His little Pawn

Sapphire's POV

I was swirling the drink in my glass as my friends chatted away. Evelyn was screaming about something her boyfriend did to her as always while Rebecca kept flaunting her new necklace. The only thing I could think about at the moment was my sick mum and also about myself who was completely useless.

You may be wondering who I am.

I am Sapphire Richardson, daughter to a struggling family but also First class scholarship students at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. People called me a truckload of nerves and pride but I pretty much felt like I was just a typical girl with typical issues and one who stayed out of trouble including men troubles. After my father ditched my mother when she got sick to elope with his female boss, I closed every possible chapter called relationships. Guys were horrible and cheats too. After all I had friends and I've seen how they always cried truckload of tears on my shoulders now and then because of the heartbreaks they got from their boyfriends. I couldn't bear them and I hated guys a bit too because they were nothing but unfaithful jerks.

"Sapphire, let's go dance! Rebecca slapped at my shoulders and I winced.

"Nah, thanks but I'm good"

I sipped from the wine and continued brooding.

"Oh come on Sapphire, loosen up! We came here to have some fun and come on the guys here are so cute!

I rolled my eyes.

"I only agreed to come here cause you dragged me here. I mean the drinks here cost a fortune, how the hell did you even afford it Evelyn?

"Well I have my ways" Evelyn said flipping her golden locks to a side and filtering her lashes.

"It's doesn't matter if they cost a fortune, we're here we might as well have some fun! Come on Sapphire" Becky who had been quiet for a while chipped in and pulled at my hand dragging me to the dance floor. I was still groaning and protesting when someone walked into the club. His presence seemed to cause a standstill cause everyone went quiet. He walked in with two body guards behind him and mehn was he drop dead gorgeous.

He was about 6"2 feet tall, broad shoulders, nice legs with a face that looked lik it had been carved by a greek God. For some reason I couldn't stop staring and then our eyes clocked. His eyes ....were cold. So cold and dark like the abyss. He had this look as if he could bore through someone's soul. Like a handsome devil. He looked away and moved away to a seat which from what I observed had already been prepared for him.

Who the hell was this guy? And why was his presence so intimidating? I scoffed. He was probably some handsome bad boy man. The types who felt they were every woman's dream.

"Oh my gawd. That guy looks like every woman's dream. He's so sexy" Becky chipped at my elbow and I frowned.

"Oh please. He's not that good looking"

Now, wasn't that a lie? I almost drooled looking at him.

The music started and everyone was strutting it on the dance floor. I wasn't much of a dancer but I gave it my all. Dancing away all my worries. Becky had already paired off with a guy, Rebecca was dancing frantically dead drunk while Evelyn was busy flirting with the bartender. Everyone seemed to be having the times of their lives until.....

The violent sound of breaking glass hit the air. Everyone paused and I heard gasps filling the room. What the hell just happened? I heard the tearing sound of someone being slapped and a terrifying cry which sounded like .....Rebecca! I tore through the crowd to come face to face with Rebecca on the ground and a hulk of a man pulling at her shirt like he would rip it. She seemed to be begging and pleading. Then I realized he was one of the body guards who had walked in with that man earlier. Then I saw him gazing down at Rebecca like an animal, his white tuxedo smeared with red hot wine. Then I understood what happened. She had crashed into him while dancing and soiled his suit.

I gasped. The hulk of a man slapped Rebecca again and my heart shook.

How could he stand there and let his men treat her like that? She was drunk and it was an accident! How much was the stupid suit anyway enough to hit a woman that way. I felt my blood boil and before I knew it, I walked to where that hulk of a man was and gave him a forceful push. He only staggered a little so it wasn't enough to free Rebecca but it was enough to catch their attention . I flared at Mr pretty boy.

"What the hell is wrong with you? How can you treat a woman this way over a stupid suit? She was drunk. It's not like she did it intentionally!

He glared at me and raised a brow.

"Stupid suit? I saw him scoff.

"I see, are you her mother?

I grimaced. Was that an insult?

"I'm her friend you jerk! Now leave her alone! I thundered and I heard some gasps behind me. He just kept glaring at me with his hands now in his pockets.

"This suit is worth more your entire family bundled together so if I leave your friend then will you pay for it or rather receive her punishment, bitch?

Did he just call me a bitch? I was almost speechless. Bitch?

"I'm a bitch? Aren't you the petty guy for crying over a suit. I mean since you're big and mighty why don't you just buy another one? I mean obviously from your get up, you're what? A big boss billionaire right?

Or are you just too broke you can't afford another suit? I can replace it for you if you're that desperate"

Sounds of 'ooh's and ahh filled the room and for once I saw his eyes slightly widen and grow darker. Evelyn who had gotten closer by now gasped and made to pull me away.

"Sapphire, you shouldn't....we should leave...

"No, this jerk needs some sense smacked into his head! You saw what he did to Rebecca. What kind of man does that? I snapped.

"But Sapphire, you don't even know who he is ......Evelyn said in naked fright and I scoffed. I looked at him and he had a strange look on his face by now. I saw him signal to his body guards who left Rebecca alone and I rushed to her pulling her away from him. Evelyn helped hold her up. His guards had begun dispersing people by now and chasing them away.

"Sapphire right? I heard him say and I looked at him dead in the eyes. He must have heard Evelyn call my name. The nerves!

"So? I scoffed at him. For some reason he inched dangerously close to me and I took steps back but then I heard him whisper into my ear.

"I'll make you eat your words" His tone sent chills down my spine and I looked straight at him again.

"Excuse me....

I saw him look at his pure wristwatch and twisted his lips but then his next words caught me off guard.

"Let's get married Sapphire"

Wait ....what? I looked at him like he was insane.

"Excuse me?

"Yes, let's get married. You and me. Delmar resort table 9 next week Saturday at 10am"

"Whoah,whoah....wait Mr...I don't even know you and after that stunt you pulled why would I even want to do that?

"Oh, I don't think you'll have much of a choice by then. I'll see you by then. I hate tardiness so be punctual if you don't want to get on my bad side. Take care of your friend by the way. She should consider you her Messiah" He said with a bitter and twisted smirk after which I saw him walk away.

What the hell?

I looked at him as he moved out of the club along with his body guards.

He was nothing but a handsome psychopath! How the hell could he ask me to marry him? Why....? But then the words he spoke before that came crashing into my head.

What did he mean when he said he would make me eat my words? Why did it make me feel fright?

Sapphire's POV

My heart stopped when I read the letter in my shaking hands. It felt like my world had stopped and been tossed into a trance.

My scholarship had been withdrawn! I looked all over the letter maybe for even a valid reason but I couldn't get any. What...what the hell was this? My scholarship is the only way I can secure a good future for myself and my mother. If I lose it then it's over!

I slipped into my dress faster than lightening and before I knew it found my way to the admissions office where I was redirected to see the vice chancellor of the university who had initiated the withdrawal process. I was ready to cry and roll and even jump over the roof if he asked me but I couldn't lose this scholarship but then his next words sent my brain exploding into a billion pieces.

"I'm sorry miss Richardson but it's out of my hands. Request for your withdrawal came directly from the new owner and director of the institution. There was nothing I could do" He said looking really remorseful and I frowned.

"Sir, did you say new owner?

"Yes, Mr Lance Clawson head of Ema Claw corporated recently bought the institution and requested an immediate withdrawal of your scholarship"

"Why would he request the withdrawal of scholarship students?

"Not all scholarship students. Just yours Sapphire. For the reason I don't know but it's not in my hands anymore"

It felt like a slap to the face. Why would this individual who probably didn't even know me request my withdrawal. I was a pretty good student both in academics and behavior wise. What the hell did I do to deserve this?

"Sir what did you say the name of the new owner was?

"Mr Lance Clawson"

My wheel of thoughts stopped for a moment and my eyes widened.

Lance Clawson was the name of the second son to the Clawson family empire. The Clawson family empire was one of the richest and wealthiest in all the country. They owned majority of the country's industries, businesses and organizations. Lance Clawson in particular was a sole owner of one of the largest software company in the country. At a young age, he abandoned his family business and established his very own from scratch. He was indomitable and a freaking multi billionaire! But then why the hell would someone that high up be interested in me or my scholarship? Then it felt like a bell was slammed against my head. How did Lance Clawson look like?

I rushed out the chancellor's office and over to my apartment. I flipped my laptop open and began punching in some letters, my heart pounding against my rib cage then I saw it. The face. That face!

Lance Clawson was the so called Jerk I had stumbled upon two days ago at the club!

I had stopped breathing by now and held my chest. I was dead. I was dead meat. The Clawson family weren't only known for their wealth but also their power and their insane desire to crush whoever dared defy them. The second son in particular was a demon! What had I gotten myself into?

Just that moment I received a text message. I clicked on it and froze at what I saw.

It was an ejection letter! My landlord was requesting I vacate the premises even though I wasn't owing rent! His reason? Someone had bought the building and requested I got kicked out. The next minute I received another message from where I worked part time saying my services were no longer needed! I had just lost everything under five minutes! What the f....

I threw my phone on the bed and ran my hand over my hair.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

Then I remembered his words.

"I'll make you eat those words"

Slowly I felt the tears force their way out. I couldn't lose my scholarship! I couldn't lose my apartment and my job! My mum ...I had to find a way to foot her bills and I had to make something out of my life. I couldn't lose everything! If I did not only would I be miserable for the rest of my life, my mum would die.

Lance POV

I gazed at the red content in the glass cup for a few minutes before lifting it to my lips. For some reason I was in an insanely..should I say joyful mood today? Why? Maybe because my idiot of an elder brother had failed to acquire one of the most massive contracts the family had been aiming for. Of course I had beat him to it. As always.

My eyes caught sight of a frail female figure advancing towards me and a gentle but wicked smile played at the side of my lips. I looked to my watch. It was exactly 9am. Why was I not surprised? My pawn had arrived just on time.

I saw her look at him with pained eyes which I shrugged off.

"Take a seat" I said and I saw her bit her lips in hesitation but sit down eventually.

"You look rather worn out Sapphire. Seems this week was a bit tough for you?

I saw her frown and continuing sipping my drink in feigned ignorance. Before I knew it, her eyes were glistening with tears. I raised a brow.

"So is this your plan? To ruin the life of an innocent girl? What did I ever do to you? She spat clenching her fist and I scoffed. I didn't really care for her petty emotions.

"I didn't call you here to help me reawaken a dead conscience Sapphire. I said I wanted us to get married, didn't I?

I saw her crease her head in confusion and dread.

"Why...why would you want to marry me? I could feel the terror in her voice now. I wondered where all that brash impudence had gone.

"Because I just feel like it, you know. Besides you're left without much of a choice aren't you? Don't you have a sick mother to care for?

I saw her eyes widen in fear and I smirked. Two days ago I had gone to the club in search of just any regular bitch, one I could use to fulfil my plans. My plans to overtake my family's empire. The first step to doing that was getting married as required by the old man Clawson. Of course I was a man of class and she was way beneath what I would call class but then no one dared defy me, my competitors knew when to back off talk less of some average day bitch. So what more way to punish her for her insane arrogance by tormenting her to my pleasure and using her to achieve my goals?

"So what do you say? I asked dropping the glass on the table.

Sapphire's POV

I stared at him in dread as he asked the question. Dread was all I could feel. If I refused this guy would frustrate me and turn my life to a living hell. I doubt I could ever get another job anywhere. I had tried and everyone kept rejecting me! He had pulled some strings, I know. How he would go as far as tormenting an innocent person was sickening!

I felt like screaming at him. I felt like pouring water all over his stupid face but then wasn't that what caused my problems in the first place? But then what if I married him and he killed me? My body shook but if I didn't marry him, he could do away with me all the same. I had to choose the one that would help my mother. I looked straight at him red eyed.

"So...if I agree to marry you....will you reinstate my scholarship and let me get a job?

I saw him look away.

"Well, you're not really in a position to bargain love but if you accept I can assure you of your mother's treatment but your scholarship withdrawal is your punishment for stepping on my toes"

My shoulders dropped but I somehow felt grateful that my mum would be okay. All the same it hurt. It hurt bad.

"So, what do you say bitch?

I hated when he called me that but then I couldn't say anything. I brought this on myself. I sighed.

"I'll marry you"

"Good" I saw him get up that moment and signaled to his body guards who stood by the side. I looked on in confusion.

"Let's go" He growled at me and I was left stunned.

"Where....

"Let's go get married"

My heart stopped. Already?

Sapphire's POV

Even with the AC turned on in the private jet, I still felt like I would suffocate. I gripped at the hem of my dress as I stared out the window. I had never been in a plane before but now I was in a flipping first class private jet! But unfortunately on my way to a forced wedding. How the hell did my life take such a drastic turn in just three days?

I saw Lance come out of the inner cabin sauntering into the room like some demigod. He was dressed in casual, his shirt was slightly unbuttoned. I saw him take the seat on the other side of the plane, a tablet in his hand which he delicately operated. His facials couldn't get any more damn hot. His brown hair looked more soft like sheep's wool.

Damn it Sapphire, this man is your flipping kidnapper! He's literally forcing you to marry him! Why the hell a man of his caliber would force me to marry him is something I don't understand. But then again it was hard to resist looking at him.

"If you're going to drool, you might as well request a bucket" He shot without sparing me a glance and I flushed, my complexion did a far more worse job at covering my embarrassment. I grimaced and looked away.

"Bitch, I doubt you've ever entered a plane before, right?

I scoffed. Jerk!

I needed to use the bathroom but I was sceptical to ask Mr pretty boy. All I would get was a truckload of insults. I fumbled with my seat belt which was kind of incredibly hard to pull off. Since the hostess helped me settle in I hadn't gotten up and this seat belt was beginning to look like it came from outta space.

"Pull at it, don't bend it idiot" He snorted and I shot him a cold glance.

"Bastard" I said in a bit of a whisper and I saw his hawk like eyes direct themselves to my direction.

"What did you say? He gave a low growl like he would pounce on me at my next reply.

"I...said back room"

I saw him scoff and continue what he was doing. I took off the seat belt and moved up back to the restroom smacking at my lips. I was in enemy territory. I needed to control my lips before Mr pretty man would kill me. I mean he didn't look like someone who couldn't do it. I had to lay low until I could come up with a plan that could save me that didn't include vanishing into thin air or dying rather.

I got into the restroom. After using the 'loo', I stood in front of the mirror, sighing. I couldn't believe that in the next few moments from now I would become the wife of a billionaire. Not just any billionaire. One who I was sure was insane! I mean this was never how I envisioned my marriage. I hadn't even envisioned being married in the first place but even if I had, it certainly wouldn't be like this! I growled. I had to do this. For mum.

I made for the restroom door and pulled at it but it wasn't opening. I tried all I could but it was locked. It opened earlier. Don't tell me a 5 star private jet had faulty door handles. After a futile struggle, I opted to scream and banging at the door but help wasn't forthcoming. That bastard wasn't far away. He couldn't tell me that he couldn't hear me. I kept banging at the door when I noticed something. It was getting a bit colder. I rubbed at my arms and looked around then I gasped. There was an AC vent high up and a lot of cold air was coming in.

What...why...then something struck me. Did he lock me in here?

Lance's POV

I scrolled through the files my contact had sent me. The entire marketing strategy my brother Ronald had set up. I smirked. Unlike Ronald who was much more of a fool who opted for petty tactics such as sabotage I would opt for a better plan. News of my marriage and pretentious reformation had soften the old man Clawson's heart and of course my place in the family business, secured. All I needed to do was come up with a much more befitting yet erroneous marketing plan, sell it to my idiot brother and watch everything crumbling down as he takes the blame. I sighed and clenched my fist.

I wouldn't stop. I would ruin them. Each and everyone of them for what they did to me especially that witch, especially mother.

I could just hear the bitch's horrendous screaming by now and I couldn't help but feel pleased. She obviously hadn't learnt her lesson yet. Maybe when I was done with her she would learn to speak with a little seasoning.

I saw Rachael the air hostess rush towards the restroom at the screams.

"Leave it" I snapped and she paused looking at me with widened eyes.

"But sir....it seems she's stuck inside"

"Do you like your job Rachael?

I saw her bow her head in remorse. Good girl.

"I'm sorry sir" With that she moved away. I sighed. I had to be prepared.

Sapphire POV

My brain had almost had a system lag before I heard the restroom door slide open. I was hurdled at the corner of the floor, every cell in my body quaking from the insane cold. I couldn't move, it felt like my bodily fluids had been frozen!

I saw Lance come in, his face expressionless.

"Get up" He ordered and moved away leaving me shaking like a fish out of water. The heartless beast. He had really locked me in and left me to freeze to death! Moving felt like hell. It was like I had frostbite inside.

I dragged myself outside and my eyes caught sight of a shopping bag which had been dropped on my seat. I looked to Lance who by now was wearing a black suit.

"Wear what's inside"

I frowned at his tone.

"You can't keep talking to me like this you know"

"Would you rather I lock you back up in there? He snarled and I swallowed.

I picked the bag and pulled out a floral dress. It was pretty but there was just one problem. It was kind of...short. Usually I hardly ever wore dresses. Mostly baggy clothes but this was so different....

"I don't want to have to repeat myself"

His voice came again and I fumbled with the bag.

"I....the dress....I can't...

"You can't what? He turned to look at me with eyes colder than death and I shut my mouth. Was this the man I was getting married to?

"Where do I change? I managed to speak out but he acted like he didn't hear me and sat down. I sighed. I guess there was no other place to go but that horrid restroom again.

The plane landed a few minutes later and I couldn't help but be more relieved. I pulled the floral dress to cover a bit of my thighs but it was pointless.

"Let's go" He ordered and I stood up.

"When we come face to face with people, I expect you to compose yourself. Your name is Lauren Dean, you're a soft ware engineer from a prestigious family and you schooled in Hamilton University. Your hobbies are reading, writing and violen practice. Are we clear?

I gasped. The only thing he said differently was the name and that I was from a prestigious family and the fact that I didn't actually get to graduate as a software engineer because of him!. Every other thing sounded like it came right out of my track book. How much research did this guy do on me?

"Are we clear?

"Em....ye...yes!

"Don't speak unless you're spoken to. Put a smile on your face"

"Yes sir!

"Good, let's go, shall we? He held out his hand to me like an actual cultured human being and I couldn't help but recoil. Without another word he held my hands and pulled me close to him till our bodies were touching and held my waist. It felt like electricity went down my spine. His face was dangerously close to mine. I gulped as I could feel myself getting hot.

What the hell was this?

"There's one very important thing I expect you to keep in mind, Sapphire. You're my fiance, you'll be my wife in a few minutes so act like it, okay? His tone was dark and I could guess what would happen if I didn't do what he said.

I nodded and then a rather insincere smile traced his lips.

"Alright then. Why don't we go greet my family and your new in laws?

With that we moved outside to meet a few people who were already waiting for us to get off the plane.

I never knew my hell was just about to start.