Chapter 2 RUNAWAY BRIDE

Damien's eyes held no emotion as he stares daringly at Briggs, his assistant.

"She ran away... then search for her", he yells.

"And don't come back if you don't find her, I have to do this by all means", He added, slowly spinning around on his office chair as he spins a pencil.

Briggs exits swiftly.

"Who does she think she is?" Damien murmured.

He turns on his computer to work but his mind kept lingering.

"She is just seeking attention ", he taught inaudibly, standing up as he was unable to focus on his work.

He opens up a drawer, brings out some unorganized documents as he focus his gaze on it.

"Get married to her!", his father's last word lingers again in his head.

"Arghhh", he drops the papers grabbing his head.

"What's wrong with me today?", he murmurs as he grabs his head with both palms.

Of course he couldn't concentrate when his mind keeps wandering about his runaway bride, he just wanted to get married and get over it as soon as possible.

A knock on the door distracts him, "come in..., he approves,

His secretary walks in carrying a mug of coffee in a saucer, "would you like to have any other thing Mr. Damien?" She asked with a broad smile.

Damien only shakes his head pointing towards the door.

She exits shortly.

Damien gulps the hot coffee in one go as he tries to calm his head.

He turns to his computer again inputting the password but it keeps failing, over and over again.

"Argh...", With frustration his hand wander across his desk picking up the mug and smashing it on the wall.

"What is happening", he hold until his head again, after a while, his panic still lingered, he couldn't work that way, so he head out to do the work himself.

He picks up his jacket slinging it into his shoulder as he head out his office.

his phone buzzing rhythmically.

"We found her boss" Came Brigg's voice on the other end immediately.

"Bring her to the courthouse immediately", he ordered as he slides the phone into his pocket heading outside.

He motioned for his secretary to take care of his office without a word", she shudders as she nods, her head bowed.

"Get the car", he ordered his men as he proceeded the elevator.

His black leather designer shoe glittered as he moves towards the exit.

Immediately The room fills with murmur as panic flushed the face of all the workers on the ground floor, everyone tries to compose themselves, each person bows their head, greeting in fear and running to their desks as he calmly walked past , of course except one person.

Freya.

She had managed to get a one night stand with the cold and arrogant Damien, she wants him to be her lover by all means.

An evil broad smile curls on her lips immediately she sighted Damien.

Taking calculated steps she walks up to him, "Damien..., It's nice to see you this morning, how are you?", she asks.

Damien doesn't reply, he locks eyes with her for a moment, his gaze cold and intimidating, "Freya, I am doing well, thanks", he replies with a cold dismissive tone moving aside as he continues on his path exiting the building.

Freya's smile vanish as panic storms her, this isn't what she planned, her mouth opens to respond but Damien's men is already moving after him.

The door swings open as Damien gets into the car, disappearing into the sunlight.

"Argh", she stormed her feet, barging to her office angrily.

"To the courthouse" he orders the chauffeur.

*****

"Sit here, Mr Damien is on his way", one of the men ordered.

Joan looks at him with scorn as she quietly sits, Her parents joining shortly.

"Where have you been Joan", Mrs Dave asks, concern laced in her voice.

Joan doesn't reply, instead she crosses her hands over her chest.

"Where is the man, where is the documents?" let's get this over with already, Joan asked in a low tune, her head bowed.

"You didn't leave your key dear, I had to open up with a spare key after knocking for hours, I taught you were home, I found it on your dresser, here you go", Mrs Dave says as she stretches the envelope containing the documents towards Joan.

Joan shakes her head as her eyes began to water, "Who gets married on jeans, they won't even let me change my outfit mom, but it's fine, it's fine, It's fine mom", she replies, swiftly collects the documents leaving it on the table.

She throws her gaze to the other side as she shuts her eye, weird wild thoughts rushing through her mind.

At that moment, she knew this was her new life, there was no backing down now.

"I'm sorry Joan, Mrs Dave apologize as she puts a hand on Joan's shoulder.

A tear drops out of Joan's eyes as she stands up holding her mom tight in a warm embrace, Mr Dave's pat her on the back.

Their affectionate moment is interrupted when the door swings open.

Men in black storming in.

Joan hurriedly wipes her face with the back of her palm as her eyes search for her groom.

And there came Damien, white skin glowing in under the bright light of the courthouse as his black hair bounces in every dominating step he took, The expensive suit complimenting his broad shoulders.

Joan's heart sank, down to her stomach, this wasn't butterflies, it was dread.

Her fist clench as the muscle in her face tightens.

"Damien?", she whispers, confused, her eyes darting in search of a miracle as she disregards the thought, "it certainly isn't Damien, I'll wait for my groom and ignore him", she murmurs.

"Good morning all", Damien greets politely taking his seat.

His men vibrantly waiting at the door.

"Let's proceed", Damien orders.

His mom entering shortly, her face tightens as she looks at Joan with scorn.

The room falls silent as Joan's mind keeps racing with thoughts.

"What is Damien doing here?, is he my groom?, did he know I was the bribe?, does he even remember me?", the questions came all at once as she struggles to breathe.

A bespectacled lawyer in polished outfit steps forward Carrying a briefcase.

"Good morning everyone", he greeted as he opens the briefcase.

"We are here today to finalize the marriage contract between Mr Damien Ivan and Miss Joan Dave", he pauses.

Joan's eyes widen in shock, "No!, No!, No!,No!, No".

"This is wrong, the..., there..., there is a mistake somewhere", Joan stammers, her eyes searching the room for her mother once more.

"What do you mean by that", Damien thunders, his brows retracting as he also finds it hard processing the news.

"You were given this contract before now, you signed it and now you act as if you never consented, how shameful of you", Damien yells, his voice laced with fury as his fist clenched.

Joan opens her mouth to speak but no word forms.

"You have only been seeking attention, right from the very first moment, who do you think you are?", Damien asks, his voice laced with anger as the muscles tightens, revealing his veins.