The Sold Bride: Drunk in Love With You

Cynthia Harvey's POV In the dim room, two overlapping figures on the bed. I lay against the pillow, only able to vaguely make out the dark shadow buried in front of my chest. The darkness heightened my senses, and the moist, warm feeling in my chest stirred my nerves. Like a fish desperate for water, I impatiently grabbed the hair of the man in front of me and whispered, "Simon…" Simon Hynes abandoned his usual genteel elite demeanor, his movements rough and forceful. I was like a ship navigating stormy seas, helplessly wrapped in the waves of passion, sinking deeper and deeper into desire. Ouch! The room was pitch-dark, and Simon's force caused my head to collide with the bed's headboard, producing a loud noise. He immediately stopped, then asked, "Jasmine, what's wrong? Did you hurt yourself?" Seeing that I remained silent, Simon got up to turn on the light to check on me. No! I couldn't let him turn on the light and see my appearance. Blindfolded, I frantically held his hand to my chest. "It's okay, I'm fine, no need for the light!" It was his fiancée who should be here with him in intimacy like this, but I was not her. I was a stand-in paid for by his fiancée. I can only love him in the shadows. Once the lights blazed on, I would be like Cinderella, stripped of her glamorous gown. "Simon, I want you; let's continue, shall we?" I pulled his hand down to where he had just left. It was still damp and warm. Simon gently kissed the corner of my mouth and teased. "Feeling sorry for yourself? Come and get it yourself." In the darkness, there was a rustling sound, and then my wrist was bound by something: it was a tie. Then he gently turned over, placing me on top of his body. His manhood was still firm, and with my hands bound, I couldn't maintain balance. I could only follow his lead and sit straight down on him. I couldn't control my mind, couldn't control my body, and could only twist like a snake, letting him take me wherever he wanted… ***** We went at it till late. Eventually, Simon fell into a deep sleep. Taking advantage of this, I gently moved his arm off me and quietly got out of bed. With the dim moonlight, I could clearly see his face, the face I had been longing for, utterly handsome. I bent down and gently kissed his cheek. My first encounter with Simon was at his engagement party with someone else. To be exact, I was on his marriage bed waiting for him. He was already drunk. I wasn't there to steal love out of revenge; all of this had been planned by his fiancée. Months earlier, his fiancée approached me because I bore a striking resemblance to her in voice and figure. She wanted me to take her place to sleep with Simon and bear his child, and she would pay me five million dollars afterward. Normally, I would never agree to such a humiliating arrangement. But it was right before my graduation, and creditors had shown up at my door. My brother had taken out loans at astronomical rates at the casino using my name and identity. The deadline was approaching, and my mother and I were at a loss. We were just an ordinary family, and as an undergrad who hadn't yet graduated, it was impossible for me to gather such a huge amount of money to pay off the debts in a short period. I was driven into a corner, but I had to protect my mom and myself. I had no choice but to take a path of no return: selling myself. Halting my thoughts, I dared not stay any longer and quickly left the room. The weakness in my body almost made me stumble, and I could only support myself against the wall. I slowly moved into a secluded room. Sitting on the bed waiting for me was a flamboyant woman, Jasmine Linnell, Simon's fiancée. The long wait had worn down Jasmine's patience. The proud and beautiful lady glanced down at her shiny manicure and said coldly, 'You weren't discovered, were you?' I shook my head, "No, I wasn't discovered." As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized how hoarse my voice was. Perhaps she had heard all those moans… Seeing my condition, Jasmine snickered. "Don't entertain thoughts you shouldn't, or else you know the consequences. And don't think that just because Simon slept with you today, you can climb up to our social standing. You're just someone I found to bear Simon's child. Remember, you're not worthy!" I had no intention to engage in a verbal argument with Jasmine, as it would only make things worse for me. Plus, I had always been able to avoid such troubles by simply keeping quiet. However, Jasmine seemed to be in a very bad mood today. "Cat got your tongue? I know you dream of becoming Cinderella, but you better stop those little schemes you're plotting. Do you think just because he noticed you today, it's going to be like those second-rate novels where he feels like he's found his lost lover and ends up with you?" "Dream on, and remember your place!" How could I not know my place? The first time I met Simon was under those awkward circumstances. But to say that was our first meeting wasn't exactly right; I first saw Simon at my university. He was there as a distinguished alumnus, giving a speech that was both insightful and witty. Back then, I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, a promising student representative who got the chance to speak with him. Like any girl in the throes of young love, I found myself deeply attracted to him. So, when Jasmine approached me, I agreed without much hesitation. Now, my life had hit rock bottom. And the love I had for him was now tainted with impurities. I wished he would never find out it was me. "Don't worry. I know my place," I said, lowering my brows and eyes, trying not to provoke her wrath. "I was…" I started, my throat suddenly dry. But Jasmine casually pulled out a check, seemingly nonchalantly fanning herself with it. That was my debt, my mother's medical bills, my only pathway back to the life I once had. "I was paid to be here just to have a baby for you. Be it Mr. Hynes or the child, they're both rightfully yours." I thought about it and stressed again, "Your own flesh and blood." Before I could finish my words, I felt a sharp pain on my face. "Mock me?" Jasmine was very displeased. Despite having gained significant benefits, the woman in front of her still pretended to be doing this for her own good. Jasmine found it nauseating. Simon was the fantasy of countless women, and yet here the woman was, acting coy after benefiting from the situation. Jasmine drew back her hand and looked down at me with imposing arrogance. Unsure of what I said wrong, I looked up at her. Her expression seemed very angry, yet her eyes were not that furious. I suddenly realized that Jasmine wasn't that angry. It was simply that she had control over me, so she could slap me whenever she wished. Explaining was pointless; Jasmine didn't want to listen. She could torment me on a whim without any reason. "I'm sorry, that came out wrong. I didn't mean that." "Then what did you mean?" Jasmine's voice dripped with scorn as she picked up the check, flinging it at my face. The sharp edge nicked my cheek, drawing blood. The check, light as it was, slipped from in front of my eyes and fell to the ground. I knew too well that in moments like these, she was always resentful and angry. Daring not to provoke her further, I humbly bent down and picked up my pay for the night. Seeing me submissive, Jasmine's tone softened. "Alright, you may leave now." After enduring her final bout of humiliation, I was finally ready to leave. But as my hand touched the doorknob, the same light sound came from outside the door. With my head down, I was ready to leave when she suddenly called out to me, "By the way, start working at Hynes Corporation next week as my personal assistant. That way, if I have appointments or trips with Simon, you can come along." I glanced at her toes. Her voice, stature, and age were identical to mine. She was the queen of the hill, while I was a mere weed by the roadside. Her mere words could determine my fate. "Jasmine, are you in there?" It was Simon's voice.