Chapter 3: Brutal Surprise
1105 Words
Celine's POV
Broke and jobless and about to be auctioned.
That is my freaking life in a sentence! And sadly, there is nothing I can do about it.
Yesterday, I thought about eloping, but I'm short on funds and now, a job.
The experience from last night replays vividly in my head. I cover my face in my palms, suddenly ashamed of myself. It's a good thing I'm fired, cause I doubt I will be able to face him when the weekend is finally over.
His warm breath on my skin, gentle strokes all over my body, his brutal thrusts...
My head slightly rocks backward, and blood pools beneath my skin, causing me to blow hot in want of his touch even though I'm still sore from the reckless ride. I had soaked myself in a cold tub last night, the caress of the icy water soothing my bruised skin.
"Celine?" My mum calls from downstairs.
I sprawl lazily on the bed, too tired to get up. When she calls again, I'm forced to wrap my naked frame in a robe and carefully walk downstairs.
The atmosphere is consumed by the sweet aroma of freshly baked confections and brewing coffee. It isn't a prank after all.
Today is Saturday, the proposed day my father informed me of the arrival of my suitor. I turn to go back upstairs, not in for this show.
"You should join me in the kitchen." My mum stops me from advancing, as she sets another bowl on the already filled table.
"We have too much already." I point out. "Not like they won't claim their debt after all of these shenanigans..."
"Don't you ever talk down on my effort." She scolds me.
"I'm sorry mum, but that's the truth... I'm literally marrying a shark." I shrug. "I have to go, I can't be a party to this." I start ascending the stairs.
"Then you have enough time to look dashing." She yells after me.
"Whatever." I disappear, not planning on looking my best at the very least. If there's a look I want to pull, it's the dejected beggar on the street look.
I curl up in bed like a child, sobbing silently till I fall asleep. Last night, I wasn't able to get a good night's rest, thinking of my time with my ex-boss and my life in general.
"Celine!" My mother's yelling has me shooting up on the bed. "Why ain't you dressed?!"
I let out a soft sigh and was about to go back to sleep when she pulled me up.
"Argh!" I groan as she drags my injured leg out of bed.
Reluctantly and not wanting to lose a limb, I let her have her way. She pushes me into the bathroom and switches on the shower, drenching me and my robe.
"I can bathe myself," I say, demanding some privacy.
"You should have thought about that when you decided to embarrass yourself!" She sighs.
After a lengthy back and forth, she allows me to tidy up, leaving me alone with my soaked robe.
"Hurry up, they are on their way!" She bangs on the bathroom door.
I step out long minutes later, dripping wet. Taking my towel, I dab my skin dry.
"You're wearing this." She sets a blue floral sundress on the bed.
"I can't say no, can I?" I grunt.
"Nope, not a chance." She pulls out a black pair of sandals. "And this." She gently throws it beside me.
She sits me down and styles my hair, before dragging me downstairs, side by side with her.
We arrive right in time to meet the guests; an elderly man, with a neatly groomed spotless white beard, he's holding a cane in one hand and a cigar in the other... Simply put, he's an actual representative of the old money. Beside him, is his younger version, also looking good. He must be the Donna, the silly man who proposed the idea, too stingy to let a dime go.
Even though I hate him, I can't deny the fact that he looks smart and smells stinkingly rich. And undeniably too, my supposed groom is looking drop-dead gorgeous.
"Mr. Donovan," My father greets him, bubbly. "Thanks for honoring my invite."
"It's my pleasure." He responds. "Is this Celine, the bride?"
"Yeah, that's my daughter." My father points out and my mother drags me to meet them.
"Hmm..." He looks at me with scrutiny and my mother makes me twirl. "Okay, she's a good fit." He drags on his cigar and puffs
"I told you." My mother beams.
"This is Kelvin, your groom." Mr. Donovan introduces, not even pointing at Kelvin. They clearly care less about this suicidal mission.
I don't say anything, rather I glare at Kelvin, waiting for him to be the gentleman that he is not.
"We've made special arrangements for you." My mum chips in, breaking the icy silence.
"You've made," I grumble.
"Ignore her." She waves me off. "This way, please." She leads the way to the dining table and they all get comfortable.
We eat in utter silence, the only noise is me aggressively hitting my cutlery on the ceramic bowl.
"Celine." My mother groans to my hearing, stepping on my foot to stop me from acting out.
I bite down on my lower lip, fighting a cry about to erupt from my throat.
The door opens and I don't bother looking at who just came in. For all I care, they can invite a multitude.
"Pardon me for coming late." An oddly familiar voice says as his steps get closer, so does his cologne makes me nostalgic.
Right now, he's standing beside Mr. Donovan, causing me to almost choke on my food as I swiftly gulp down water from the glass beside my dish.
Mr. Jayden... My boss?! What the heck is going on here?
"What are you doing here?" I stand to my feet, still livid from this whole arrangement.
"I'm Kelvin's twin brother." He says bluntly and settles in a chair.
It feels like time froze as I stare at the trio with dropped jaws.
I seduced and banged my boss, the brother of my supposed groom, and worst still cheaply gave him my virginity?!
"Do you know each other?" Mr. Donovan inquires keenly, sensing my agitated state.
"Ye..."
"No!" I itch my neckline. "Yes, on paper... He's a great businessman." I stutter, almost melting away like a popsicle on standby. "No, in real life."
His once cool amber-green eyes are dark and consumed with hate and betrayal.
Oh s**t! I'm doomed. Dear Lord, please make him dumb.
- Writer
