USED BY THE BILLIONAIRE

FINDING HAPPINESS REGARDLESS.

It's been a month since the wedding and two weeks since the office incident. I made up my mind to be happy I had not seen Gabriel since then and I wasn't bothered. I just wanted peace and I was getting it. I went down stairs, I had explored the surroundings outside the mansion but never inside I decided to do so because what would I be spending my holiday from work doing?. I went up to the west wing. I entered every room and each one was decorated so magnificently, up to standard if you ask me. I continued my tour till I entered a room with a white door. That's strange because every other door was either black or brown.

My curiosity got the best of me and I entered I was in awe. The room was just like mine white, neutral colours with a few touches of grey. The most surprising was that it looked so much like a ladies room. I went ahead to open the wardrobe and just like I thought, it was filled with female clothes. Just as I was about to pull out one of the dresses, I was pulled back against the wall, hand on my neck and for the first time I was scared.

"Weren't you taught to stay away from people's things? Why do you have to be so nosy"?

I was so scared and in so much pain. I whimpered .

"I am sorry please let me go"

He looked at me with what seemed like worry and fear and immediately let go of me. I scurried out of the room almost in tears. I went back to the east wing and decided to call my father.

"Hey dad"

" princess,how are you? I am sure Gabriel is doing right by you"?

I listened to my dad speak with joy and happiness .

" why dad? haven't I been a good daughter to you? why do you have to punish me with someone as cruel as this? As much as I tried to understand why you persuaded me to marry him I don't get it dad".

"My princess I have no words to explain the situation to you right now. But I know that whenever the truth comes out, you will understand"

And with that my father hung up the phone.

I was left staring at the ceiling till I fell asleep. I woke up later in the day and on my side table were pain killers, a glass of water and a platter of loaded fries and deep fried chicken. My favourite.

I had the food and the pain killers and slept again as I was still feeling excruciating pain in my head and neck. I woke up at around 8pm took a shower and watched a movie but not without making a mental note to myself that from now onwards, what ever happens I will just ignore Gabriel and let things be, put my happiness first irrespective of the situation.

Time seems to pass by quickly. it's been 4 months already although not without drama.I think it's ok to say we have been co- existing just fine. Since the last time Gabriel laid his hands on me, anytime he sees me I see fear and remorse in his eyes. At least that's what it looks like to me. I haven't spoken to father since then and I really don't want to. I wasn't angry I was just hurt and I needed time to heal. it was a weekend and I decided to treat myself to a spa date. A nice massage, pedicure, facials and some other lady like stuff. I headed out in my car and arrived at Tania's spa. Tania has been my best friend for years and knows me so well. we had a good girls time and after my spa I decided to go shopping because why not.

"I can't believe it! is this the reine bellarosa"?

I turned around to see jack. Jack was my friend in college. He helped me in Business maths class and I owe him one.

"oh my goodness Jack Beckham? what are you doing here? it's been a long time"

"well I just moved here for business. I am working with a printing press"

"ouuu fancy" And we both laughed.

"what are you doing here reiny"?

Before I could speak, I heard a voice behind me.

" she is the owner of the store and I am her husband Gabriel Feragoza". I couldn't even muster the words to speak.

"Owner"?

"yes baby. Don't you remember years ago you had told me you wanted this store? well, now it's yours".

" well well well you really hit the jackpot here reiny. Jack said. you have never been starved of wealth but this here is top notch darling".

I mustered the courage to smile admist my confusion.

" well my wife and I have to leave now we have things to do you know and her name is reine not reiny. Do have a lovely day jack Beckham".

And with that he held my hand in the most protective manner and we walked out. For the first time I saw I different side to Gabriel and deep down I kind of hoped that this lie was what I was living in.

I finally got my voice back when we got into the car.

“What was that all about”?

“What?”

“What happened in the mall”?

“ You mean protecting what's mine?”

“ Look Mr. Feragoza, I am not a property or an object and what did you mean that the store was mine”?

“ My princess, it is yours. I bought it for you because you said you wanted it”

“When”?

“Never mind princess”

He said with a small smile and for the first time I took in his facial appearance. He had an oval face with sharp jawline. A beautiful pointed nose and small eyes, high cheek bones and long black lashes. His complextion was not white. He was more brown. How was I just noticing this for the first time?

“ Your stares are burning holes in my skin princess”

It was then I noticed that I had been staring for too long. I had a lot of questions. Why the sudden change of behaviour towards me after four Months of utter silence and torture? I decided to keep my questions to myself because I had already chosen to prioritise my peace and quiet.

The next two months were absolute bliss. Gabriel and I would have breakfast together,make small talks and I will leave for the office. The sudden change in him was strange but I was loving it. It was beautiful. We were not living like husband and wife yet rather as companions and it was good enough for me.

On Sunday I was sat outside the garden, watering the rose plants when suddenly I felt a presence.

“ Why do you always water the plants”?

“Everything in life needs a little nurturing and love”. I replied.

He looked at me, gave me a little smile and sigh.

“You remind me of her”

“Who”?

“Never mind, I just said that out of context”;he replied.

We spent the next few minutes in silence till he finally spoke again.

“Look it's been six months since we got married. I know we started off on a wrong foot but I will really love to make it up to you princess”

I was surprised. Is Mr Feragoza apologising? Wow. I looked into his eyes and I saw sincerity.

“ It's ok Gabriel. We can start clean. No more fights and silence” I stretched out my hands and said “Friends”?

He stared at me in a seductive manner, smiled with the corner of his lips, drew me close to him and whispered in my ears.

“ We cannot just be friends reine bellarosa, you belong to me”.

With that he walked away, leaving me stunned and in all honesty gasping for air.

The next day I had to prepare for work. I got dressed in a white dress pant, a suit-like blue cropped jacket revealing my tummy, I let my hair fall to the side revealing my neck and one of my ear which was adorned with diamond studs. I put on white heels with a blue Chanel purse and then I wore my perfume as usual. I stepped down into the dining and there he was Gabriel Feragoza in all his glory wearing a white tee shirt that hugged his abs in the right places and a grey sweat pant. He looked magnificent if I do say so my self.

“Good morning” I said to him. He however didn't reply immediately. He stared at me with hunger in his eyes.

“Morning. Off to work”?

“Yeah”. He stood up from his chair and in what seemed like two steps alone he was standing right In front of me.

“I really don't like it when you make people stare at you princess”

“What”? I said utterly confused.

“ Your shirt. It drives me crazy let alone think what it would do to other men out there”. I was still in shock when he knelt down in front of me looked into my eyes with his beautiful brown eyes and said

“You do know I am capable of murder right princess”.

How could this man who couldn't stand me just six months ago suddenly be this protective. I was baffled as I watched him stand up and leave. I managed to finish breakfast and head to the office. Work flew by like a breeze, a lot of contracts to sign and new investors that had come in for the past six months. It was stressful but I rounded up and arrived home hoping to meet a peaceful atmosphere just as I left in the morning.

I stepped into the house and I was met with Gabriel's cold, lifeless and cruel glare. I wondered if I had offended him.

“Welcome home wretch”. I knew it was too good to be true.

“ Hy Mr Feragoza.” I replied curtly.

“ You seem to think because your father is among the top 15 business men in the country you have everything within your palms. Let me remind you that you a poor wretched girl who is at my mercy. Without me you do not exist and lest you know I can ruin your father and yourself with the snap of a finger”

I had no idea when tears began flowing from my eyes as I watched him walk away from me. I thought we were Friends?.

I retired to my room and showered. I couldn't even care for dinner. I just slept my heart ache away. I woke up the next morning with the thought to call father but I discarded it because I wasn't ready to hear him speak.

I made sure to avoid Gabriel all day but how could I, it was his house anyway and it's not like I can stay locked up in the room forever. I walked into the kitchen to get some snacks as I had not eaten all day.

“ Princess”

I turned around staring at the arrogance that is my husband.

“ Look princess i know I hurt you, I believe me I didn't mean to. I was just in a bad place and I know that doesn't justify my actions just don't take it to heart”

I looked at him and felt rage.

“You are despicable Gabriel. Why don't you just come out and apologize. You really hurt me with your words Mr Feragoza and I don't think you can ever take that back. I chose to stay here because of my father even though I have no idea why he was so adamant on me marrying you. I wish I never met you. You are a psychopath and you really need help”. At this point I was out of breath, I took a pause and continued.

“ Have you never been taught that you should never project whatever you are going through on someone? In our six months I have been through a lot of stress but I never project them on you whatsoever. I hate you now more than ever. I hate you for making me believe that this sham of a marriage had some sort of hope. I pray you rot in hell”.

I attempted to walk out of the kitchen but he pulled me back and in my ears he whispered “ I am so sorry I hurt you princess”. Right there I melted into his arms. I felt safe and protected in the hands of the very man that hurt me. It was a strange feeling but for some reason I wanted to remain there I was happy in his arms and I wish it would remain that way.