I Accidentally Married a Playboy

Kathleen sat in front of her mirror, fully clad in her wedding dress as she observed her pale expression, it's her wedding day yet she looked so sad, doubts whirl in her mind, she's getting married to the most upright and perfect guy in the universe, well to everyone, he's a saint, even her parents see him as a demigod and her chance of a lifetime, she had tried on several occasions that Dave is no saint but they would hear nothing about it, her dad had even threatened to disown her if she so much as do anything that will sabotage her marriage with Dave, he is Rich, handsome and charming and w

ould bring them out from their poverty state, he has so blinded her parents that none sees her desire nor do they care about what she wants.

Dave was every lady's dream but he was simply not hers because she has seen him in his true form, he might have been her dream also but she knows better, she knows he is a wolf in sheep's clothing, her mind flashed back to when she first met him.

It was during her final year in college, she had been coming back from college with her best friend Tasha, they had been standing at the bus station for hours waiting for a bus but none was in sight, then suddenly, an expensive car parked in front of them

" Hey, pretty ladies" he had said beaming, his white teeth and laughing eyes pulled her right in and she found herself returning the smile

" Mind if I give you a ride to your destination?"

They hadn't waited for a second invitation, they hopped in, he had been sweet and funny throughout the ride, making them laugh.

He dropped Tasha off first then headed to her house

" Now I have the queen all to myself"

" Really?" She had blushed at his statement of referring to her as a queen

" Have you ever seen a queen without a castle?"

He smiled ever so charmingly

" How about I build you a castle and you be my queen, we'll rule our kingdom"

" You're so smooth"

" And you're so beautiful" Kathleen had blushed again at his compliment

"By the way I'm Dave"

" Kathleen" she had answered

" Beautiful name for a beautiful queen"

That was how their journey had begun, he frequents her house buying her things, in no time at all he won her mother's heart, then her father.

Six months into the relationship, they had had a date and she never showed up, Kathleen was beside herself with worry as she tries to reach him but got no response, she decided to see for herself if he's ok, she took a taxi and went to his house, she knocked but got no response, thank God she was with the spare key he had given to her, she simply inserts it into the lock and opened the door. She got in, the living room was in a mess, his clothes and undies all over the place, she bent to pick them up and was puzzled when she saw female undies inclusive other than that she didn't see anyone, she headed upstairs and started hearing faint noise coming from the direction of his bedroom and she moved towards the direction, the door was slightly ajar, she opened the door and was shocked at what was before her, Dave in bed with another lady, she couldn't believe her eyes

" Dave?" She whispered in disbelief and he quickly jumped down from the bed

" Sweetheart, it's not what you think" but she didn't wait to hear any of that, she turned on her heels and dashed out of the house.

How could he cheat on her, she thought they were okay, she had cried her eyes out.

Dave was persistent, he kept calling and sending texts, he kept coming to her house to apologize promising he would never do it again, and finally, Kathleen had forgiven him and they continued their relationship.

One day, he had come to college to pick her up, she was with one of her friends, Rick chatting and laughing when Dave showed up, he walked up to them his gaze furious, he held Rick by his collars, " stay away from my girlfriend"

"But we aren't doing anything wrong" before Rick could complete his statement, Dave punched him on the nose and Drew blood instantly, Kathleen was aghast and embarrassed as she tries to hold Dave, he suddenly turned on her and gave her a slap that sent her head spinning, before she could recollect herself, he had dragged her into the car and drove off.

Kath was furious, " stop this car right now" she yelled but got no response from him.

She made for the steering and tries to get hold of it

" Shit, you're going to get us killed" he yelled trying to hold into the wheels

" I said stop the car"

" Alright" he backed and stopped at the side of the road

" Sweetheart, concerning what just happened, I am sorry"

Kathleen made no reply as she simply opened the door and came down.

Dave came down from his side of the car, " Kath, I'm sorry, I regret hitting you", Kathleen didn't answer as she just kept on walking, Dave ran to her front

" Kath, I don't know what came over me, I was jealous seeing you with another man"

" Dave, I'm tired of this relationship, it's becoming toxic for me"

" Please, don't say that Kath, I promise I will change, it won't happen again" he had knelt on the road, tears streaming down his cheeks begging for her forgiveness, Kath pitied him and forgave him, " I forgive you, please don't kneel, get up"

"Thank you so much, I want to make it up to you, let's go out for lunch" he had blabbered excitedly

" I'm really tired, maybe tomorrow"

" Alright, my love" he had kissed her forehead before leaving.

Although Kathleen had forgiven him the incident was still on her mind making her unusually quiet, her mom came and sat down beside her, " you've been very quiet, what's eating you?"

Kathleen felt relieved that her mom was ready to listen, she would get a mother's advice from her, Being an only child, sometimes she missed not having any sibling to talk to,

" It's Dave mom, he has changed a lot, I don't think this relationship can work out"

" Shhh, do not say that my child, people change, just put more effort, you can't deny he has done so much for this family" her mom wasn't understanding her either, she knew her mom wouldn't understand,

" Your father would hear nothing about this, everybody has a flaw, so please learn to accommodate his flaws, he has been nice to us"

Crystal knew that her parents wouldn't understand, they had been blinded by Dave's money.

Dave had come the next day to pick her up for their date, they had gone to a fancy place and had beautiful moments together but that beautiful moment had changed drastically when Raul, a long time friend had walked in, she hadn't seen him in years and in her excitement she had hugged him. Dave had stood up immediately and dragged her outside, " how dare you" he had fumed

Kath's heart skipped, she knew what he was capable of but she hadn't done anything wrong, " Dave please, Raul is just a friend"

He had slapped her hard for that comment, shouting " you slut"

He slapped her again, Kath lose her footing and bang her head on something very hard, her head spun as she was seeing stars

Dave was still busy ranting and hitting her and suddenly all noise faded into the background as the only thing that enveloped her was blackness and coldness as she had lost consciousness.

Kath had opened her eyes to see her mom at her side, she tried sitting up but her mom rushed to her side to stop her, " what happened, where am I?"

" thank God you're awake" her mother cried, " Dave told us you has slipped and bang your head when you both went out yesterday".

In a rush, Kath recalled all that happened the previous night, how Dave had beaten her till she had fainted, that liar, he had told her parents' different story.

"Mom, that wasn't what happened"

" Shhhhh, you need to rest, do not talk now"

Why wouldn't she let her speak, couldn't she see she was suffocating already in this relationship? At that moment, Dave walked in and she turned her head to the other side of the bed.

" How's she" he had asked as if concerned, " improving, she's awake" her mother replied

" Thank goodness" he rushed to her side,

" I'll go get something outside" her mom left them alone and Kath felt tears run down from the corner of her eyes, her parents were bent on her marrying Dave, so in their eyes, he could do no wrong, she truly has no one, she was slowly dying inside but none could hear her crying out.

"My love, I'm truly sorry, forgive me" Dave cried immediately after her mom left

" Till when do I have to bear it Dave? I'm tired already"

" Please, don't say that, I'll die if you leave me, please I'm sorry"

" No Dave, I need a break, I need space" she cried

" Okay, I'll give you space but please do not break up with me" tears were streaming down his face, his eyes red from crying.

*

*

" You cannot break up with Dave" her dad shouted when she told them her decision of ending the relationship, she had been discharged from the hospital two days ago and she had made her decision known to her parents but her dad would hear nothing of it.

"Dad, he is the reason I was sent to the hospital"

"And he is the reason why you are back, he took care of you in the hospital".

Kath shook her head, she couldn't believe her dad was actually saying this to her, " do you even care about me dad?" She asked in a whisper.

Her father glowered at her, his lips curved menacingly, " from the day I married your mother, I let you stay in my house, you should have a heart of gratitude for harboring an illegitimate child"

" Donald please," her mother said from behind.

She walked towards Kathleen, "please honey, he doesn't mean it" her mother tried to console her.

Kath shook her head in disbelief, tears streaming down her eyes, she ran out of the house.

Over the years, she had strived to win her father's love, although he wasn't her biological father but she regarded him as her father since she had no idea who her real father was and her mother had been so tight-lipped about it. To think that he'd want her to be in an abusive relationship for his selfish interest hurt the most, it showed he had no iota of love for her.

Kathleen didn't stop running, she didn't know where she was going but she just have to leave this suffocating place, a place where there's no happiness, a place where she has no say, she needed to outrun the pain she was feeling inside, she needed to outrun the disappointment and broken dreams, she ran till she pants for breath, she sat under a peach tree, tears streaming down her cheeks, she lost count of how many hours she sat there crying, she cried for the pain she was feeling inside, cried for an unfulfilled dream because with Dave, she knew she could never get the kind of love she had always dream about, she cried that her parents were not able to see the real Dave, she cried because right now she felt so broken, she was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the stranger standing in front of her till she offered her a handkerchief.

" What is a beautiful woman doing out here alone crying," he asked in a deep baritone voice.

Kath accepted the handkerchief from him and wiped her tears, "thank you" she murmured

" It's always a pleasure to wipe away the tears of a beautiful lady"

Kath glanced at the stranger, he's quite handsome with laughing blue eyes, " you can pay me back by doing me a favor" he grinned at her showing a set of dimples

" What favor could that be?" I have nothing to offer"

" Oh, yes you do, your smile, I want you to do me a favor by giving me a smile"

Kath smiled wanly and offered him back his handkerchief.

" Better" he looked at her keenly, a man came out of nowhere and whispered something into his ears and he nodded, he looked at her again, " as much as I'm enjoying your company, I think I have to leave now" he glanced at her stretched hands offering him his handkerchief, " and you can keep that, each time you're sad and feels like crying, just look at the handkerchief and smile because it will always be there to wipe your tears" with that he turned to leave.

Kath wondered why she felt so at ease with this stranger that she doesn't even know his name.

" Wait" she shouted at his retreating back, " I'm Kathleen by the name". He smiled and tipped his head at her, " nice to meet you Kathleen" he replied and left before Kathleen could ask for his name in return.

Kathleen returned home, it was dark already, how time flies, she walked into the house to see her mother pacing and in tears, she quickly rushed towards her, " what happened mum?"

" It's your father" her mother wailed

" What happened to father?" Her mother didn't answer but kept on crying, she shook her mother and repeated her questions.

" The doctor is inside with him, he has had a heart attack"

The doctor came out from the room and both Kath and her mother ran to him, " doctor how's my father?"

" He's okay, it's just a minor attack, he just needs his rest"

Kath breath a sigh of relief, her mom hugged her with tear-filled eyes.

" I'll be on my way, for now, he should not be upset by anything," the doctor told them and she nodded, " thank you Doc"

Both Kath and her mother went into the room when the doctor left, he opened his eyes when they entered,

" Don't cry dear" he rasped, looking at her teary mom when they entered, her mom wiped her eyes with the back of her palms and hugged him.

Kathleen stood there lost for words,

" Dad, I'm sorry" she managed to gasp out from her already clogged throat. He glanced at her and turned his face away from her without acknowledging her, she moved towards him and her mother nodded in encouragement.

" If you're really sorry them you'll agree to keep Dave in your life" he turned towards her and gazed at her coldly.

Kath stood still, she couldn't believe he was still insisting on her and Dave, she kept mute.

He regarded her for a few seconds, " I thought as much, don't come here saying you're sorry when you're not, please I need to rest" he turned away from her.

Kath felt hurt, she slowly walke1d out of the room to see her mom standing by the door.

" Please Kath" his mom looked at her beseechingly. She stared at her mom, she looked so pale and frail, "why don't you give in to his demand?"

" Mom" Kath felt like she was drowning, " I'm not discussing this" she made to walk past her mother but she followed her

" This was the man that took us in when we were living on the street with nothing to hold on to, he accepted me and gave me his love, can't you grant him this favor?"

" Dave is just not the man for me mom"

" Who then is the man for you?" Her mother shouted angrily, " a scallywag who doesn't have a penny to his name?"

" I can't believe you're saying this to me mom"

" I love your father and I will do anything to make him happy"

" What about my happiness mom, doesn't it count?

" You'll be happy with Dave, give him more chance, he'll change, please do his for me" her mother pleaded, looking at Kathleen tearfully.

That night, Kathleen didn't spend the night at home, she went to her best friend, Tasha, she couldn't understand why everyone was seeing her and Dave as the perfect match, even Tasha believed that she and Dave are a match made in heaven.

She had returned home from Tasha's the next day to see Dave chatting with her parents in the living room.

" Kathleen, look who's here" she looked at her in disapproval, perhaps because she didn't sleep at home last night. " I'll excuse you so that you can have a proper discussion with him" her father stood up and walked past her but not before "whispering do no mess this up" to her.

Her mother looked at her pleadingly before following her father out.

Kathleen stared at Dave but made no attempt to go close to him, he came up to her, his gaze no longer held remorse about his action, rather he looked cocky, she wondered what her parents must have said to him.

" Look, why don't you just forget about what happened, and let's move on" he trailed his hands down her cheek and she quickly moved out of his reach. He narrowed his gaze on her, " you are mine, do you hear me and I won't let you leave me" he made to grab her but she stepped out of his reach again.

" Dave please, cut it out" she fumed, " we wouldn't even be having this conversation if not for my parents"

Dave's face became contrite, " I said I am sorry, why can't you just let go?"

" That's always the issue Dave, you're always sorry but never change"

Dave moved and grabbed her hands," I'll change this time Kath, I was just so jealous because of how much I love you, can't you see that?"

" I love you too Dave but I just can't put up with your attitude".

He smiled broadly," you love me? You have no idea how happy I am to hear that" he grabbed her and placed a sound kiss on her lips, " I'll change, I promise".

That week, Dave actually became a changed person and Kathleen was very Happy, this relationship could work, that week she had peace with even her father but unfortunately, the happiness didn't last long as Dave proved to her again that he can never change. They had gone out on a date and she had gone out to wait for Dave while he settles the bill, she had only just stood there for a minute when a guy approached her to ask if she had seen any kid around, she was just about to answer when Dave came out and punched him, "stay away from my girl"

" I wasn't doing anything with....." Before he could finish his statement, Dave made to land another punch on him but Kathleen quickly grabbed his hand," Dave, stop it, it's not what you think"

" You're such a control freak," the fella said before taking off.

Dave turned to her, his face set I'm an angry line, she tried to calm him down, " Dave calm down okay, he was just....." But she didn't get to finish her statement before Dave slapped her, her cheeks burned from the slap, " Dave?"

" You're such a slut"

" Stop it right now Dave".

" Get in the car" he all but pushed her into the car and drove off.

Kathleen sat quietly in the car, she couldn't believe this was happening again, " where are you taking me to?" She demanded when she noticed that was not the route to her house.

" To my house," he said simply

" Take me home right now" she gritted out.

" We have to talk" his eyes still on the road, he made no attempt to give in to her demand

She was beyond hurt at what he just did, he had even called her a slut, this wasn't the kind of love she dreamt of. She had always envisioned her prince charming treating her with respect, a love where trust wasn't lacking, someone that she would think of and smile in happiness, Dave just wasn't that person, he had hurt her numerous times, her heart felt like it would explode from her chest as tears gushed from her eyes, she suddenly felt drained and the fight gone out of her, if her parents want her to be in this reasonable relationship, then so be it.

Dave packed in front of his house and dragged her inside, " I see you've yet to learn to stay away from other guys"

" Dave, I don't even know him, why won't you listen to me?"

Dave snarled at her, he grabbed her and pinned her to him, his other palm on her neck, tears well in her eyes, she had to find a way to get out of this mess, she tried pushing away from him but to no avail, she was choking already, she pounded his chest with her fist," Da...Da...v..." She managed to rasp in between chokes, he suddenly pushed her away and she fell on the sofa coughing.

" I'll teach you never to disobey me again, I'll make you fully mine" his hands went to his belt as he started undoing it.

" Don't do this Dave, I promise to be a good girlfriend to you, but please not this" she cried desperately

He snarled at her, " you would flirt with all those guys but refuses my advances, I want you fully mine"

" Even if you have your way with me, you can only have my body, what about my heart, it will hate you with passion forever" she spat

" I will make you mine, body, and soul" he finished unbuckling his belt and made to grab her, she pushed him with and he lost his balance for a moment, a moment is enough for her as she dived for the door, she grabbed the door but it wouldn't budge, his laughter echoed behind her, she turned to him In dread, "Dave please let me go, don't do this to me"

He came towards her menacingly and Kath ran to the other side of the sofa and tripped, she frantically made to stand up, her hand touched something cold lying by the sofa, a club, she quickly wrapped her hands around it and brandished it, " do not come any closer" she warned, he smirked and kept coming, he made to grab her and she hit him with the club on the side of his head, he fell down, holding his head and groaning in pain, she ran to where he had pulled his trousers, lifted it and checked the pocket, brought out the key and quickly opened the door, " come back here, you'll pay for this" he wheezed in pain but Kath never looked back as she left him there wheezing and groaning.

*

*

" How could you do that to Dave?" her father fumed at her the next day, Dave must have informed him of what she did, and knowing him, he will say it in his favor.

" Dad, he was...." The connection of her father's palm on her cheeks stopped her mid-sentence, the force of the slap staggered her backward and she fell on the ground, hands-on her cheek as tears welled In her eyes.

" Why are you so stubborn? Stop giving excuses young lady and get your act together"

Kath glanced at her mother standing quietly behind her father, as usual, she's in support of her husband, " Dave has filed a lawsuit against us" she chipped in looking at Kathleen with disappointment.

" What?" Kath gasp in annoyance, "he tried to rape me"

" Money speaks louder than anything voice in the society will live in, do you want to go against someone as rich as Dave? We don't have the money nor the ability"

" But mom....."

" Enough of this"her father barked, " better go to him, do the necessary and apologize to him" he walked out of the room as Kathleen's shoulder slump as sob racked her whole body. The quiet footsteps of her mom leaving the room echoed in her ears, she had never felt so alone like she felt right now, she went to her room, lay down, and folded her knees to her chest as she allowed herself to cry, she wept till she dozed off, the pounding on her door woke her from slumber, she slowly got up and opened the door to see Tasha standing by the door, she couldn't contain the tears that welled anew in her eyes as she hugged her tightly and cried her eyes out.