CHAPTER 6

OWEN'S POV

Today has been a very strenuous day. I collapsed on my office chair as I thought about all that had happened today.

My father's crazy insistence on me getting married, arranging girls for me to pick a wife from, and then I hit someone who yelled at me for saving her.

Should I have just left her there to die? Doesn't that mean I'll go to prison?

I rubbed my face, fatigue and stress beginning to get the better part of me. I still have a lot of work to do and I suddenly don't know where to start. Caleb walked in and my eyes immediately lit up at the sight of a bottle in his hand.

“What happened? Why did you sound so scared and frantic on the phone earlier?” He placed the bottle in front of me and sat down, worry etched into his features.

I sighed and grabbed a glass under my table as I explained all that happened to him. He stared at me in disbelief, with his mouth wide open.

I laughed and poured myself a glass of whiskey, gulping it down in an instant and relishing the satisfying taste it gave.

“Wait, if I wanna get this straight, you're telling me that Father arranged a set of girls for you to marry, even after telling you to find a wife for yourself?” I nodded, with a can-you-believe-that expression.

He laughed and ran a hand through his hair, as he stared at me in amusement. “And after that, on your way back to the office, you hit a girl and she yelled at you for saving her?

She asked you to leave her to die?” I nodded again, that expression still on my face.

“Wow, you've gone through a lot today bro.” He chuckled and I totally agreed with him. A knock was heard and the door was pushed open a second later.

Ethan came in with a tray of food and I almost stood up to hug him for being so considerate.

"Thank you so much Ethan.

Don't forget about the contract I asked you to construct for me." Ethan nodded and walked out of the office.

I immediately dug into the food, but for some reason, my mind drifted to the lady I hit earlier and I couldn't help but wonder what she'd gone through to want to end her life. Caleb noticed my expression and waved his hand in front of me.

“You don't have to think so much about anything. I'm sure it'll all fall into place. Speaking of which, I found you a perfect girl.” I looked at him in surprise and he nodded.

“Really? That was so fast... But I trust you. When can I meet her?” I asked, suddenly feeling weird and uneasy about getting married to someone I know nothing about.

He smacked his lips together and rose, as he brought his phone out of his pocket and waved it in front of me.

“Well, you could meet her right now, all I need to do is make a call and she'll be here in less than five minutes.”

I raised a brow at him and he shrugged nonchalantly. “Can I at least see what she looks like?

An introduction would also be appreciated, I need to know what I'm getting myself into.”

“You're making it sound like you're gonna be stuck with this forever.” He handed me his phone, with the picture of a fair-skinned girl lighting up the screen.

“That's Catherine Wilson. She's 28 and an absolute package. She's got beauty, brains, and everything you could need in a wife. I'm sure the both of you would make an amazing couple.”

I snickered when I realized who the lady was. "Catherine? From high school?" He nodded and sat down again.

"You know her mom is mom's friend right? Mom wants you to marry her anyway so you're killing two birds with one stone if you marry her."

I sighed as I stared at the photo for a while. She sure has changed a lot, and I could say I was impressed.

“Alright, call her over, let's get that contract signed. Wait- does she know about the contract?” He nodded and went out to make the call. I sighed and relaxed on my chair, running my hand through my hair multiple times.

My mind drifted to the lady in the hospital and I wondered if she was still in pain. I should probably visit her tomorrow. No matter how angry she might be at me for saving her life, I'm still responsible for her.

The door opened, interrupting my thoughts as Caleb and Catherine walked inside the office. She had a huge smile on her face and I forced a smile on my face as I stood up to welcome her.

“Hello!” She started, probably giddy with excitement, her voice smooth as silk as she extended her hands for a handshake. “My name is Catherine Wilson and it's so nice to finally meet you again, Owen Walker.”

I reluctantly took her hand and gave it a firm shake before letting it go and gesturing for them to take their seats. Caleb was right, she really was pretty and from the way she spoke, she was very smart too. She'd make an excellent wife. Father would love her.

I was about to speak when she interrupted me as she looked at her wristwatch. "Oh my, I'm late for my spa session already, I have to go now. It was so nice meeting you again, Owen. Or should I say future husband?"

She smiled as she spoke out those words and before I could say a word, she had left the office. Is this who I'd be getting married to? I definitely don't like her.

Caleb had an apologetic look on his face as he went after her and I took a deep frustrated breath as I sat down. This is all father's fault. I looked out the window and it was already very dark.

I pulled off my suit and used it as a pillow as I laid my head down and fell asleep in no time. When I opened my eyes, it was already bright as hell and I groaned as my body ached all over.

There was a file on my desk and when I checked it, it was the marriage contract I had asked Ethan to arrange for me. I went through it and was satisfied with how it was.

I put on my suit and walked out of the office with the contract in my hand, not spotting Caleb anywhere. I got into the car and drove to the hospital, my mind running with different thoughts.

I walked into the hospital and asked for the lady but I still had no idea what her name was. The nurse had this look of disgust on her face when she saw me and she pointed towards a ward.

"She's there, she asked to be discharged yesterday but we didn't let her. You can go check on her." I tried to ignore her contemptuous tone as I walked into the ward and it was empty.

I walked back to the nurse and tried to inform her that the lady was missing but she wouldn't even listen to me. It wasn't until I yelled and threatened to sue the hospital that she finally answered me and we realized that she had snuck out of the hospital.

"You call this a hospital!? How could you let a patient that was injured leave just like that? No security?" I yelled in frustration as I went back into the room, trying to check if I could find anything that belonged to her.

There was a purse under the bed and when I picked it up, I noticed it was hers. It contained bandages, make-up, and her ID.

Charlotte Whyte. I finally got her name and her address as well. How could she leave just like that without completing her treatment? What was she thinking?

I walked out of the hospital fuming with anger and after threatening the hospital, I headed to the address written on her ID. Seems like there's more to this lady than I thought.

A few minutes later, I arrived at a small bungalow in the midst of what looked like a forest. Am I at the right place?

How can someone live here? It looked haunted. Bushes and trees were everywhere and it seemed like this house was the only house in this street.

I walked in anyway and when I opened the door, I couldn't believe my eyes. She was huddled up on the bed, blood all over her face and a huge man’s hand hovering over her face.

There were also other huge men in the room and I shuddered. Don't they feel cramped up here?

Everyone turned to look at me and she looked extremely shocked to see me.

The huge man glared daggers at me and if looks could kill, I'd be dead by now. I chuckled at the thought and walked in, closing the door behind me.

“What's happening here?” I asked as I raised a brow in question, waiting for anyone dumb enough to answer.