The Unexpected Marriage Deal

Chapter 6

LAURA

Nothing possible was running through my mind, and the best I could just do is to stare at the heavens, hoping the anonymous caller holding my mother hostage would give me an answer.

At least, I wanted to know if she's still alive. My nerves frayed, merely thinking if he'd have killed her. Did he also saw the photos of I and Eric Sloan?

Pains bored into me as I glanced at the ring on my finger. I couldn't even bring myself to tell Rena of my atrocity. I was a coward, a total one. This wasn't my intentions to do but, however, I'll carry them so far it makes them not to touch my mother.

I trod to my system, bracing up again to look into the blog. Whatever it is, I'm ready to face them. To face, Eric Sloan.

#SHE'S SUCH A CHEAP THING

#WHO ACCUSES A FAMOUS PERSON AS A GAY AND GET ENGAGED TO HIM OVERNIGHT??

#LAURA KARMA IS A BITÇH!

My eyes twitched as my heart constricted, my hands moving on the keys smartly and swiftly. I had to make the engagement look real. Enough of Eric Sloan's problem.

As I typed, my phone buzzed beside me, and I picked it up at once to see a message from the anonymous. He texted! My lips formed a smile that I didn't know if I were to be in tears or joy. At least my mother is safe.

“You better don't spill s**t about all these or else we won't think twice before killing your Mum and send her corpse back to you.”

My hands shook vigorously with the phone with me. Did they find out about the sudden engagement? It has spread in the blog like wildfire, and it only rose suspicions from viewers.

My legs felt heavy as I move to my bed for my yoga time. In few days, I'll be acting as Eric Sloan's girlfriend when I have nothing with him. Remembering how cold he was, tears welled up in my eyes.

I was listening to the yoga practice on the internet when my phone pinged again. Eric Sloan? How did he get my number?

My eyes widened as I tapped on the inbox message. “I'll be needing you to come to my company first thing tomorrow morning. We have to meet the press and clarify things.” The message read in Eric's voice and chills ran down my spine.

What? God, I'm going to be meeting with him again? But why... In front of the press? Was he doing this purposefully to get back at me?

My hands glided to my stretched leg. I wasn't even concentrating on the yoga lessons anymore. My mother and brother were the only people on my mind. Are they safe? What could they possibly be doing to my mother now?

Oh, Christ.

Suddenly, my phone started ringing, and I checked it out to see it was Kian, my colleague in the journalist firm.

“Hello, Laura?”

“Kian, is anything the problem?” I asked, my voice calm and low.

“You're needed here, right now.” He slurred. And I couldn't help but ask, “Why?” My voice came out shaky this time. Hoping it's not what I'm thinking. Has the blog gotten to my place of work?

***

Boarding a taxi which stopped right in front of the firm I worked, I strolled in with the eyes of people boring into mine, giving me an eccentric feeling.

“Oh, look at her. How shameless”.

“I'm fed up with her lies.”

The murmurs of the people around me filled my ears, but I said nothing, ignoring them. Life wasn't fair for me either, who am I not to be gossiped about?

As I walked inside, Kian came out of nowhere and pulled me to a corner.

“What's with the blog you posted, Laura?” He whisper-shouted.

I shrugged. “A blog?”

Kian dabbed his face, and said. “Don't you understand what this mean? Mr. Grey demanded to see you.”

Immediately, my jaw fell as I gripped my dress tight, grasping it in a fold . Mr. Grey was my Boss. He's just as stern as anyone would think.

“W-What?” I stuttered, my lips quivering.

Kian gave me a reassuring nod. “You need to see him now before he brings the roof down.” he joked.

Despite my heavy legs, I trudged to Mr. Grey's office, and I was welcomed by a yell from him.

“You're dismissed from your job, Miss Laura Karma!”

***

Next day*

My life was ruined. No one needed to tell me. Eric Sloan was doing exactly as he threatened, and I have to quicken my steps if I don't want the same for my brother.

As I trudged to the company building, different press were hanging around. Fortunately, I had a scarf on so they couldn't get a view of me as Eric's PA walked me to his office.

I swallowed down nothing, standing face to face with Eric again, his usual cold gaze on me.

“Let's go to the mess you've created, b***h!” He yelled.

My lips quivered as I muttered, “Will you stop calling me a b***h?”

“Tsk. Isn't that what you are?” He asked and scoffed, forcefully linking my hands in his as we left his office.

We got to where the press conference meeting was holding, and my eyes couldn't stop but widened at the congregation of press that was staring at us until a particular lady walked to us.

“Mr. Eric Sloan, is it true with what the social medias are saying? Are you seriously engaged to Miss Laura Karma?

Eric forced out a smile, linking my hands to his tight like real couples would. “Oh yes, it's true.”

Everyone gasped.

“But how come, Sir? Didn't you see the blog she posted about you?” The woman asked again. Okay, why was she pointing fingers at me again?

My heart couldn't stop racing fast as I thought of his response to them until he said, “Isn't that supposed to be personal? All in all, we're both engaged and getting married soon!” He announced before sashaying me away from the crowd. I exhaled deeply, knowing I was free from the press. At least for the meantime.

Eric gave me a derisive stare and scoffed, “Don't be too happy. It's just the beginning, You can leave.” He said and left me.

My hands gripped my bag as I turned to walk out of the company when a familiar voice echoed from behind me.

“You still got the nerve to show up here again, Laura Karma.” The voice echoed as I made a slo-mo turn to see who it was..

Agatha Sloan!