The Billionaire's Redemption

Chapter 5

Damian chose the wedding date himself, even when I told him it was too early and I wanted to do a few things first. Using his mom as an excuse did not work either.

"Are you getting married to my mom or me?"

He asked when I told him his mom is against the wedding.

I also told him how she had told me to leave him alone but he did not believe me.

"We should never have this conversation again"

He said with a straight face.

"B-but my life is at stake here. S-shouldn't we be talking about that?"

"There is nothing to talk about!!!"

"Y-you're not been fair!!!"

I yelled and he stared at me. I looked away quickly. No matter how hard I tried to look and sound courageous in his presence I always end up losing it.

"D-did you just say I am not being fair?"

He stuttered slightly and I could tell he was startled by my words. I was surprised he wasn't saying anything about me yelling at him.

"Answer me. I am not been fair?"

"I-i'm sorry"

I wasn't sure if that was what he wanted.

"I-i'm so sorry"

"Just leave. I hate to see your face"

I blinked.

"Y-you..."

"The guards will take you back. And don't you try to do anything funny"

I nodded and he glared.

"Ok"

I tend to forget how he hated to be nodded at, but I prefer nodding than speaking to him. He left me and returned to his room I guess. I sat down waiting for his guards to show up.

He came out some minutes later.

"You're still here?"

I nodded.

"Yes"

"Do you always nod like this?"

I shrugged. "Yes"

Two guards walked in.

"Boss"

"You're late"

"We are sorry, boss"

"Just take her away. And make sure you stay in the house"

I blinked.

"W-why do they have to stay with me?"

I asked but he ignored me.

"Yes, boss"

They replied in unison. Damian stared at me and I stood up immediately. I twisted my hair around the tips of my index finger.

"I-i'll get going"

I was shown out of the living room and into the car. The drive back home was quiet. It has always been quiet but today's seems extremely quiet. I kept thinking about what my life will be like if I marry Damian.

Some years back, I had thought my life was perfect. Loving and caring boyfriend, healthy mother, and a good but not well-paying job. Everything seems to go in the right way. I had never once thought that a time will come when I will have to sell my freedom.

The car came to a halt, and I blinked back to the presence.

"We are here"

The chauffeur announced and I stepped out. The two guards who Damian had asked to follow me came down.

"You don't have to stay back if you don't want to"

They ignored me and walked to the door. The door opened and Andrea walked out. She ran to me.

"How long have you been here?"

"Long enough to see you been dropped. Come to think of it. It is not a bad idea"

I furrowed my brows.

"What isn't a bad idea?"

"Your marriage to Damian"

I scoffed.

"It's the worst idea ever"

She chuckled. 

"Somehow it is but.."

"But what?"

"The clothes. They are so beautiful and expensive"

She laid more emphasis on the expensive.

"You did not tell me they are that much. I love them. You're so lucky, Charl"

I sighed.

"What's the point. Having expensive clothes and not freedom"

She stared at me.

"Come"

She pulled me into a hug.

"I know you're a strong woman. You can do it"

I sighed. I hope I can.

**

Damian asked his guards to take taking out for shopping.

"You can't wear all these"

He said when he visited my home to check out my wardrobe. He had poured out all my clothes on the floor.

"If you are going to be my wife, you can't wear all these"

I felt ridiculed by him but I couldn't utter a word. I was a tool he could play and toil with. If not for Daniel who had put me in this tight corner I wouldn't have come in contact with him.

"Are you listening at all?"

He poked me.

"Y-yes"

"What was the last word I said?"

I stared blankly at him. I was lost in thought and did not hear what he said.

"Do you always lie?"

"I..."

He scoffed and continued throwing the clothes to the floor.

"D-do you have to go do this?"

He stared at me.

"Are you talking to me?"

"D-do I have to get rid of all my clothes?"

He ignored me and threw the last cloth on the floor.

"I-i'm not your wife yet. Y-you can't keep doing this to me"

"You belong to me. I have every right over you. I can do whatever I want with you"

The look in his eyes was daring that I had to move back.

"I'm sorry"

I cooed

He ignored me and I did not say a word until he asked his guards to take me out. I followed them like a puppy. When we got to the mall, we headed to the female section. I expected them to tell me to make my choice but instead, I was asked to sit. I watched them pick the clothes, shoes, and bags and I wondered why I had to come in the first place when he knew he had given them the specification he wanted.

They picked out the pieces of jewelry too. When they were done, they dropped me off at home and returned to Damian's apartment with the things we bought. Some hours later, they brought back a few of the clothes.

"You are to wear this for the engagement party"

One of them said.

"Your makeup artist will be here soon. You should get ready"

"When is the engagement?"

I asked,

"Today?"

I was startled. My engagement party is today and I as the bride-to-be don't know?.

"Today?"

"You don't know?"

The chubby one asked in surprise. That was his first time acting calm and surprised.

"He did not tell you?"

The other one asked and I nodded. They stared at each other and said nothing. I sat down on the couch. What does he take me for?. A puppet he can order around?. Does he even consider me as a human?

An engagement party without my consent?. Is the wedding not taking place in a month?. Why do we have to have our engagement party now?. Why does he dislike me so much?. What have I done wrong?

Different thoughts ran through my mind. The more I get to know and spend time with him, the more I could tell how miserable my life is going to be living with him.

**

The engagement party started a little bit early than I thought. I was asked to remain in the car until my attention Is needed. At first, I tried not to see anything wrong with the engagement party. Every married couple had an engagement party before their wedding right?.

I watched through the window as people troop into the engagement hall. From their dresses to their suits, you could tell they were men and women of great caliber. Their laughs rang in my ear and I sighed. They are all happy to be there, but I am not.

It's my day, I should be happy but I wasn't. I had never pictured my party to be like this. I had always thought it was going to be one of the best. But no, it isn't.

I saw Damian standing close by with a young lady in her early twenties. She was dressed in a blue off-shouldered gown having a slit. Her dress was similar to mine and I wondered who she is to him. I watched them laugh and talk and I smiled. It was surprising to see him smile with someone. Though he never smiled with me, I was happy he smiled. And I was a bit jealous he could smile with her and not me.

I wonder why he chooses me instead of her. She looked so beautiful and classic and I was a bit jealous. I was beautiful too but not as beautiful as her.

"Why did he choose me of all people?" I thought.

Other people owe him right?. And there are females among them, why did he choose me?. Someone knocked the glass slightly, jolting me out of my thought. I looked up, while the chauffeur winded down the glass.

"Your presence is needed"

He announced. I looked at the wristwatch in my hand. It's been over an hour and a half since I had been in the car. Why did he suddenly want me now?. I sighed and stepped down when the door was open.

I was led to where Damian stood and for the first time, I saw him stare at me differently. The lady beside him poked him. She whispered to him and he scoffed.

"Hi, Charlotte"

The lady said

"I'm Daina, Damian's little sister"

She introduced. I stared at her and noticed they looked alike. Why did I not suspect this?. Andrea had told me he doesn't want to have anything to do with any lady. For him to have smiled so genuinely with her, she has to be his family.

I smiled. "Good to meet you, Diana"

"You look beautiful, Charlotte. I never thought the cloth will look this good on you. I saw you at my boutique"

"You're beautiful too"

She smiled.

"Not as beautiful as you are, Charlotte. I can tell my brother made the right choice"

Diana was the perfect opposite of Damian. She smiles so easily and is quite friendly.

"You still have to tell me how you both met. Damian won't tell me"

I widened my eyes in surprise. He did not tell her I was sold to him?. His parent doesn't know either. Why is he keeping it a secret? What are his reasons?

"Enough of the chit-chat. We have to go in"

He stretched his hand to me.

"Come here, my love"

Why would he call me his love?. I stared at him, reluctant to take a step. He glared at me and I found myself moving closer to him. I gave him my hand and he held it.

"Don't you dare make a scene"

He whispered.

"And do not tell my sister it's a contract marriage"

I nodded.

"Ok"

I added quickly. I was afraid he would scold me for nodding.

"Good"

He said and we walked in. Diana stood by my side and I felt relief. Everyone stood up to welcome us. We got to the stage and Damian made a toast. After the toast, he said he had an announcement.

"The wedding comes up in a week time and you are all invited"

He announced. Everyone clapped while I remained dumbfounded. Did he not tell me the wedding will be in a month?. Why did he suddenly have a change of mind?. Why did he not tell me there was a change?. Why did I have to find out about it here?