Chapter 07

Hayley woke up to the sun's rays hitting her eyes that made her close them once more, groaning a little and turning to the other side. Ah, now she's much comfortable. She feels tired so she's going to stay in bed a little more.

Just some moments later, she could feel the brushing of fingers along her thigh and it tickles her, chuckling slightly. Her eyes remained close.

"Cristy, stop it. I'm still sleepy," she mumbled in her morning voice. "Go close the curtain for me."

"I think I need to put down your skirt rather than curtain first. Your lovely thighs are showing."

Hayley's eyes snapped open. She froze upon hearing that damn voice and seeing how she's facing his well-defined chest, she wants to scream! As she was about to push Kenji away, he suddenly wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer. She glances at him and her eyes went wide. 

"Stay. I won't do anything to you but just stay a little longer," he whispers with his husky voice and his eyes remained close.

She tried to push him away, grunting, but he would just tighten his hold so she remained glaring. What the hell happened to her last night? Why is she-- wait are they in his room? She can't even see all of his room but it looks neat. 

"Did somebody carry me? Why the hell am I here in your room? And you shit! The passcode you gave me was incorrect!"

Kenji let out a chuckle, moving himself closer to her and she resisted again, wiggling but he would not budge. 

"Why'd you go home late last night?" he asked, finally opening his eyes. "Did you go see your boyfriend?"

"None of your business! Will you let me go now! You disgust me!"

"If you don't answer I'm not giving you the right passcode."

"Tch! Like you would give me it! I properly asked you yesterday and you gave me bullshit! I do not trust you so let go of me!"

"072518. You can go out and come back in to try it and if I'm right be a runaway bride."

It made her swallow hard. This time he sounded serious so it must be the real code. As she thinks hard, she realizes it is her birthday.

"Why is our passcode those numbers?"

"It's your birthday."

"I know but why?!"

"It's our wedding day, babe."

"What? Why wasn't I informed that my birthday is the wedding day? Where'd you get it? I thought we'd wed after my birthday, not on my birthday!"

"Well then, you should go banging on your parents' door." 

Kenji finally let her go and she immediately moved away sitting at the corner of his bed. Now that she could properly see his room, it surprised her how things were organized neatly. It was not what she imagined his room was going to be.

Before she leaves, Hayley remembers how she waited last night. It's time for a little revenge. A corner of her mouth lifted and she kicked Kenji off the bed making a thud. Then she hears him groan and curse. Her laughter echoed as she stands and storms out of his room. 

Just as she closed the door behind her, the smile on her face faded. Cassandra has been misleading her. It's like her mother is deliberately uninforming her of certain things that can make her back out.

"What the hell are they not telling me?"

To get Hayley's questions answered, she decided to visit the Grimroe mansion. Usually, her mother is not there but after asking Cristy the schedule, she found out Cassandra stayed at the mansion meeting some wedding coordinators. So what Ken doll told her was true.

At the door, Cristy has greeted her and escorted her inside. Even though it isn't necessary, Cristy would insist. 

"So, how are things at the new home?"

"It's not a home, Cristy and Ken doll still disgusts me. Do you know what happened? He changed the passcode and I had to wait in the lobby and I ended up falling asleep there!"

"I guess I was wrong then when I said Mr. Maledict was nice. But I think you would have changed the passcode if you arrived earlier than him, yes?" 

Hayley stopped walking to raise a brow at Cristy who was plastering an 'I know you' smile. She then twitched her mouth and nodded, continuing to ascend the stairs.

"Actually he isn't that bad. Ken doll was not messy. I saw his organized room."

"Really? He left his door open?"

"Well I slept--" she paused realizing what she was about to say. No! She can't tell that Kenji had carried her and she slept with that guy! It's cringy that didn't happen! "Yes! He left his door wide open!"

"I know when you lie, milady. Your look away and blink a couple of times. You slept in Mr. Maledict's room." Cristy softly chuckles.

"It's not like that!" she yells, throwing a cold stare, her lips in a pout. "I end up falling asleep in the lobby and I don't remember but maybe he carried me. My door was locked so he laid me on his bed. This morning I woke up I was with him! It was disgusting and if I had woken up, I would have made my way to my room! It's his fault!"

"Sure thing, milady." But Cristy was still keeping a playful smile that makes Hayley want to cry. "Oh and you have to admit, Mr. Maledict is quite charming."

"A little but I don't care! He annoys me!"

As soon as they arrived, she sees her mother with a bunch of people, laughing with exciting grins on their faces. Their meeting must have ended just now. With a blank expression on her face, she strides towards her mother.

"Mother!" she calls, surprising Cassandra, "May I talk with you privately, please?"

The other guests were looking at her but she's too mad to greet them. Cassandra seemed to notice so she dismissed the guests and when they were further away, she was told to follow.

Inside a room, Hayley unmannerly sits on the chair facing Cassandra, her killer eyes activated. Oh, how she wants to yell at her mother.

"I wonder why my sweet flower visited. Is something wrong with your new home?"

"Actually no. But I heard from Kenji that the wedding day is on my birthday. Why didn't you tell me this? I thought we agreed it was after my birthday, mother?" 

Cassandra then sighed deeply, the smile she had from earlier faded and was replaced with a hardened expression. 

"I know you were planning to celebrate your birthday with Lucas and those kids at the orphanage, Hayley.  And the sooner, the better, isn't it?" 

"I already told you that I am not backing out! Is there something you and dad have been hiding from me? Are you going to change the promised money with another deal? Like bearing a child? I think I deserve to know the future you've written for me!"

"Oh, my dear! That marriage is the last one and I assure you, you will get the money I and your dad promised you."

Hayley fiercely stares at her mother's face. This lovely face had deceived and left her no choice but to marry. Even Lucas was set aside because of this woman. No matter how much she hates Cassandra, she was till her mother and it's pitiful.

"I apologize for coming unannounced. I was just shocked when I found out about it from Kenji rather than my own parents."

"Oh, love!" Cassandra stands up to sit beside her, hugging her and even kissing the top of her head. "I was going to tell you but I was busy with the wedding. We will take care of it. All you have to do is practice walking down the aisle a week or two before the wedding."