CHAPTER FOUR
1071 Words
A few weeks later, I tried applying for jobs, but once they saw my name, they immediately rejected me.
After several rejections, I decided to ask the manager of one of the companies I applied to. “I’m qualified, aren’t I?” I asked, hoping he would be honest.
He sighed deeply. “You’re more than qualified,” he said. “But you’ve been blacklisted.”
My heart felt hollow. “By whom?”
He hesitated. “Kris Kels, the CEO of WILK.”
The name hit me hard. I remembered the waitress at the café saying it. So… he’s Kris Kels—the CEO of WILK Corporation. I had taken him for granted. He had such great influence.
My eyes widened in shock. How can someone be so wicked? I thought. He wants me to apologize, but I won’t.
When I got home, I pushed the door open and froze. My mother, Emily, was lying on the floor.
I quickly rushed her to the hospital. But when I wrote my name at the reception, the receptionist’s expression changed.
“We don’t treat anyone with the name Cherry Williams,” she said coldly.
Immediately, I knew it had to be Kris.
“Why?” I demanded, panic rising in my voice.
They refused to answer, but when they saw my mother’s condition worsen, they finally allowed her in after receiving an order from Kris. Yet they made one condition—I wouldn’t be allowed to see her, even after the treatment.
Tears burned my eyes. What choice do I have? I thought. If I don’t do something, I might lose her.
I ran outside, hailed a cab, and went straight to his company. Fortunately, as I arrived, he was coming out, surrounded by his bodyguards.
I rushed toward him and fell to my knees, swallowing my pride. “Please,” I begged. “I can’t bear to lose my mother.”
He looked down at me coldly.
“I thought you were almighty,” he said. “Well, I don’t need your apology. Instead, I have an offer for you.”
I looked up, trembling.
“Marry me,” he said, his voice low and firm, “or you won’t see your mother after treatment.”
My lips parted, but no sound came. Marriage? The word didn’t even make sense.
His cold smile deepened. “You have twenty-four hours to decide.”
The ground beneath me seemed to vanish.
The word marriage felt like a curse. Every time it passed my lips, invisible chains seemed to tighten around me. My chest ached, and my breath caught as I looked at him.
“I’m sorry, sir… is there no other way?” My voice trembled. My palms were clammy, and I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Why would someone want to marry a stranger out of nowhere?
“No,” he said, turning away. “When you’re ready, talk to me.”
He tossed a business card at me like I was nothing more than a transaction.
A cold dread settled in my stomach, heavy and unshakable. If I were ever to marry, would it really be to this devil, this jerk? But then I thought of my mother,frail and sick,and the thought burned through my pride. I had no choice.
Seeing him about to enter his car, I ran after him, breathless. “I… I agree. Yes. I’ll marry you.”
“As it should be.” His calm tone sliced through my anger like a blade. Then his next words froze my blood.
“One year. You’ll live with me.”
A year? Living with him? My mind spun. “No! Never!” I shouted, my voice cracking with panic.
“That’s on you,” he said coldly. “You need this more than I do.”
I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “Yes… I agree,” I managed.
He studied me, his lips curling. “You act all mighty, but you’re nothing more than a helpless chicken.”
“I’ll have the marriage contract delivered,” he added, his voice low, deliberate, and cruel.
Anger surged through me, heating my face. My fists clenched, but all I could do was mutter a curse under my breath as he entered his car.
“Desperate b***h,” he sneered before driving off. The insult stung sharper than I expected, echoing long after he was gone.
CHERRY’S POV
It took me days to convince my mother. Who in their right mind would let their daughter marry and live with a stranger?
I sat on the couch, nibbling nervously on a biscuit, when Kris’s voice cut through the silence.
“I guess snacks aren’t common where you come from.”
My jaw tightened. “You must have left your manners where you came from.”I fired back.
“You’re feisty,” he said with a smirk. “But why didn’t you use that energy on your ex-husband? You acted like a fool for him.”
The words hit like a slap. Memories I had buried clawed their way up, and heat surged behind my eyes.
“That’s in the past,” I said, standing my ground even as my hands trembled.
“Why would it be in the past when you’re answering, Mrs. Kris? Don’t you know what an honor this is?” he mocked.
“Excuse me? Who asked for a marriage contract? Do you think I’d willingly marry an uncultured jerk like you?”
He said nothing.
“Oh, your tongue’s tied now?” I shot back.
“You think I don’t know you married me just to make your mother think you’re not gay?” I continued.
My heart skipped. “Why me, of all people? Why did you choose me?” I demanded, storming upstairs, my pulse hammering.
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KRIS’S POV
She stormed upstairs like wildfire. Did I really marry the devil’s child? For the first time, I was speechless.
“Get ready. In an hour, we’ll attend a banquet together,” I called out.
“What? You didn
’t tell me! How am I supposed to get ready in an hour?” she snapped. “Why are you hell-bent on frustrating me?”
Just a year… for your mom, I reminded mys
elf, fighting the urge to explode.
“Your makeup artist and designer will be here soon,” I said, walking away.
- Writer
