CHAPTER 6 – Through Your Eyes

She had heard about his accident five years ago. It had been all over the news, her mother had told her about it too. Rachel could remember that it happened the same day her father got arrested. The day her world came crashing down was the day his life flipped upside down. But even though she knew he would have some scars due to his accident, Rachel didn't expect it would be this bad.

She stood there with her mouth open from shock, studying him, taking in his appearance. The scars covered his once beautiful face all the way down to his neck. It looked like it extended all the way down his muscular body that was hidden behind his black fitted suit. Rachel gulped. She couldn't help but wonder, How did he go through all of that….in a place like this?

She had witnessed her fair share of ridicule from other elite people within the company, when her father was arrested for drug trafficking. She had suddenly become an outcast, no longer up to their taste and level. She remembered being called a thief, a gold-digger who was just like her father. There had been a lot of insensitive remarks thrown at her and her mother. The memories were still very fresh.

He still had a face even with the scars, it just wasn't what you would expect as the face of a billionaire. She noticed he just stood in front of the window, looking at her, probably observing her too. Rachel wondered how she would feel if she was scarred like him, she would never come out from her house and would hide from everyone for the rest of her life. He was strong to be putting himself out there, even with the ridicule and insensitive remarks he had to bear. She felt so sorry for him.

Dragging her wandering mind back to reality, Rachel glanced at him and replied warmly. "It's nice to meet you too, Mr George"

                       ~~~~~~*~~~~~~

How many years had it been since he last set his eyes on her? Five…

How many years had it been since she had filled his mind completely? More than Five years…

When he told the maid to send her in, George didn't know what to expect. The hair on his skin stood straight and he was sure that if a pin fell to the ground, he would hear it. That was how nervous he was. George knew when she reached where he was, but he was afraid to turn around. His face, his scars….

And when he finally turned around and she gasped in horror, George wanted to run away. But he caught a glimpse of her face just in time, and what he saw there made him stand rooted to the ground. She felt for him, she pitied him. He could see it through her eyes….

He actually didn't want her to pity him — he was tired of receiving pity from people, but it was better than her being disgusted by him. George noticed she had lost so much weight and her eyes were dull. She looked like a shadow of herself, worn-out and stressed, completely different from five years ago, and he could understand why.

So much had happened within these past five years, he didn't need her to explain.

He was going to take care of her, feed her well and make sure she didn't lack anything she needed. That was the best he could for now.

His head turned to her when she said it's nice to meet you too. "Oh, aren't you…disgusted by what you're seeing? You were quiet for a long time"

"Oh, not at all" Rachel replied "I was just surprised. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable"

"Um, It's alright…" George glanced around the spacious room. This was quite awkward. How do people in an arranged marriage talk to each other? "We're getting married in two weeks time, is that fine with you?" He believed in two weeks, she could put on some weight and rest well. 

Rachel nodded in agreement "That's fine." She moved a step closer, fidgeting and rubbing her fingers against each other. "So…since I'm going to be living here after the wedding, can you briefly tell me what to expect and what your family is like…"

George could see she was nervous, he walked over to her, grasped her right hand and pulled her down to sit on a chair while he settled on another chair opposite her. "My family. Hmm…how do I describe it? My father is Morris Scott, you should know him. He married two wives, my mom — Patricia and another woman Judith, who has a son for my father. I'm the first son of the Scott family while James is the second."

"When it comes to what my family is like…" George continued, "My stepmother is really a case on her own, she's a very angry woman —"

Rachel burst into laughter which made George glance at her. "Oh sorry, I wasn't expecting you to introduce her like that. It's been a long while since someone introduced a stranger as a very angry person" she said, still laughing.

"I'm actually serious about what I'm saying" George remarked, "You're going to meet her soon, you'll understand what I'm saying. As for my father, he likes my brother but despises me and everybody linked to me…" George looked at her when he said the last four words.

Rachel's eyes widened in understanding of what he just said. He was talking about her. She turned her head to look at him. "So…?"

"Yes. The fact that you're to be my wife means that he is going to treat you in a very difficult manner. You should be prepared for that" George answered and smiled at her "I'm really sorry that you have to deal with all of this because of me"

"That's fine, really" She looked around the open space, observing the exquisite decorations. Rachel was sure she would never get tired of looking at this villa. It was a piece of heaven. Beautiful. "What about your mother? What do I expect?"

"Well, to be honest, she isn't exactly in support of this marriage and —" 

"Really?...I didn't see that coming" She remarked

"Almost everybody is not in support of our marriage. But I believe with time, they will adjust" George concluded

A maid entered where they were talking and greeted "Your room has been tidied and we've arranged everywhere. Both of you can now take a nap if you wish." 

"Ah, I see. Thank you for your help" Rachel replied and with that, the maid moved on to continue her work. A thought crossed Rachel's mind and she turned to face Goerge "Both of you? What does she mean by that?"

"We're sharing a room" George stated firmly without even blinking. 

"W–what? I thought I'd have a separate room" Rachel instinctively placed her hand on her chest. Had he lost his mind? He didn't even know her and wanted to force himself on her. There was no way she'd let him do that. "What are you trying to do? We just met"

George chuckled, teasing her was so much fun. With her arms around her breasts as a form of protection, he could see where her mind was going. He shook his head. "You're thinking too much"

"Am I?" 

"Yea, you'll have your own room for now. After the wedding, we'll be sharing a room"

"What?" Rachel looked at him, her face stained red in embarrassment. She knew that was the normal thing for couples to do — share a room. But she knew that sharing the room also meant sharing the bed. Her plan did not include sharing the bed with him "Are we going to share…"

"The bed?" George completed her statement for her, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. "Of course we will, That's expected of a married couple."

"I see…" Rachel knew she would think about this for the next two weeks, until the wedding.

"At a point, we'll be touching each other too…"

Rachel's eyes widened in shock "Is that necessary?"

".... That's also expected of a married couple"

Rachel wanted to smack off the mischievous look on his face. He was enjoying this. Teasing her. "We really don't have to touch each other"

"Oh we do. We really do" George chuckled, lifted his two hands and joined his palms together to demonstrate "It helps to increase the bond between a couple."

"No, it doesn't" Rachel stated, refusing to admit.

"I have a feeling we're going to enjoy sharing the same bed" George winked at her and Rachel's cheeks turned even more red in embarrassment.

Rachel couldn't believe this man, he talked boldly like he was sure that in the nearest future, she would strip her clothes off and press her naked body against his. She had been so occupied with her thoughts of getting revenge that she had signed the marriage contract, forgetting she had to play the role of a 'married woman'.

And what was wrong with her? Why did it seem like a part of her was enjoying his teasing? She had to get her mind in order and stay focused. 

She was his wife now, she had to act accordingly. If she had to share a bed with this man and strip naked in front of him in order to set her father free, then so be it.