Passionate Hate

Amelia's POV

The expression on his face was candid "I'm not just going to accept your offer" I said harshly, holding my phone firmly.

"You need the money, I know you do" he said nonchalantly, hands in his pocket.

"And you think I'll take it from you, at the cost of my future!" I yelled, forgetting that I was in the ICU ward, my eyes boring holes into his head.

"Take the offer or leave it, we both don't don't have all day" he said, taking a lighter from his pocket.

"Miss Princeton" the nurse in her blue scrubs bolted through the door "The doctor says she needs the surgery and fast" the lady said, concern in her voice.

"Your call" he said almost immediately, placing his hand on the lighter every now and then.

"Fine, I'll do it, Ju..just pay for it" I turned to him and said, holding onto the nurse's hand.

As the nurse went back into the ward, I looked at him, my hands clasped together, tears welling up in my eyes, I was going to sign my future away to pay for my mother's surgery.

"Alright then, I'll make the necessary payments, tell the doctor to start the treatment" he said, taking out his phone to make a phone call.

I tried to control my tears as I peeked through the door "Here, sign this" the doctor said, offering me a document, I turned to look at him, in distraught to see the document that read 'If by any chance the patient does not make it out of the surgery, I am not to sue'.

I quickly read through it, I wasn't going to let mother die, not like this, I signed it off as I glanced behind me to see him staring at me blankly while I sobbed.

"We'll do the best we can" The doctor said, taking the document away from me as they proceeded to the operation room.

I could only wonder what was going through his mind when he offered that proposal to me.

"Since that's taken care of, you now have to sign the contract with me" he said, grabbing my hand.

"I..I need to stay here, till the surgery's over!" I screamed, struggling.

"It's a 12 hour surgery, you can't wait that long!" He yelled back pulling me away "You need to sign my contract, remember" he said still holding on to my hand tightly.

"Fine!" I answered sharply, yanking my hand away from his as I walked in front of him "Let's get it over with" I added, looking at my wrist to see the bruise.

"Sign here and here" he said crossing his legs as he watched me.

"Done" I answered after signing all the places, then almost immediately before handing him the documents "We need to have couple moments? What does even that mean?" I asked, regretting my decision of not reading some of the pages before signing.

"Oh and we'll be living together" he added, folding his arms, making my blood boil even more, how could he be so calm about deciding my future so easily.

"Huh!" I said loudly, almost alerting the people in the hospital cafeteria of my predicament.

"You heard me, we'll have to look like the most lovely couple in front of my late father's wife and son and even the lawyer, if there's a sign of animosity, this contract is over and I'll hunt you" he said ruthlessly.

"B..but" I muttered, holding the documents as I fidgeted.

"But what? You've never had a love story before?" He asked, churning his lips.

"Whatever" I snapped back, handing over the documents to him as I quickly walked away to avoid any more silly questions.

"Wait!" His voice was soft "You've had nothing to eat" he added, a show of concern? I couldn't tell since he was always yelling at me.

"I'm fine, I won't die if I don't eat in a day" I said without turning back as I headed for the waiting room.

The twelve hour surgery felt like it went forever.

"She'll be alright" the doctor said, breaking the good news to me as my eyes welled up with tears.

"Tell the young man as well" the man added before walking away. I quickly squirmed, happily, my mother will finally be free of her illness.

The weekend had been rather uneventful, that is after my little contract with the 'rich devil', it was time to go back to classes. I was already lagging behind, the part time jobs I did had taken most of my time, now I wouldn't want to miss any more school activities.

"Amelia!" Ariel yelled at the top of her lungs, the moment her eyes caught a sight of me.

I rushed to give her a long warming hug, something I wanted to do for the longest time.

"I'm so happy to see you" Ariel said with a full smile as she had me wrapped in her arms.

"Me too, I missed you so much" I said, teary eyed.

"Ladies, ladies" the calm baritone could not be mistaken, it was Maxton, his firm body build coming close to us to join in a big hug.

"We missed you Amelia" he said in a whisper when he hugged us both.

"Get seated!" The professor in front of us yelled, I missed everything else, except the professors.

"Good morning class" Professor Caleb said, his voice was sharp, yet it was calm.

"Good morning Professor" we said in unison, taking out our textbooks.

"You'll be welcoming a new Professor because, I'll be out of town for family events, I have been requested for" he said with a slight smile.

"The substitute lecturer is Professor Cawthorn" he said loudly as a man walked in, his firm body build, his light green eyes and blonde hair, something I couldn't miss, the way his trench coat looked on his body, it was him, I stared at him long enough for people to notice but they didn't because the place was all in whispers and gasps.

"He's really hot" a girl said from behind "He's so younger, I think he's younger than Caleb" another said, giggling "Now this is eye candy" another retorted, taking her hands to her lips.

The Professor stared at me, his expression unchanging as I stared at him wide eyed, a shiny ring on his finger, my soon-to-be husband is my professor, I looked at him and he glanced back at me, a smirk formed on his lips, a smirk only I could understand.

I stared blankly at my textbook all the while he spoke to the class, trying my best not to have his eyes catch mine 'This man is my professor?' I thought to myself, I felt embarrassed, after everything that has happened between us, the time at the restaurant and also at the hospital.

Five days ago...

While I worked my night shift at the restaurant, i noticed a man, his eyes somewhat dazed, having a ghastly laughter "Can we get a waiter here?!" He yelled loudly.

I scurried to his table "Sir, the menu, please choose what you want" I said, noticing that he hadn't even opened the menu in front of him 'He must be one of these rich folks' I thought to myself, forcing a smile.

"I don't want anything on the menu.. I want you" the man said, his eyes insistent on me, his lips holding a mischievous grin.

"Ex..excuse me? Sir!, this is a restaurant not a pub" I said sharply, taking the menu in my hand as others in the restaurant had started peering at us.

"Fine, fine I'll have your best meal" he said, smiling at his friend.

"Okay" I said quickly rushing to have the best meal on the menu, I had promised myself to do whatever it takes to make money even despite challenges I may face.

As I had given him the meal, he snarled at me, then looked to his friend. I quickly went to serve others.

After their meal, I handed him the bill "Thank you sir, for dining with us" I said politely.

"This isn't my bill, are you trying to rip me off?" He asked in a harsh tone, standing on his feet.

"I don't understand, what do you mean sir?" I asked, perplexed "I gave you what you ordered" I said in my defense, trying not to attract the attention of other diners.

"So are you calling me a liar?" He asked, raising his hand at me.

"It's never gentleman-like to hit a lady, in public" a man said, holding his hand in the air.

"She's trying to rip me off" the man protested, pointing at me "She's one of them gold diggers" the man standing close to him retorted, running his hands through his hair.

"Get her fired!" He added "You are a thief!" I yelled out.

"Let's try to be calm now" a man said, a familiar face, it was Professor Caleb, he rushed in just in time.

I looked away, trying to hide my face "Get this girl out of this place!" The man said with mock anger.

"Don't worry sir, you and your friend can go" Caleb said, his voice was calm as he signaled for his friend to let go of the man.

"B..but who's going to pay for their meal?" I questioned, my blood boiling with anger.

"Young miss, control yourself, you're only just a waitress" the man I thought to be my savior said, pointing his finger at me.

"Those men seem elite, they wouldn't lie like that" he added, spiking my pain, his baritone was deep but it made me angrier.

"I did not do anything wrong" I said angrily, just as the manager walked in, his fray white hair showing his age.

"Please gentlemen, please, have your seat and your meal" the manager beckoned as he showed them to their seats.

I wasn't wrong, I knew that but it bothered me that no one listened to my side of the story because they were rich gentlemen. Later that evening, I sobbed because I just lost a part time job and that fraud cost me my job and the other rich folk that came with Professor Caleb cost me my sanity, I went home angrily.

Presently...

That rich folk will be getting married to me and he's now my professor, I couldn't help but think if this was God's way of punishing me for something I must have done in a past life.

"Are we all clear!" Julian's voice rang in my ears.

"Yes, Professor Cawthorn" we answered in unison, I quickly packed up my books so I could head to the hospital.

"Miss Princeton!" I heard my name loudly, I turned to see him gesturing his hand towards himself, his expression unchanging, his light blonde hair stowed away nicely on his head, his light green eyes following me as I walked to the podium.

"Yes, ..Professor Cawthorn" I addressed him, averting his gaze.

"I see here that you've been missing lectures" he said calmly, holding is laptop which looked really portable with his hands.

"Sir, I'll do my best to meet the quota" I said calmly, hands behind my back.

"Are you trying to avoid me?" He asked, his gaze turning to me from the laptop.

"It..it's not like that" I stammered.

"You know, we're going to be married" he said, a smirk, forming on his face.

"How can you not be discrete about that?" I whispered "And why didn't you tell me you'd be my professor?" I asked as I furrowed my brows.

"Actually for the first one, I'll try my best, miss Princeton and as for the second one, it was a last minute thing" he answered, his eyes now on his laptop.

"May I leave now?" I questioned, trying my best to hurry.

"Yes, you may" he answered.

I quickly walked past him, "Aren't you forgetting something?" He said calmly behind me.

"Like what?!" I asked hastily as he walked slowly towards me.

His face came closer to mine as he leaned forward, my pupils moving from left to right as I watched his nose stay few inches away from mine.

"This" he said, pulling out my trinket that had fallen from my backpack, waving it to my face.

I looked at him, my face flushed red, I grabbed my trinket, andrenaline quickly flushed through my veins as I bolted out.

"This is not okay, this man's going to make my heart fail before the semester ends" I muttered as I rushed out 'A deal is a deal, I'll have to marry Cawthorn, whether I want it or not'I thought to myself as I headed for the hospital.

Julian's POV

I watched her walk off, clutching her book in one hand as she stormed off 'I was just trying to be a good professor' I thought to myself as a smirk formed on my face.

I quickly recollected myself and packed up to go home, to my father's house, that is.

"We are gathered here to read Master Billy Cawthorn's will" I heard the lawyer say.

"Sorry I'm late" I said casually, walking down to where my step mother and her children sat.

"Why did you even come here?" Maria snapped, of course she would have something to say to antagonize me, she's my step mother.

"This is my father's home" I answered, taking my seat calmly as I crossed my leg, watching her face redden with anger.

"Please continue" I said, gesturing to the lawyer who quickly adjusted his pair of glasses and started reading intently.

"My estate in Italy, will be given to my second son, Festus Cawthorn" the lawyer read as Festus smiled, his eyes watching me for a reaction.

I looked at him, hand to my chin, my face expressionless, I'm sure it hurt him to know that I didn't care about the house.

"To Julian, I give my prized possession, my home in Norway and the factory" the man read, squinting his eyes.

"How does he get the factory.. read that again, that can't be right" Maria said sharply, her high pitched voice resounding in the room.

"Madam, your late husband wrote this will, I have no say in it" the man said, turning back to his book.

"The Cawthorn Corp goes to any of the children who gets married first and their marriage has to last for at least a year" the man said calmly as he flipped the pages.

"What?" Festus snapped.

"You heard the man and fortunately enough, I'm engaged, to be married" I said, showing him my fingers, the ring carefully placed to shine.

"You thief!" Maria said, standing up.

"How am I a thief, I'm my father's first child and I'll be getting married, aren't you supposed to be happy for me?" I asked, a smirk forming on my lips.

"Ahem.. you'll live in this house with your wife for at least three months, it says so in his will, if there is any sign of animosity between you both, you automatically lose your rights to the company" the lawyer said amidst our bickering.

"Well then, I'll be getting married in two weeks, anticipate my wedding" I said smiling at them.

I caught them off guard, I would be fulfilling father's last wish...

Months prior...

"I want you to get married" Father said, holding his glass.

"You call me out of no where and want me to get married?" I asked as I furrowed my brows.

"Yes, please Julian" he said calmly as he dropped the glass, making it shatter.

"Father, what is happening to you" I asked concerned, holding him closely

"I'll be gone soon, just get married soon" he answered before shutting his eyes.

That day, I didn't understand why he had told me all of that, not until I heard the lawyer read his will, now I was even more convinced, I had to get married before the month ends.

I walked to the entrance of the hospital, I noticed her eyes beaming with hope.

"Amelia!" I called out, she quickly turned and upon seeing me, her expression changed.

"What do you want?" She asked boldly, no female had the nerve to look at me straight in my eyes, yet this hobbit dared.

"Is that how you talk to your would be husband?" I asked, leaning closer to her face.

"Hold your horses" she answered "Try to at least whisper" she added, trying so hard to pull back.

"You're going to fall" I said, watching as she walked backwards.

"No, I'm no.." she said before losing her balance, I quickly wrapped my hands around her, preventing her fall as she still clutched onto her backpack.

"Get away" she muttered, putting her hand against my chest.

"No thank you?" I asked as though I didn't know she was rather ungrateful.

"Hehe" she answered "Honestly, what do you want?" She asked again.

"My father's will has been read, we'll be going clothes shopping tomorrow" I answered, putting my hand in my car.

"Clothes shopping?" She asked.

"Yes, you see, we don't have much time left, we need to get married and I need to take over" I answered.

"Oh that explains the ring" she said pointing to the shiny ring on my finger "I thought no one's supposed to know you're taken, or..you know, married" she asked, her eyes looking directly at mine.

"Would you like other ladies to have a go at me?" I asked, a smirk forming on my lips.

"Pfft, you can do whatever" she answered "It's no big deal" she added, a smile on her face.

"I have yours by the way, you'll need to wear it when we go see my family or as I'd call them,my late father's family" I said, my expression getting serious.

"So clothes shopping tomorrow and we're seeing your family when?" She asked, her voice was soft.

"This weekend" I answered sharply.

"Oh, okay, so in two days" she said, her eyes averting my gaze.

"Are you nervous?" I asked.

"No..no, why would I be?" She answered, I could notice her quivering, I didn't know if she was scared of me or nervous about seeing my family, I shook off the feeling immediately.

"You want a drive home?" I asked, opening the car door.

"No, if anyone sees us, it'll raise suspicion, thank you, I'll go home alone" she said calmly, turning her back on me.

I came to the hospital to see how she and her mother were doing, I guess they're alright, I thought to myself as I drove to my apartment.

The next day, after classes, I turned to see where Amelia was, she hadn't come to class, which she promised to be at but soon after she came standing at the door of my car.

"Professor Cawthorn" she whispered, I jolted at the sound.

"Oh God" I said sharply "I was looking everywhere for you" I remarked.

"I was late to class, so I just didn't attend it, come on, let's go, I'm just trying to keep my end of the bargain, my mother's doing alright because of you, so, dress shopping it is" she said ecstatically.

"Never, do that again!" I said angrily, I hated being sneaked upon.

"Okay, okay, sorry" she casually apologized as she entered the car.

The drive to the clothes store wasn't too long yet, it was quiet.

Immediately we walked inside, I noticed her eyes scan the room and then looking at me, she seemed happy, my eyes looked back, as though reassuring her and I didn't know why.

'Snap out of it Julian!' I thought to myself as I noticed myself smile at her, her genuity, 'What is happening to me?' I asked myself, this didn't seem normal, my heart was racing only by seeing her smile, I quickly walked into the store, making my expression candid, I wouldn't want anyone to see my weakness, not her or anyone else.