Chapter 5 That

"Annoying?" Beverly's voice rose to a shout as Kelly interrupted her. "You think I'm being annoying? You have no idea what I'm going through! You have no fucking idea! You're never here, you're never helpful, but you're always taking!" Beverly spoke harshly.

She paced back and forth across the room, her hands waving wildly as she spoke.

"You want to know what I am? I'm desperate! I'm desperate to save my business, my family's lives...and you're just standing there, judging me, like you're better than me!" She continued yelling in frustration.

"That's not fair, Beverly! I'm trying to help you, but you won't listen!" Kelly took a step back, his eyes flashing with defensiveness.

"Listen? Listen to what? Your empty words? Your useless suggestions? No, I've had enough of listening! I've had enough of waiting for you to do something, anything, to help me!" Beverly's laugh was bitter.

She stopped pacing and turned to face him, her eyes blazing with anger.

"You know what? I am tired of all this. If marrying Reece will save my business, my family and free me from this huge debt I won't be able to pay in months or even years, then I don't see why I shouldn't marry him" Beverly spoke amid deep breaths.

Kelly's gaze narrowed, his eyes flashing with anger.

"It seems more like you're happy about it. No, it looks like you have been waiting for this moment....you have been waiting for him to give you those choices to make. You're happy you're marrying him, aren't you?...." He accused, his voice rising.

"Stop frustrating me, please. You're driving me insane right now, argh!" Beverly threw up her hands, exasperation etched on her face. She slumped into the couch, burying her head in her palms as she continued to ruffle her hair in frustration.

The room fell silent, the only sound Beverly's ragged breathing as she sat there, her chest heaving with emotion. Kelly's face was pale, his eyes wide with shock and hurt, his expression a mix of disbelief and betrayal.

How could Beverly do this?

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

[ BACK TO BLACKMORE COMPANY ]

Reece leaned back in his chair, a smug smile spreading across his face.

Kevin actually arrived the office an hour after Beverly came.

He still couldn't believe Beverly accepted the offer. Well, not like he didn't expect her to not accept.

What other choice did she have? Could she have chosen to pay up the debt? Or lose her family and everything? No!

Reece knew she couldn't afford to pay up, and that was why he gave her the last option to make from the rest.

He had expected her to come back and say just what he wanted to hear.

He was sure going to do as he had said, that was how dark and ruthless he was.

"And then, she agreed to marry me" Reece continued, those mischievous smirks not leaving his face for once.

This man was sure a devil.

"No! The mighty Reece Blackmore, brought down by a beautiful woman. I never thought I'd see the day." Kevin's eyes widened in mock surprise. He was starting to tease Reece already, as always.

"Shut up, Kevin. It's a business arrangement, nothing more" Reece rolled his eyes.

"A business arrangement? That's just code for 'I'm getting married because I want to get into her pants" Kevin snorted.

"Kevin, focus. Else I'll be forced to cut off that tongue of yours. I need your help with the wedding plans, stop playing. I want everything to be perfect, understand?" Reece shot him a warning look

"Oh, this is going to be fun. I get to plan a wedding for my best friend, who's marrying a woman he doesn't love. This is like a bad rom-com." Kevin grinned, ignoring Reece's warning.

Reece could only sigh

"Just make sure everything is perfect, okay? I want this wedding to be flawless" Reece said, his hand flying to his beardless chin as he began to rub it.

"Yes, sir" Kevin saluted. "I'll make sure it's a wedding for the ages. And by that, I mean I'll make sure there's an open bar and plenty of single women for me to hit on." Kevin spoke again, totally saying something different from what they were discussing.

"You're impossible, Kevin. Such a dick. I will make sure you lose a few of your balls if you keep talking nonsense" Reece shook his head, chuckling despite being pissed.

"That's why you love me, buddy. Now, let's get down to business. When's the wedding? And more importantly, what's the theme?" Kevin began, his voice now serious.

"Theme?" Reece raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, you know, like a color scheme or a motif. Something to make the wedding really pop." Kevin nodded enthusiastically.

"Kevin, this is a simple wedding, not a circus" Reece sighed out.

"Fine, fine. No theme, then. But can I at least wear a funny hat to the wedding?" Kevin pouted.

"Kevin, you're going to be the best man, not a clown." Reece face palmed in frustration.

"Why are you being annoying and always not serious right now?!" He yelled. Kevin chuckled.

"But seriously, dude. I can't believe you gave her such a hard choice to make. Do you even love her at all...."

"Are you crazy? I told you this is a business arrangement.....a loveless marriage. This is strictly for.....business!" Reece barked, and Kevin flinched a little.

"It's dark out there in the business world, Reece, you know that. I just hope everything goes well with her. She's right now like a fly trapped in your cub web....."

"I think it won't be bad if I start walking around with a sharp knife, so I can easily slit your throat when you start to talk too much" Reece said darkly and Kevin instantly shut his mouth, zipping it with the demonstration of his fingers.

•••••••••••••••••

[ NEXT DAY ]

"Where is my money?" A dark icy voice pierced through the air. After his word, the only thing that could be heard was the pounding heart of the woman kneeling before him. Sweat and tears cascading her face as she trembled in fear.

"I.. I promise to pay soon.. I had to save my son.. who needed urgent surgery.. I'll pay soon.. I.."

Her trembling words was cut short when a bullet dove into her thigh. Her agonizing scream hit the four corners of the room. Her body shivered in pain as blood oozed out of her wound.

"Please, ah!... Don't.. ah!.. kill me.. please my son needs me!!" She pleaded but it all fell on deaf ears as the man shot her second thigh. Her scream rented the place again, louder than before.

A dark smirk spread through his lips, enjoying the melody. Her pitiful condition indulge him so much, but he still had to get back his money.

He stood and crouched before her and held her face.

"Please..." In tears, she pleaded again, her voice barely above a whisper as pain spread through every cell in her body.

"If I don't get my money in two days, I'll have my men rape you to death. Two. Days" He emphasized on his last two words.

The woman cried even more. How the heck was she supposed to get the money in two days, after he had shot her both legs off.

Cruelty is an understatement for this man.

Lucas Martin, another billionaire known for his ruthless act and dangerous personality. Crossing path with him means death. A slow painful one.

He is damn rich, deadly handsome and hot, he has many women ready to present their slutty cûnt before him.

Even with his achievement, someone still surpassed him. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't beat Reece, the most ruthless and successful of them all. His resource were more than his and that made his blood hot, even just hearing Reece's name.

He should be the number one, not Reece!

"Boss" His assistant called after they got into the car.

"Speak" Lucas gave a cue, his voice low but firm.

"Reece is getting married" His assistant informed and Lucas frowned.

Marriage?

He gave his assistant a questioning look and his assistant pulled out a phone showing him Beverly's photo.

His eyes narrowed and his jaw clinched tightly. Of course he knew why Reece was getting married. That bastard would have more power.

•••••••••••••••••••••

Beverly stepped out of her car, stretching her arms and smiling as she gazed at her ice cream shop. After having a long night yesterday, she was excited to be back to her happy place; her ice cream shop.

However, her peace was short-lived. Two black cars pulled up alongside her, and four men in suits immediately stepped out, their eyes fixed on her.

Beverly's frown deepened as she felt a shiver run down her spine.

"Who are you guys? What do you want?" She asked, her voice firm but laced with confusion.

"Our boss sent us, ma'am" One of the men stepped forward, his expression blank.

"Your...boss sent you? Who's your boss, and what does he want from me?" She asked, her eyes narrowed, mind racing with possibilities and the man's reply made her breath catch.

"Mr. Blackmore, ma'am. You need to follow us to come choose your wedding dress."

Beverly's eyes widened in shock......