Chapter 5

Lucinda's POV

When the clock striked eleven, Mrs Smith and I closed the club. Mrs Smith thanked me for helping her and left. While I was cleaning the glasses, I got a call. I looked at the name on the display and ignored it. It rang for some time and stopped at some point. After cleaning, I turned off the lights and walked into the room behind the manager's room. This is where I stay whenever I run out of money to pay the rent. I set the bed and tried to go to sleep. My phone rang again. Doesn't he know when to stop? I answered it, he said, "I'm waiting for you at Fifth Main Street." And he hung up. 

What does he want now? I put on a coat and headed to the street, he told me. 

When I arrived, I saw Mr Ackerman waiting near his car. I walked to him and asked, "What did you call me here for?" 

"I went to your house. You weren't there. When I asked around, they said that you vacated."

"I paid the rent money to shadow so the landlord asked me to move out."

"Where are you going to stay then?" 

"At the club."

"Why don't you come to my house?"

"You're forgetting that we aren't married yet."

"Vacate the club. let's find some other place for you to stay." 

"This is not new for me. I stayed at a club before too."

"If you're only staying there, then why were you serving drinks?" 

"Two of the bartenders took leave so Mrs Smith closed the bar because she can't handle the crowd. Since I'm staying there now, i was helping her out."

"So you go against your words for some stranger?" 

"Mrs Smith is not someone. She was the one who took me in when my father died. She has been there for me since then. Moreover, what's wrong with serving drinks? If you feel ashamed to marry a club girl, then don't! Marry someone to your status and leave me alone." 

When I tried to walk away, he blocked my way by standing in front of me and said, "You can't leave just like that. Did you forget that you signed a contract with me?" 

"I'm cancelling it then. Whatever the compensation, I'll pay it. It's not like I was never used to debts." And started to walk away from him. 

Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist and said, "You can't call off the wedding when there's only three more days to go."

While struggling to get my hand back, I said, "I don't care about the wedding anymore. Let go… let go of my hand!... It's hurting…"

He let go of my hand and apologised, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just trying to stop you from walking away. I'm not ashamed that you're staying or serving drinks at the club, I just wanted to be a help."

"Is that what it is about?" 

"Yeah. That's what it is about. Since I'm marrying you, I have to take responsibility for you."

"Thank you but I can take care of myself."

"And there's one more thing, I have a meeting scheduled this Friday in Manhattan so I have to be there on Friday. So let's get married tomorrow. Shall we get married tomorrow? Is it fine for you?" 

"Do you still want to marry me even after I yelled at you like that?" 

"Yeah. I think I'm getting used to your rudeness. What do you think? Shall we get married tomorrow? Or shall we get married after I come back?"

'What's the difference between them?'

"I'm fine with anything."

"I'll pick you up tomorrow in front of the club then." 

"No! I mean… Mrs Smith doesn't know about this wedding so don't come to the club. Wait for me at the 6th main Street. I'll come there."

With that he gave me a nod with a smile before leaving in his car. 

I let out a sigh and headed back to the club. 

The next morning, 

"Are you ready? Shall we go?" Mr Ackerman asked me with a smile on his face as soon as I got into his car. What's he smiling for?

I ignored him and looked outside the window while saying, "I have the keys so I have to be back before noon." 

"No worries. It'll end soon." And he continued driving his car. 

While I was looking outside, Mr Ackerman touched my wrist and said, "I'm sorry. Does it hurt?" 

I moved my hand from his touch and said, "Not anymore." 

"I have something to say before the wedding."

"What is it? Did you change your mind to marry me?"

"It's not that…" he got his phone ring before he finished. 

Mr Ackerman stopped the car and talked on his phone. When he finished talking on the phone he said, "Shit!" 

"What happened?"

"They changed the meeting to tomorrow. And I have to catch my flight today."

"If you're in a hurry, let's get married when you come back."

"No, we're getting married today." And he started to drive the car in a hurry.

Minutes later, we came to the place where marriages are held. As soon as we stepped outside the car, he ran to change into tux. When I stepped into the wedding Avenue, it was just like how Mr Ackerman told me already. It's only him, an ordained minister and me to witness the wedding. And there was a photographer.

I walked to Mr Ackerman who was standing at the altar and stood beside him. He whispered into my ears, "You look beautiful." And gave me a smile before turning towards the ordained minister. 

I ignored the words and listened to what the ordained minister was saying. We took the vows and exchanged rings. When the ordained minister asked us to kiss, he held my cheeks and came closer to press his lips against mine. I stopped midway and asked, "Is this necessary?" 

"Yes, for the picture." And gave a quick kiss on my lips. 

When he parted and talked to the ordained minister, i was still thinking about the kiss. 

"Shall we leave?" Mr Ackerman asked me. 

"Yeah." 

In the car, Mr Ackerman asked, "I thought you're going to push me on the floor when I kissed you. Thank you for not doing that. Otherwise it'll be on the hot search for the next few weeks. I thought I'd show you around the house before I leave for Manhattan but I couldn't. Pack your bags and be ready. In the meantime, I'll go get my luggage ready for the trip. Call me when you're done, I'll drop you at home before I leave for the airport."

"Okay."

Mr Ackerman dropped me near the club and asked, "I'll be back on Sunday only. You have to be alone in the house until I return. If you don't want to be alone, you can stay at the club till i come back. I'll pick you up on Sunday."

"It's fine. I don't want to bother Mrs Smith anymore."

"Okay, get ready and call me." and he drove off. 

I looked at the brightly shining diamond ring on my finger. I can't believe I got married already. I mean who gets married at the age of nineteen?

"Lucy!" I turned and saw Mrs Smith walking towards me. how will I explain if she asks me about the ring? I tried to remove the ring but it didn't come off so I stuck my hand into my pocket and asked, "Mrs Smith, what are you doing this early?"

"I thought you'll be alone so i came to tag along with you."

"Mrs Smith, I have something to say to you."

"What is it? Did you break a glass again?"

"No, A friend of mine offered to let me stay with them.

"Oh, really? That's sooner than I expected. Can this friend be trusted?" 

I thought of Mr Ackerman and said, "Yeah, it seems like it."

"What?"

"They can be trusted." 

"Okay. Then, I'll help you with packing your clothes." And she gave me a pat on my head before walking into the club. 

She stopped entering the club and asked, "What happened to your hand? Did you get hurt?" 

"No, why are you asking?" 

"Your hand is in your pocket for so long."

"Ah! That!... I feel cold so I'm holding onto a hot pack."

She touched my forehead and said, "Yeah, you do look down on your temperature. Come inside and get warmed up." And walked inside the club.

"Okay." 

I removed the ring from my finger finally and walked into the club after Mrs Smith. 

An hour later, I got a call from Mr Ackerman. I answered it, and he asked, "Are you done?" 

"Yes."

"Shall I come and pick you up?"

"Yes."

I ended the call and carried my bag out of the club. 

Mrs Smith asked, "Was that your friend?"

"Yeah. And Thank you for letting me stay, Mrs Smith."

"Just leave already." She waved her hand as she said that.

I came out of the club with my bag and walked to the 6th main Street and waited for Mr Ackerman. 

After some time, Mr Ackerman came in his car, stopped in front of me saying, "Get in." 

Along with my bag I climbed into the back seat. 

Mr Ackerman asked while pointing at my bag, "Is that all your things?" 

"Yeah, it's easier this way to move from one place to another." 

He nodded and continued driving the car. 

An hour later, he dropped me in front of his house. A guy came and bowed to Mr Ackerman. "He's Lance, headstaff of all the workers who work here. I asked him to take care of you so that you won't be alone in the house." He turned to that guy and said, "Take care of her. I'll be back as soon as the meeting ends." 

In the middle of nowhere, Mr Ackerman asked me, "Where's your ring?" 

I remembered that I removed it to hide it from Mrs Smith but forgot to put it back on my finger. 

I took the ring out of the pocket and showed it to him while saying, "The contract didn't say I have to wear it the entire time. Did it?"

"It didn't say but if the paparazzi found your ring finger to be empty they think we're faking it. So wear it at least when you're outside the house. And, take care." With that, he left. 

When Lance tried to take my bag, I said to him, "It's fine. I'll carry it." And carried it by myself into the house. 

After entering the house, he asked me, "Mr Ackerman asked me to take you to the room on the second floor. If you don't like it, he asked me to show you other rooms in the house, mam."

"Okay." 

I followed him.

Lance showed me a room saying, "This is the room he asked me to show you, mam. Do you find it comfortable?" 

I walked into the room and said after taking a look, "This is fine for me. I'll stay here." 

"If you want anything, call me, mam. I'll be downstairs."

"Wait."

"What is it, mam? Do you want anything?" 

"Where's Mr Ackerman's room located?" 

"First floor, second room."

"Okay." 

"Would you like me to take you there, mam?"

"I was just asking. You can leave now." 

After Lance left, I closed the door and checked every corner of the room to make sure it's safer to stay. Once checked, I unpacked my clothes and set it in the cupboard and dropped it on the bed. It was the softest bed I've ever laid down. I felt comfortable and checked it to find the ring in my pocket. I put it on my finger and got up from the bed. Let's pay a little visit. 

I walked out of the room I was in and came to the first floor where Mr Ackerman's room is. I made sure no one was around and walked into his room. What if he kept some surveillance cameras in his room? I checked every corner and there's nothing. Why is he so careless like this? What if someone enters his room without his concern like me? I walked to his desk and found it to be super clean as his room. I heard some footsteps so I made my way out of his room and came to the staircase. It was Lance whose footsteps I heard before.

"Do you want something, mam?" 

"There's no water in the room so I came to fetch some for me." 

"Sorry for that, mam. You can go to your room. I'll bring it to your room." 

"Thank you. Then, I'll head to my room." 

'There's still two days until Mr Ackerman's arrival. Let's try it tomorrow.'