CHAPTER 6

When he got inside, he immediately took a tight grip of my hand. And although it hurts me a little, I gave him a deadly stare, as if threatening that if he doesn’t let go, something bad is going to happen.

“You don’t question my choices! You can never do better than me,” he put emphasis on every word.

I leaned closer to him. “If you don’t want to, you should shut your mouth. And please, you’re not even that better. I could do nothing and yet I would still be better than you,” I also put emphasis on every word before pulling back my hand. I gave him my sweet smile. “Where are we going next, honey?” I asked full of sarcasm.

He gave me his deadly look before turning his face in front and started the engine. I do not intend to push him to his limit, but if he keeps insulting me, I would never let him be satisfied.

He's someone not worth having an argument with, but his arrogance is getting into my nerves.

After a few minutes of silence, he suddenly spoke. “Wanna know the real reason why we are arranged in a marriage?” I could see him smirking from my peripheral vision.

“Not interested, I've heard enough shits from you.”

He let out his devious laugh. “Oh, you'd love to hear this. It's because your family is sick of someone useless like you and they wanna get rid of you by throwing you to us. At least that way, they could get something beneficial out of you.”

I remained silent. I know it’s just one of his tactics to make me feel bad about myself. Though it’s slightly affecting me, I won’t let him get inside my head.

“It's actually a win-win situation. I get to make you into one of my toys, and your family's illegal businesses get its wider expansion.” 

I am very much aware of my family’s dirty businesses. I am not naive. When I was eleven years old, me and my four other siblings were brought by our dad to the location of his hugely owned cartel.

The memory of seeing countless forms of firearms is still vivid in my head. I saw how some of his men were testing guns on real animals. It was terrifying, but as a good actress, my dad didn't see my real reaction.

I still remember his words, that in the future, me and my siblings will be the ones running the businesses. I don't think I would be able to handle such a job.

Our oldest brother has been assisting dad with the cartel. I guess I could say he's inheriting that business.

“Don't be so confident that you could make me one of your toys. You need to go through a needle hole before that could happen,” I replied. “And even without you, we can expand our own businesses. You were the ones who offered the marriage. It simply indicates that you don't have the means to expand yours.”

He chuckled. “Oh, honey, I love women like you, who know how to fight back, but deep inside is a vulnerable little kitten. I can’t wait to play the real game with you, especially in bed,” he whispered his last word, giving an effect.

“We'll see about that.”

He stopped his car in front of a cafe. He then unbuckled his seatbelt. “You can’t come with me, I’m meeting my girl,” he said and went out.

I tsked. Meeting his girl while he’s with his fiancé? How ridiculous! His girl? Probably he meant his toy girl. I wonder what his parents would say if I told them that their precious son is acting ridiculous around his fiancé. But, anyways, I don’t care.

As long as he won’t bother me with whatever I do, I won’t bother him with his.

As I watched the boring road with cars and people, my phone suddenly rang. I lifelessly picked it up and answered it without looking at who called.

“Hello?” I sounded lifeless.

That bastard fiancé of mine got into my nerves that my energy was drained with that childish argument with him. 

I don’t know how I am supposed to live the rest of my life with him. I’m pretty much sure we both hated each other and possibly, a day won’t pass without us fighting.

“What’s wrong? You didn’t like the chocolates I gave you?” a familiar voice on the other line asked. And for some unknown reason, my soul became lively again. It feels like some sort of adrenaline got activated inside of me.

“Uh… No, it’s not like that. Uhm… W-Why did you call? Do you need anything?” I actually didn’t expect him to call. I thought it was just a one-time interaction with him yesterday.

“Nothing, I got bored,” he replied in an obviously bored tone.

“Uhm… Don’t you have other things to do?” I peeked through the window on the driver’s seat to see if Sebastian was back. And gladly, he isn’t yet. “I mean, you obviously look like a busy business man. People like you never stop working. I’ve seen my parents and siblings that way.”

“Yeah, I have a lot of pending work to do, but I decided to be bored.”

I couldn’t help, but smile. “So, it’s a choice, then.”

“I mean, I’ve done the same things over and over again. It’s becoming boring.”

“Hmm… So, why don’t you go have some fun then? Like, go to a bar or something? Go shopping? Or visit an amusement park? I heard the rides are fun.”

“It’s boring and sad to go alone.”

I chuckled. “You can also get sad? How does someone who looks so tough like you get sad?”

“Ouch! I’m not an alien, Princess, or someone who has an iron heart. I’m also a human who can feel emotions.”

“Opss… My bad. But, really, how can you get sad if someone like you can afford to buy or rent a companion? You have money,” I sarcastically said, but a smile never left my lips.

“Hmm… Can I rent you, then?”

I couldn’t help but let out a short laugh. “Sorry, I’m quite occupied for today. I can’t add you anymore to my busy schedule.”

“Aww… How about later then? Tonight?”

“Sorry, I’m really quite busy today. I have a lot of things to do. I still have an unfinished design I need to do for next week.”

“Okay, next time, then. Anyways, how’s your day going?”

“It’s quite exhausting. My day started bad and I’m currently with someone who never fails to make my blood boil everytime he opens his mouth to speak,” I then let out an exhausted sigh.

It kinda feels good to be able to let out my exhaustion on someone. And it feels good someone is actually asking about my day. Nobody really cared until he asked.

“So, it’s a ‘he’?” he asked.

“Yup, and he’s officially added to the list of people that I hate. Just knowing he breathes irritates me.”

I heard his soft laugh on the other side. “Who was it? Your friend?”

My smile slowly faded. “Someone irrelevant to my life. He’s that unimportant.”

“Then why make him get into you? If he’s a nobody, he’s probably not worth your time.”

“I thought of that, too,” I replied in a low tone.

“Oh, come on, don’t let him affect you. The day is quite pretty today, you can do a lot of pretty things ahead. You can’t let him ruin that for you. A pretty princess like you does not deserve to be bothered by someone irrelevant, okay?”

I smiled again. Though my day is already ruined, it doesn’t mean he’s not right.

“You are really getting used to calling me ‘princess’, huh”?! Did you know that I picked people who are allowed to call me by that nickname?”

“Oh, pardon! Am I not included on the list? Princess, you can’t do anything if I want to call you that way. I mean, you don’t have any magic spells that could stop me, aren’t you?”

I laughed. “I don’t, but only those who are inside of our house are allowed to call me that, my family, the maids, and the driver.”

“I was your driver yesterday.”

“Yeah, because my real driver wasn't present yesterday. You're just a part-timer.”

“Well, can I apply as a full-timer then so I could call you 'my princess' everyday?”

“My dad doesn't pay our drivers well. You could go broke.”

“I can do it for free.”

I shortly laughed again. “You are not making any sense, did you know that? It feels like wasting time talking to you.”

He chuckled. “But, at least, I am making you laugh. It's what matters most.”

“I am amazed with how confident you are talking to me. We're not even friends. I barely knew you yet somehow, I have become comfortable.”

He became silent for a second or two.

Oh, shit! Did I just confess being comfortable with him? This is what really happens when I become too comfortable, I say whatever I want to say.