Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Angelica

“What did you just say?” I fume out of my chair in total exasperation. As though not spoken anything serious he shrugs and places his hands in his pant pockets facing me squarely. “I am never going to marry you Augustus Martin. You are one sick, arrogant, money minded businessman who sees nothing but money in everything you do.” I throw my words to him in a maddening inflame. “You might understand ‘a relation’ as just another business deal with which you can expand your billions but unfortunately it is not the same for me. So shove your insensate brain inside your pocket and......

“Enough” there was a resonation of a violent roar along the prolonged walls of the cosmopolitan palace. At first I was totally stunned unable to understand what just happened and then I meet the ferocious eyes of a savaging monster. “You never fail to make my hackles rise, Miss Evans....” Augustus’s enraged appearance meets mine flaring in seriousness. “You have no other way out except to marry me, Ms Evans. Didn’t you remember you signed a deal with me to work for Sunrise Industries for the next five years?” He comes closer to me in threatening long strides and stands a few inches across facing me. I trepid under his intense gaze but try my very best in replying him courageous. “I will sign the surrogacy contract and take care of my dad’s medical expenses but marrying you Augustus Martin will not be done even on my grave.”

He burst into cackle and shakes his head looking at me. “Miss Evans you the stupidest woman I had seen on this earth. You signed the deal and don’t even remember the clauses? That’s very bad.” He mocks pointing a finger to me controlling his titters. “The clause number 478 states, you are not entitled for any casual, sick or any other kinds of medical leaves unless and until your leave applications are signed by CEO of the company, which is me.” He states in a peak of arrogance and lights a cigarette while starting to read something on his phone.

After typing a message on the phone he faces me humourless. “I don’t think any woman on this globe has yet delivered a baby without taking a leave from her employer. Ones you opt for a leave and I don’t sign the application, you are out of this job which states that the next day you are going to pay back all your dad’s dues with interest to Sunrise Industries failing which your father will be behind the bars before he sees the dawn of the next day. Do you understand it now clearly, Ms Evans?” He asks me casually stoking the ash of his cigarette into the ashtray.

I was venting my spleen and no words were available in the dictionary to describe my raging anger yet I could do nothing to pull myself out of this sickening bastards grip. “Thank you for the nice dinner Mr Martin and sparing your valuable time with those beautiful words of encouragement.” I tell him with a vexatious smile and try to leave the place immediately as I was already feeling sick in my stomach with his beating information. “Wait.” I hear him say as soon as I turn my back to leave. I want to break his bones now. I give him the dirtiest glare that I could have ever held to a person. He raises both his eyebrows looking at me amused. “Oliver will drop you home. I cannot send you alone at this late hour.”

“I can take care.....” He doesn’t allow me to complete. “Angelica” an underlying warning could be assimilated through his scorching tone.

Next day evening at Augustus’s office.....

I throw the file containing the marriage contract in front of him and hurl in force. “I have signed the contract. Now tell me when is my dad going to get operated?” Looking at me he gives a tired sigh rubbing his eyes. It was 5:30 in the evening and he was too busy today holding continuous meetings and sealing the deals but who cares. I want my work done at the earliest. After all I pledged my life and happiness to this dirty rogue for the well being of my dad. “Don’t worry. I will take care of it.” He tells me looking tired and drained out.

There was still question which has been tampering my mind since long. “Why do you want to marry me and bind yourself in this loveless marriage? He pushes aside the files resting on his table and gives me his total attention. Lacing his fingers of both hands to one another he gives me his undivided observation. “You know I had been losing quite a number of contracts for staying long time single also I have got pressure from home. I am nearing twenty nine and my mom wants me to get married at the earliest and give her grand children.” With those haunting last words let out from under his lips I buckle out of my seat in vanquish. “Our marriage is just a contract which will end after two years. So, I don’t see any point in sleeping with you and having children.” I let my point to him clear and straight. He narrows his eyes in clear displeasure. “Don’t you think you are asking too much from me Ms Evans?”

“I am a virgin Mr Martin and I want to give my virginity to the man I love. Not to the man with whom I seal my deals. This is completely a business for me which I am willing to do clearly for the sake of my father.” I give him a point blank answer. His features immediately mould to a tormenting trounce. “But this information should remain a secret between you and me. Do you agree to it? He asks me with a slight bit of force and I understand his requirement. “Is there anything else? He surprises me giving me the opportunity to exercise my wishes. “I want my marriage to wait till my dad gets well and hold my hand to aisle.”

“Granted, is that all you want?”

Two months later......

Dad’s operation was a cent percent success and he returns from the hospital with all cheers and smiles. Augustus stood by his words. He not only got my dad’s operation done at a stead-fast basis but also fulfilled my wish of waiting for the marriage till my dad recovered from the surgery.

I stood in front of his desk ready to take the notes which he was about to dictate. He was typing something on his laptop. “Tomorrow will be last day of your work. Fill your resignation and put it on my desk before you leave.” He informs not even sparing me a glance. “And by the way mom will take you to dress shopping of wedding gown day after tomorrow. Be ready at sharp nine. Oliver will pick you up from home.” I shake my head. “That will not be necessary. She can pick a dress of her choice. I will size it up as per my fitting.....” Abruptly his orbs rise from the screen of the laptop and hold mine in gravitas. “Is it?” His voice was just a whisper but I could clearly understand the incense behind it. Stomping into anxiety by his killer gaze I inform him in nervousness but with an infuriating irate. “I will go with her.”

“Good, come here.” He waves his hand to come to him as though I was his dog. But it was depressively a hard reality of my life. I was indeed his dog who wags its tail and goes to his master whenever he is been called. Bending down a little, he pulls out the bottom drawer of his office desk and puts forward a small rectangular box in front of me and clicks the lid. A beautiful glittering diamond was seen dancing in glory. Bringing himself closer to me, he lifts my hand softly and slides the ring on my ring finger. I give a half smile to him. So here goes my pathetic engagement with this frugal bastard.

Dad, this goes for you. I sniff hard but couldn’t help a lone tear fall my optics.

Augustus

My core bushels to pieces as I notice a tear fall her orbs. Looking down she raises her left hand to her eyes and runs her trembling fingers on the platinum band. I know she was not happy for the sad smile she enveloped while holding my gaze but that is how I am? I am not the romantic person who would drop himself to his knee holding a red rose and waiting for his girl to say a ‘yes’. I love my ‘wife to be’ from the core of my heart and that is what that matters at the end of the day to me whether Angelica realises it or not. I admit I was selfish to pull her unwillingly into the marriage ordeal but I did not have a better way.

Angelica hails from a cultured family and imbibes great family values. I am sure she will be a great mother to my kids one day. She is twenty two and is still a virgin. What more can I ask from God for being blessed with this pristine Angel.

I love you so much Angelica and I am ready to sacrifice anything for your happiness including my life but I will never let you know about that. I am a lion who is tamed under your latch but you are too innocent to know about it.

Planting a kiss on her forehead I bring her closer to me and hug her tight.

“We are engaged. You are my fiancée now. I beam to her in merriment still holding her in my arms. She is my breathe.