Married to be yours

Tears rushed out of her eyes, but she made no sound as the tears cascaded down her cheeks; this was her silent cries, displaying her shattered soul.

There was a knock on the door.

Celine noticed there was Someone at the door, she turned her face quickly to the mirror that was in front of her and cleaned her eyes, dashing her face with some powder in her makeup kit.

"Who is it?" She answered with a shaky voice that was still muffled with tears.

It was her father, he pushed the door with a tray in his hand and used his leg to close back the door.

"My princess!" He said with great affection. "I saw the maid bringing the coffee over to you, so l offered to help."

"How are you holding on my dear," he asked, seeing that she had been crying again, no matter how she tried to cover it up.

"I am fine, Dad, but is there no other way to save your law firm than for me to be the sacrificial lamb?"

"Oh my dear, do not take it that way," her father said,"l am not a selfish father, I also want what is best for you. l have watched you these past six months crying your eyes out. l also agreed to arrange your marriage so you could move on also."

"Celine sighed!"

"Mr Wheelers has a bad reputation as a womanizer dad, women flock around him like sheep, and he is a celebrity."

"How am I supposed to be with someone like that Dad?"

"My dear child," her father said," Since you can be with Ray, you can handle any problems that come with marriage, dear, just be calm and patient, and you will see that everything will fall into place."

"Are you sure about that Dad?''Celine asked.

Her father gave her a pitiful look and said calmly.

"Please be ready on time for the wedding, this is the only way we can survive," he said.

Patting his daughter's shoulders, he went out.

Celine didn't know how to convince her father not to get her married a second time to someone she did not love, but her father was adamant as he felt marrying her off to this baron who was his client would be best for both of them.

She shrugged as she started putting on her veil.

Suddenly, she was apprehensive when she heard footsteps at her back.

"Who is it?"

She demanded with a raised voice, but before she could turn to see who came into the room, a sack was used to cover her head.

She froze at first, with her heart in her throat, but when she noticed someone fiddling with her body trying to take her hands and tie them together, she gathered up her last strength, twisted to the right and pushed at the figure with all her strength.

Her kidnapper did not expect this reaction from her, he was caught off guard and fell on the bed.

She quickly removed the sack over her head and to her astonishment, she looked into the eyes of her ex-husband.

"Ray!"She shouted, "What are you doing here?"

Ray Rawlings was looking at her with an expression of pure hatred.

"If I cannot have you Celine, no one would," he growled, giving her a deadly stare.

"Did you think you can get married while you leave me in misery?" he said angrily.

Celine looked at him with fear in her eyes; his appearance was terrible to see; he had been drinking once again, and she knew the repercussions.

"I would not be getting married today if you had been a good husband to me," she said, attacking him with her words.

This infuriated him more as he glared at her.

"But we have loved each other since college, you know how we started and you just want to throw everything away, as if I don't exist," he said with a sneer.

"Yes, that's right," Celine said," this is all your fault as you couldn't make me happy; you used every opportunity you got to abuse and humiliate me."

"This is wrong, Celine," he pleaded, "I was not in support of the divorce, but you know, your father threatened me, and I couldn't fight him because he was a lawyer, so I signed the divorce papers."

"Don't blame my father for that," Celine answered, defending her dad. He had to threaten you because I lost a two-month pregnancy after you beat me up."

"That was the last straw I could take, Ray. l would never allow you to touch me again, ever again," she exclaimed.

"But Celine, you know I love you so much, and I cannot live without you; please come back to me," Ray pleaded.

"I can never come back to you Ray," Celine replied, her green eyes blazing.

He glared at her as his face hardened, his eyes blazing with anger.

"So you now think, marrying another man would be the best for you?" he asked calmly.

"You just want to forget our time together, the love we shared, and the good times we had, isn't it?"

She looked at him, disbelief written all over her face, she couldn't believe it was the Ray she knew who had been brutal and cruel to her, now standing and pleading with her.

"Please, Ray," she said bluntly, "it's all over. We have been divorced for six months now, or was the money you collected from my father to disappear out of our lives not enough?"

"Are you still here to get more?" she asked mockingly.

This seems to infuriate him more as he furrowed his brows.

"I am here to get you," he snared as he lunged for her again but

Celine was quick to step back again as she screamed with fear, her heart pounding fast.

She ran to the other side of the room, trying to escape him, but as she rushed to the door, she felt something hit her hard on the head and she passed out.....

After some time, she woke up drowsily to someone tying her hands together, but she was too weak to do anything, the only thing she remembered was that she was still in her room, as the wave of darkness engulfed her once again and she fainted for the second time.

****

"Celine, Wake up!

She heard a voice faintly, it was her father as he sprinkled a little water on her face.

Celine opened her eyes and looked around her environment, she was still in her room with her father and a maid, trying to revive her.

"Where is Ray?" She asked her father weakly, looking around nervously and trying to sit up.

He has been arrested by the police," her father said, extending his hand to help her up.

"Thankfully, we heard your scream, and we caught him before he could take you away."

Celine drank the water the maid offered her and sat up.

"Do not worry about Ray," her father reassured her, looking at the anxiety on her face,"l have filed a case against him and he is not to come close to you again."

"Thank you, Father," Celine said, smiling, thanks for being there for me,"

"My beautiful girl," her dad said affectionately,"l will always be there for you."

He smiled as he hugged her once more and left the room, uttering something about her being quick to freshen up and come downstairs, for the wedding.

"The wedding?"

Celine thought still in a daze.

With the whole episode that had happened with Ray, Celine had forgotten she was to be married to David Wheelers, a baron and CEO of Wheeler's company.

All she knows about David is that he was already a baron in his early thirties. He has also become a wealthy and influential personality in Albania and his family name was well known and respected because of his father, the late baron of Albania.

The inheritance left for him by his father was huge as he was the only child and heir to his father's legacy, his late father left lots of businesses like chains of hotels, a large glass-making industry and one of the biggest shopping malls in Albania.

She hopes she will be able to cope, with being married to one of the richest men in the city,

Putting on her veil once again she left her room and went downstairs.

The wedding was fast and before she knew it, they were already exchanging rings.

Celine looked at her new husband with the corner of her eyes. He was calm and composed, he stood there quietly and formidable with little expression on his face.

"You may now kiss the bride!"

Hearing the lawyer's voice as he pronounced this, sent waves of embarrassment to Celine. She thought this was only said in a church.

Before she could dwell more on that David raised her chin and pressed a light kiss on her lips.

It was a light kiss, yet it jolted a response that weakened her senses.

She looked up at him and smiled at him with a forced smile.

He didn't smile back but the look he gave her weakened her senses the more.

"My God!"

She has never felt so weak and petite like this before, even with her ex-husband.

They went towards the documents and signed the marriage certificate.

After the wedding, Celine hugged her father with a sob in her throat and followed the Wheeler family into their car.

She was a Wheeler's now she thought silently to herself.

She Pushed her thoughts away from thinking about her second chance of a marriage.

They drove for a long time and later turned into the driveway of the Wheeler's mansion.

Her husband came out and opened the door of the car, offering his hand like a gentleman.

Celine accepted his hand and stepped out of the car, she looked at the mansion and saw that it was a very huge and beautiful mansion.

The baroness came forward with a smile on her wrinkled face and said,

"Come, my dear, let us go inside."

Celine followed her into the mansion. As they stepped in, they were greeted by a few staff in the mansion.

"Welcome my lady, they chorused,"

She murmured a reply and thanked them with a smile.

"Matthew!" the baroness called out, as the elderly man with the maids came forward.

"Go and get your mistress' things in the car!" she said.

The butler bowed and went out of the big oak door.

"Come, Celine,'' the baroness said, "let me show you your room."

She followed the baroness up the stairs where she saw many rooms.

"This is my room," the baroness pointed to a big brown door, "and this is your room on the opposite side of the house."

"Of course, this is also David's room," she said.

That statement made Celine turn a shade of red, but she bent her head quickly and followed the baroness into a room, beautiful but at the same time masculine.

She noticed a big frame of David by the corner of the room and a huge bed that could occupy six people.

"I will leave you to freshen up, and dinner is at eight pm dear," the baroness said, smiling at Celine.

Celine smiled back at her as the baroness hugged her and left.

She looked to the side of the bed and saw her suitcases placed carefully there. She picked out her towel and went into the bathroom to take a cold shower.

After she had finished taking her shower,Celine opened the door of the bathroom and was using a towel to clean her wet hair as she stepped out.

"What the?"........she heard a deep voice above her head.

Celine froze!......

Celine looked up as she collided with a solid chest.

She gasped as David was looking at her angrily.

"Can't you watch where you are going?" He said coldly, glaring at her.

"Am s,... sorry," she stammered, "l didn't know you were in the room."

She took a step backwards from him but collided with the half-open door of the bathroom which made her lose her balance.

With a swift movement, David caught her before she fell and held her against his chest.

"You've got to be careful, wife," he said mockingly as he gazed at her.

Celine looked into his eyes and their gaze locked.

This time, the way he looked at her ran a shiver down her spine, making her face flush as she was aware of the towel she had just used to wrap her body.

His gaze was drawn to her lips fresh from the bath she had just taken, and then to the towel she wrapped under her armpit. It lingered on her breast, then back to her eyes again.

His gaze weakened her body, and also the touch of his hands on her shoulder was sending shocks to her body as he steadied her.

"Thank you," she said. She was lucky she didn't fall.

"It is fine," he said with a grim voice.

"I had forgotten I am not alone in my room anymore, I have to be careful next time," he said.

With another glance that ran over her once again, David stepped into the bathroom.

She blew out her breath as the bathroom door closed; it was as if she had been holding her breath for as long as he had touched her.

"Gosh!"

She exclaimed with a low voice.

She couldn't understand how her body reacted to him, she hadn't felt like this with her ex-husband. All she understood was that she felt comfortable with him as if they had been together for a long time.

She went towards her suitcase, placed it on the bed and brought out a blue dress to wear.

The Baroness said dinner was at eight, and she wouldn't want to keep anyone waiting; she needed to make a first impression.

She put on the dress, oiled and combed her hair, and put on light makeup, as the bathroom door opened and David came out.

She watched him through the mirror as he was about to pull his shorts; she averted her eyes quickly and moved towards the door.

"Where are you going?" he asked, stopping her in her tracks.

I,.. l am going downstairs," she stuttered without turning back.

Her face was a light shade of pink.

As she noticed he ignored her answer, she quickly opened the door and went downstairs.

"Come, my dear," the baroness beckoned to her as she came into the dining hall.

She looked at the big oak table, well decorated and befitting of a palace. She was sure different varieties of food were laid on it by the servants.

Celine smiled politely and sat at the seat the baroness pointed.

"What would you have?" she said, "or would you wait for your husband?"

"Oh there he comes!" she announced, smiling at her son.

Celine looked up to see David's tall, handsome frame; he was wearing a green t-shirt that seemed to hug his body and bring out his muscular chest.

He went over and kissed his mother's cheek and sat close to Celine.

"Mother, how is your health?" I hope you are not too tired," he asked calmly.

"No my dear," she said.

"I had a little rest and I am fine now."

"Good to hear that," David said

"I am happy you are fine."

Celine was listening to mother and son's conversation, he smelled of men's cologne, strong but still pleasant.

She likes it, she thought to herself.

"Are you going to the office tomorrow?" The baroness asked.

"You should have a two-day break, you just got married, you know, you need to be a responsible husband."

She said it with a wink at Celine which made her blush.

David looked towards Celine, his eyes running over her, as she was seated quietly.

"Blue colour suits you well," he said, making her blush deepen.

"What do you have to say, Celine? Should I go to work or not?"David asked.

He said it with a deep voice that sounded as if he was mocking her.

She looked up at him reluctantly, this was the first time he uttered her name.

He grinned suddenly!

Celine gazed at him in awe.

A smile seemed to light up his face, she never knew he looked charming when he smiled.

"I feel if you have more important work to do in the office, you should go," Celine said

She was startled as she saw him frown at her answer.

"Of course not Celine," the baroness said," he has to stay home for two days."

"It is fine Mother, I will do as you say," David said.

He gave Celine a mocking look as he knew she was trying to avoid him.

Celine looked towards the baroness and smiled at her.

"It's okay ma'am," Celine said.

"Call me mother," the baroness said as she smiled back warmly.

"Okay, Mother," Celine replied.

"I am going to my study," David said after a while when they had finished their dinner.

"I have some phone calls to make," he pushed his chair aside and walked towards the left side of the house to his study, closing the door behind him with a clink.

"I hope you are getting used to the house my dear? "the baroness asked Celine.

"Yes, Mother, "Celine answered, "the mansion is beautiful and huge; it will take days to get used to it."

"Yes, my dear, you have all the time, so take your time; it's your house now."

"Thank you, mother," Celine said.

The baroness stood up and excused herself as well.

"I have to go and rest, Celine; it's been a long day, my dear."

"Welcome once again my dear," she said with a smile, opening her arms to hug Celine.

"Thank you, Mother," Celine said and hugged her back.

"Good Night Mother!"Celine said.

"Good night my dear!"The baroness said.

*********

In his study, David sat in his chair and picked up the telephone.

He had to make a phone call to his secretary, Arabella.

She was a good secretary, she understood how he worked and he wouldn't want to change her, although she had her flaws sometimes,

Coupled with the advances she made at him which he always ignored.

He would have married her but he kept their relationship strictly professional as he wasn't attracted to her.

He called her and arranged some meetings in two days.

Staying away from the office for two days was a long break for him, he found solace in working after he was cheated on by his fiancee and his best friend.

He was lucky they eloped on the day before the wedding and not on the wedding day, saving him some embarrassment.

He knew his fiance was extravagant and materialistic, but he never knew she would have eyes for his best friend from France, who was a business tycoon and was richer than him.

It took his mother's soothing words and care to help him get over the betrayal.

Making himself a workaholic also soothes his pain, but he was over it now, and he swore that no woman would be allowed to come close to his heart again.

It took a lot of coaxing from his mother to finally convince him about getting married because it was stapled in his father's will that he has to be married before the age of thirty-eight to produce an heir, to inherit his father's legacy, and he was thirty-six now, he wasn't getting younger.

He didn't mind any woman, but he had fate in his mother's choice as she chose Celine who was the daughter of their family lawyer.

He wasn't concerned much about her father's problems at his law firm, investing in the law firm was not an issue for him, but he hoped his wife would not be a clingy type, he would hate that, he just wanted a strong woman who would fulfil her duties as a wife, and also produces an heir.

"Dammit!" he exclaimed loudly.

Thinking about producing an heir made his eyebrows raise, he went to the small fridge beside his table and poured himself a drink.

He was aware of how attractive she looked, and he knew he could be lost when he touched her, but the temptation was much.

"Oh my!"

"What is she doing to him?" he said to himself.

Looking down at the wine bottle he was surprised to see he had almost finished it.

He returned it to the fridge, turned off the light and went upstairs to his room.

********

Celine looked around her environment as the baroness left.

Chandeliers were lit and looked Beautiful. The room looks very huge to occupy a lot of people for dinner, but there is a gloom to it that shows there had been dullness for a long time.

She stood up and moved upstairs to her room, took a toothbrush and brushed her teeth, then she opened her suitcase to put her things in the wardrobe.

The first thing she saw was her purple long nightgown. She put it on, wore a robe over it, and continued to hang the rest of the clothes.

She anticipated how her first night married again would be, she didn't know what David expected of her, but she was grateful for this second chance at marriage

She noticed that David was polite but aloof.

"Does he take this marriage as a contract?" She thought aloud.

Anyway, she shrugged, she's happy she could help her father secure his law firm and also boost his career, but for herself, she would just try to make herself happy despite her husband's cold and indifferent attitude.

She took out the last piece of clothing, which was a navy blue suit, and hung it in the wardrobe.

Closing the wardrobe she saw someone standing and looking at her from the doorway.

"My God!" she exclaimed, her heart beating fast with fear.

.