LOGINShare
I cannot stand the sight of her
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Racheal waited nervously the whole night and most part of the next morning for her father's return.
As the president's daughter she understood politics, and could not share in the joy of her countrymen.
This proposed marriage was no beautiful union or an example to emulate as the local and international media was making it out to be.
She was sitting out on the balcony when she heard heavy boots approaching from within her room.
She stood up in panic when she saw the white uniforms and black hats. Two men reached out and grabbed her arm, while the third man said,
"We are here to escort you Miss. Your father ordered you'd be brought up immediately." Racheal recognised him as the chief guard in charge of her father's personal security.
"But I am not even properly dressed." She argued weakly as they half dragged her out from the balcony into her room. She had only grey shorts and a black tank top on.
The men completely ignored her protests and practically marched her up to her father's suite in the villa.
They opened the heavy gold doors and mildly pushed her in, but her flip flops caught in the carpet and she fell in, face first.
She knew people were in the room, because the air felt thick with hostility. But no one uttered any words of sympathy or asked if she was ok.
She dragged herself up and felt her ankle explode in pain. She bit her lips hard and stifled her groan. She slowly limped toward a seat and bowed in greeting to her father and then her step-mother.
Her step-mother stood tall, leaning against the chair her father sat.
Even now at almost forty five, she was slim, and had beautiful porcelain skin. She had a tall carriage and a beautiful face that was rumoured to have got her the position of her father's mistress.
Well, till she became the legal wife, overthrowing her mother.
She was looking at Rachel haughtily now, like she was some disgusting animal. Her father nodded in acknowledgment to her greeting.
"Sit." He said. "I called you all here for an important issue."
"Does she have to be here?" Her step-mother said, and both her daughter's faces mirrored their mother's disapproval. They hated sharing the same space with Racheal.
"I suspect you saw the news on television before I got back." Her father continued, ignoring the interruption.
He looked around the room, first at Claire, Celia and then Racheal. "I have promised my daughter in marriage to that President's only son.
"Although I refrained from naming any one of you in particular, ideally that daughter should be you, Claire." He said looking directly at Claire who squirmed beneath his gaze. "You are my first child."
"No. My daughter cannot do that." Racheal's step-mother said fiercely, moving away from her husband.
"And why is that?" He asked. Racheal realised he was playing games. Her father liked to act the democrat, giving everyone an option, a chance to share an opinion but will in the end do things the way he originally planned.
"You know the upcoming marriage is just a sham. They need a hostage to keep, an important hostage so that our country behaves. We lost the war." Her step mother said.
"We did not lose. We sued for peace."
"There's no difference. They need a hostage because they see us as weak, Roni."
"I am not stupid." Her father said, and she saw a flash of anger in his eyes. "And you will not tell me how to manage my country Roslyn."
Her stepmother glared at him, then slowly bowed her head and kept quiet.
"You will marry the president's son Racheal." He said, suddenly turning to her.
From her experience so far she should not have been surprised, but she was regardless.
Did they hate her so much?
They literally just said the other country needed a hostage decorated as a wife, and they were now choosing her instead of the eldest daughter.
Claire and Celia saw the look on her face and began to giggle.
"Don't look so distraught. It is more than an honour to do this for your family." Roslyn Rana said.
"Then why would you want to deprive your daughters of such honour?" Racheal found herself saying before she could stop.
Roslyn marched across the room and smacked her hard across her cheek.
"You will never speak to me in that manner." She said, looking at her with utter disgust.
"Why shouldn't I?" Racheal asked with watering eyes as her cheek stung. "What else is there to lose?"
Roslyn smacked her again, this time her diamond ring cut through Racheal's skin. Her father only said. "We cannot give them a bride with a ruined face Roslyn."
"Nothing a little bit of make-up cannot cover." Her stepmother hissed.
"Why do you hate me so much, what did I ever do to you." Rachael was past caring. She had lost everything, her freedom, Maxwell, and she knew there was no way she could stop this marriage.
But her stepmother ignored her.
"Is there anything else you want to tell her?" Roslyn asked, turning back to her husband. "I cannot stand the sight of her."
He cleared his throat. "A doctor will come examine you tomorrow, they want a pure and chaste bride." Roni Rana said. Her stepmother returned her gaze to Racheal with a sneer.
"We can hope you have not sullied yourself?" She asked, the disgust on her face becoming deeper.
"Why? Because you fear children cannot possibly pass the test. As they are YOUR daughters." Racheal retorted. Offended and embarrassed that they would question something so private.
Of all people who would regard her with disgust, Roslyn? An infamous mistress?
Racheal felt the blow on the side of head. Till date, she would never be able to tell what weapon her step-mother hit her with.
Lights exploded in her eyes, she fell to the floor and passed out.
Related chapters
The Bargain Madam First Lady
Rachel did not wake up until many hours later. She opened her eyes to a doctor bent over her. Her mind traveled back to the conversation with her father and she sprang up, and withdrew in fright. Her head began pounding in protest. "Relax." The doctor cooed. "I am glad you are up. How does your head feel?" Racheal looked at the woman with distrust."I have a terrible headache." She said,"That was expected, the blow to your head was quite..." The woman paused with an uncomfortable smirk. "Bad." She added. "How is your vision?"Racheal slowly removed her gaze from the doctor's face and looked around. "Fine." She announced. The room looked a little hazy but she suspected it was because she had been out for so long. "How long was I unconscious?" She asked. "About six hours." The doctor responded. "You should really not be receiving blows like this. They are very dangerous.""You should tell HER that." Racheal said. She had been maltreated for years. Roselyn would hit her violently
The Bargain The priest is waiting
The following days passed by in a blur for Racheal. The presidential palace was busy with activities. The wedding was to be held here, in attendance of all political dignitaries from both countries. On the morning of her wedding, her face looked flawless as she sat waiting in a thick white lace wedding dress. She noticed her maid scurrying away, and looked up at the door. Her father stood, beaming with pride at her. This was the first time he had ever stepped foot in her room or even suite in the eighteen years they had lived in the presidential palace, first as a vice president and then a president. She wanted to hate him, she resented him a little even, but she could not hate him. As much as she wanted to, as much as she thought she should, she just couldn't. He was father, he was also the only living reminder of the pleasant parts of her childhood. "You look radiant." He said moving close to her. "Stand up so I can see you."Racheal obeyed quietly. "The only thing missing
The Bargain Stay away from her
In the official presidency office sat her father and Spencer Sherrod, her father-in-law. Roslyn was nowhere in sight, and for that Racheal was very grateful. Spencer Sherrod stood up as soon as the couple walked into the huge, lavishly designed office with flags standing before one side of the walls. He walked up to them, and the young couple bowed in greeting. "Welcome to the family." He said, giving Racheal a hug. "Thank you Mr President." She said."No. You can call me Spencer, or father-in-law. You just married Steffan after all." Spencer Sherrod said with a wide smile. Racheal looked at him warily, despite his sunny countenance, she instinctively felt he could not be trusted. This was a man that could be ruthless when he needed to be. Besides, she could not forget the attacks he launched on her country during the war. One could argue that it was a war and that her country fought back. But still, it took a certain kind of person to be willing to go to war in that manner. I
The Bargain A common thief
"No! I don't know where that came from." Racheal said immediately in horror. The guests began to whisper, and soon it became a full hall of murmuring and irritated hiss.Everyone was giving her dirty looks. "What is the meaning of this?" Steffan said, walking towards her. Racheal turned to look up at him. His eyes held a look of confusion. "I don't know where that cufflink came from, I did not take it.""Then how did it get in your purse?" Racheal heard a beautiful feminine voice say from the other side of the table. She turned to look. It was Thalia, she was looking at Racheal with sympathy."I am not a thief." Racheal said, defending herself. Thalia looked horrified. "I would never label you. I just asked a question." She said sweetly, looking like she may soon burst into tears. Steffan's mother Danna Sherrod shifted towards Thalia and rubbed her shoulders, consoling her.The woman had gone over several times during the dinner to check on Thalia and have small chats with her.
The Bargain What a day!
The bracelet sparkled against the light shining down from the ceiling. "It's beautiful." Racheal said in genuine awe. She could not remember the last time anyone had given her something this beautiful. Or any gifts at all."I'm glad you like it." He said. "Hold out your wrist."She did, stretching out her right hand. He placed the bracelet on her wrist and clasped it. It felt cold.She turned it this way and that in the light, admiring the delicate beauty of it."It suits you." He said. Racheal looked up at him. He was looking at her in the same strange way he had since they got in the elevator. And somehow the look made her heart race and skin hot.It was a different look from the one he had given her before the elevator. That kind, patient look that made her want to impress him.This look made her want to… She did not know what this look made her want to do!"It's a wedding gift." He finally said. "In our culture, a man is supposed to give his bride something valuable on their wed
The Bargain Hypocrite
"It's fine, Aunty. We did not take any offence at all." Thalia said, smiling kindly and patting Racheal on the shoulders. "No. She embarrassed us." Danna Sherrod said angrily. "Soon the whole country will learn that the country's First Son is married a common thief.""I did not steal ma'am." Racheal said politely. "Then how did it get in your purse of all places?" Danna Sherrod barked."I don't know." Racheal said honestly. She was beginning to feel trapped. Last night she wondered if someone could steal without their own knowledge. Like Skylar had observed yesterday. She had not even gone near the vice president the whole time. So how could she have stolen his cufflink?And what would she need a cufflink for, especially one that had the family initials on it. She could not sell it to anyone. It had to be someone trying to frame her. She suspected Thalia. As far as she knew, only she had enough motive to frame her, except she had other enemies. She broke into a sweat. Did she ha
The Bargain Fair treatment
The couple turned back to look at her."What is wrong with her look?" The president asked."She looks…" Danna Sherrod struggled for a word. "Inelegant, plain GAUDY." She shrieked. "She looks stunning to me." Skylar cut in. "More elegant than SOME PEOPLE with their extravagant makeup." She did not look at Thalia but everyone knew who she was talking about. Thalia had on layers of red lipstick, bright, bright highlighter and her cleavage was bare and bouncy.Steffan looked at Racheal who was close to tears now. She did not know why her mother-in-law hated her so much. She had not even made any effort to get to know her first. "Do you like your dress?" Steffan asked."Yes.""Good. Let's go." He turned to walk away with her."But I can change my outfit if your mother prefers." She said trying to keep up with his long legs."No." He said strongly. The force behind the one word silenced her.She quietly let him lead her, hand in hand to the convoy waiting outside. The security guards we
The Bargain A pretty bird
Racheal drank from a cup of tea. Thankfully it was sweet, the way she liked her tea. She might as well enjoy it, lunch was still far away. But as she finally finished her tea, she looked up to see the assistant return with a tray.He set it before them and Racheal gasped in shock. The tray contained toast and jam, a cup of cappuccino, yoghurt, nicely chopped fruits, scrambled eggs, two cupcakes and water."Here? The press conference will start in a few minutes." She could not help blurting out. "I will not watch you starve." He said. "I had them postpone the event for another hour. Eat!" He peeled open a finger of banana for her. "No unauthorized person will come here. This is a private waiting area."Racheal wanted to die of embarrassment. He must think her a glutton. And he said something about starving. If only he knew she had mastered the art. Her stepmother had starved her non-stop after all."Why are you smiling?" He asked Racheal shook her head. "Thank you." She replied i
Latest chapter
The Bargain Epilogue
“Mind Skylar’s head.” Steffan said, watching her get out of the car. Racheal cradled six month-old Skylar’s head in her arms and got out of the car. Steffan turned and walked ahead towards the courthouse. She knew he did not like this, neither did her mother, but she wanted to lead a new life from now on.She would only allow any dispute to be settled by the court no matter how long it took, instead of the torture, killing and all they had done up to the point that she had Sterling.“Maman," Sterling said, peeking his head around his father’s shoulders.“Yes, baby.”“Maman.” He said again, and she smiled at him. Steffan adjusted him in his arms as they walked into the building.It was an informal courtroom, and the biggest case in Xen. This case was what had disgraced Roslyn and made her lose the elections. Journalists waited outside for the final hearing.She and Steffan sat side by side after the judge took her seat, and the accused began to be escorted in by the cops. Roslyl
The Bargain I can live with that
Racheal followed Steffan into his house quietly. His housekeeper greeted her warmly. She nodded at the woman. She was surprised to see Chef Bennett come out.“Dinner in five minutes, sir.” Then he paused. “Mrs Sherrod.” He bowed.“Make a place for two,” Steffan said. Those were the first words he had said, since she told him she missed him.“Sure, Sir.” Chef Bennett responded.“You kept him?” Racheal asked, as Steffan led the way upstairs. “You liked him.” He said simply.She said nothing more. He surprisingly led the way to his bedroom on the second floor. It was a dark masculine room, wide, dark and intimidating.She stood in the middle, unsure of how to act, or what to do next.He dropped his bag on the bed, and glanced at her.“I am sorry I hurt you.” She said. He paused, midway into sitting on the bed, then started to take his tie off.“That’s rare. Women never apologize.”She made a face at him. But continued anyway. “I was conflicted. I wanted to be with you, but I was
The Bargain Pregnancy test result
Racheal sat on the toilet bowl, staring at the pregnancy test kit. It clearly read positive. In denial, she took others. They read the same thing.She hurried back to her room and pulled on a dress. It would be stupid to make the same mistake twice. She sat nervously in the backseat as her chauffeur took her to the hospital.She waited nervously as her blood got drawn, and patiently waited for the doctor.She could not smile back as the doctor said.“Congratulations Mrs Sherrod. Would you like to see your baby?”She climbed the table, and stared at the ceiling as the doctor smeared a cold gel on her flat belly.“You are about seven weeks pregnant.” The doctor said excitedly. “Look at your baby.” She held her breath and turned.She could hear the heartbeat of the fetus as the doctor pointed out where the baby was in the sac. It was so tiny, she burst into tears.The doctor helped her up and soothed her, telling her it was OK to cry, that days like these were an emotional day for
The Bargain Please let me go
The president is dead did not cover the horror of how Spencer Sherrod had died. He stared at his father’s coffin the next morning as the priest talked on and on. He had wanted to kill this man. He had wanted to kill him with his own hand, so why was he reacting this way to the man’s death?His mind kept going back to how Spencer had looked in the video he had seen. He was headed for a meeting, surrounded by his guards, edgy and nervous, and alone.The old woman had come from the crowd, begging an audience. He had hesitated, but asked them to let her through. The woman had hugged him, even as his guards had yelled that it was against protocol.One had even reached out to pull her away. Then flames. He shook his head as he remembered the explosion sound. They had quickly found out the woman was the journalist’s aged mother. The journalist Spencer had killed at Racheal’s office.He felt someone squeeze his arm. He looked down at the little woman. She was the only good thing in
The Bargain Stay away from my daughter
“We should start moving. I don’t want Limuel’s men to find us here," he said as he stocked the fire. She dropped a plate of Ramen in front of him. He smiled up at her, and she smiled back.He did not mind if he lost all his wealth, and became doomed to this kind of life, as long as he had her. She was all he wanted now, all he had ever wanted really from the day he met her.“It will be a few hours still before we can start moving.” She responded. He nodded and picked up his meal. She walked closer and sat beside him. He turned to her, caressed her cheek, and kissed her lightly. She returned his kiss, enthusiastically, the way he remembered, the way he liked.He loved how much she loved his touch. They were soon grappling at each other, their meal forgotten. He squeezed her warm soft body as she moaned his name and dug into his back. He savored the warmness of her, the fullness of her curve, the lusty way she matched his thrusts, squeezing tight around him.He did not want to
The Bargain Do you still love me?
Racheal sat shocked, staring at Steffan’s face, just barely able to see it in the near darkness. But she could see clearly enough the honesty in there. His blue eyes were clear and honest, open and pleading.“You should have said that when I wanted to hear it.” She said, shaking her head, starting to move away. But he held her.“I should have. I was a fool not to have.”“I even told you once that I loved you. You said nothing.”“I am sorry.”“Stop apologising. It won’t fix anything," she said, trying to pull away. She did not have to hear this, she did not want to hear this. It would make leaving him that much more difficult. It was easier walking away from a man who hurt her, and had never admitted to loving her even once. But now…“Racheal.” He said, taking her face between his hands. “I love you. I have always loved you. My heart stops at the thought of losing you. The day Isaac told me you were dying, the day you sent that divorce document, my heart completely stopped beatin
The Bargain He ruined my life
“I thought you changed. Apparently, you did not," Steffan said finally, looking away. “You are still as stubborn and careless as ever.”His words stung her.“Careless? You sound like I got some warning that a certain Limuel was after me and ignored it.”“I tried to warn you. I sent a dozen messages, tried to make an appointment,” he blew up.She shrank back. Well. There was no way she would have known. She had his number blocked, so there was no way she could have seen his messages. She still did not know how he had gotten her new contact number by the way. She could not think of any of her staff who could have given him her personal number.She knew he was in contact with Isaac, but could Isaac have given him the number?“After all that has happened to you, I don’t know how you can still put yourself in danger like this.”“One could say I was in danger, hiding with you in a storm like this. At least Maman would think so.” She said quietly, lowering herself to the floor. That got
The Bargain Locked in
“What are you doing?” Racheal asked as she watched Steffan walk towards one of the many couches in the room. He said nothing.He placed a bright flashlight she suspected he must have found wherever he found the axe on the floor, lighting the whole room up. He raised the axe, and began to hack at the couch.She stared at him in shock, at first not understanding what he was doing. Then she turned back, and shut the heavy bolt on the door. He had to make fire somehow, or they would freeze to death before the storm was over. Between the both of them, they could probably buy a million couches for this family.She walked further into the living room, past him, checking the whole place out. The only place that was open to them was the hallway, the open kitchen in the living room, and a tiny bathroom at the end of the hallway. All the other rooms were firmly locked. She was not very eager to ruin their locks like she did the front door.She walked towards the kitchen, and turned on th
The Bargain Can you run?
“What? Why?” Racheal screamed in confusion as she watched Limuel’s guards pull a limp Steffan up.Then they began to pull him to pull him away, his tall frame causing his foot to drag behind him.“I had a suspicion he might come here.” Limuel said, pulling out a big cigar.“What did we do to you?” She asked, looking from Limuel to Steffan, who was being dragged away.“I have no problems with the Sherrods. Just you.”“What?” She asked just as she saw Limuel’s toddler run out of the house. The guards tried to stop the child who was not warmly dressed for the weather. The toddler screamed. He just wanted his father.Lukas Limuel turned at the commotion. “Let him through," he said, standing up. The child broke through the barrier of guards, and ran into his father’s arms.“I don’t have the time to explain anything. I hear your mother has suddenly returned from the dead. I believe she will pay a decent price in exchange for you as compensation for what your family did to us.” Lukas sa
