Beauty Reborn

Chapter5

~Joanna

We arrived at Lanre's apartment, the door slamming shut behind us. I looked around, my heart sinking in my chest.

Lanre stalked across the room, kicking off his shoes and unbuttoning his shirt. "Yeah, I know what you were expecting," he said, his voice cold and sharp. "Some kind of palace, right? Well, let me tell you something, Joanna. My father's company was stolen from me, and now I'm just a working class schmuck, trying to get it back."

He loosened his tie, his eyes fixed on me, his expression hard and uncompromising. "So if you were expecting some kind of fairy tale, you're out of luck.

I looked at him, my heart breaking. He didn't even have the decency to apologize, to acknowledge how he had humiliated me in front of our guests.

I sank onto the bed, my body shaking with sobs.

Lanre scoffed, his eyes hard and mocking. "You think I actually cared about you?" he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Please. You're just a means to an end, a way to get back at my enemies. And that body of yours? God, it's a joke. You must have been delusional if you thought for a second that I had an ounce of liking for you."

He laughed, a sharp, cruel sound that cut through the air. "You're just a fat, pathetic excuse for a wife.

"Now," he continued, his voice cold and authoritative. "You're going to do exactly what I say, when I say it. You're going to cook my meals, clean my house, and keep your mouth shut. And if I hear one word of complaint, one peep of dissent, I'll make sure you regret it."

His eyes glinted with malice, his face twisted into a sneer. "You married me, Joanna. You made your bed. Now lie in it."

I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest.

Lanre stepped closer, his face inches from mine. "You know why I married you, don't you?" he said, his voice a low, menacing growl. "Your father killed my father. He helped my uncle steal my family's company. And now, you're going to make things right."

I tried to pull away, but he grabbed me by the throat, his fingers digging into my skin.

"You're going to help me get back what's mine," he hissed, his eyes glinting with rage.

"My uncle sold the company," I said, my voice trembling. "It's not ours anymore."

Lanre's grip tightened, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "What do you mean, 'not ours'?" he growled. "You're lying."

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "I'm not," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "Uncle Sam sold it. He used the money to clear off all the debts my father owed when he was alive."

Lanre's face contorted with rage, his grip tightening even more.

Lanre released his grip, his face twisted with frustration. "Useless," he spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "Why did I even agree to marry you?"

He shoved me roughly onto the bed, his face contorted with fury. "You're worthless," he growled. "You're good for nothing. You were supposed to be my ticket to success, but you're just a useless, fat blob."

He turned on his heel and stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. I heard him drive off in his car.

I curled up on the bed, my body shaking with sobs.

For hours, I lay on the bed, my mind a whirlwind of pain and confusion. I couldn't believe what had happened, what I had become. A hated housewife, a tool in a twisted, bitter plan.

I thought of Adrian, of the way he had looked at me at the wedding. There had been a spark of something there, a glimmer of something more. But now, it was gone, destroyed by this stupid arranged marriage. I shouldn't have listened to my uncle.

As the night wore on, the sobs turned to dry, wracking gasps.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting me out of my thoughts. I reached for it, my fingers shaking as I swiped to answer.

"Joanna?" It was Pamela. "Are you okay? I heard what happened."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "I'm fine," I said, my voice small and tremulous. "It's just been a difficult day."

"Do you need us to come over?" Sandra chimed in, her voice warm and concerned.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. But then, I found myself rejecting their offer. "No, don't bother," I said, my voice firm. "I'm a married woman now, a lot has changed. I'm going to go outside, get some fresh air. It'll help me clear my head."

Pamela and Sandra protested, but I stood firm. "Thank you," I said, my voice steady. "But I need some time alone right now."

I hung up the phone and made my way downstairs, stepping out into the cool night air. The stars were bright and clear, the breeze gentle and soothing. I closed my eyes, letting the air wash over me, the pain and confusion starting to ebb away.

I stood outside for several moments, my eyes closed, my mind a tumult of emotions. And then, suddenly, I felt a pair of arms wrap around me, strong and warm.

"Joanna," a voice whispered in my ear, the sound sending a shiver down my spine.

I whirled around, my heart pounding in my chest. It was Adrian, his eyes filled with concern, his face etched with worry.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice shaky.

"I came to drop off Lanre's suit," Adrian said, holding up a garment bag. "He left it at the reception."

I nodded, unable to look away from his face, his eyes. "Thank you," I whispered, my heart fluttering in my chest.

Adrian's gaze lingered on mine, his eyes searching mine. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft and low.

I nodded, but my voice caught in my throat. There was something between us, a spark, a current of energy.

Adrian leaned in closer, his breath warm against my skin. "Joanna," he whispered, his voice a low, seductive murmur. "How can I survive without you in my life?"

I took a step back, my heart racing. "Adrian," I said, my voice shaking. "We can't do this. I'm married now."

Adrian's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with hurt. "Why didn't you wait for me, didn't you see the note I left on the nightstand?" he asked, his voice trembling. "I would have come for you."

I looked away, tears prickling at my eyes.

The silence between us was electric, charged with unspoken emotions, with desires left unfulfilled. I could feel the tension building, the air thick with longing.

And then, without warning, Adrian pulled me to him, his lips crashing against mine. It was like a dam breaking, a flood of passion and need.

I kissed him back, my hands winding around his neck, our bodies pressed together in a desperate embrace. The world fell away, leaving only us, only our desire.

Adrian's lips brushing softly against mine. But then the pressure increased, his hands cupping my face, his tongue seeking mine.

I felt a jolt of desire surge through me, my body melting into his. I moaned into the kiss, my hands tangling in his hair.

Adrian's hands moved down my back, pulling me closer. His body pressed against mine, his heart beating against my chest. We kissed feverishly, our mouths devouring each other.

As the kiss intensified, Adrian walked me backwards, our lips still locked. My back hit the balcony railing, the cold metal a stark contrast to the heat of our bodies.

Adrian lifted me effortlessly, setting me on the railing. I wrapped my legs around his waist, his hands sliding up my thighs.

We kissed like we were starving, like we couldn't get enough of each other. The sound of our panting breaths, the taste of his lips, the heat of his body - it was all consuming, all-encompassing.

In the midst of our passionate embrace, we both heard footsteps. The sound of shoes on the wooden floor, approaching the balcony.

Adrian froze, his body stiffening against mine. I could feel the panic coursing through him, the fear that we had been caught.

"Lanre?" I whispered, my heart pounding.

Adrian's eyes were wide, his expression full of terror. He quickly unwrapped my legs from around his waist, helping me down from the railing. We stood, frozen, waiting for the footsteps to approach.