A DEADLY NUPTIAL

25.

It had been hours since Josephine left, and I couldn't stop thinking about her. It was lunch time, so I decided to head home. Shine met me outside my office.

"So where are we going?"

"We're not going anywhere, Shine."

"But-last night"

"I kissed you and that was it."

"I thought you wanted to get back together?" she pouted her lips giving me a sad puppy dog look.

"Shine, I'm sorry for last night. I don't know what I was thinking, it won't happen again." I walked away leaving her stomping her feet in anger.

I arrived home and found a taxi in front of the house. What was this? The Bake carried a suitcase and placed it in the trunk. Josephine came out of the house fast looking through her purse for something. She stopped in front of the taxi still rummaging through her purse.

"Going somewhere?"

She looked up, dropping her bag. She hid her shocked face picking up her purse from the ground.

"Dark , what are you doing home so early?"

"I came to have lunch. Where are you going?"

She bit her lip before looking at me, "I'm leaving."

"Where to?"

"I'm going home Dark . I Dark 't stand being here. I Dark 't tolerate this" she motioned with her hands around her "anymore. If this is only a marriage of business I shouldn't have to be with you all the time."

"But you Dark 't go home, the contract states you are prohibited from seeing any loved ones."

She paused before replying, "I don't care about that stupid contract. I'm going home."

She opened the taxi door.

"Josephine, if you get in that taxi, your family will lose everything." I threatened.

She slammed the door shut crossing her arms. I walked to the taxi driver's window and asked him to open the trunk. I took out Josephine's suitcase and gave him a couple hundred dollars. He drove away. It was now me and Josephine.

She groaned in anger climbing the stairs.

"Josephine, wait."

"What?! What do you want? Dark !?" she threw her hands in the air exasperated.

"We'll leave right now if that's what you want. We're going back to our home."

I got the car out of the driveway and parked it in front of the house. She hesitated before climbing in.

"What about Yusi?"

"I'll go check the house," I said. She nodded climbing in.

I ran into the house looking everywhere. I was about to head into the kitchen when I heard Victor and one of the other maids gossiping.

“ victor ! You will not believe what I witnessed this morning!" she whispered loudly.

"What? What did you see?"

"Miss Josephine came out of the Mr. Brown's room after Miss Elsa left. I say she just wanted some time with Mr. Brown if you know what I mean. You know how they say she even slept with Mr. Dark 's friend."

Anger was boiling in my blood. I breathed in and out before opening the kitchen door. The maids were alarmed to find something to make themselves look busy.

"Girls," I said calmly, "have you seen Yusi?"

"She left this morning, " Victor stated, "she said she was going back to your home."

"Thank you," I said, leaving them to their gossip.

I went back outside to the car where Josephine silently waited. I slammed the door just after climbing in.

"What's your problem? Where's Yusi?"

"She already left," I declared.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

She didn't proceed with her questions. She just sat there putting her sunglasses I gave her on.

After an hour and a half of driving my stomach began to growl. I had forgotten to eat lunch. Josephine's stomach soon began to growl as well.

"Have you had anything to eat today?" I asked her.

"No."

I sighed. "We'll stop soon. There's a diner up ahead."

"Alright."

Soon we arrived at an old fashioned diner that was situated next to the road. There were a few cars parked along the entrance. I parked the car, and we got out walking into the diner. We sat in a red old-fashioned booth. A woman that looked like she was from the 50's handed us menus.

"What Dark I getcha to drink?"

"I'll have a lemonade," Josephine said.

"I'll have an iced tea," I told the waitress.

"Sure thing hun," she said winking at me.

Josephine rolled her eyes looking out the window.

"What? I Dark 't help it if women flirt with me," I smirked.

"You could at least tell her you're married," she pursed her lips looking through the menu.

" I could, but there would be no fun in that would there?"

"I suppose not."

The waitress arrived with our drinks.

"Have you decided whatcha wanna eat?"

"Josephine?"

"I'll just have a cheeseburger and fries."

"Same here."

"Alrighty, be out in a sec." she took our menus.

We were left just sitting there in awkwardness.

"Where were you this morning after you went to get Elsa?"

She automatically paled as she took a sip of her lemonade.

"I was having a talk with your father,"

"What about?"

"My behavior..."

"Your behavior?" I c****d an eyebrow not entirely believing her story.

"Yeah," she looked away.

Our food arrived creating an excuse not to talk anymore. After we finished eating I stood up placing my credit card on the table.

"When the waitress comes give her my card, I'm going to the restroom."

"Mhmm,"

When I returned she was talking with a guy that looked around my age. He had on an apron telling me worked here.

I could see Josephine's cheeks burning and vaguely hear her ask, "You wouldn't mind telling me where I am, would you?"

"Of course not, " the guy said, "You're in-"

"No need to tell her. I'll be happy to tell my wife where we are." I interrupted the guy before he could answer. I flashed a smile towards Josephine. I could see her forcing herself to return the smile. I put my credit card back in my wallet, "Come Josephine, we have to get going."

"I'm sorry to have bothered you Jackup," she smiled sheepishly. I took her hand escorting her out the door.

"It was no problem ma'am, any day," he flashed her a smile, giving her a wink. We were about to reach the car when we heard "Josephine!" Of course it was the blonde guy from the restaurant. Josephine turned around.

"Jackup,"

"You forgot your purse," he explained, handing it to her.

"Thanks,"

"Hope to see you back here someday," he winked again before running back to the diner. I opened the door for Josephine. She slid in, and I slammed the door shut angry.

Josephine's POV

Dark slammed the door shut, of course he was angry. He was probably jealous of Jackup. He got in also slammed his door shut.

"What is your problem with slamming the doors shut Dark ?"

"I don't know what you're talking about,"

"Sure..." I opened my purse looking for the sunglasses. While rummaging through my messy purse I found a note with a rose.

[ If you ever need anything you know where to find me.

Jackup]

I couldn't help but sigh happily and smell the fragrant rose. Dark instantly be noticed.

"Where did you get that rose?"

"Jackup," I said in a matter-of-fact way. I put the note back in my purse putting on the sunglasses.

"You could have told him you were married," he muttered.

"I Dark 't help it if men flirt with me," I repeated what he had said earlier.

"Well you didn't have to flirt back."

"I wasn't flirting. I wanted to know where the heck I was as some people won't tell me."

"You don't need to know."

"Why? Why is it so important I do not know where I am? It's not like I have a communication devices do I? " I crossed my arms against my chest frustrated.

"Well.." he didn't have any excuses. I smirked feeling I had won a battle. My thoughts soon led to Jackup. He was such a sweet guy.

*Flashback*

Dark had left for the bathroom leaving me sitting their by myself.

"Are you done?" a guy about my age pointed to the empty plates on the table. It took me a while to register what he was saying. His eyebrow rose waiting for me to answer.

"Oh right! Yes, I'm done." I blushed, feeling really embarrassed. He smiled slightly as if trying to hide it. He placed the restaurant bill holder on the table after he took Dark 's empty plates. I placed Dark 's credit card inside. He came back to pick up the holder.

"Did ya need anything else?" he asked. His country accent was a real turn on.

"No, I'm fine thank you..."

"Jackup," he filled in for me.

"Well thanks Jackup," I smiled.

"No problem.." he looked at me waiting to hear my name.

"Josephine."

"That's a pretty name for a girl like you," I couldn't help but blush.

"Thanks, so I take it you work here?"

"Sure do, I help my ma here at the diner,"

"That's really sweet." It was his turn to blush. His misty blue eyes averted my gaze looking out the window.

"You wouldn't mind telling me where I am, would you?" I asked knowing I could get an answer from him. He was so close to telling me, but of course Dark arrived and interrupted. He seemed amused by my question. Later when he gave me my purse I remembered his light brown hair flowing with the wind and how there was something mysterious about his eyes...as if he were hiding a secret.

I subconsciously put the rose to my lips inhaling its sweet scent.

"Josephine!"

"Hmm..?" I turned to look towards Dark 's direction.

"Are you daydreaming?"

"I was daydreaming until you interrupted me."

"Daydreaming about him?"

"Maybe," I smiled.

He growled. I could almost picture him clutching the steering wheel.

"Are we almost home?" I couldn't help but ask. My butt was already hurting from all the sitting.

"Almost," he said, irritated.

"How much longer?"

"About 30 minutes,"

I groaned, "Thank God."

"So about the conversation with my father.."

"What about it?"

"Why did he want to talk to you about your behavior?" he questioned.

"He didn't like that I was with your best friend." I felt the car begin to speed. "Which I clarified for the hundredth time that I was not with Aaron, but you know your father. He's a very prideful man."

The rest of the way we rode in silence. I felt the car stop and happily removed my sunglasses. I sighed, relieved to be home and away from the madness. I walked inside our giant home with Dark following close behind with the luggage. I carried the rose into the kitchen looking for a vase to put it in. As I was looking through the counters I noticed the clock on the stove read 9:34 pm. Had it really taken us that long? Well we had stopped for lunch. No wonder Yusi wasn't around either. She must have gone to bed.

I finally found a beautiful crystal vase on the top counter. I turned around to go fill up with water but was startled to find Dark leaning against the counter with his arms against his chest smirking as usual.

I clutched the rose and vase to my chest and smacked his arm with my free hand.

"You scared the crap out of me!"

I walked around him to get to the sink. I turned on the water filling it up half way. I put the rose in admiring it's beauty. I turned around again this time to find Dark frowning.

"What?"

"You're keeping the rose," he stated.

"It was a gift,"

"How many guys do you seduce?" he accused with his eyes narrowed.

I couldn't take anymore of his comments and accusations. I slapped him leaving him with a shocked expression. I was so frustrated and angry tears flowed freely down my face.

"I'm sick and tired of you accusing me of having a lover or seducing guys! You said this was only a business arrangement, so why would you care if I did anyway!"

I walked away angrily, but he grabbed my arm pulling me back to face him.

"How Dark I trust you?!" he yelled.

"I would never sleep with a guy Dark ! I don't trust guys!" I dropped my vase furious, "I was starting to trust you, but I lost that trust when I discovered you kissing Shine! I don't trust you anymore, I don't trust anyone since..."

"Since what?"

"I was sexually assaulted," I whispered, backing away and running for the safety of my room.

Dark 's POV

She had actually admitted it. I hadn't meant to get it out of her, but she had said it. I was frozen in my spot looking at the broken shards of glass and the rose lying on the floor. I sighed mentally scolding myself. I picked up the broken pieces of glass retrieving the broom and pan to pick up the smaller pieces. I picked up the rose and put it in another vase. I filled it up with water and walked to Josephine's room.

I knocked hearing from the other side, "Go away Dark ."

I ignored her command, opening the door with the spare key I always kept in my pocket. I walked in quietly noticing how her body kept rising and falling from her sobs. As she heard the door close she sat up cleaning the tears with her sleeve.àaa

"Did you not hear me?! I want to be alone!" her red and swollen eyes pleaded with me. Now was not a good time to talk. I placed the rose on her nightstand and gave her one last glance. This time I caught sight of a giant bruise on her cheek. I couldn't help but sit on her bed running my finger across her cheek.

"What happened?"

It took her a moment to realize what I was talking about, but she soon stammered, "I-I ran into the wall."

I knew that was a lie, and pretty lame one too. I tried to keep my self calm.

"Josephine, we both know clumsy, but you're not that clumsy. Tell me the truth."

She looked down at her hands in her lap before replying.

"It was your father." She looked up to see my reaction. I of course was pissed off! How could my father do this?! I stood up burning with anger. I paced the room back and forth.

"Why did he hit you?!"

She winced at my tone.

"I insulted him,"

"That bastard is going to listen to me!"

Before I could leave the room Josephine's arms hugged me around the waist from behind preventing me from going any further.

"Dark , don't" she said in a soft tone obviously trying to soothe my anger, "it really was my fault."

I whirled around grabbing her arms, "Josephine don't try and take the blame."

"But it's the truth. I insulted him by saying he was a terrible father that didn't even mourn the loss of his son. I shouldn't have said it."She looked down. I coaxed her chin up to look at me.