Chapter 4:Bargain For
1324 Words
Madison’s POV
I was roaming around the house, taking steps everywhere, and thinking. Should I attempt to tell the guard to hold his tongue about the unexpected visitor I just had who came before time? I’m sure he did not hear anything, but he saw something.
At this point, I want it to be strictly confidential, even from Zachary. Who knows? He has the potential to aggravate the terrible situation.
Not wasting any seconds, I went over to the guard house near the principal gate. I called the attention of the guard from earlier.
“Would you mind not telling Zachary about the incident this morning?” Silence was the reply I got, with an agitated look in his eyes.
“You mean, those guys who were dressed in black-themed clothes?” I heard Zachary’s cold, menacing voice behind my ear, which scared me out of my wits. I did not think he would come home early this afternoon. I felt a sinking feeling at the thought that he knew what had happened.
“Excuse us for a while, I need to talk to my wife in the mansion.” He said to the guard. My legs felt wobbly, and my mouth went dry with fear as I braced myself with his wrath.
“Don’t try to mess with my staff, they can have an outstanding award in terms of being devoted to me and my words.” He pulls me inside the mansion, away from the peering eyes of his staff.
As we made our way to his room, he gripped my arm so tight with every step we took, and I tried to wiggle his hold on me. He harshly pushed me into his room and locked the door.
“First day in this mansion, yet a group of people paid you a visit. Care to tell me about it, princess?” He asked in a sarcastic tone.
“I am not in the mood to exchange ridiculous words with you now.” I am moving away from the conversation for him to forget about it.
He chuckles as he brushes his fingers through his hair. “Excuse me? Your grandfather is right. I should exert more strict authority over you. You have no right to talk to me in that way. Be reminded that I bought you, and you answer to my call, okay?"
“Like locking me in this big mansion isn’t enough. It makes me feel like I am rotting in hell.” I murmured.
“That is not the way you speak to me.” He warned me with his eyes blazing like fire.
“Tell me about those guys who came here looking for you.” The atmosphere became dark and tense.
By viewing from a different presumption, what could go wrong if I opened up to him about what happened? Besides, he holds a clue already.
“What’s with that zipped mouth? Remember, I bought you, so I should know everything that revolves around you. Now tell me before I decide to make your cage smaller.” A firm and solid slap went to my face, his impatient reaction towards my silence.
My right cheek hurts from the impact of his slap. “They need $100,000 from me in exchange for my best friend's life.” I tried to hold back tears from my eyes as I spoke about what the issue was.
Those guys literally traced every person who could be related to me. As Maxine is the closest and most innocent, I put her life in jeopardy.
As an only child, Maxine has only been the person who fulfilled the role of being a sister to me. All she did was bring me bliss and provide a shoulder for me to cry on at times of need.
Since my grandfather seized me, our connection has gone astray. To this present day, I have not been able to contact her despite her tons of messages, as scores of obstructions happened in my life. For all that she did for me, I am obliged to keep her away from the peril she does not deserve.
“Try to make a speculation about who visited my office early this morning, asking about you.”
“How did that become relevant–”
“It’s Maxine, your best friend.” Shake up, Madison, and compose yourself. Look at it positively. At least Zachary makes you legibly aware of this subject. Also, you can’t blame Maxine for getting to that point. She is oblivious to your life commencing every day. She must have gotten the news elsewhere and thought of discovering me at Zachary’s office.
“She seems more timid than you, as if she is sinless, observing dejection in her eyes. It is confirmed that you two are friends, you’re both imbeciles.” Hearing these insults makes me want to attack him.
“What did she say to you?” I asked, trying to ignore his insult.
“Oh, nothing. Being a stereotypical best friend who is worried about you. Anyways, I have a proposal.” He dismissed the topic.
“What could that be?” Knowing this man, prepare for a fierce proposal that would make you feel horrified, Madison.
“Visibly, I am the only person who could help you. You have no one else to cling to, not even your grandfather.” Couldn’t he just get straight to the point, and stop tormenting me?
“Dad heard about you from his colleagues and called me, asking further questions about you. Going through our plan, I told him that you’re my fiancé. Dismally, marriage is not enough for me to inherit Prestige Vista Estates. Acting alone cannot carry out all of these.” He brings out a stick of cigarettes from its pack and lightens it.
My heart rate quickens as I realize where this is going. “What are you trying to say?”
“I could provide you with the money you need, but with a condition that you have no choice but to deal with. Since I got the news that you have a chance of running away, just know that I will hunt you furiously.” He narrowed his eyes.
“I have come up with a proposal. Either you accept it without trying to escape and receive the $100,000 to save your best friend's life, or you get penalized relentlessly for opposing it. This should be a no-brainer decision. If you are thinking well, you see that you have no choice.” I can sense a foul act from him, and I would like to wipe out that stupid smirk from his lips.
What could be his proposal that could force me to break free?
“You should be pregnant immediately after our marriage, perhaps after a month.” He shrugged. “Dad wants me to marry and have a child who will be the next heir of the family. Since I have already made an effort to do it, there is no backing up.” By the time he mentioned being pregnant, my knees buckled. I never even thought of myself with a big belly, carrying a tiny human inside.
“Why is it so easy for you to say that?” Tears attempted to fall, but I tried so hard to hold them.
“If you don't do it, you know the consequences. It is most likely making your life a living hell. Just keep in mind that I BOUGHT you and I have the right to every affair of your life.” He emphasized.
Words failed to come out of me, my mind was blank.
“For the last time, are you going to complain and live a more disconsolate life, or will you agree with it peacefully and save your best friend’s life?" His words were fastened with a chilling detachment.
Where is my freedom of choice?
- Writer
