FORBIDDEN MARRAIGE: RUTHLESS VOWS.

Raymond meets Zoey hart

The line at Harlequin's book submission was so long that it was almost 9 pm and it wasn't Zoey's turn yet, she had shown up with her friend, palmer. She held tightly her book and also her stomach as she was getting incredibly hungry. She had completed her manuscript, ‘the battle of all kinds of love’ and was positive that harlequin, would be a permanent home for it.

Zoey Hart was orphaned at the age of three as her parents died in a ghastly fire incident. She was the only survivor. And as though that trauma wasn't enough, after her parents brutal death, she was forced to live with her father's brother, Adam. That was the genesis of another horror story. Adam began to sexually molest Zoey immediately she entered his care. He resulted to further use her as a s*x slave, forcing her little body into severe traumatising procedures. She was molested from the tender age of 3 until she ran back to another orphanage. While growing with the trauma of loosing her family and being molested by her evil uncle, she was jumping from one Foster home to another in the new orphanage she ran to, in hopes of finding happiness and contentment in home but it didn't work as she planned. Instead, she was thrown back to the orphanage. At the tender age of 17, she was told to leave and to fend for herself, because they believed that she had gotten too old for adoption.

Lonely and afraid, Zoey managed a job at a diner and lived in a one room shabby apartment as she struggled to make ends met. One talent she honed since she was little was creative writing, Zoey wrote poems and novels when she was little, it was her dire passion. And being an orphan with a challenging story, she drew her heart out and wrote her first major book, ‘the battle of all kinds of love’ where she wrote about the story of her parents being burnt alive, her s****l assault story and her journey being a rejected child. The battle of all kinds of love was a testament of Zoey's hardwork, her heart and her soul.

Ever since she was young, she had heard of harlequin and its publishing for major love stories, and being a huge fan of harlequin, she wanted to give her book a try. Her aims was that when her book was accepted, she would ditch her miserable job at the diner and get a better, liveable apartment where her beautiful life as an accomplished author would start. That would be the happiest moment of her life if her wishes come true.

The diner wasn't a pretty place to work. Her co workers were not the nicest people and her boss was a brutal reminder of a painful past, her evil uncle Adam. The man shared distinctive features, resembling Adam and had even dared to touch her once. She was brave enough to evade him by running, but with no other choice, she had to show up for work the next day. Zoey had to somehow provide for herself, and since she had seen no other job, she had to manage her miserable job at the diner. Many at nights where she slept in her little room, she would randomly think about uncle Adam and how he would molest and sexually enslave her. She would never forget the sleepless nights she had with him and her horrific experiences. She had jotted all of those in her book ‘the battle of all kinds of love.’ And so, if harlequin gave her manuscript a chance, her life would take a drastic turn for good.

Her stomach grumbled again, she could not contain the hunger any longer. She took a break from the long line and entered a near by shop to get bread. After almost 20 minutes of eating, Zoey returned back to the line to find it dismissed and all the doors shut. She couldn't believe the disappointment that crowded her. She ran to palmer and got her attention.

“ Palmer what happened to the line? “

“ They announced that the submissions are over. “ Palmer said.

“ That can't be, I haven't submitted. “

“ So did a lot of other people, but they announced that the submissions are overwhelming and that they can't take any more. “

Left alone with her book, Zoey Fell to the ground and began to cry. Her fears all came hitting her at once as she sulked miserably on the floor. She didn't get to submit her book and she wasn't aware when next harlequin would open submissions. She was left utterly dejected and sad. Zoey picked her manuscript and opted to return home.

While on her way home, she had her hoodie over her head, and her hands inside her pockets as she walked home. She wasn't aware when a car viciously crashed, almost hitting her. It cascaded tye road cement at the right side of the road. It was none other than Raymond Voss's car. He was returning from the wedding location, Rachel did not show up.

***************

Zoey screamed at the top of her voice, scared as the car Jammed the cement to pieces. Zoey was on the floor now, she clutched her head down as she bent. Raymond rushed out of the car into the mess that he created. He went for the lady first.

“ Miss, are you okay? “ He touched her.

He brutally shoved his hand away from her as she begun to cry.

“ I am so sorry, I did not see you. “ Raymond replied, still trying to help zoey stand.

“ How could you not? I wasn't even on the road and the lights are on. Did you want to kill me? “

“ I sincerely hope not. Let me help you. “ She agreed and let him assist her up to her feet.

“ I am sorry once again. “ Raymond now got a full look at the lady he almost hit with his car. She had long blonde hair, her eyes were sky-blue and she possessed full brows. Her height was about 5:3, she had on a blue hoodie that highlighted the pigment in her eyes. She was beautiful. She had been crying also.

“ I am so sorry_

“ Stop it. “ She told him, “ it is late and you terrified me. “

“ Here, have my card. “ he rushed back into his car and retrieved his number card. “ You can call me if you have any trouble later on, I will be more than pleased to help. “

Zoey sniffed, taking the card into her hand.

“ Let me give you a ride home, please. “ He begged.

Zoey took the invitation, it was indeed late and she could use a ride home. She entered the car, taking hostage of the passenger's seat.

“ Where to? “ He asked her.

“ 15, Wilham Street. “ She said.

Raymond was surprised that people still lived in Wilham Street, all he knew the location was greatly impoverished and housed poor people. She must be one of them. He was coming from a bad place, since Rachel failed to show up, his wedding was cancled. Raymond was greatful that she did not hit the lady, all he wanted was to get her home in hopes of no further entanglements.

Zoey began to go through the fancy looking card that the stranger handed over to her and something striked her attention. It was the man's name and business name. She knew of the great Saturn multi media house and the renowned owner. And when the great realization came, it utterly bewildered her. She took a long stare at the man who drove the car for the first time, taking in hid features as she could not believe that she was in his presence.

“ Raymond Voss?... the Raymond voss? “ She said.

Raymond saw her deep glare and was forced to indulge, “ Yes, that is me. “

“ You own Saturn? Tell me that it is a joke. “

Raymond took note of her excitement, “ Yes, I co-own it with my wife… I mean my fiance, ex-fiance… Jesus Christ! “ Raymond was at loss of what to ascribe to Rachel.

“ You have to read my book! “ zoey exclaimed.

“ What? “

“ I know that Saturn accept book submission for their novel publication center. And I just have this beautiful manuscript titled the battle of all kinds of love, and it is completed_ “ She was rushing her words that she failed to capture Raymond's utter displeasure.

“ I am sorry, but I can't accept your book. “

She took his hand desperately as it was on the steering wheel. “ Please, I promise you it is a good book. I put my heart and soul into writing it and I want an opportunity for a Saturn publication. “

“ It is just that this is not the right time, “ He stared at her hand holding his in disgust, “ I hope you understand. “

“ Fine, what if it is what I want from you for. Almost killing me tonight? “

He was marvelled at how the tone of her voice changed from that of a calm and desperate plea to that of control and condescending. He squinted at the lady,

“ What is your name? Do you know who I am? “ Raymond had to ask.

Zoey was also taken aback by the man's sudden rude front. He had just almost killed her with his car. But she wasn't about to be scared of who he was. “ it is in my manuscript, when you read it, you will find out. “

Raymond bit his lips as he pondered for a little time, “ Fine, let me have it. “ His plan was to abandon the manuscript or throw it away. He took her brave input as an insult to his name. Zoey handed the manuscript to him and he kept it safe inside a cabinet in the car just for her eyes to see.

An hour later, he was at her shabby looking apartment in wilham Street.

“ Please sir, how long would i have to wait? “ Zoey inquired.

“ Today is Saturday, by Monday I would have my team check it out. Review process should take about a week. “

Zoey ardently nodded, “ Thank you so much, I cannot wait. “

“ Goodnight. “ He said and without waiting for her reply, he drove off. He couldn't wait to get home, plug in his phone and resume calling Rachel.

Zoey was excited. Her previous state of sadness was wiped away by new hope assigned. She went to bed after treasuring the complementary card that Raymond gave her. If her dream place at harlequin did not work out, maybe Saturn would. And even if Raymond Voss strike to her as a rude and condescending man, she would pick working with him than her miserable diner job.