Chapter 2
"Tell me, Ruby!" The male voice behind her said, "Are you selectively deaf? I'm certain you heard me quite well." Slowly, she swung around to face the man. There was an obvious look of disdain on his face. He raised a finger and flicked it at her, urging her to edge close to him. Ruby was stunned, barely able to believe what was happening. Did he just agree to make her his wife in exchange for any money she requests for? She was at a loss at whether to cry or smile, rather she remained numb, staring down at the man. "If we will pull this off, you need to stop acting like an aged donkey!" The man snapped. She nodded. "I asked earlier, what gave you the courage to approach me?" "You look like a man in need of a wife," Ruby stated bluntly The man frowned. He cast a glance at his wristwatch, and let out a long hiss. She was right. He needed a wife. The woman he had agreed with to sign the documents with him had stood him up, even after he explained how important it was. "I am sorry, Damon!" She had texted his assistant, "I can't do this anymore" Jaxon had no idea that she was ready to keep to her word until he got a call from his assistant that she had fled her apartment and was nowhere to be found. He barely had time now, he realized. He eyed the waitress who stood In front of him, she looked nothing like the woman who caught his attention, and a pile of disgust formed in his throat, but he pushed it down, cleared his throat, and said, "Follow me" Ruby jerked backward as he stood up abruptly from his seat, making way for him. He took long strides out of the busy restaurant, without turning to check if she was behind him. There was something about the stranger that irritated Ruby—it made her feel like throwing up. It was only after she trailed behind him as they stepped out of the restaurant and into the streets that she finally figured it out. He was rude! He had a tongue that only seemed to say hurtful things to her. Was this the kind of man she was?was agreeing to get into a contract marriage with? She asked herself. But, she needed the money for her sister's treatment. She was ready to do anything she could to help her sister. Ruby was so caught up with her thoughts that she didn't notice where the strange customer had gone to. Her eyes darted through the crowded parking lot. Cars lined up, filling almost every spot. An alarm rang through her mind.. "Where is he?" She muttered, confused about how he had walked so fast he disappeared right under her nose. "Ruby!" A familiar voice called out gruffly. She looked in the direction of the voice and her eyes fell on the stranger who stood beside a sleek black car with tinted windows. She half ran towards him, surprised that he had gotten that far before she even realized it. His frown deepened as she approached him. "I am fast becoming tired of having to give you simple instructions and struggle to pull through! All I said was to follow me, and you lost sight of me so quickly?" He said, rolling his eyes. Ruby coughed, "I am so—" "Get in the car!" He cut in, as he opened the car door and slipped into the backseat. She jogged around to the other side of the car and got in.. A scream almost escaped her mouth when she realized that there were two other gruff looking men in the car. They wore identical suits as the stranger from the restaurant and they had dark shades on their faces. One sat in the driver's seat, whilst the order was in the passenger seat in front. She whipped her head to look at the man who had lured her into the car. "You didn't tell me you had people with you!" She said in a slightly raised voice. "I am not under any obligation to tell you that." He snarled. Her hands felt clammy as she turned to open the car door, "I want to leave. Now!" She cried out. The man turned to look at her, "Why are you so unsure of yourself? One minute, you are ready to sign a marriage contract with me, the next minute you want to leave. Why?" She broke down in tears. This is what her desperation had caused her! She had foolishly walked into the trap of kidnappers, all because she needed money. The man in the driver's seat said, "Mr Jaxon, the registrar?" "Yes." The man beside her replied, not taking his eyes away from her face. Mr Jaxon? So, that was the name of this rude stranger? Soon, her sobs quieted down into sniffles, and she fell silent. She was doing this for her sister, just her sister. After a short drive, the car pulled up outside a large building. "Step out" Mr. Jaxon ordered. The doors unlocked and she jumped out. He walked towards the entrance of the building and she scurried after her, desperate to get this over with. She noticed one of the men from the car behind her, but she paid him no attention. Ruby trailed behind Mr Jaxon as he led her up a fleet of stairs and down a well lit hallway to a small, unassuming office. The room was sparsely furnished, with a single desk and two chairs. The door opened and another man walked into the office, some files in his hands. "Mr Jaxon," He said, casting a wary glance at Ruby. Mr Jaxon nodded and sat, gesturing for Ruby to do the same. "I'll give you a contract," he began, "You'll act as my wife, marry me on paper, and in return, I'll pay you a substantial sum." Ruby nodded. Her eyes were fixed on the contract as Jaxon handed it to her. As she scanned the terms, her brow furrowed in concentration. "It's for 100 days," Jaxon explained, "After that, the contract is null and void and the terms are simple. Your services as my wife will be needed when the need arises..” he deadpanned in a stern voice. Ruby nodded again, "I agree." With a flourish, Jaxon signed the contract, followed by Ruby's hesitant signature. As they exited the office and walked down towards the elevator, Jaxon handed her a briefcase filled with cash. She unlocked it slightly and her breath hitched. "Finally! I'll save Kimberly" She let out a sob, tears streaming down her face. Jaxon was irritated. "Control yourself," he ordered. Ruby's tears continued to fall, but she nodded, "I'm sorry. It's just...this is a lot to take in." "I don't want you to draw any attention to us," He said with a clenched jaw. " This contract isn't just about pretending to be my wife, Ruby," He paused, more irritated by the sound of the words, "My wife." She nodded again, waiting for him to continue speaking. He exhaled and said, "It's about discretion. You need to understand that our marriage must remain a secret. No one can know." Ruby wiped her eyes. "I understand. I won't breathe a word." Jaxon's gaze narrowed. "If you so much as hint at our marriage to anyone, the deal is off, and I will make you to pay dearly for it. Do you understand?" "Ye-Yes. I think so." "Good. I don't pay you to think, I pay you to follow orders. Now, let's get out of here." Ruby followed him out of the office with a heavy heart, firmly holding onto the briefcase of money. As soon as they stepped out of the building, Jaxon's phone rang, and he answered, "Yes, I've taken care of it. The contract is signed, and she's been paid. The marriage will be kept quiet." Ruby's mind reeled.Chapter 3"Don't give me that look!" Jaxon said sharply as he shoved his phone into his pockets. "You look like you've just seen a ghost!"Ruby swallowed hard. "Don't you want to leave? Get into the car, let's drop you off at the restaurant""Oh-yeah," She muttered and went in.After the driver drove for some minutes, Jaxon broke the silence in the car. "Have this!" He said, handing his phone to her.Her right eyebrow shot up, "Why?""Take this!" He said with impatience, "Ruby, one rule you must obey as long as we interact is to do whatever I say. Now, get this phone!" His voice was firmerWith shaky hands, she collected the phone, eying him. The other men in the car were silent and a soft music played in the car radio."Now, input your phone number in there." He said.She nodded and started to punch her number in, eager to please him. He had such a controlling aura that left her with no choice than to do whatever he wanted. He snatched the phone from her and saved her number."Wha
Chapter 4"You don't just ring up my line, after making me sign a marriage contract with you and ghosting me," Ruby yelled in annoyance on the phone at the same man she was trying her best to forget.There was a short silence on the other end of the line."I know you heard me, Mr. Jaxon!" She said, more angered by his silence, "You went two weeks without speaking to me, I'm sure you can make it two years" She mocked."Watch your tone!" Jaxon's deep voice replied, "You're my wife now, and you'll do as I say." "I'm not your wife, not in any real sense. And I'm at work right now, so I can't just drop everything for you.""You'll quit that job, effective immediately," Jaxon ordered, "I don't want my contracted wife working in a place like that. You need to be available whenever I desire."Ruby's face flushed with anger. Her hands trembled as she gripped the phone. "You can't just dictate my life like that! I won't quit my job, and I won't be at your beck and call."Jaxon let out a mirth
Chapter 6early?Ruby laid on the bed, enjoying her quiet sleep. One that she hadn't gotten for weeks as she was running away looking for how to pay for her sister's treatment.Now that she found a way to save her and finally did, it was only right for her to get a good sleep.She groaned, rolling on her medium-sized bed as she stretched out her hands yawning loudly.“So peaceful..” she muttered, reaching out her hand for her phone that was lying on a nearby cupboard.She turned on the power button to check what the time was only to see a message on her screen.“I'll be at your place in thirty minutes, don't keep me waiting!” That was the exact message on her phone.She blinked her eyes as she tossed the phone away, wanting to return back to sleep.A few minutes later, she snapped her eyes open as realization hit her.“Oh my gosh!!” She gasped as she sat up from the bed almost immediately.“I literally forgot about this..” she gasped jumping out of the bed the next second. She had a d
Chapter six After a long and quiet ride, they finally arrived at the venue of the party, ruby sighed in awe at how beautiful the place was. There were lots of paparazzi around, taking pictures of the people. Ruby couldn't help but wonder how rich Jaxon was, he had an expensive car and had taken her to an occasion that screamed of luxury. Who exactly was he? “Here.” He handed over a silver mask to Ruby who slowly collected it from him. “Put it on..” he instructed as he wore his own black mask. Ruby lifted the mask up to her face as she wore it as well. “Don't talk to anybody and stick to me” he instructed as Ruby shook her head slowly. “If you do a good job, you'll be rewarded” he added as the driver stepped out of the car, to open the car door for them. Jaxon stepped out first before stretching out his hand for Ruby. “Come on..” “All you need to do is smile, and look happy, you're not an old hag.” He whispered coldly to her ears leading her towards a red carpet. “Over here
Chapter sevenRuby walked amongst the group of people as she walked to the bathroom. She needed time to breathe, she clearly did not fit in the world of the rich.She was about to get to the bathroom when she accidentally bumped into someone and the person’s drink spilled all over her.“Oh my gosh!” Ruby exclaimed as she looked at her dress which had been completely ruined and stained with red wine.“Oh no, this dress was hella expensive!” She muttered as she bit her lips in frustration. How was she going to explain to Jaxon that she ruined the dress he had gotten for her because she was not looking???“I’m so sorry miss, I really am sorry” The lady who had accidentally spilled the drink on her apologized.Ruby froze as all the hairs on her body stood. That voice!!! Even if she was sleeping, there was no way she would not recognize the voice. It was Ophelia. Her best friend!! she was at the party, but how? Ophelia never mentioned that she was attending any party.Ruby bit her lips har
Chapter Eight Ruby didn't utter a word while she was inside the car with Jaxon, even as the driver drove off.She could tell that he was really pissed but how was any of it her fault.Just when she thought that he was not going to scold her, his voice thundered in the car.“What was that shit that you displayed???” He asked, his eyes blazing with anger as she glared at Ruby.“I'm sorry..” she apologized in a low voice.“Sorry for your damn self!” He snapped at her.“Now tell me why you pulled that stunt, have you gone mad??” He questioned.“What was I supposed to do? Your rules clearly state that no one should know about our marriage and that lady was my best friend. How was I going to explain myself to her?” Ruby pointed out defending herself but Jaxon was not taking any of that.“Is that the reason you disgraced me? You were sitting on the ground in front of a lot of people. My wife” He scoffed in sarcasm.“She was so intent on talking to me, she also called me a thief, I feel beca
Chapter nine“Ruby, are you in there??” Ophelia knocked on Ruby's door loudly, in the early hours of the morning.“Ruby!!!!” She yelled, knocking loudly, not caring if she disturbed the neighbors.She had already called Ruby, but she got no answer.“Who's that?” Ruby muttered to herself as she stretched out her arms and legs, yawning loudly.“RUBYYYYYY” Ophelia screamed.“Oh my gosh!” Ruby gasped, startled as she fell off the couch she was lying on.“Ophelia? What's she doing here?” She asked herself, as she slowly sat up from the ground.She was so exhausted that she slept off on the couch.After walking miles last night, she finally found a taxi and the first thing she did was freshen up and then she fell asleep.Jaxon was a real demon that needed to be avoided and she prayed that he never called her again.“Ruby??” Ophelia called again, as she was sure that her friend was inside.“I'm coming” Ruby replied as she stood up from the ground in a flash.“Just a minute “ she added walkin
Chapter 10Jaxon barged into his assistant and best friend, Damon's office without knocking. He immediately regretted doing so.“Eww” his face scrunched up in disgust, as the lady who was in between Damon's legs, immediately moved away from him covering her face.“Seriously dude” Damon groaned, buttoning up his pants, the lady stood up from the ground as she dashed out of the office the next minute.“You should have at least knocked” Damon rolled his eyes as Jaxon sat on the chair opposite his friend.“And you should know the right place to bring whores to, not an office!” Jaxon fired at him.“Trust me, man. Doing it in the office just hits different” Damon smiled as Jaxon scoffed inwardly.“And you should do that sometime, I can arrange someone for you” he winked at Jaxon who frowned.“Shut up!!” He snapped at him.“Did you manage to stop my old man from coming?” He questioned about the reason why he had come to Damon's office in the first place.“Yes I did” “Your grandfather is not