To Love or To Hate you

Chapter 2

Vanessa’s POV

I collapse to the floor, uncontrollable tears falling from my eyes. I try to get it together, but the ache in my chest is so sharp it feels like my heart is splintering. Every inhale burns.

My vision is blurry, but I see Adrian in front of me. He stands over me—tall and still—like a shadow sent to claim my soul. His large arm stretches out to me. I’m probably hallucinating. Why would he stretch his hands out to me?

He hates me, just like everyone else in my life does.

“Take my hand.”

He’s actually there. I don’t know how to feel—taking the hand of someone who bought me like I was some commodity.

“No.”

I get up on my own. “I’m not a thing. I don’t deserve this.” I sniff loudly and wipe my eyes with the back of my hands.

It’s the first time in years I didn’t obey. I had to stand up for myself.

Adrian doesn’t say a word. He just watches me with some sort of curiosity, his eyes sparking with amusement.

“I—I don’t care anymore. I’m not going to do what you want.”

My fingers are fisted at my sides, trembling. “I’m not going to be your slave.” The sentence I’ve been holding in for so long finally spills out.

It feels like I’ve just lifted a huge weight off my chest. It feels good.

A small smile forms on his lips, but it disappears quickly. He tilts his head slightly to the right.

“Who said you were going to be my slave?” he asks.

“Then why did you pay for me?” I whisper, my voice trembling again.

He pockets his hands, and his eyes darken. “To be my wife.” His voice is stern.

Warmth rushes through my body, and something erupts in my stomach.

“You’ve not even met me before.”

He steps closer and settles his hand on my waist, drawing me into him. My body betrays me—every nerve ignites under his touch. I feel a slight ache in my core. I want to pull away from his grasp, but I can’t help but settle into his warm scent. Wood and spice fill my lungs.

“Oh darling, I’ve watched you. I know your name. I know what you eat, what you like, what you despise, how you dress, and everyone who has hurt you.”

I feel safe for a moment in his arms, but I remember—this man bought me. I shouldn’t be excited. Yet, I feel a small flicker of hope light up in my chest.

He releases me.

“Get some sleep. We’re leaving tomorrow.”

“Leaving? Where?” I question.

“London.” He pauses, like he’s trying not to say the next sentence. “Your new house.”

I hate how this man gives me hope and takes it back at will. London is a new place, a new world entirely for me.

“You’ll live with me in London,” he says before turning and walking out of the room.

***

By the time morning comes, I’m ready for the trip to London. I hardly slept the night before. I didn’t pack anything since my bags were still untouched.

I sit on the bed, legs clasped together—waiting. I roll the wedding band on my finger, nervous.

I don’t know what to expect at this point. I’ll just have to deal with whatever life brings me.

The door slides open and Adrian strides in. The morning sun gleams on his face, and for the first time, I notice his features—his long lashes, the sharp curve of his jaw, and his full lips. He’s wearing a plain black shirt that clings to his hard muscles and navy-blue pants.

“Are you coming, or do you want to stare all day?” A smile tugs on his lips.

I snap out of my reverie, and my cheeks burn crimson. “Good morning.”

“Come on.” He tilts his head toward the door.

When I don’t move, he sighs. “You’ll have breakfast on the jet.”

“No… not that. I—I mean my things. I have to move them first.”

“Don’t worry about them, Vanessa.” He says my name with such precision.

My traitorous body reacts.

“Alright.”

***

The hum of the jet’s engine quickens my pulse, each vibration feeding the dread twisting inside me. Adrian sits opposite me, strapped into his seat and focused on the iPad in his hands.

When the jet takes off, the air shortens. Everywhere feels tight, and I can’t breathe. My head begins to feel light until I hear a voice.

“Vanessa.”

I try to focus, but I can’t.

“Breathe, Vanessa. In through your nose and out through your mouth.”

I take his advice and breathe.

“That’s it. Slowly.”

When I finally calm down, tears sting my eyes. I’m trying to live better, to stand up for myself, but I’m weak. My mind is weak—my body too.

“Look at me. Hey—” he says.

“I didn’t mean to—it’s my first time on a plane,” I whisper, averting my eyes from his.

“You’re human. You don’t have to be perfect,” he says.

And for the first time, I don’t feel the need to put on the perfect smile or live up to an expectation.

I manage a smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. The rest of the flight to London is silent until sleep claims me.

Someone taps me, pulling me out of the soft fog of sleep.

“You need to buckle up as we prepare for landing, ma’am,” the pretty lady says, grinning widely.

“Thank you.”

I sit up and notice a blanket over me. How did this get here? I don’t remember asking for one.

One name comes to mind—Adrian.

My stomach flutters, even though I don’t want to feel that way.

I glance up to where he’s sitting. He’s still on his iPad. Doesn’t he rest?

“Thank you.” My voice is low but loud enough for him to hear.

He doesn’t acknowledge it.

“Do you ever stop working?” I ask him.

He still doesn’t look up or answer me.

“Okay—cool.”

His expression is cold. My stomach twists—part fear, part fascination. I can’t look away. He’s terrifying, but I don’t know why I want to be near him.

The jet jerks sharply to the side. The air hostess stumbles, and I’m only safe because I was already strapped in.

“Adrian, what’s happening?”

A dark shape glides through the fog—another aircraft. It’s too close, making my pulse hammer.

Adrian stares outside the window, then comes to sit beside me. His expression is ice.

“Who is that?” I whisper.

“Someone who shouldn’t know we’re coming.”

I freeze. “What does that mean?”

He leans into me, his blue eyes locked on mine.

“You’re not the only one who was bought, darling. Someone else paid a price for you.”

My stomach drops. Before I can ask what he means, the pilot’s voice cuts through the intercom.

“Sir, we’ve got a tail.”

Adrian reaches for something under his seat. The metallic click makes my blood run cold.

I look at him, trembling. “What are you doing?”

He meets my eyes with unnerving calm.

“Protecting what’s mine.”