Chapter 03

CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO 2014

~JESSICA~

Clinton said before he jumped on the man and landed another punch to the man's face.

"Clinton stop! Please!” I panicked, and then the security guards came and separated them. Jack was not even defending himself; he just kept cursing. 

"Fuck, bro. What the fuck? Shit,” he cleaned the blood on the corner of his mouth.

"What is going on here? Jessie to my office now!” My boss ordered. I was surely going to lose my job now, as Jack was his biggest client.

"No, my wife is coming home with me,” Clinton said, holding my wrist tight. I felt pain.

"Well, if I’m not spending time with her, then I would like a refund,” Jack said. From his voice, you could tell he was angry.

"No, no, no, Jessie is not the only companion we have; we have a lot; you can even choose to have five at the same time.” My boss begged; knowing him, I knew he would never give a refund, especially because the money was a lot.

"I'm not interested in any other girl; as I told you, she is the reason I come here; it’s either she stays with me and finishes the night or I leave with my refund,” he threatened. I could see my boss panicking.

"Fine, you finish the night with her,” he said and turned to me.

"Get back to work, Jessie.”

"She's not getting back to anything; I said she’s leaving with me right this instant; in fact, she quit.” 

"What?" Both my boss and I asked in unison, 

"Jessie?" My boss sounded shocked.

"I'm so sorry, boss. I’ll sort this out and get back to you right now,” I said as I turned my attention to Jack. Clinton was still holding my hand.

"Mr. Jack, I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but I won't be working today; I’ll continue tomorrow,” I apologised.

"You don’t need to go with him; I can give you whatever you want; just stay,” Jack pleaded.

Jack was a lonely man. He was single as his wife slept with his best friend, and now they were getting divorced. That’s what I’ve learnt from talking to him.

"Jack, please, we will sort this out,” I pleaded.

"Alright," he sighed, and then came toward me in an attempt to hug me, but Clinton blocked his way. What have I gotten myself into?

"I'll see you around, and you can keep the money,” he said, and my boss thanked him. I could see how relieved he was to see that Jack asked him to keep the money.

When Jack disappeared, I followed my boss to the office after calmly asking Clinton to wait for me; he gave me ten minutes.

———

"When did you get married?” My boss sounded angry.

"I don’t know; I mean I’m… not sure if I’m even married to him,” I stuttered.

"Listen, you’re a potential here; most clients come here because of you, but I’ll not have people fighting in my club for you; it could ruin my business. If you don’t sort this out, then I’ll have to let you go.”

"It will not happen again, sir.”

"Good, now I’m giving you a day off to go fix whatever issue with that man. With your job, marriage is not advisable, but if he’s willing, then there's no problem as long as you don’t come with a ring on your finger. You'll resume work tomorrow,” he said. I thanked him, then went to the dressing room and changed into comfortable clothes.

Going back to the bar, I was shocked to see Loren sitting on Clinton’s lap. She was entertaining him, and he seemed to be enjoying it.

Don’t get me wrong; I wasn’t jealous, just shocked by her behavior. I know this was her job, but I told her I was married to him. 

I cleared my throat to get their attention, which worked as they pulled away from each other.

"Jessie will give you my number,” Loren shamelessly said, and he nodded. What the hell? I pulled Loren aside and whispered in her ear.

"What are you doing?”

"Getting a chance, isn’t he sexy?”

"What? No, he’s not.”

"Then let me be the judge of it,” she said. Knowing Loren, I knew she could make him fall for her; she had the skills to do so, as I learnt from her.

"He's my husband,” I said, not meaning it—just trying to get her reaction.

"But you don’t want him; please, if he asks for my number, give it to him,” she pleaded, "You don’t know how lucky you are,” she added before hugging me to say goodbye. 

"You're crazy. You have a boyfriend,” I reminded her. She just smiled as she pulled away, then winked at Clinton.

"See you around, sexy,” she said before she walked away—she was flirting with him.

Clinton and I walked out of the club with his hand tight on my wrist; his grip tightened when we passed by men. I was shocked that they didn’t try to approach me or do funny things—that they feared him.

When we got to his car, I was shocked to realise that he did not have guards; most billionaires move with bodyguards.

"So how did this happen? I mean, the marriage thing,” I asked as soon as we were both in the car.

"Really?" He asked in disbelief.

"Yes really? I mean, you just showed up here as my husband and-”

"You didn’t see the marriage certificate, and where’s your ring?” He was unbelievable.

"Listen, whatever happened was a mistake; I was drunk or something.” I rubbed my forehead, regret evident in my tone.

"I don’t believe in mistakes.” I could feel his stare, so I slowly looked at him to confirm, and that’s when our eyes met, "I believe this is destiny; we are destined to be together,” he said and moved his lips close to mine. Now they were just inches from each other as he leaned in closer. I closed my eyes, and my lips were ready for him only for him to pull away right at that moment.

"We are going home,” he said.

"What no. I have a life. You need to drop me off at my apartment, or I can order a cab.” 

"Love, we are going home; we are married, remember,” he reminded me and then started the car. There was nothing much I could do, as I knew men; I just had to wait for him to calm down, but I was still not able to control my mouth. 

Words slipped out: 

“I don’t want to be married to you; I’ll file for a divorce,” I said, but he didn’t respond. 

Now that Jade was back in my life, I didn’t want to complicate it by adding his uncle.

I remained calm and made notes in my head about how I was going to explain that I had a fiancé. Just when I thought he was not going to respond, he started talking.

"You know you’re really funny; you walked to me and told me you were ready to even marry me. I asked that we get to know each other, but you refused; you said you wanted to do what your ex did, and now after marriage, you think you can just toss me aside; I’m not your fucking toy.” He sounded angry, and I didn’t respond as he was driving.

"You're stuck with me now,” he added before he sped up. 

After what felt like forever, the car came to a halt, signaling our arrival back at his apartment. “Welcome home, love,” he said, and I rolled my eyes.

As we got out, I had no choice but to follow him behind, as the main gate was locked.

"Listen, I’m just 21. I can’t be married to you; you’re probably my father's mate,” I argued as we walked up the stairs.

"I'm not that old,” he said with a smile playing on his lips. 

"I know there’s a woman out there who wants a man like you, but that woman is not me.”

"Who? Your friend and I must tell you, she’s quite boring compared to you; do you even know why I married you?” Now there, he caught my attention.

"Why?" I asked curiously as to why he married me, and he just chuckled and unlocked the door. He asked me to go in first and then followed behind me. 

I was about to say something when he suddenly pinned me against the wall; his nose sniffed my neck while his hands explored my waist.

"You have a sexy body, just perfect,” he said against my ear. He brought his face to mine; our lips were just inches from each other. He was breathing so heavily that his breath fanned my lips. 

"I have a boyfriend,” I said out loud, hoping he would pull away, but he didn't; instead, he leaned in even closer, until our noses were touching. 

I looked away but couldn’t move, as not only was he holding me, but he trapped me; he stood in a position where I couldn't escape and the worst part were my legs; they betrayed me because I couldn’t feel them.