CHAPTER3: MEETING DANIEL
1659 Words
The morning birds chirped, light spilling into the room. Marielle was awake, standing in front of the mirror, dressed like an heiress.
She wore blue fitted gown design with silver patterns and diamond stone. She felt different, like this was supposed to be her life all along. A life that was taken away from her. A life she deserved. But in one lie, because she had a ruthless father, her entire life was reduced to nothing but a pauper and a ‘murderer’s’ daughter.
Her mind trailed to the previous night where she signed the contract. The way Lucian had looked at her and what he said. Her heartbeat raced.
“ You do write like a journalist, miss Jackson” he said, keeping his gaze on her, like he was trying to pry open her flesh and sneak a peak at her soul.
“ I..I wished to be a reporter” she stuttered. Looking up to see if he believed.
“ mm” he hummed and looked away. He quenched the ciga in between his finger and stood up. Light flashed on his figure and her breath momentarily hitched.
He was perfection. Deadly seduction. The tiny piece of clothing on him heightened his charm. She could see his abs, his muscular back through the clothing.
He walked lazily towards a conspicuous corner, then paused and glanced at her, “ Tommorrow, we officialize the marriage and meet the press” he dropped, then disappeared from sight.
She snapped out of her thoughts, inhaling deeply. This was everything she had wanted. It was the last step of the plan that would move everything forward.
Madi burst into the room, her eyes widened as she saw the cloth on her. She had come to wake her up to work but.. “ How …you .. what are you doing?!” She barked.
Marielle immediately curled back into her shell of pretence. “ I don't.. know” she trembled and Madi stormed towards her and grabbed the dress, trying to pull it off.
“ How could you wear this? How dare you? Take it off. Take it off now!” She barked, struggling with Marielle.
Marielle struggled with her too. May God help her if the dress tore, she thought, her eyes holding a deadly glare.
She intentionally tripped on the dress and fell down, Madi fell on her too, still clutching the dress tighter.
“ Let me ..go” Marielle said, tears streaming down her cheeks. “ He …master Lucian told me to wear this” she said, trembling but Madi was fixated on the dress like her life depended on it.
The dress belonged to the late Mrs Zayne, Lucian's mother. Madi had gone through her stuff and found the dress, she took it out and hid it, wanting to give it to her daughter who had an upcoming prom ceremony but now Marielle found it and dared to wear it.
“ What is going on here?” Callum’s voice boomed, startling the both of them.
Marielle was a mess. Tear streaked face, red and swollen. Her fair porcelain skin was all patched with red marks, her hair was also thrown into a mess.
Madi trembled and sprang up from the floor, her head lowered, “ she …this maid, she dared to put on this cloth. It belonged to the late Mrs Zayne”
Callum frowned, “ and ?”
Madi snapped her head up in shock, “ and….and she isn't meant to wear it. She is a maid!” she yelled.
Marielle stood up, sobbing profusely like she had been beaten to a pulp. “ I tried …I tried to explain but she wouldn't listen” she said in between sobs, wiping her cheeks.
“ You …shut up. Apologise to Mr Callum now” Madi hissed and Marielle sneered internally, very stupid.
“ The one who should apologise is you Mrs Lou.” Callum dropped and Madi’s face paled.
“ What..I'm..I was trying …” she trailed …
“ Apologise to Mrs Zayne now!” Callum dropped, his expression indifferent.
Madi felt like she had been slapped multiple times across the face as her cheeks burned bright red. “ What? Mrs..Mrs Zayne? Where is she?” She stuttered, her lips trembling.
Marielle's lips tugged up a bit, not noticeable, just a disdainful smirk.
Madi looked at her, her eyes wide with brows drawn together, she tried to talk but couldn't get the words out.
“ Apologise” Callum exerted and Madi fell on her knees.
“ I'm sorry. I'm sorry Mrs Zayne, I didn't know” she said instantly, her voice laced with respect but Marielle knew better.
Madi didn't feel sorry, she was trying to save her job . She nodded towards Madi, “ it's fine ma'am” she said, helping her up.
Lies. she would surely get her revenge.
Madi bowed repeatedly and stormed out. Then, Marielle’s gaze fell on Callum, he nodded towards her in respect. “ The boss is waiting in the car” he said and she forced a smile and nodded towards him.
The minute he left, her eyes darkened. In the car? Rich people don't have breakfast? She questioned.
Few minutes later, she walked outside, her hair fixed. Her makeup touched up to remove the earlier redness. She appeared graceful, nothing less of a heiress. Nothing like a maid. This was her.
She walked into the car, the suffocating scent of masculine cologne clinging onto her. “ Good morning” she greeted, making her voice sound as fragile as possible.
Lucian didn't respond, didn't bat an eyelid. His eyes were shut, lips pressed together.
Her hands slowly curled. Even though he was a tough nut to c***k, she would break him. she wasn't the type to fail!
Her phone beeped and she adjusted a bit, swiped it open. In one glance, her eyes darkened.
“ There were witnesses. He survived” the message read. Anger surged into her blood.
It was the third attempt to kill Donald and yet, he escaped. Incompetent! She screamed internally.
Outside the marriage court, reporters were already at the scene. News travels fast. As expected the board had announced that Lucian was married and had kept it a secret.
“ If you act well, you wouldn't need to be a reporter” Lucian said, his voice distant as he stared at the crowd that had already surrounded them.
She nodded and pressed a nervous smile. Of course she didn't need to be a reporter. Stalking was better, she thought. They alighted the car and the reporters circled around.
“ Tell us miss, who are you? Are you his wife?” one of the reporters asked.
“ Tell us, master Lucian, why did you keep your marriage a secret?” another asked.
Each question was worse than the last.
Lucian stopped in his tracks and everyone went silent. That was how much power he had.
“ Space please. My wife gets exhausted easily” he dropped and the reporters went red with embarrassment.
Marielle's lips twitched. Was that supposed to be romantic? She asked internally.
“ Very loving of you, master Lucian” a reporter dropped, stiffly.
“ Since when did he care about exhaustion? His companies operate 247” another added with a scoff.
“ Miss …you look familiar. Weren't you a maid?” Another added and Marielle’s hands curled.
She turned to the reporter, her smile deadly. It looked friendly… and scary. “ You should get your eyes checked,” she said and the reporter went mute.
She curled into Lucian arms. “ I'd have loved to continue with you in secret but …how about we make it official?” She asked in a sweet voice.
Lucian stared into her eyes, a small smile tugged at the edge of his lips. It was probably the first time she had seen him make an expression that wasn't nonchalance.
He nodded, “ mm”. He had to cooperate in order to humanize his image to the public. That way he could expand his business to hospitals.
They walked into the marriage court, the reporters trailing behind them, all whispering.
“ i swear I know her, she bought vegetables from my mother last week” One reporter whispered, trying to convince the rest
“ oh so your mother sells vegetables?” another asked sarcastically.
After few minutes of getting the official certificate done. The reporters took multiple pictures of them. Lucian kept a straight face most times, only smiling when it was needed for the camera.
Her phone vibrated. She slipped her phone out and glanced at the caller ID. It was Maxwell. She slid it back into her bag immediately. Then glanced at Lucian…
She hesitated a bit, then calmly tugged on Lucian's arm“ Husband, how about I rest a bit” she cooed, making a doe face. He smiled and nodded. When she turned, his eyes flashed with a dark glint.
Marielle walked towards an empty room and swiped the call.
“ Where are you ? Don't tell me you had a hangover” Maxwell worried voice came through the phone.
She adjusted her voice to the usual baritone voice of Daniel, “ Yes, a little bit down”
“ Give me your location, I will come to see you” Maxwell said.
“ No need” she replied, “ i will be fine. Will be there tomorrow” she added quickly.
There was silence at the other end, then accompanied by an exhale. “ Fine” he said, “ but ..there is a little problem”
She frowned. What problem could it possibly be?
“ The CEO of Zayne Tech wasn't pleased with your internet posts and he wants to meet you. His secretary didn't sound friendly.” Maxwell said.
Her heart sank rapidly. Meet Daniel ? Meet her? She had expected Lucian wanting to meet Daniel but she didn't expect it to be so soon!
- Writer
