Chapter 5 Be Strong

" I like you. No, let me rephrase it. I'm in love with you, and I want to know you more so that we can start a serious relationship that will lead to marriage," Jayden said from the other end of the call, which earned an outburst of laughter from Rebecca.

" Why are you laughing?" Jayden asked from the other end of the call, sounding confused.

" You are funny, very funny," Rebecca replied after laughing to her satisfaction.

" How?" Jayden asked curiously. He didn't understand Rebecca's statement.

" For goodness sake, we just met. How can you tell me that you are in love with me and you want us to start a serious relationship that will lead to marriage? What do you think marriage is? A joke?" Rebecca asked angrily. However, before Jayden could utter a word, she continued.

" You men are all the same. When you are looking for a woman to warm up your bed, you come up with all sorts of enticing words just to have her. Well, sorry to burst your bubbles. I'm not one of those cheap sluts who will readily jump into the beds of any handsome man that comes their way," Rebecca said angrily. The audacity of Jayden! She wished she could see him so that she would give him an unforgettable slap for thinking so low of her.

' How could he think so low of me because I gave him my number when he asked for it,' Rebecca thought, fuming. The thought that Jayden saw her as a slut, didn't sit well with her.

" I think you misunderstood me. I am not after you for sex. I'm truly in love with you and I hope to make you my wife. I know it feels unrealistic because we just met. But it's the truth. I'm in love with you. You have heard of love at first sight, right?"Jayden said from the other end of the call.

'How can he claim to be in love with me after meeting just this afternoon?' Rebecca thought silently.

" You know what? I had a hectic day at work today and I'm exhausted. Let's continue this discussion during our hangout tomorrow," Rebecca said tiredly. She knew that their argument wouldn't end if they continued with the discussion. So, she kindly ended it.

" Okay. I will see you tomorrow. I will pick you up after work," Jay said from the other end of the call. From the tone of his voice, one could tell that he was excited about his date with Rebecca.

" No. Don't bother picking me up after work. Just send me the address and I will meet you there," Rebecca interjected. She didn't want Jayden to pick her up at her father's company because she did not want to establish a close relationship between them.

" Alright. I will do that. Have a wonderful night rest," Jayden said from the other end of the call. Rebecca muttered a reply and ended the call.

'I have to get rid of that guy before he becomes a pest in my life,' Rebecca thought while she retired to bed.

The next day, Rebecca's day was hectic as usual. She barely had time for herself. This was because Gloria Smith, her stepmother, as usual, ensured that she gave her piles of documents to work on.

Rebecca's joy knew no bounds when it was closing hour. She quickly rounded up her work and took her leave before her stepmother would engage her again.

' I need to freshen up before meeting with that Jayden,' Rebecca thought silently while she walked out of her office.

Jayden had sent her the address for their hangout and the time. But she didn't acknowledge it even though she due to how busy she was

By the time Rebecca got to the address Jayden sent to her, she was wowed. A luxurious restaurant with a serene atmosphere, a perfect place for hangouts.

" You look beautiful as always," Jayden complimented as soon as Rebecca got to the seat he reserved for them.

" Good evening to you too," Rebecca said with a roll of her eyes.

" Pardon my manners. Good evening, dear. How was your day?" Jayden said calmly.

" My day was hectic as always," Rebecca replied sincerely.

" I'm sorry for that," Jayden apologized to Rebecca even though he was not responsible for what happened in her place of work.

" You shouldn't apologize. It's not your fault. By the way, we need to have our discussion now so that I can go home and have some rest," Rebecca said calmly.

" What would you like to take?" Jayden asked Rebecca ignoring what she said.

" Nothing. I'm okay. I'm just exhausted. Let's finish our discussion so that I can go home and have a proper rest," Rebecca said calmly even though she was anything but calm.

" I'm sorry but I will take exception to this. I insist you place your order. I can't possibly take you out of your comfort zone and have you take nothing. Please, place your orders," Jayden said, leaving no room for argument. Rebecca grumbled incoherently and reluctantly placed her orders, seeing that Jayden wouldn't take no for an answer. Jayden smiled and also placed his orders.

" So, back to our last night's discussion, I mean every word I said. I'm truly in love with you and I want us to have a serious relationship that will lead to marriage. I know that we barely know each other. But please, give me a chance to prove my love for you," Jayden said while munching on his food.

" Fine, I will give you a chance to prove your love for me but it comes with a condition," Rebecca said after some moments of silence.

" And what will that be?" Jayden asked curiously.

" If you want this relationship, then there will be no sex until after our wedding," Rebecca replied immediately.

" Fine, I agree to it. I mean what's the rush of having sex with you now when I will have it any time I want when we eventually get married," Jayden said with a smile.

' I will frustrate you out of my life,' Rebecca thought and smirked. Her mind thought of countless ways to get rid of Jayden.

However, Rebecca fell head over heels for Jayden. What started as a one-sided love relationship soon became a full-blown love relationship, with both parties madly in love with each other. Their relationship was the envy of many.

For three years their relationship was lovey-dovey with no dull moments. Rebecca's joy knew no bounds the day Jayden made his intention of proposing to her during the Christmas Eve party organized by her family. She couldn't wait to marry the only man who gave her dark world light.

Present.......

Rebecca smiled bitterly. She couldn't believe that the same man who was once the light in her world would be the one to make her life darker than it had ever been.

' The irony of life! Your best friend today can be your worst enemy tomorrow," Rebecca thought silently.

" God, how do I cope with this? This is too much for me," Rebecca said to no one and blinked back, the tears threatening to flow.

" No! I refuse to let a tear drop down that bastard. I need to be strong. Rebecca, you can do this. You are a strong lady. Don't allow this to break you," Rebecca told herself repeatedly. But no matter how hard she tried to put everything that happened behind her, she couldn't. She was deeply hurt.

She never thought Jayden would do something as evil as that to her.

" Why is life treating me this way? Who have I offended and what is my offence?" Rebecca said to one in particular. Then she laughed but there was no humor in it.

" Maybe I should just end it now. After all, no one will miss me when I'm gone," Rebecca said to no one while staring at the pool.