chapter 5
1127 Words
Amber's POV
"You are a pretty one, aren't you?" My skin crawled as the man in a mask brushed his fingers against my cheek.
This could not be happening. I had forgotten all about the deadline and the threat of the loan sharks after speaking with Gary Kingston the day before. Since I still lacked the money I owed, it wasn't like anything would have changed.
I knew something was wrong the moment I entered my apartment, thus they had fulfilled their threat.
I was pulled to my room while struggling by a man who suddenly covered my lips as I went to check on my grandma.
She was unconscious with a pistol to her head.
As I wriggled away from my captor, his gunshot wound wound me in the butt. My body began to tremble, my head began to pound, and fear seeped into every part of me. This was one that there was no turning back. We were destined to die.
"Or maybe we could give you an extension?" Among the three men wearing masks, one laughed.
"But you'll have to pay an extension fee." I gave a forceful nod, sensing an escape route. There wasn't much money left over that I could utilize to pay for an extension.
"You will not pay with money though." Another man snorted. With a palm on my chest, he withdrew in disdain.
"Give it no resistance. You'll benefit in the interim from the extension." He approached with a menacing smile on his lips.
"Just spread those legs for me."
"For us," remarked another man, his ravenous eyes fixed on me.
The idea made my stomach turn bile. I writhed in an attempt to free myself from my restraints, tears welling up in my eyes.
"Get over here," The man roughed me up and grabbed my legs. One of the other males grabbed my hands. I was unable to move to protect myself from the assault.
I heard the belt buckle clinking and I knew it was about to happen. I let my tears flow and forced myself to turn away from the men, instead focusing on my grandma, who was starting to wake up. Her eyes expanded as they came to rest on me.
"Amber…" With dread lighting up her face, she managed.
"Nah! Go, my baby!" She screamed and struggled to free herself, but the man's grip was too tight.
"Come on, grandma, watch the show." The person cradling her laughed.
I shook and felt my shirt ripped off as I braced myself for the attack, but then the apartment door banged open, making a loud noise. When I heard it, I screamed as hope filled my heart.
"Please, help us!" I let out a cry, but the man above me silenced me with a fist.
The men started to worry, but it was too late as a group of men with guns barged into the room. With over ten men who came in, the disguised men were greatly outnumbered.
"Hey man, we don't want any trouble…" he started but didn't finish his sentence when a bullet passed through his head, ending his life. Other men cowered in a corner as he yelled in agony.
The men who had come to our aid bowed and started removing the men in masks. Gary Kingston appeared while I was still struggling to comprehend the miracle that had happened.
"Sir…" I muttered, immediately aware of my clothing. Barely much was concealed by my ripped skirt.
He held out a hand for me to take, but said nothing. He took a seat on the short mattress.
"Are you alright?" His look was distant as he asked.
"Yeah," I said, lacking conviction. He caressed my shoulder, and I had no doubt that he did it without realizing what he had done. This man and the one who had intimidated me into becoming his wife were irreconcilable in my mind.
He turned to face my grandmother, who was sitting down now.
"Ma'am, are you alright?" He spoke in a low voice. It appeared as though someone unfamiliar had stepped in for him.
"I am fine, dear." She stated. Knowing how strong she could be, it was not surprising that she did not look as shaken up as me.
"How could I ever thank you?" She smiled at him, and to my astonishment, he did too.
"You don't have to do anything but I would like to ask for your blessings." He stated.
Since I still hadn't told my grandma about my marriage earlier today, my heart leaped out of my chest.
"What for?", she asked.
"For the union between I and your granddaughter." He made the shocking revelation.
My gaze shifted from my grandmother to Gary as my mind began to spin.
In what way could I defend myself? How would she feel about it?
She gave him a blink, and I was astonished by what she said.
"Has she accepted?"
She turned to face me, questions in her eyes that I would have to research and then respond to.
"She is wearing my ring, granny." Gary answered back. He was even referring to her as "granny." He had a nice expression on his face, as if he was used to conversing with elderly folks.
"Then it's settled but on one condition." Grandma spoke, fixing her gaze on Gary.
He said, "Anything."
"I want a small wedding." Says she.
"Grandma…" As I spoke, Gary turned to face me.
"Or you want a big wedding?" He asked, as though he didn't just threaten my grandma's life the previous day.
"No, I didn't say that." I stated.
"Then it's settled." Grandma grinned broadly and clapped her hands.
"You both have my blessings.", She stated happily.
"Thank you, granny." stated Gary.
"Anytime, son." She really reached out and caressed his dark hair as if he were her own child.
My heart felt icy. Was she addressing him as "son"? I wish she had the real story. Still, he kept us both alive today.
Regarding Gary Kingston, I had no idea what to believe or not. Was he a good man or the devil? He was actually the same aloof businessman I had spoken to yesterday; he was just wearing a mask. The man in front of me was a fake.
"You will have to move, granny." He said. "This place is not safe for you or my wife."
I was not sure why, but when he named me his wife, my face got hot. What a monster he was. That was something I needed to keep in mind.
"Where will we go?" She enquired.
"You are both coming with me to my place." With his cold gaze fixed on me, he spoke.
"We'll be living together."
- Writer
