Chapter 3

KORA’S POV

“Are you insane?” I sat on the sidewalk and burst out crying. I wept so much I didn’t know I had so many tears in me. The man in question just stood by his car door and let me finish.

“I am sorry for acting this way, I’m just going through a lot,” I said with a whimper.

“That’s fine, do you want a ride?” I nodded slowly, he helped me up from the sidewalk and led me to the passenger seat of his car. We drove in silence in what seemed like forever. I heard him clear his throat and look at me.

“I know you must be wondering why I cried so much back there. I am going through a divorce.” I didn’t mind oversharing. I wanted to yell about it, lament, and rant about my situation to anyone who could hear.

“I don’t believe in marriages, I believe marriage shouldn’t exist.”

I didn’t want to object, if I had met him a few days ago I would have argued and bragged about my husband and loving marriage. I sat there staring blankly. We stopped at a Ramen noodle restaurant. He stepped down and got takeaways for both of us. Immediately he handed it to me. I opened it and feasted on it. I didn’t realize I was this hungry till I got a whiff of the aroma, I had not eaten for a hot minute and I lost a lot of blood. I looked at the man beside me, he seemed to be amused instead of disgusted with the way I was eating.

“I am hungry. All I could think about was how to hurt the people that hurt me.” I swallowed and wiped my mouth clean. The man grinned a little. I just realized that I was in this stranger’s car and he gave me food, I didn’t question his character. He looked at me, I had a worried expression on my face.

“I am Derek Reyes,” My eyes widened. Derek Reyes? A billionaire Ceo? I was shocked.

“The Ceo of Reyes corporation?” I had to be sure because anyone could want to impersonate him. He was known and unknown. Unknown because he has never graced any function and is also known for being the richest man in the country.

“Yes, now I have an offer for you.”

“What offer?”

“Let’s get married, I will help you get your revenge.” Derek Reyes wants to marry me.

“You seem like a good man, but I can’t marry you.”

“Don’t flatter yourself, I am doing this because my parents want me to get married and I don’t want to, they won’t stop till I settle down. We can agree to be married to them but live separate lives privately, and in return, you will get your revenge.” I looked at him with disbelief but I knew he was serious. I didn’t want to back down from this offer but I needed time to think about it. He dropped me off at Devon’s house and placed his card in my hands, he drove off quickly. I took a deep breath, adjusted my clothes, and walked in. I met Lydia in the sitting room stuffing her mouth with grapes.

“Hello sister, what are you doing here?” I asked myself the same question, I had no other option. Devon and I bought this house and this was the only house I had. A few years back I asked my parents to buy a house for me because they had recently bought one for Lydia, they told me she was the heiress. I worked hard and bought mine when I got married to Devon.

I paid no attention to Lydia, I packed the clothes I could and left the house. As I headed to the gate, I met with Devon. He had a huge smile on his face, he passed without acknowledging my existence. Sooner than later Lydia jumped on his body and plastered kisses on his face.

“I missed you, baby,” Devon said with a hearty laugh. I dashed out the gate without waiting a single second. I decided to go over to my parent's house and inform them of my situation. On getting to the house, I asked one of the servants to call my parents downstairs for me. I waited for almost an hour before they reluctantly came downstairs.

“Kora, what a pleasant surprise.” My mother spoke as they marched down the stairs.

“Yes, pleasant indeed. You both are not aware of what Devon and Lydia have been up to these past few days?” I questioned with a heavy heart.

“Yes we are aware, frankly speaking I told you I never liked Devon but you insisted that he was the one for you. And of course, he picked the person he thought was up to his standards, let their love blossom she is your younger sister.” My mother said with a shrug.

“I agree, you can find another husband. You don’t expect Lydia to be unhappy now, you know how she is.” My father coined it.

“Lydia Lydia Lydia, it has always been about her and never about me! Don’t I get to be happy?” I questioned, picked up my things, and ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I sobbed under a tree, then I remembered that all hope wasn’t lost. Mr. Reyes.

His phone rang for a while before he answered. “Where are you?”

“At Dam’s coffee. Second avenue, 5th street.” Within a few minutes, he was in front of me. I entered into his car.

“I knew you would be calling back but I didn’t think it would be so soon.”

“I am ready.”

“I know you are,” Devon brought out the contract and a pen. “Sign here and there.” I didn’t bother to read it because there was no way my life could get any worse. I signed quickly and handed over the document back to him.

He handed it back to me and then pointed at it. I read the document. It read that we wouldn’t be intimate, and also we would be together till both of our plans were fulfilled. My estimated time was a few months and his was at least 2 years. My eyes widened in realization. I wanted out immediately but I read the defaulter's punishment. Fifty million dollars will be the compensation f*e.

“Welcome, Mrs....?

“Miss Kora.”