Billionaire's Forced Love

Chapter 4

“Maya, I totally understand what you want for your book. I am working on your book cover. Once I complete it, I’ll mail you the sample copy. And the rest of the illustrations are ready. Here, see this folder, these are the samples in standard definition print quality. If you give thumbs up to these, I’ll have these printed in HD.” Kara handed the folder of the illustration to Ms. Maya Simone, one of the best child literature authors. Maya Simone hired Kara as an illustrator for her latest book.

“Well, Kara these are amazing, I love the color scheme you chose for the background. Rainbows are quite popular among children regardless their gender,” Maya said with a chuckle.

“You’re right Maya, for this book I hadn’t need to do any research. The stories are amazing and I knew right away that what kind of illustrations were needed for this book.” Kara was relieved that Maya liked her work, and her illustrations were going to be published, for the first time.

When William was alive, he never used her work for any real publication. She was just an intern and he preferred to work with professional artists, and Kara’s work was not of some professional standard, so he never used her illustrations rather he would use her drafts as a guide for his professionals’ team to copy her work.

She pushed aside these memories as this was no time and place to remember those times.

Both Kara and Maya turned to see when they heard some noises outside their office. The door to her office opened with full force and there stood the last man she wanted to see that time.

Jasper had a scowl on his face, and behind him was Kara’s assistant Caroline with flushed and angry face.

“I’m sorry Kara, I tried to stop him but he didn’t listen.”

“It’s ok Caroline; I’ll handle this. Thank you.”

“We need to talk, now.” Jasper looked in her direction with determination in his eyes.

“Mr. Black, I am in meeting now. You have to wait outside.” She replied emphasizing the word outside.

Upon hearing this, Jasper’s expressions darkened. He was not used to taking orders. Before he could say something Maya spoke, “It’s okay Kara. Our meeting was over anyways. I have another appointment. I’ll see you soon. Hello, Mr. Jasper Black. It’s nice meeting you again.”

“Hi, Ms. Simone.” Jasper greeted her.

“You both know each other?”

“Oh yes, I’m his client. His law firm takes care of my publishing contracts and other legal stuff,” she waved her hand as if it was not a big deal.

“Oh… I had no idea.” Kara replied surprised.

“Bye Maya, have a nice weekend.”

“You too,” Maya left the office.

“How dare you to embarrass me in front of my clients. Out of all people, you should have known how to be professional when you visit someone in office,” Kara seethed angerly at Jasper.

He ignored her and went to sit on one of the chairs.

Suddenly, Kara felt nauseated and little dizzy. She rushed to the bathroom and emptied her stomach in the toilet.

Jasper was there in an instant, holding her hair and rubbing her back to calm her down.

A sweat broke on her head, she never felt this violent force in her body before. Seemed like her morning sickness had started. She put hand a hand on her belly, trying to feel the little life growing inside her. Tears formed in her eyes.

Just then, Jasper took one of the towels and turned her face around him, he wiper her mouth and then her forehead. She became aware that he was cleaning her up instead of being disgusted with her. His actions were unsettling her as conflicted thoughts were running in her mind.

Kara shook her head and pushed her thoughts away. She couldn’t have another round of her vomit session, especially in front of Jasper.

He made her stand and she cleaned her mouth with water, and brushed her teeth with the toothbrush which she stored in the drawer for emergency. This whole time, Jasper was there, standing so close to her. His hands on her waist, giving her the strength to stand.

“You feel okay now?” She nodded in response.

She stepped aside and went out of the bathroom leaving Jasper behind.

“Why are you here?” Kara was feeling uncomfortable in her own office because of the man sitting across her.

“Well, I am here because of my mother who is apparently talking my ear off about this wedding and –” he didn’t complete his sentence.

“Anyway, I’m here to take you for ring shopping, but know I think it is a bad idea.” He muttered under his breath, but Kara heard him anyway.

Mention of engagement ring reminded her of her dream. In that moment, she almost believed that her dream was going to be true.

She was losing her mind!

Kara straightened in her chair before tilting her chin in defiance, she was ready for the war.

Jasper noticed the change in her demeanor, he knew that she was ready to put up a fight. But for what? He wasn’t sure.

“You don’t have to give me a ring since this marriage is nothing more than a compromise. Besides, I don’t want to wear any man’s ring, let alone you.” Her words were full of venom.

Jasper’s eyes darkened instantly upon hearing her tone. He stood up so suddenly that his actions made her flinch.

Color from her face drained and she fisted her hand so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She struggled to control her breath.

This fearful reaction shocked Jasper, he remained rooted to his place because he was not sure that how she would behave if he stepped closer. She was at the verge of a panic attack. A nagging feeling in his heart wanted to step closer and comfort her, but he was not that kind of man.

In his profession, he had seen many heart wrenching moments which helped to put up walls around his feelings. And he was not going to change for his soon to be bride.

Still, Jasper kept looking at her, trying to read something from her face. He wanted to know the reason behind her fear, and he was sure it had nothing to do with him.

He mentally scowled at himself for feeling sympathy for her because she meant nothing to him.

Few minutes passed, and Kara started to feel like herself again. She became aware of her surroundings. When she saw him standing near her desk, embarrassment washed over her. She was embarrassed because Jasper saw her vulnerable self, and she blamed herself only.

“Be ready for the ring shopping in the evening.”

“Why don’t you understand, Jasper? There is no need for the ring.”

“Okay, I understand. However, I’m doing this to please my mom only. Nothing else.”

“Then I think you can chose whatever ring you want, and give that to me. There is no need to choose the ring.”

“Very well. If you don’t want to go for the shopping, that is fine with me. But you are going to choose the ring. I’ll make sure of that.”

He stood up and left her office.

Kara exhaled a long breath. Tears brimmed in her eyes and her fingers went to her left hand ring finger. She traced the flesh where she wore William’s ring just a month ago.

Blinking back tears, she shook her head and tried to shove away all the thoughts from her mind. She had a lot of work to complete.

Half-heartedly she picked up her pencil and started working on the illustrations, but her mind was not at ease. The dream before night was replaying her mind over and over.

She almost gave in when Jasper asked her to for the shopping. She wanted to know if her dream would come true. For one brief moment, she wanted to chose her engagement ring. She never got a chance before because William bought the ring himself.

This is insane. This marriage is nothing. Don’t expect anything Kara. Otherwise, you’ll get hurt, again. Her mind warned her.

It was just noon, and she felt exhausted. She packed her stuff and went home since her mind was not able to concentrate on anything.

“Kara, are you alright?” someone shook her.

She groaned in response.

“Hey, why are you home at this time. Didn’t you go to the office?”

Kara opened her eyes and saw Amelia hovering over her. She looked at her surroundings. She was in her bedroom, asleep.

She got up while rubbing her forehead.

“You’re home. Thank God. You are fine.”

“Yeah, I was so worried when you didn’t call me at four.” She came closer her sister and hugged her tightly.

“What time is this?” she asked Amelia.

“It’s almost 5 in the evening. Now tell me, what is wrong?”

“Um.. nothing is wrong. I wasn’t feeling well, so I came home early.”

“Not well? Exactly what?”

“Uhmm.. dizziness and nausea.”

“You are showing morning sickness Kara. You need to be more careful now.” Amelia spoke in worried and excited tone.

“How do you know so much?” she narrowed her eyes at her sister.

“The Internet, duh.” She waved her hand in amusement.

“Did you eat anything?” Amelia asked.

“No, and I’m actually feeling hungry.”

“Okay, you go and freshen up. I bring something to eat.”

She went to bathroom. When she looked at her reflection, her eyes stung with tears. She felt lonely, she wanted someone in her life to share her pain, her worries. She wanted someone to lean on. However, she was happy that she had Amelia, but deep down she didn’t want to worry her sister with her problems.

After Jasper’s visit, she couldn’t help but wonder about the wedding. She desperately hoped for a hope, a hope for a normal life. And suddenly, William’s memories crowded her mind. She felt like a cheap w***e who went from man to another, especially when her fiancé is dead.

Sighing, she washed her face.

“Kara, are you done? Your phone is ringing. Why did you put it on silence?”

She existed the bathroom and went to bed to pick her phone.

The number wasn’t in her contact list, and she lingered there for a second before answering the call.

“”Where were you? I have been calling for the last 10 minutes,” an angry voice greeted her.

She furrowed her brows, tried to recognize the voice.

“And who are you? How dare you speak to me like this.”

“Oh! Now you don’t recognize the voice of your soon-to-be husband.”

She gasped loudly, “Jasper, it is you?”

“Is there anyone else who you are going to marry.” He mocked in his not so serious tone, but his remark made Kara little guilty.

She went silent, and Jasper cursed inaudibly on the other side of the line. Amelia was watching whole scene with huge grin on her face, and when Kara caught her eye she looked away smilingly.

“How did you get my number?”

“Come on Kara. You are my fiancée and I think it is absolutely fine to have your fiancée’s number.”

“But I don’t have yours.” She spoke without thinking before wincing on her words. She sounded like a real fiancée. She shook her head, and steeled herself. She needed to be strong to deal with this man, the man who was a lawyer, who knew how to manipulate people. It was in his blood.

“So you think I’m your fiancé.” He made a statement.

“No, not at all. And could you please tell me, why did you call me?”

“Check your massages and reply back.” Saying this he hung the phone.

How rude! Bipolar much.

She glared at phone as if this device would magically teleport her to Jasper, so that she could kill him.

She huffed and opened the messages.

There were pictures. Pictures of rings.

He sent her the photos of the rings. Her legs trembled, and Amelia was there in an instant. She helped her to sit on bed.

She took her phone and checked the reason for her sister’s startled expressions.

“Wow! These rings are so beautiful.” She said in dreamy voice. “He really did put effort in this. Kara you need to give this man a chance.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Amelia. It won’t happen. There is no future in this marriage.”

Amelia put the phone down and sit on bed Indian style. She cupped her sister’s face in her hands.

“Don’t be hard on yourself. Please promise me that you won’t let past control you if something happens in future. You need to take care of you child as well, Kara. How would you do that if you worried so much about little changes in your life. And –”

“Amelia, stop sayi—”

“No, let me finish. You need to accept your future, and this future from my point of view isn’t dark or sad. You’ll find peace and happiness eventually, but you need to let go some things, especially your insecurities.

“Now you can say anything.” Amelia stood and carried the try with fruits, sandwiches and milk to Kara, and sat beside her.

Kara picked a sandwich as she was feeling extremely hungry since she didn’t eat whole day except the breakfast which she vomited.

“Amelia, it feels bad. It feels as if I’m betraying William. I was supposed to marry him not his brother. I am afraid that people will point fingers on my character since I’m pregnant with William’s child but marrying his brother.”

“Do you hear yourself. You words have no logic. William is not here, and yes, you’re pregnant. And marrying Jasper has nothing to do with your character. People talk Kara. Let them. You can’t control anyone’s mouth.”

“You seriously astonish me sometimes. It is hard to believe that you’re just 12 but you sound like my big sister.”

“Oh, I will be big sister if need to be to keep your mind away from irrelevant things. Besides, school teaches you so much.” She winked at her sister.

“I think I should complete my homework. And you should complete yours,” she said pointing her finger towards her phone. “and if you need any help, you know where to find me.” She winked at her sister before exiting the room.