"This marriage will be toxic for both of us."

I said and got out of the car. I feel so broken, how low he wants me to fall low in my own eyes? Not that I have sold myself to him but also made this whole ordeal a damn contract. I felt like I was being pricked by the shards of glass that are present in my path, they dug into my skin by each step I take further in my life. First Eugene accident, then the burden of responsibilities over my shoulder and now I want to liberate myself from this burden by receiving the pain of my inferior act. What's wrong if I want to fulfil my wishes?

Filled with those undesirable thoughts, I went home. Mother came and asked, "How was it?" her tone lingers with interest, basically it was my first drive and was my first dinner with a man, I can understand her. I have always avoided relationships and I feel like this loveless marriage falls flat on my face just because I never involved myself in love; So fate decided to give me an unloved life.

I looked at her and forcefully curved my lips upward but not in a smile. "Fine. He said he wants to marry me as soon as possible." I said. "So, have you decided?" Mother asked.

"Next Week," I said. "That's too early." Mother complained just like I did. "We can't do anything," I replied and went to my room.

The emptiness filled me as I thought of myself nothing more than a doll- who can't feel anything. Well, That's what I am now. A plaything to be toyed with, that's what my life will become. I'll be used over and over again...

The next day, I readied up and went to work. I entered the hotel and the senior staff looked at me as if they had seen a ghost. I narrowed my eyes on them and walked to the reception.

"Ma'am Melissa, what happened? Why are they looking at me like that?" I asked.

"Why are you here, Ma'am?" She said and stood up. Being perplexed, why did she call me 'Ma'am'? The Manager came and smiled at me. He took me to his office and said,

"Well, Ma'am, If you told us before, we will never treat you as a waitress." He said with a glint of greed. I raised my eyebrow to show that I am unable to understand this demeanour, I then asked,

"What are you talking about?" He smiled widely. Becoming uncomfortable by his over-friendly reflexes, I asked again,

"I am sorry sir, but could you please tell me what is going on?" I asked in my usual gracious manner.

"You didn't tell us, but your soon-to-be husband did." He said and my heart skipped a beat as I avert my gaze, not wanting to think even for a second about him before marriage. My thoughts were interrupted when the manager said again, "Congratulations on your wedding." My eyes widened as my mouth gaped, "How do you?.." My bewildered form asked. "You don't know about this morning's press conference?" He asked. Before I could answer, the door opened and the Director entered. I abruptly stood up in his presence. He looked at me and passed me a smile and offered his hand to shake,

"Well, Hello, Future Mrs Elvis." I shook his hand and passed him a smile. A revolting feeling of being called by his name filled me but at the same time, the astonishment that the Director of the hotel is shaking his hand with a lower-ranked waitress like me filled me too.

After a few seconds, I spoke up, "Sir, Can I go back to my work?" They both looked at me as my lips formed a thin line.

"You can't." The manager said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Mr Christian will be furious to know that you are still working as a waitress here." Director Sir said. I nodded and excused myself and left.

I went home and told Mother everything and turned on the TV to know about this 'conference upheaval'.

My eyes widened in disbelief when I saw the conference,

"Sir, How long have you and Miss Sophie been dating?"

"Almost 4 years."

"Meaning you and her are dating before your divorce?"

"Yes."

"Is that why you left your wife?"

"This has nothing to do with our divorce."

"Sir, When will be your wedding?"

"Next Week."

"Can you tell us more about your future wife?"

"I can't. She is a private person."

"What if she wants to marry you for money?"

"Watch what you say about her. I approached her first, so this is out of the question."

I couldn't take it anymore. I turned off the TV. Mother rubbed my back as I looked away and took out my phone. I searched for the number; he used to call me yesterday.

I called him. He picked the phone. I heard his deep commanding tone, "Hello," His voice tells me that he knows that it's me, even if I haven't said a thing.

"W-What is this all a-about?" I stutter.

"What? Didn't you say that you don't want to be known as a Gold-Digger?" His voice was filled with mock that dismayed me.

"I did.. but I don't want you to be known as a cheater.." I manage to produce a faint sound.

There was a pause and none of us said another word. It feels like he is lost; deep in thoughts. But after a few seconds, He said,

"You don't have to think about it. Tomorrow you'll go with my assistant, Henley, for the shopping for marriage." He said sternly and cut the call. I closed my eyes and let the darkness consume me...

Here I am in the mall trying all those expensive wedding gowns I never thought I'll wear with his moody assistant, seems like all people who work for him are like him. Cold.

I kept trying on the gown as she kept using her phone and whenever I asked her how's the gown, she just scoffed. Finally my tranquil broke as I spoke up, "Are you gonna help me or not?"

"You see, The problem is not in the gowns. It's in the one who's gonna wear it." She said, ridiculing me. I smiled sarcastically and replied, "We are not talking about you. Now, tell me." She grits her teeth and says, "Wear whatever you want." I shrugged my shoulders and began to search for a gown. My eyes fell upon a silver gown. It was a backless princess wedding gown. It's borders, front and sleeves were adorned with silver beads and it's so graceful. Feeling like this gown is worth more, I avert my gaze from it but they picked it up and tried it on me. I looked extremely beautiful in that.

Still, I don't want it. I don't before I could protest Henley said without looking up.

"We will buy this."

"But-" I tried to say.

"You are taking a lot of time. Buy this, we have other things to buy as well." She said with her gaze fixed on the phone. I looked away and went to buy the matching heels with it.

After shopping for an insanely long time, I finally went home. I fell on my bed and fell asleep the moment I made contact with the soft mattress.

Two Days Left for our marriage and my anxiety is on its peak. Just the thought of becoming his toy forever made me shudder in fear. I shivered in dread just by thinking about how he'll toy with me.

My mother and I just came back after meeting with Eugene and telling him that his sister is getting married. I know if he was awake he'll never let this happen. If he was awake this would never happen in the first place... If he wakes up...

We came home and saw Christian walking out of our house. My heart skipped a beat when my hazel eyes met his onyx one. I wish we came back later. I remain still because I lost my posture whenever he is near. He walked closer and said,

"Mrs Skye, Sophie, sit in the car, I need to show you and Mrs Skye your new home." I looked at Mother and then him and gave him a nod. We left with him.

We stopped in front of another mansion. Mine and mother's mouth gaped as we quickly closed it afterwards. I looked at him and I and Mother said at the same time, "You don't have to."

He looked at us with a perfectly raised eyebrow, "It was the part of the deal." He said and got out of the car and so did we.

"I know, but it didn't say for a mansion." I tried to reason. "She's right, You don't have to." Mother also said. He looked at us confused but soon gained his stance and walked towards me and my heart began to race as I took a step back. But thankfully, without sparing a glance at me, he took a hold of my hand and took me with him. We stopped at the entrance and I pulled my hand away from him. He looked at me- definitely not liking my action. I averted my gaze from him and walked to Mother.

The door opened and the mansion embellished with the decors we have never seen before was in front of us.

"It's too much. I can't live in it." Mother said looking down. Christian turned his attention to mother and I took a hold of my mother's hand and stared into his drilling gaze.

"Mrs Skye, This is your daughter's wish. You'll live in this house starting tomorrow." He said. Mother remained speechless.

"Fine, My mother will live here," I said firmly as he looked at me. I narrowed my eyes and began to say, "We are doing this for money, So, Mother enjoy. There's no need to be timid." I said and excused myself and left to see the garden.

I stare emotionless at the flowers. The lush garden is lust as the luxurious home. I closed my eyes and let the cold breeze wrap itself around me. I remained like that and felt that solace I am receiving until someone decides to ruin it. I turned to see Mother looking at me worried, "Why did you say that?"

"What?" I asked.

"I know you, Whenever you lie or say something you didn't mean to, you narrow your eyes." I bit my lips and looked away.

"It's true," I said.

She laughed a little and hugged me. I smiled and hugged her back.

"Let's go back." Mother said patting my back. I nodded and looked on the other side and saw Christian looking at us with his usual hollow look. I avoided his gaze and we went inside. We were looking around the house.

"Mrs Skye, select your room and tell Stacy; your personal maid." He said motioning to Stacy. She smiled and bowed a little. She took mother with her, leaving me alone with him.

I begged them not to go in my heart. I continued the tour and prevented looking at him.

As we were walking, he suddenly pinned me to the nearest wall and I squeaked in dread. I looked at him petrified as he stared at me with those alarming looks that made my body to submerge in the pools of fright. His eyes flicker with a hint of anger and amusement. I felt his minty breath on the face as his hands were holding my wrists tightly against the wall. Feeling disgusted and scared, I feel like I am having a demo of what will happen to me later and in the worst way possible. Tears blurred my vision from these terrifying thoughts,

"Please don't... You will toy with me after marriage, please don't do anything now... Please.." I whispered, breathlessly, Shaking in incomprehensible dread aroused by his action.

"Please don't Christian. Please get away... let me treasure this innocence which will soon be stained... Please.." I begged. He finally decided to spare me my purity, I felt him loosen his grip on my wrist as he slowly pulled away. My eyes met his gaze which glistened with a look of remorse and sadness in them for an instant but it was soon replaced by his seething look. I am still alarmed because he was standing too close.

Somewhere in my heart, I feel like he does this deliberately just to see my reaction.

I, who was still shaking in vexation, couldn't stand this close to him. I tried to get away but his arms are resting on either side of the wall trapping me in the prison of his arms- leaving me at his mercy.

My trembling form was filled with intense dread because of the closeness. Tears continued to fall without any control over them.

"Please don't touch me before our marriage.." I whispered desperately. Thankfully, My prayers listened as he pulled away slowly. I lifted my gaze and met his that held the mystifying clouds of inexplicable feelings in them. He moved his hand closer to my cheeks and wiped my tears. I shivered violently when his hand made contact with my cheek. The feeling of apprehension he evoked within me made me lose my senses. I continued to gasp and shudder under the piercing gaze of his. He slowly pulled away his hand and then back away. I wiped my tears and ran away from him.

I can't spend a second with him, let alone a lifetime. This is gonna be nothing but an endless nightmare for me filled with his horror.

I ran to a random room and leaned on the wall and put my hand over my mouth to muffle my cries. After calming myself down, I took a deep breath and walked out.

I walked around the mansion and I soon realized that I am lost. I looked around and saw no one. I continued to walk. I almost screamed in dread when I felt a hand on my back. I turned and saw Mother looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Where were you? We were looking for you." Mother scolded me and I saw Christian standing with Mother. I bit my lips and turned my head away. I don't even want to look at him.

Mother sighed as she said, "Come, We are leaving.." I nodded and stood beside her.

We went back and I felt his menacing gaze on me which was giving chills to my very soul.

A second is like a painfully low time for me. I wonder how I can live in the same house as him... These thoughts made me numb as I lose myself in frights that will haunt me forever....