The Billionaire's Redemption

Chapter 9

Andrea's visit helped me a lot. We chatted about so many things which helped me take my mind off Damian for some time. As usual, Andrea had so many things to talk about.

"I've got a new job close to my crush" 

She announced while she chopped the onion.

"Gabriel?"

"No"

I widened my eyes.

"You've got a new crush?"

She nodded happily.

"You need to see him. He's so cute"

I frowned.

"Is he not the sixth crush you've had in a year?"

She smiled and I groaned.

"What am I saying?. He should be the tenth. Let me count"

I raised my hand to count.

"Frank, Henry, Abraham, Stephen, Samuel..."

"Hey, that's enough. You don't have to count, ok?"

I scoffed.

"Why do you choose him?"

She moved closer to me as if being afraid someone might hear her.

"He's cute"

"Cuter than Henry?"

"No"

"He's cuter than Samuel?"

She gave her head a small shake.

"A little"

She whispered and I groaned.

"Can't you just support me?. He's going to be the last, I promise"

She said and I frowned.

"You told me that so many times but what do you do?. You end up leaving them"

I raised my hand.

"One after another"

"Just stop. They made me leave them"

"And what is the assurance that he won't make you leave him?"

She smiled.

"Trust me. He is different"

I sighed. I hope she is right this time. I could still remember how she had said so for virtually all the men and at the end she left them. Unlike me who believe in love, Andrea did not see any reason why she should love someone for a long time.

"The longer you love them the more they take you for granted. You don't show a person how much you love them. When you do, they take advantage of it"

She always says. At first, I did not see any sense in it. But now, I can't help but believe she might be right. Loving Daniel and showing how much I love him had made him take advantage of me. He took me for granted and used me. Andrea poked me.

"Thinking again?"

I smiled and moved closer to the pot.

"What do we have here"

"Do you want to talk?"

She moved closer to me and I smiled.

"Don't worry. I am fine"

"Are you sure?"

I nodded.

"Sure"

**

Andrea left when the place was getting dark. She had waited for so long to see Damian but he did not return until she left. The moment she left, I was left alone. I sat in the living room assigned to me and must have fallen asleep. I woke up with a thud.

At first, I thought I had fallen off, but I could feel some liquid on my face. I wiped it off and stood up, leaping a bit. I turned to see Damian holding a bowl and I knew immediately that he was the one who poured the water on me and I must have fallen off the couch due to the shock.

I frowned.

"D-did you pour me water?"

I was furious and had to stutter to hide my anger. He folded his arms and answered.

"I did. So?"

His answer was annoying and I felt like ripping off his head but I kept my cool.

"D-don't you think that's a wrong way of waking a sleeping person up?"

He moved closer to me.

"Really?"

I scoffed.

"What was I expecting?. That he says he is sorry?"

I mumbled.

"Are you talking to me?"

I ignored him and turned to leave but he held me back.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

I stood facing him. Though I shivered a bit, I kept my cool. He has to learn to respect me. 

"Aren't we done with the conversation? Huh?"

I answered keeping a straight face and he looked surprised. I was done keeping up with his immature and crazy attitude. If he thinks he is the only one with a sassy attitude, he lied.

"A-are you talking to me?"

He stuttered slightly. I looked around.

"Is there someone else in this room, aside from the two of us?"

He scoffed.

"You think you can now talk back at me?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Why can't I talk back at you?"

"What?!!!"

"Do you have any reason why I shouldn't talk back at you?"

He stared at me.

"Let me see"

I began.

"I am the debtor and you, the creditor. Does that makes you superior to me?"

He only stared at me but said nothing so I continued.

"Oh, I see. You are superior. But come to think of it, by law you are my husband and I am your wife. That makes us the same?"

He frowned.

"What are..."

I raised my hand to stop him.

"A creditor gets married to his debtor to cover up his shame but treats her like trash. Don't you think that will make a good headline?. What do you think?"

"Do..."

"You think it will, right?. I think so too"

He gave a strangled laugh.

"Are you trying to provoke me?"

He had that don't mess with me look and I moved back a bit, pushed my hair aside, and sighed.

"Do you think I've got time to provoke you?"

He gave a frustrated snarl and moved closer to me. I moved backward.

"What did you say?"

The look on his face made me realize I was going too far and should stop now. I ignored him and turned to leave but he held me. His grip on my wrist was strong and I couldn't release myself.

"Y-you, y-you're hurting me"

He seems to find peace in hurting me. He tightened his grip and I groaned in pain. I tried pushing his hand away.

"Y-you. I-it hurts"

My eyes were teary as I tried to pull my hand away from his. He pulled me closer to him and held me by my waist and I froze. He smirked.

"Can't you say a word again?. You don't want to blab anymore?"

I couldn't stare at him. I heard him scoff. He released his grip and pushed me away from him. I landed on the couch and groaned in pain. He squat.

"The next time you talk back at me in that manner. I won't spare you"

I nodded quickly and he held me by the neck.

"Y-yes"

I answered

"I can't hear you"

"Y-yes"

I said more loudly and he smirked. He stood up.

"Good"

I watched him leave and then tried to stand up. My back hurt so badly and my wrist was red too. Trying to bend the wrist a bit, I felt a sharp pain and I groaned.

"H-he's so heartless"

I said out loud but quickly covered my mouth. I was afraid he might hear me and come back. I shouldn't have spoken to him that way but I couldn't help it. He was the one who started it. He poured me water and do not look remorseful. He has no pity, either. I made a mental note not to get him angry to this extent again. I stood up and leaped to my room.

I heard a knock on the door. Without answering, the door opened and Charles walked in with a woman in her late fifties.

"She's a nurse. She will attend to you"

Charles said. He walked out before I could say a word.

She moved closer to me.

"What's your name? young lady?"

"Charlotte"

"You must be the woman he married on contract"

I blinked. She knew about the contract marriage. Who is she? How does she know?

"You look so surprised. I am his nurse. I have been his nurse since he was little"

I sighed.

"He told you about the contract marriage?"

She nodded.

"He tells me virtually everything"

"You must hold a special space in his heart"

She smiled.

"I think you do too. Damian wouldn't have sent me to you if he doesn't have a spark for you"

I scoffed.

"He did this to me. It's his responsibility to take care of me"

"You think so?"

I nodded.

"I know so"

"Let me get you treated"

She held my hand and I groaned.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, dear. I do not know it hurts that much"

"It's hurt so badly"

She brought out the first aid box, kept it on the table, and set to work. I watched her do her job while I whined when necessary.

"Done"

She announced putting the last bandage on.

"Thanks"

I whispered and she smiled.

"My pleasure"

"You can't take your bath this night anymore"

"I already did. That shouldn't be a problem"

After she left, I decided to ruminate on the things she told me. It was difficult to believe that Damian had a spark for me. Is that the reason he chose to marry me?. I doubted that could be the reason. Thinking through, I couldn't see any sign that he might like me.

He had been harsh on me, treating me like I don't exist or I shouldn't have existed. How would he have sparks for me and still treat me that way?

I told myself not to read more meaning into what the woman had said. Damian doesn't like me. He can't like me and will never like me.

**

I opened my eyes and tried to move my right hand but it felt too heavy to move. I groaned trying to stand up from the bed.

"Ouch"

I whined when I fell back on my hand. If Damian had not done this to me, I won't be in so much pain as I am now. Standing up from the bed was difficult and took time but I finally did. Taking my bath was more difficult than I thought. I had to use my left hand and the sponge kept falling off. I could not make use of the jacuzzi either, afraid I might find it difficult to get out of it.

Wearing my clothes took time too and when I thought I could rest, the door opened and Damian walked in. I frowned. Can't he knock?. I understand the house belongs to him but he should respect my privacy. He stared at me for a while and finally spoke up.

"Get changed"

I raised an eyebrow. I should get changed? That is all he could say?. He is not going to say anything about yesterday's incident?

"We are going out"

He said and I batted my lashes.

"W-we..."

"Get dressed. We leave in an hour"

"L-like this?. I mean with my hand like this?"

I pointed at my wounded hand, hoping he would talk about it. He ignored me and turned to leave and I scoffed. How rude of him.

"D-do you always make decisions alone without considering others?"

He ignored me and opened the door.

"He's so inconsiderate"

I murmured and the door closed. He turned.

"W-what did you say?"

I stood up quickly.

"I-i'll go get ready"

I ran to the bathroom and closed the door behind me. I released the breathe I have been holding. I can't get into his bad book anytime soon. Never!!!.