummaged through the medicine cabinet for mouthwash to help remove the rotten stink of alcohol emanating from my breath, and I applied a substantial amount of lotion all over my olive-colored skin.I rolled my shoulders back
As the lawyer entered the suite, Winston escorted him towards us. The lawyer extended his greetings to both Mr. Colton and me and settled into the chair positioned between us. He pulled out a handful of papers from his sleek leather bag and handed them over to Mr. Colton.Mr. Colton immediately conducted a thorough review of the documents.As the lawyer eloquently delineated a number of crucial clauses, Mr. Colton and I couldn't resist stealing fleeting glances from the corners of our eyes.As I sat there, trying to focus on every word the lawyer spoke, I couldn't help but notice Mr.Colton's thoughtful gestures. Every now and then, he would refill my plate with delectables. I was unable to resist feeling a connection, a silent understanding that transcended all confines between us.I was struggling to contain the radiant smile that graced my lips. His sweet little gestures, so tender and thoughtful, had the power to ignite a symphony of emotions within me. I was drawn by his charm and
As the hours stretched into days, strength began to seep back into my weary body. Each passing moment brought me closer to recovery, yet my mind remained plagued by a persistent question. What could have been so urgent that it had compelled Mr. Colton to leave my side abruptly? The absence of Mr.Colton's comforting presence intensified. The hushed whispers of nurses and occasional beep of medical equipment now seemed eerily quiet. I felt lonely. His sudden departure, followed by a call, left me vulnerable and uncertain. Three days had passed since he whispered words of reassurance, promising to return, yet my understanding of his situation allowed me to hold my impatience at bay. He was no ordinary man, a formidable business tycoon burdened with a multitude of weighty responsibilities, undoubtedly had more imperative matters to attend to.I felt reassured, knowing that my safety was important to him. Two vigilant guards stationed in front of my door by him demonstrated his unwaverin
I was on the verge of being swallowed by theocean of painfulrecollections. In that moment of raw vulnerability, Mr. Colton's mere presence became my saving grace, a lifeline that beckoned me to relinquishthe weight of my long-standing torment."Mr. Colton," I began, my voice quivering like a leaf in the wind, "there's something I need to show you." I reached beneath my pillows, retrieving the threatening note from Arlo that I had hidden beneath my pillows.I handed it out to Mr.Colton. His gaze shifted from me to the note as he accepted it, his expression becoming more solemn.The veins on the side of his forehead throbbed noticeably, and his jaw clenched with noticeable anxiousness. His eye was fixed on the message scrawled across the page. "Is this message from Arlo?" he questioned, his face flushed with rage.As Mr.Colton took his name, I was utterly caught off guard. I had no inkling of how much or how little Mr. Colton w
The circumstances of our prior meetings could not have been more dissimilar. The first time he saw me, I was a chaotic mess, draped in a bridal gown, my hair knotted, and my senses muddled by alcohol. It was a humiliating and vulnerable memory, a lapse in judgment that tormented my soul.Now, as he looked at me in the hospital room, I was a very different person from the one he had met on the first night. I was dressed in a plain hospital gown, and my face exhibited the scars of the chaos that had engulfed my life. The plaster cast on my foot was a constant visual reminder of the consequences of my choices.Each encounters an unpredictable nature of fate.Our silence created palpable tension in the air between us as if the surroundings held their breath. Unspoken words unresolved emotions, stretched between us like an invisible barrier.We both were like two souls locked in a delicate dance of avoidance and longing. I was exposed before him in a sta
As the first rays of sunlight peeked through the delicate fabric of the curtains, a warm and gentle glow began to fill the hospital room. As the haze of unconsciousness began to dissipate, I found myself gradually reawakening to a world of sensations.The first thing that caught my attention was a throbbing, relentless ache arising from my broken ankle, a painful remembrance of the injury I had sustained. It seemed as though every movement, every shift of my body, only served to intensify the discomfort. But that was not all. There was another lingering discomfort, a dull twinge that resonated from the depths of my foot. It reminded me of the bullet that had found its way into my flesh, requiring a surgical intervention to remove it. Though the physical evidence of the bullet's presence was gone, its recollection lingered, embedded into my consciousness like a haunting ghost.As I lay there, my mind slowly piecing together the fragments of my surroundings, I couldn't h
As the loud gunshot punctured through the air behind me, my ears were immediately hit by an explosion of ringing, drowning out every other sound around me. Panic held me, sending tingling sensations down my body, as I felt myself being pulled into a trance-like state, unable to grasp onto reality. I wasn't sure if the bullet had penetrated through my flesh.My beating heart hammered relentlessly, its chaotic beats echoing in my ears as if it were frantically trying to flee from the confines of my rib cage. Blood surged through my veins, a stream of crimson outrage, causing my blood pressure to rise alarmingly.With every labored breath, I gasped for air, my lungs struggling against an invisible smothering heaviness that settled upon my chest.Fear gripped me like a vice, and I knew that every second counted. Deep desperation fueled my every step as I burst forth onto the bustling city street.Arlo was hiding in the shadows of the alley, his eyes burning w
As he dragged me into the alley devoid of afternoon sunlight, the reality around me seemed to dissolve into a frenetic whirlwind of confusion and chaos. My heart thumped in my chest, its rhythm matching the frantic pace of my thoughts. What had happened? How had everything spiraled into such disarray?I tried to make sense of the madness that enveloped me, desperately searching for any semblance of order. The more I tried to grasp at the fragments of my surroundings, the more his grip tightened around my wrist. We ventured deeper into the labyrinthine alleyway, deep into the thick shroud of darkness. The air was heavy with an unsettling stillness.It was in this eerie setting that my eyes fell upon a face that sent a shiver down my spine—a face I had desperately hoped never to encounter again. It was Arlo.His presence was a terrible apparition from my past, a lurking darkness that threatened to engulf everything I had tried so hard to leave behind.
As I meticulously applied the final strokes of makeup to my appearance, a faint tremor coursed through my hands, abandoning my attempts to steady them. I stood before the mirror; the reflection staring back was a vision of elegance and allure.The crimson-red dress, with its rich hue, embraced my figure with a compelling embrace as if it were a part of me. It clung to my every curve, bringing out my feminine form in a way that was both empowering and seductive. The fabric whispered against my skin; at that moment, I felt like a goddess, ready to conquer the world with my undeniable presence. The scene before me stood in direct opposition to the turbulent emotions swirling within me. I breathed in deeply, trembling, trying to regain control. I felt different from how I appeared.Nervously waiting in the opulent sterling suite, the weight of anticipation laid heavy upon my shoulders. The pivotal moment, the one that would determine the course of my future, was fast approaching.I glance
Descending the staircase, I felt uneasy, my mind consumed by worry for Mrs. Cha. My concern lingered over whether or not she was aware of what had taken place the previous night. Perhaps she knew and was too frightened to come back to the suite to get me.All I wanted was to give her a hug and make sure she was doing okay. I gently pushed open the door to the housekeeping chamber. No one was around; apparently, Mrs.Cha had gone home after her shift to tend to her ailing husband.I took my bag and rummaged through it, looking for my phone.My phone screen was flooded with a staggering 52 missed calls and several messages, the majority of them from none other than Arlo. It was unthinkable for me to have a civil conversation with him after catching him cheating on me last night.The silence in the room was broken by the shrill ring of my phone. I glanced at the screen and saw the name "Arlo" flashing back at me. I hesitated, my finger hovering over the word "decline" on the screen as the
As the lawyer entered the suite, Winston escorted him towards us. The lawyer extended his greetings to both Mr. Colton and me and settled into the chair positioned between us. He pulled out a handful of papers from his sleek leather bag and handed them over to Mr. Colton.Mr. Colton immediately conducted a thorough review of the documents.As the lawyer eloquently delineated a number of crucial clauses, Mr. Colton and I couldn't resist stealing fleeting glances from the corners of our eyes.As I sat there, trying to focus on every word the lawyer spoke, I couldn't help but notice Mr.Colton's thoughtful gestures. Every now and then, he would refill my plate with delectables. I was unable to resist feeling a connection, a silent understanding that transcended all confines between us.I was struggling to contain the radiant smile that graced my lips. His sweet little gestures, so tender and thoughtful, had the power to ignite a symphony of emotions within me. I was drawn by his charm and