Chapter 2

"I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you. I promise to get her together” Mr. Thompson apologized to Mr. Blackwood, who has refused to come into the house because he found it degrading.

Lyla sat in the kitchen, staring blankly into her steaming cup of coffee. She was lost in her thoughts, totally unaware of the activities going on around her.

“You should take your coffee before it gets cold,” Grey said from the counter where he sat. His voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

Mr. Blackwood was informed of Lyla's sudden disappearance by Lyla's dad. He found his way around the street CCTV and was able to trace her location. He sent Grey Blackwood, his son, to get her home safely in preparation for the wedding a few hours ahead.

However, they were able to recognize each other because that wasn't the first time they were meeting.

A few months ago, Lyla got an invite through her colleague to attend one of the Blackwoods Arts exhibition days. She stumbled upon Grey and found him charming due to his elegant style and appearance. 

That spark which ignited in her vanished the moment she successfully engaged in a conversation with him. He sounded demeaning, belittling Lyla and most women. She found him arrogant and someone who lacked courtesy.

She felt disgusted at his kind of mindset and intentionally spilled a drink on him. An act which sent her out of the event.

“Or you're waiting for me to get closer so you could spill it on me, again” Grey added.

Lyla's gaze shifted to him. She had absolutely nothing to say to him. Even if she did, she was sure they would feel like the perch of a fly on the skin to him. He didn't care about other people's opinions.

She scoffed and returned her gaze to get coffee. Just as she was about to grab it, Gray walked up to her and pushed it aside. He used his index to kick her face up from her jaw.

“Don't give me that look like I'm the reason this is happening or I have a hand in it. If I wanted a wife, I would gladly pick one from my father's pen”

Lyla's fist clenched immediately and she impulsively banged them on the table. What did he mean? Her blood boiled underneath her skin. She could feel the steam emitting from her pores and she glared into his eyes.

Grey inched closer, till he could feel her breath on his nose. A slow smile tore through his face. “What now, huh?” he whispered.

She really could do nothing. She just stood there, glancing into his ash eyes which glinted with satisfaction. She felt the glaring eyes of those around weigh down on her. 

“Lyla, get yourself together,” Mr. Thompson said as he walked to her. He grabbed her wrist and leaned closer. “Remember, you're not doing this for me, or you, but for the family. We need this” he muttered.

Grey scoffed, eyes still fixed on Lyla's. “Of course you do,” he said. Lyla couldn't hold the tears back anymore. She let them stream down her cheek in broken lines. Grey pulled away from her breath which was fanning against his nose.

He grabbed his phone and headed for the door. He stopped as he got to Lyla's standing position, their shoulders brushing against each other. He inched closer to her ear. “See you soon — bride” he whispered and stormed out.

Lyla's knees went jelly, throwing her to the floor. She buries her head in her palms, her sobs dancing around the room in echoes. Mr. Thompson knelt beside her and pulled her into his arms.

“It's okay love. We've all got you. We've got you” he consoled as he gently stroked her hair.

______

For the first time in twenty-two years of her life on Earth, Lyla felt seen. The eyes of everyone sitting in the hall, waiting for her response to the priest made her think of herself as a messenger from the sky.

The entire preparation for the wedding was made easy as her in-laws made every process smooth. She found herself rethinking the possible positive outcomes of accepting to marry the Billionaire's son.

She would be able to pay her mother's hospital bills. That would prevent her from losing another loved one. She would also be able to have her own set gallery, where she would exhibit her beautiful works.

Amongst them all, she would finally live that luxurious life of her dreams she felt she belonged to. All these thoughts ran through her mind while she was being escorted down the aisle.

All she had to do was say yes. Yes to a man whom she despises. Yes to a man who hates her as well. She found herself contemplating her choices in her mind as she stared at the rings in the box before them.

“Miss Lyla” the officiating priest pulled her attention in with a whisper. Her gaze went into the crowd. The large population of the most influential people gathered in one room to watch a girl get sold off like mere goods.

Her eyes locked into those of her father's. He let s gentle smile engulf his face. 

Never! Never was she going to let him ruin her dreams and happiness by entangling her to this man. She was going to end this drama once and for all.

Her eyes shifted to the lady sitting beside her dad. It was her sick mother. Her heart melted seeing her mother sitting with a drip stand by her side. She had gone through a lot of suffering.

“Miss Lyla, do you –”

“I do,” she answered immediately, interrupting the priest. She thought she saw a smile on Grey's face. Instead of kissing her, he drifted his head to her ear.

“Welcome home, wife” he whispered with so much delight.

His words sank into her ears, realization dawning on her. 

Thoughts filled her head that instant. Grey pulled her into a very short kiss and pulled her away.

The crowd stroked their cutleries against their glass cups, cheering the newlywed. 

The lights from the paparazzi flashed into her eyes. She shielded her eyes with her hands but Grey took them off.

“Oh don't hide love. Let the world know who the gold digger is” he muttered, smiling at the cameras. “Now smile” he added with his widely curled lips.

What had she done? What had they made her do?

Could she rewind the ticking time to give a different answer? 

She needed to think fast about the next line of action.

Never was she going to settle with him.

________