Derek was astonished at her words, he laughed almost hysterically, he guessed she had hit her head so hard and it was affecting her thinking, "hold on, I have no intention of getting married anytime soon"
She rose from her bed and looked at him desperately, " you have to, please, you've got to save me""Calm down, you don't even know me, you can't just get married to a stranger"."I bet you are better than the devil I am fleeing from, it would be just for a while"He looked at her as if considering it, "what do you stand to gain from this?" "The protection of a husband" she answered frantically"And what do I stand to gain? She considered his question for a while, "I'll be forever indebted to you. you'll have my gratitude"Derek considered her statement, in reality, he needed a wife, his mother had been on his neck and had even gone ahead to arrange a marriage for him with Cassandra, he was supposed to get married immediately he got home and all he knew about his supposed wife was her name and as he was told, the lady his mother had arranged for him was from a very wealthy family, although, he didn't like the idea of the arranged marriage and has had it in mind that once he gets home, he would dissuade his mother from it, his mother has always made decisions for him since he was young and he has always defiled her decisions, as long as she keeps interfering into his life, he will keep putting her off, he is who he is. if he accepted what this lady was offering him, there would be no need for too much argument with his mother and he also would have no problem carrying on his father's legacy until he would return from the hospital, no one would dare to challenge him that he was single so had no idea about responsibility, he would marry this stranger and part ways with her after everything had been settled.Kathleen observed him as he thought about her offer, she was nervous but at this point, she wasn't thinking, she had no idea who she was getting married to but how he live his life after marriage was none of her business, he can live the way he wants, she only have to answer his name. she had no choice, she had run away from home without a penny on her and no place to go, she knew Dave would not be able to do anything when he knew she was married, it was ironic that she was fleeing from one marriage and begging a total stranger to get married to her. He looked at her and nodded, "I'll get married to you on one condition"
Kathleen's heart skipped a bit and she heard her breathe as she wait to hear his condition, she hoped she could grant it, " what condition"?"That we'll be married in every aspect and live as married couples" he replied staring at her.Kath frowned considering his condition but nodded accepting his terms."Alright, let's get married then" I'll be back after I've cleared your hospital bills, he stood up and smiled at her, flashing dimples and pure white teeth, Kathleen's breathe caught as she suddenly remembered where she had seen him, he was the same man who had offered her handkerchief when she ran away from home and was crying. He wouldn't be that bad after all but order than offering her handkerchief, what else did she know about him? He could be the devil himself but she was willing to take that risk."By the way, I am Derek" he brought forth his hand for a handshake. Kath gazed at his hand for a moment before taking it and responding, " Kathleen".They've just signed the marriage contract and Kathleen's stomach quivered as they came out of the magistrate office, she glanced at her husband, the only thing she knew about the man she had married was his name, Derek Deloux, her husband, her heart pounded as the reality of what she has just done hit her, she had sought shelter from him, what if he turned out to be worst than Dave, well, she can handle it, there was nothing like emotions attached to this marriage, it was simply marriage by name alone, she would have nothing to regret.Derek looked at her, "regretting already? The deed has already been done, now let's go home"."Home", the word sank into Kathleen, she have no idea where home is, she had no idea about anything."Where exactly is home?"He smirked at her question, "home is where the heart lies baby"Her cheeks burned at the name he called her, "that's not the answer to my question" she fired back trying to cub her discomfort."I see
Chapter 8"Your wife?" His mother's tone was that of surprise as she blinked, "but.....but....""But what mom?" Derek interrupted"I thought..." His mother stuttered and once again Derek cuts her off, "that's the problem with you mom, you're always thinking, I'm sorry I didn't inform you about her but right now my wife needs to rest""Oh! Sure" his mother left the entrance so they could both go in, her voice wasn't sounding happy and the expression on her face was that of anger, she narrowed her eyes on Kathleen as she went in."Your room has been prepared for you" his mother informed him"Thanks, Mom, right now I want to see Dad, where is he?"He's in his room" his mother replied him and he raised a brow, "I thought he's supposed to be in the hospital, why is he home?""Well, I am trying to avoid too much publicity, the doctor is coming here to administer treatment, I think it's better that way""Alright then, I'll see him shortly" he tu
He entered his father's room and saw him lying on the bed with his eyes closed, he looked aged and worn and for a moment he felt guilty about abandoning him, his father was his only family related to him by blood, his mother had died years back and his father had remarried, although, Derek wasn't cool with the marriage because he felt his father had made the wrong choice as he had married his late mother's best friend, he had made his misgivings known to his father but his father had gone ahead to marry her, he had no choice than to accept the marriage but that was the first step that created a gap in father and son relationship, his father had made many mistakes but he was still his father, he wondered why his father was so obsessed about him taking over the family's business, afterall, he has a Step brother, his step mother's son from her previous marriage.Dave was so much interested in the family's business but his dad had never given him the chance, that alone had ma
Chapter tenKathleen woke up the next morning, Derek hadn't come back the previous night, she wondered where he had spent the night leaving her all alone, she knew that their marriage was impulsive but he had promised to treat her as a wife, in the eyes of everyone, they were a new couple and so supposed to be spending time with each other but on their wedding night, her husband had gone missing, a knock sounded on the door, finally, he must be here but why was he knocking, she hollered that he was free to come in, the door creaked opened and a maid walked it, Kathleen frowned where was her husband? He had no obligation to her anyway but it would have felt better if he was at least with her on their marriage night, " breakfast is ready ma'am" the maid informed her, head bowed and Kathleen grimaced, she wasn't used to this kind of treatment, "please raise your head" she quickly instruct the maid who nervously raised her head but still refused to look at Kathleen in the eye
Chapter elevenKathleen was just coming out of the shower, her body still wet and droplets of water falling from her hair. She was in the process of drying it when Derek walked suddenly walked in, she shrieked, losing her balance, in a flash, he caught her before she hit the floor, her side eyes stared into his and her mouth parted in shock, Derek was drawn to her, his bride was indeed very beautiful, she quickly moved away from his hold, "how dare you startle me like that"Derek raised his brow trying to hide his sudden attraction to her, "should I remind you that this is also my room?""Oh, you definitely need to remind me because I've been the only one staying here since we got married" she snapped and he smirked, moving closer to her, too close for her comfort, his blue eyes danced,"I see my wife misses me" he put his hand on her cheek but she slapped it away, "in your dreams"She moved away from his closeness before he would notice how his nearne
Derek was pissed, he was pissed with himself and also his wife, she had tried to talk to him and like a bull, he had gone charging out of the house, he was pissed at her for making him feel something for her, she had made him feel what he thought was dead to him, in just a matter of days, she was trying to resurrect it, he was damn attracted to her and he needed to stay away from her, he hadn't slept at home again that night, after his meeting yesterday, he had gone straight to his favorite club and had drunk a lot, he had managed to go to one of their family's house extension and had crashed there, he woke up this morning with a pounding headache and was preparing coffee when his phone rang, it was Jake, he picked up at the second ring."Yes, Jake, what is it?""Er....em...Sir, I...." He frowned into the receiver, what was he stammering about?"Speak up Jake, what is it?""Sir, er...have you seen the morning papers?"He frowned, he hadn't gone out tha
Chapter thirteenDerek frowned, so she was the lady arranged for him by his mom, his eyes traveled down her frame, not bad, good looking but what was she doing here? No doubt his mother must be behind this, he wondered what she was up to, "what are you doing here?" He demanded and she gestured inside, "can we talk inside? Or do you want more press confrontation". Derek eyed her for a moment before paving way for her to enter the house." so, we are inside, can you now tell me why you're here?"She sat down and crossed her legs slowly and seductively, her gaze inviting, Derek's eyes followed the movement."Can I get something to drink at least?" Derek felt impatience with her but kept his cool as he brought out a glass and a bottle of wine, he made attempt to pour out the drink but she stopped him, "won't you drink with me, it the least you can do for ditching me"Derek made no reply as he simply went to get another glass for himself, she had already op
Chapter fourteenKathleen paid the cab and ran inside, her heart pounding as cry threatened to erupt, she had run away from an abusive relationship only to see herself getting hurt in another, maybe she was cursed to everlasting sadness and a life filled pain, no one loved her, even her dad doesn't, her mom who would have been there having chosen a man over her, her friend betrayed her with her fiance, she felt as if she was condemned to a life without love, it's her destiny and she had to accept the fact, she needed to clear her head, she needed space to think upon her life and get rid of the pain, she changed into a summer dress, she needed to take a walk, maybe visit the beach or something, she doesn't care, she just needed to get away for a while."Where the heck are you going to be dressed like that?" Marcella's voice stopped her as she was about to step out of the house, she frowned and stared at her cloth, it was a simple gown, she doesn't feel like wearing those ex