Bounded By My Billionaire's Contract

Chapter 2

~LAWRENCE~

"Excuse me, sir... Can you hear me?" a faint voice murmured as I drifted off into my thoughts.

Too much had been weighing heavily on my mind, and there had been no peace for me since the past week. Who would've imagined that a short visit to my father's house would result in me returning home with a wife, someone I barely even knew?

From the moment I first saw her, when she confronted me on the street for splashing mud water on her clothes with my car, I despised her.

To make matters worse, I discovered that this same girl stayed in my father's mansion, as her mother worked there as a cleaner. I saw this as the perfect opportunity to seek revenge, making her pay for her insolence and teach her how to speak to those above her. But, unfortunately for me, the tables turned.

"Sir, sir?" The voice repeated, jolting me back to reality. I glanced up to see my secretary, Ada, standing in front of me, holding a notepad and a document. Frustration was etched on her face, as she had clearly been trying to get my attention for some time.

"Yes, yes, what were you saying?" I asked, clearing my throat and straightening up.

"I was discussing the event for tomorrow—" My phone began to ring, interrupting her.

I picked it up from the table and saw that it was my dad calling, and I gestured for Ada to excuse me before answering the call and she quickly left my office, closing the door behind her.

I let out a deep sigh before answering the call. "Lawrence, why have you been ignoring your father's calls?" He immediately snapped, anger seething underneath his tone.

"I've been busy with work," I retorted, not in the mood for whatever he had to say.

"Busy with work? Suddenly you're too busy to answer your father's calls when just last week you were on the verge of ruining everything I've worked so hard for over the years," my father growled.

I clenched my fist, knowing that this conversation was not one I wanted to get into. I was already frustrated enough as it was.

"Can you stop, Father?" I angrily muttered.

"No, I can't! I need to talk some sense into you, young man. Do you truly think that drowning yourself in alcohol will bring Anna back to you?" He roared.

Instantly, a surge of anger engulfed me at the mere mention of her name. "Do not dare bring her into this, Father. Do not dare utter Anna's name," I seethed.

"Mind your tone, young man, or I will teach you a lesson!" He bellowed through the phone.

"Have you not caused enough damage? You even resorted to threatening me with my inheritance. I have done as you wished, can't I still have some peace?", I growled in frustration.

"After tomorrow, you may have peace, as long as what you did does not become public in tomorrow's event. I trust you can handle everything in my absence right?, after all, you are the CEO," my father let out a loud laugh before hanging up.

I paused for a few seconds, attempting to process our conversation. What could be amusing about sacrificing your own son's happiness for the sake of the company? shaking my head, I turned my attention back to the papers on my desk.

At the close of work for the day, the driver pulled up to the mansion and I stepped out of the car, engrossed in my phone and oblivious to my surroundings.

As I walked through the door and headed towards the stairs, I lifted my head for a fleeting second and caught a glimpse of Elara standing on the stairs, her eyes blazing with fury. I had not seen her since the day she moved in, and at times I even forgot she existed in this house as everything happened so fast.

At that moment as our eyes met, I tried to find reasons to believe that all of this was not her fault, that she was a victim just as I am. But I could not. I hate her too much to even feel any pity for her.

It was her fault, and people in her class would do anything for money, and she took the opportunity without hesitation.

Her gaze gave off the feeling that she had something to say to me but I could not care less as I averted my gaze back to my phone and ascended the stairs, walking past her without uttering a word.

"How dare you restrict me from going out? Was this all part of your plan? That I would be your prisoner?" Her voice blurted out, causing me to pause in my tracks.

A surge of anger bubbled within me, making my fist clench tight. How dare she question my authority? I can't believe she has some nerve now. But as I was on the verge of unleashing my fury on her I remembered the important event we had tomorrow. I couldn't let her ruin everything I've worked hard for. So I clenched my jaw and continued up the stairs, suppressing the anger within me.

"I never wanted this marriage. I never asked for any of this. I just want my life back!" Her voice echoed again.

I halted in my tracks and swiftly turned around, descending the stairs to face her. My face was red with fury, and I was going to put her in her place.

"How dare you raise your voice at me?" I growled, closing the distance between us.

I grabbed her jaw firmly as she tried to back away, my intense gaze boring into her soul.

"Is this what you call a marriage?" I bellowed. "I will make sure your life is a living hell, and you will regret the day you crossed paths with me."

I held onto her jaw for a few more seconds, her eyes darting from side to side as fear flashed in them. That was exactly what I wanted her to feel, fear. She had no right to challenge me and she needed to know her place around here.

Finally, I released my grip on her and stormed back up the stairs, unable to stand near her any longer. If I stayed there another second, I might do something I would regret.

I stormed into the guest room where I had been staying for the past week just to get away from her and as I closed the door behind me, I couldn't help but replay the confrontation that had just occurred and I grew more paranoid.

"How dare she try to confront me?" I blurted out, hastily loosening my tie and tossing it onto the bed. "After turning my life upside down, she dares to question me?"

After a few minutes, I let out a deep sigh to release my frustration, but then my eyes landed on a photo of Anna placed next to the bed, and my heart sank once again. The feeling was one I still couldn't get used to - the realization that I had betrayed her love. But I hoped she would understand that this marriage was my punishment for that betrayal.

Slowly, I walk to the bedside and pick up the photo, tracing my fingers over her beautiful eyes, her infectious smiles, and the sound of her laughter that used to give me chills. How fortunate I was to have had her by my side. If only I could turn back time, If only I hadn't let her go that day. It's a moment I will forever regret, and now she is lost to me forever.

The pain in my chest tightens and I sink to the floor, feeling as though my heart is being squeezed in a merciless grip. My eyes darted to the shelf by my bed and I grabbed the bottle of alcohol and drowned myself in it, alcohol has become my only companion because it makes me numb to the pain of how f****d up my life is.

It's a cruel irony, to have all the wealth in the world but still be unable to obtain the one thing my heart truly desires. Drowning in my despair, I drifted into a drunken sleep.

****

The next morning, the piercing rays of light penetrated the thick curtains, causing me to wince and struggle to open my eyes. When I finally succeeded, a sharp throbbing pain reverberated through my head, and I groaned in pain. It was clear that my consumption of alcohol the previous night had been excessive.

Grasping my phone from my pocket, I noticed that it was ten o'clock on a Friday morning. With haste, I rose from the floor, where I had slept alongside Anna's photo, an empty bottle of alcohol, and a glass. I picked up the photo and placed it back on my bedside before heading to the bathroom to take a shower. I had to hurry because the company had a big event today.

As I dressed, a maid entered with my morning coffee, a daily ritual.

"Sir, your breakfast is served," she stuttered, avoiding my gaze. I adjusted my tie while glaring at her through the mirror in front. Then I paused thinking if I had enough time or appetite for breakfast. But considering my late start and the amount of alcohol I had consumed the previous night, I just had to.

"Mmm," I replied, taking a sip of coffee and grabbing my phone, suitcase, and coat before heading downstairs, engrossed in my phone.

At the dining area, a bodyguard took my belongings while I indulged in pancakes, my mind preoccupied with preparations for the evening's big event. I had a secretary for such tasks, but I liked to ensure everything was in order myself.

"G-good morning," I heard a faint voice stutter, then I raised my head, and my eyes met with hers. I had completely forgotten about her and for that brief moment, I was reminded of the one woman I had lost.

Clenching my jaw, I tried to suppress my emotions as I stared into her eyes, but she avoided my gaze, making me even more paranoid. She attempted to draw a seat at the table, but I could not bear her presence any longer. In annoyance, I stormed out of the house, her very presence robbing me of my appetite.

The driver drove me to my office, engrossed in my phone, I strode into the premises. Ada scurried after me but I paid no attention to her, well aware of her intention and it was to brief me on today's packed schedule.

I entered my office, and she followed shutting the door behind her while I settled in. I sat at my desk and waited for her to speak.

"Good morning sir," she began, "I trust you're prepared for the grand event tonight", a smile played on her lips. She was enthusiastic about her job and that's why I had yet to dismiss her - another addition to the hundred employees recently let go from this position.

"I just want it done with," I sighed, pulling out my laptop and readying to work.

"Sir, everything is in place at the venue, starting at 8 PM, and will be broadcast on all national channels. City reporters and journalists will also attend," she reported, scanning her notepad.

My eyes snapped to her, anger brewing within. I was mistaken - she would be fired today.

"Journalists? Reporters?" I snarled.

"Ye... Yes sir, I—" she attempted to speak, but I didn't allow her.

"I made it clear I didn't want them at this event, and yet you arranged for them? Are you crazy?" I seethed.

"I am sorry, sir... I know... I know you stated so, but we need exposure for this achievement. The Harrington Group ventures into agriculture, and the prime minister of Kent is a prominent investor in this project. It's a remarkable feat that demands attention. You have nothing to worry about, sir," she rattled on, aware her job clung by a thread as my patience was running thin.

I took a moment to pause, gazing at her and attempting to process her words. They made sense, but... "You should have consulted with me first before making such decisions on your own, Ada," I exclaimed.

"I apologize, sir. It will not happen again," she stuttered, avoiding my gaze.

I did not want some unknown individuals meddling in my personal affairs, aside from business matters.

"You may leave now," I gestured with my hands. And she promptly exited my office.

I had a couple of meetings to attend for the day before closing up. On the drive home, I was on the phone with Ada, instructing her to arrange for a stylist for Elara when I caught a quick glimpse of someone walking into a café. She looked strikingly similar to Elara.

"Stop the car and turn back," I urgently instructed the driver as I ended my call.

I quickly got down from the car and headed to where I had spotted her, but she was no longer there.

"Am I hallucinating?" I muttered in frustration as I stood there for a few moments before returning to the car.

The thought lingered in my mind as I continued my journey home. How was it possible that this person had the same long blonde hair and petite stature as Elara? I could not be dreaming. I convinced myself as I clenched my hair in a tight fist, anger bubbling within me.

"How in the world did she leave the house?" I seethed internally.

"Hurry up," I barked at the driver, eager to confirm my suspicions.

In less than twenty minutes, we arrived back home. It typically took an hour to make the journey, but today was different.

"She better hope I was hallucinating," I grumbled under my breath as I hastily entered the house, ignoring greetings from the servants.

Striding past them, I headed for the stairs, my heart racing in anticipation of what I might discover. I was unsure if the surge of emotions I was feeling at that moment was fear or anger; I needed to find out.

As I approached my bedroom door, I hesitated for a few seconds, my hands clenched in tight fists. Then, without hesitation, I swung the door open.