Lawfully His Book 1.

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

STRENUOUS VOYAGE

Melissa Fernando

"My mother!" He said it again as if he was clearing it up for me

No, I can't go, I can't meet his mother. I'm not ready, not one bit.

I'm not ready to meet the woman whose life my mother destroyed. I still remember her face, her expression, the day she came to our house. Her face was drenched in tears, and her expression was full of pain Her eyes looked lifeless, and all just because of my mother- and of course the deceitful asshole, Johnathan.

He was also no less than my mother Sometimes, I wonder that maybe my mother and Johnathan are meant for each other because they are both heartless people who would do anything to get what they want.

My mother neglected me while Mr. Johnathan Alexopoulos has neglected his wife and son, his family. Penelope deserves better than a man like Johnathan.

I don't know how she'll react upon seeing- ing me. I don't want to even think about it but I am sure that she won't be happy to see me. Not at all, no I can't go, and worst how she will react to the news of her son getting married to me.

Will she accept me as her daughter-in-law?

No, I must tell Aries that I can't go but I know the obstinate man will never take no for an answer.

He had made it clear earlier but then again I should try, maybe faking being sick. Yes, that's a perfect idea!

"Um, Aries-"

"It's Mr. Alexopoulos for you."

Oh no, I mentally groan, that sucks. I can't call him that, I feel like I'm addressing to the deceitful asshole Johnathan.

"But I feel like I'm calling your father when I say Mister Alexopoulos," I said praying that he won't be angry but who am I kidding, the man is an angry bird himself.

He had proved it minutes ago His facial expression changed at the mention of his father and yes I was right, he turned into an even angrier bird.

"Fine, call me Mr. Aries then." I really thought that he would snap at me but he replied calmly.

This guy is very bipolar.

But why is the 'Mister' so important?

"What's with you and the 'Mister? " He swiftly turns to me and grasped my arm tightly. I gasp loudly at the pressure.

"What's your problem?"

"My problem? I have no problem." I was damn scared by the way he was looking at me and the pain in my arm made it worse.

"Then I would appreciate it if you could stop blabbering and annoying me to death." I'm annoying him? That bull! I can't face his mother and the fact that he'll near does not make it sound any better.

I should tell him that I don't want to go.

"Oophmf"

"Excuse me?" I tried to convince him in a tight voice,

"Oophmf my belly, darn it! It's a-aching really bad. I can't stand it. Oh dear Lord, why a-are y-ou doing th-is to m-me!"

I peek at Aries from beneath my lashes, I was clothing my middle and faking like I couldn't breathe but-

Wait, is that a small twitch I'm seeing at the corner of his lips?

It was hardly considered as a small smile but for once his lips weren't pressed in a tight line.

"Oh, I think you will be perfectly fine once you visit the toilet because you have had a lot of food. Too much, I would say for a girl."

He was looking at me with amusing eyes. Did he really say that to me?!!

I wish that the ground would open and swallow me right at the moment. Holy molly! It's embarrassing hearing that from him especially when I am perfectly well.

"And if you can't stand, that won't be a problem because we are going in a car if you forgot Miss Fernando and a car contains seats, so you'll be sitting, not standing!"

Oh no,

I can't let him win.

I won't go with him.

"Aaahaaghaa, Oh oho huhu Lord. Please h-have mercy. The pain is too much huhu"

I wailed out as loud as I could and sat on the ground. We were starting to gain attention from the passers by now.

"Miss Fernando, get up right NOW!"

I continued to fake crying, I could tell that he was embarrassed guessing from the look on his face.

He looked like a deer caught in the headlight. Of course, he would be embarrassed, who wouldn't be?! Having your companion- especially a lady plastered on the ground wailing loudly for God's help.

"Miss Fernando gets up or I'll make you." He said in a challenging tone.

Damn it, he makes me scared when using those tones.

Plan failed!

I quickly got up and followed him to his car knowing that I won't be able to get away. He opened his hot black shiny Audi R8 even though the car is hot just like its owner and push me inside in a not so gentlemanly way. He got inside the vehicle, buckled his seat belt, and started the car. I didn't even have time to buckle mine when the car flew in the way causing me to jerk at the front.

I look at the man beside me who was driving the car like he was high on drugs.

Damn it, what's wrong with him.

I grip my seat tightly while managing to put on my seat belt.

Fear was creeping into my body, I started to panic. At the same time, Aries voiced out.

"Now listen to me and listen to it good Miss Fernando, I want your eyes here, look at me. This is the last time I'm letting go. This will be the very first and last time that you embarrass me in front of people. I know you're perfectly fine, I can detect when people are lying or not and you were just being a liar. You were even good at faking it but I know better than that. It's no surprise though, it runs in the blood of Fernando, lying and being an actress just like your dearest mother. So from now on, it would be best if you behave when you are in my presence. You don't want my bad side now, do you?"

"N-no, no."

I whispered, trying to swallow the lump forming in my throat and keeping my tears at bay.

I look outside the window as I felt one drop of a tear rolling down my cheek. I can't help it, the way he talked to me made me feel so cheap, so worthless.

It's like he was reminding me of my true self from his point of view. I watched as we pass by the trees, wondering why my life was like this.

My gaze landed on the front mirror, I saw a black car just behind us. It has been a while since that car was behind. I have noticed it parked outside the restaurant earlier, could it be that someone was following us?

Just as I was going to tell Aries about it, the car jerked in front. I gasped gripping the seat tightly, I look at Aries who was gazing at the front view mirror with a frown.

The car crept to the side, I could see the driver, but he was wearing shades.

The car bumped ours once again and I yelp as the contact was more direct this time because he was just next to us Aries was trying to gain control but it was impossible with the car bumping at us over and over again.

Aries fasten the speed and the car behind did the same but we were some distance ahead already.

"W-what's happening? That car is following us." He shot me his infamous glare before moving his gaze ahead.

"It amazes me how you state the obvi- ous with such a sense of discovery." The devil made it his pass-time to insult me!

"Just shut up and drive!"

"You dare talk to me like that!" I gulped and look at the mirror only to see that the car was approaching.

"It's better if you concentrate on driving instead of scolding me at the moment. s**t, it's going to bump into us again, the car is just behind."

Aries accelerate once again sending the car to fly in the air.

It was slow motion this action, I tell you! The vehicle's speed quickened as it tried to launch in our direction again but we were far too ahead.

"Lose them."

For once in a lifetime, it seems like His Highest had listened to me. He gripped the steering wheel tightly traveling another mile, speeding all along.

There was a lorry coming from the right, Aries accelerated a bit too much for my liking but thankfully we surpassed the lorry and lost the car.

The lorry will take time to pass as it was long, so obviously, the car will have to pause.

Aries continued speeding the car and soon the image of buildings disappeared while more trees start to appear.

Phew!

I look behind to check if the car was still following us but I think luck was on our side today.

The street was dark and narrow and no sound could be heard except for the engine of the car of course and that kind of atmosphere scares me a bit, especially after the situation we just encountered.

I placed my palm on my chest trying to calm my breathing.

"Do you know where we are going," I asked Aries after a long painful, and terrifying silence but he kept quiet.

"Why are you always so quiet?"

"Because I don't like to waste words."

There! I have got to admit that this is the first time I'm hearing this kind of response. Of course, His Grace's brain and way of thinking are just another levels.

Aries pulled the car to the right, entering directly into the forest pathway.

What is this guy doing now?

Entering into this dark forest, does he wish to get us killed by wild animals?

He went on driving into the dark layers.

Oh s**t, could it be that he brought me here to kill me?

"Where are we going, Mr. Aries." Fear was evident in my voice but who can blame me? The silence wasn't helping very much and on top of that, the man next to me had switched on to mute mode.

"Hey, g-"

"Why, is the little Miss Junior Fernando scared, huh?" The amusement in his voice calmed me a bit.

He was making fun of me that rake!

"Ha- O-of course not. Why w-would I will be scared, you know I'm skilled in taekwondo." I tried to appear as courageous as I could, he kept going ahead and the street seemed to be darker and rockier now.

God!

"I'm just trying to make sure that we are no longer accompanied. Whoever it was, I doubt he will enter the wood as the path is not so clear in the dark Moreover, we can wait here until the sun rises and then we'll return safely. I'll just stop here."

He pressed on the brake to stop the car, I was ready to open the door but then he kept on driving. I looked at him and frowned, his face held a panicked expression.

"What's wrong?" I asked him and a dreadful feeling engulfed me when he uttered the next words.

"I think the brakes failed, it's not working!" I gasped loudly as the sea appeared in front of us. And in a blink of an eye, the car lashed into the sea.

Water filled the car, and I tried to wriggle but all in vain. Aries struggled to open the door but it was jammed.

Water Swamps into my nose, immersing into my senses completely.

Black dots appeared, my eyes closed as darkness invade me and I fell into oblivion.

A peaceful atmosphere surrounded me. I felt like I was floating. I tried to open my eyes but that was not an easy attempt.

I had a feeling like I was waking up from an extremely deep sleep. I tried to open my eyes again, and thankfully it did open this time but it was difficult to adjust with the bright light ahead of me. I could hear voices around me.

I look at my surrounding in a daze. Nothing felt different except for the fact that I was in a hospital. I found Aries Alexopoulos looking at me, he was standing at the foot of my bed and there were several doctors and nurses around me I didn't know what happened, I felt fine except that I couldn't find or move.

There was no pain, nothing. Then why was I in a damn hospital? I hated hospitals, everything about it doesn't go along with me, especially the smell.

"W-what happened?" I asked in a hoarse voice. My throat felt dry.

Aries approached by, he handed me a glass of water. I didn't waste time and gulped down the whole glass.

"You don't remember? We were together in my car, we were being followed..." His voice trailed off and my eyes widened.

Oh yes, I do remember now.

The restaurant, faking being ill, the black car, lorry, narrow path, the brakes, and water.

"Yes, I remember. But how did we get here, I mean I-"

"When I succeeded in getting out of the car, I took you out but swallowed a lot of water and you were unconscious so I went on the highway and had you to seek for some kind of services. My bodyguard got there in time, I had notified him earlier when we were being followed. He was searching for us through the night but failed to reach us as we were inside the forest, in the water. Then we brought you to the hospital because your pulse was low."

"Okay that's a long story, what now? What about your mother?"

"No, there is a change of plan. We are not going to my mother's. I have sent my mother to Greece because I believe those who are behind us won't stop at a futile attempt."

"They are dangerous people. I have a letter too as a warning to stay away from you, I have a high assumption that it may be one of your sick ex-boyfriends' so I have come to one conclusion and that is, we have to get married as soon as possible. "

"W-what?" I couldn't believe it.

Somebody warning him to stay away from me?!! That appears to be just weird because I haven't really had a boyfriend.

Loving Aries made it impossible.

Whenever I tried to date someone, I felt like I was cheating on Aries and I always refused to go ahead after the first date. So basically, what's happening right now doesn't make sense.

"That is impossible, it must be one of your rivals," I told him still in shock.

"I thought so too until I received the news of the letter, my rival wouldn't ask me to stay away from you, that doesn't make sense." Of course but still...

"So yes, like I said we should get "So yes, married as soon as possible."

"How much soon?"

"Tomorrow!"