Toxic Marriage

In the busy streets of the city, I reached my workplace late, not because I wanted to but because I missed my bus. I tiptoed and entered the grocery shop silently but I was caught by Edward; the manager who was giving me a death glare. I gulped and passed him a smile,

"Good Morning," I greeted. He scoffed and left and I let out a sigh and went to my counter.

Since we don't have enough money to pay for my education because all the money is spent on the medical expenses of my brother. I have just completed my graduation and now I am doing an accountant's job.

Let me introduce myself, I am Sophie Skye. I turned 21 just a few weeks ago. I have an hourglass figure with a fair complexion. I have long brown hair accompanied by my hazel eyes.

My mother, Amelia Skye, gives home tuition to elementary kids. My brother Eugene Skye has been in a coma for the past 3 years, he is my twin brother. The money I earn is spent on my brother's treatment and the money my mother earns is spent on home expenses. It's not like we are in a state of crisis. We are doing just fine.

I was working, as usual, even though I don't like this job but I have to work hard. I give it my all. To be honest, I want to become an English Professor. I want to do a Masters in English Literature but it seems like fate has something else in store for me. It's not like I can do anything about it.

I sighed deeply and continued my work but I felt a presence behind me and saw my boss Edward. I flashed a smile and asked,

"Do you need anything, Sir?"

"No, I want to give you this." He said as he handed me an envelope. Hoping deeply that it might be the bonus check but it was something I never expected.

"You are dismissed," Edward said. My lips began to quiver in horror as I never thought that I'd be fired.

"Please don't do this, Sir," I said, praying that he might understand.

"I can't." He said and gave me a sympathetic look. "Why?" I asked.

"Why? You are coming late for almost a month. Last time, you gave me the wrong quotation. And you haven't given me the recent one too," He continued to scold me as I almost cried.

"I am sorry." He said as he turned away and left. I bit my lips to stop myself from crying and took my stuff and left for my home.

Now that my job is gone, all the expenses will be upon my mother.

I took a deep breath and entered. I saw mother cooking lunch, she tilted her head in confusion and asked, "You're home early." I nodded and hugged her. She chuckled and kissed my forehead.

"I have lost my job," I said as her eyes widened in shock. She shook her head 'no' and I shook my head 'yes'. She began to pant,

"Oh my God, What will happen now?" She said worriedly. I hugged her and said, "I will search for a new job tomorrow. Don't you worry" I said reassuringly. She took a deep breath and said, "I believe in you." I smiled back.

It's night and I am laying in my mother's lap having a feeling of solace that calms my very soul. She runs her hands in my hairs as I snuggle closer to her,

"Sophie.." Mother trailed off. I hummed in response as she continued,

"Have you ever thought about marriage?" She asked. "No, I didn't. I can't leave you guys behind." I said. I sat up and looked at her and said.

"I won't marry until I'll assure a better medical treatment for Eugene and a big house with lots of servants, including me, to take care of you." I smiled widely. Mother hugged me and said, "Oh, my love." I giggled and spoke up again.

"Besides, I am very much interested in meeting the Knight Aunt Eleanor told me about." We both chuckled and my mother replied, "Maybe that Knight is coming for you?". "I hope so." I chuckle,

'A knight will descend for you..' I mumbled and slept in my mother's embrace.

The next day, I was getting ready for work. I went to a library in search of a job as a receptionist but was rejected. I search for a job in a couple of places but to no avail. I even gave an appeal for a job in the Employment Center.

After spending the whole day, I came back, Mother smiled and came to me. I hugged her and went to my room because the mother was giving her tuition classes to the kids. I sighed and plopped myself on the bed. I stare at the ceiling feeling utterly helpless.

I shouldn't feel low in just one day. I should search for a job and believe that one day, I will get a decent job.

The next day, I have no choice but to apply to whatever job is available. After wandering aimlessly in the streets, I came back in the evening being jobless...

1 Month Later:-

Becoming depressed that we are short-hand on money and I am still jobless. Since Eugene's medical expenses are far more important, we have to compromise with our home expenses. Mother's money is not enough to run all this.

Our money was equally distributed, we don't have any savings either.

I am feeling so powerless that I can do nothing but search for a job.

Today, once again, In a dire need of a job, I left home. I prayed from the bottom of my heart that I would get a job today.

After struggling for a while, I received a call from the Employment Center.

"Hello," I said.

"Hello, Miss Sophie Skye?" She asked.

"Yes, I am," I replied.

"There's a job in the hotel Amber One. They are offering the job of a waiter." She explained.

"I'll take it." I firmly said and she cut the call saying that she'll tell me the details. Amber One, it's a five-star hotel, I am sure that I might get paid generously, not too much.

I was shouting and running around the house in glee that I had gotten the job. I grinned and hugged my mother, "Finally!" She hugged me back and asked,

"What about the salary?"

"It's not as much as the previous one but it's fine. There's a difference between an accountant and a waitress" I replied monotonously. She nodded and we both began to have dinner.

The next day, I woke up early and tidied up and left for work after receiving blessings from my mother.

The day before, I even went to see Eugene to tell him that his sister finally got a job.

I reached my workplace and my hand began to sweat in nervousness, the hotel was unimaginably big and luxurious. Of course, It will be lavishing.

I walked in and asked the receptionist,

"Hello, I am Sophie Skye, I have been offered the job of a waiter here." She passed me a smile and said, "Give me a minute." I smiled back.

After a few seconds, she said, "Come with me." I nodded and left with her.

She gave me a uniform and gave me instructions and left. I took a deep breath and wore the uniform. It is a green skirt with a white buttoned shirt. I walked out and saw a girl wearing the same uniform as me.

She walked closer and flashed a smile at me. I smiled back as she asked,

"New?" I just gave her a nod. "I am Candice Whale. What's your name?" She asked. "Sophie Skye." "It's a beautiful name." She complimented. I smiled and said 'thanks'.

I then left for work. The day went normal and I worked hard. This time, I will give it my all, just like before... Anyways, I should be happy that I am not jobless anymore.

It's been months since I have been working here. Today we are told that there's going to be a party tonight and if anyone is willing to have a night-shift will receive a bonus and obviously, I agreed so does Candice.

Even though they have enough waiters, whatever the reason was, I don't care about it since I am getting paid.

And at night, I was working as usual. I went to the restroom and saw Candice. She motioned me to come closer. She tittered and said,

"Have you seen that brown jacket guy? Just look at him, dude." I put my hand over my mouth to suppress a laugh and nodded.

A guy with a strange yet funny accent and the way he eats is hilarious. We laughed a little and Candice said,

"They think money is everything." She said bitterly. "Money is everything," I said because I know the importance of money. She looked at me and said, "No, it's not." She argued.

"You can't buy happiness with it." She said again.

"But you can give your mother a big house with money and pay for the expensive medical treatment for your brother so he might be able to recover," I said as an empty laugh escaped my lips. She gave me a sympathetic look and patted my back.

"I am sorry." She said,

"It's okay, don't worry about it." I smiled as I left for work.

It's been six months since I've been working in the hotel. My shift starts from 12p.m to 6p.m. It's like a loop of changing shifts every six hours.

Just like every other day, I came back from work. I returned home and saw no kids. I raised my eyebrow and called,

"Mother! I am home!" Mother quickly ran to me and began to pant. I held her shoulders worried.

"What happened, Mother?" I asked, tensed.

She took a deep breath and said, "Someone is here to meet you." Being perplexed as to why she was panting about such a trivial thing. I went to see the person.

There are two men; well dressed and obviously wealthy. I remained still because I don't know any rich guy. Regaining my posture, I smiled radiantly at them and walked closer,

"Good Evening, You need me?" I asked modestly. They hummed in response. That's rude.

I took a seat and asked, "Well, Why are you here?"

"We are here to ask for your hand in marriage for our Boss; Christian Elvis."

"We are here to ask for your hand in marriage for our Boss; Christian Elvis."

I blinked and said, "Come again?" Thinking I might have heard wrong. "We ask for your hand in marriage for our boss; Christian Elvis." I remained stoic. I just can't comprehend it.

"Christian Elvis? The Billionaire who divorced his wife a few years ago?" I choose my words cautiously not to anger them by talking bad about him. They just gave me a nod. And my whole being stopped when I heard that. My mind became hazy as the mystifying clouds filled my mind.

"Why?" That's the only question I can ask.

"He requires a beautiful and innocent girl. And we believe that you are perfect for him." Upon hearing this anger took over me as I stood up and glared at them.

"Well, I refuse this proposal. Now, Please kindly leave." I said trying to not sound rude despite the fact that I want to kick them out.

They stood up and gave me a card which I tore the moment they handed me. They smirked at my action as if they expected me to do that.

"Even if we are not as rich as him but we are happy in our little life," I stated, so these imbeciles would understand that I am not a sellout.

They were about to leave but they stopped at the doorstep.

"Think about it carefully. He'll afford all the expenses of your brother's treatment and in a better hospital as well as give your mother a separate home to spend her life peacefully." One of the men said as he put the card on the table.

"Think carefully. It's a chance of a lifetime." He smirked and left.

After they left, I grit my teeth in anger and take the card in my hands. I threw it away and was about to storm off to my room but mother held my arm.

I looked at her and narrowed my eyes at her. She opened her mouth to say something but decided to close it afterwards.

Like she was trying to tell me something but couldn't. Very proficiently, she decided to change the sentence as she said, "I leave the decision to you." She said firmly and left.

I sighed deeply and stared at the ceiling. Being unable to sleep I just stare aimlessly. Immerse in thoughts and uncertainties, I closed my eyes.

Christian Elvis, A 29 years old billionaire. A divorcee, how can I marry someone who is too older than me and is already divorced. Why would he want to marry me in the first place? I have never seen him, even in the pictures.

But, they will help to transfer Eugene to a better hospital and also give my mother a home- what I always want. But, If I marry him, I'll be known as a Gold-Digger that married him just for money, even though it's true still, I still don't want this. I can't marry the person I don't even know, love is a distant matter.

I just don't know what I should do.

Losing myself deep in the thoughts, I didn't realize that morning came and I haven't slept at all. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to go into a deep slumber for whatever time I have left.

Mother wakes me up, two hours before my work because the hotel is too far from here. I got ready and was about to leave but mother stopped me. I looked at her.

"Nothing. Go." She smiled and I tilted my head in confusion. Shrugging off my shoulders, I left for work.

At work, I just can't shake this thought off, even for a second.

"Sophie!" Candice called me as I looked at her in confusion.

"Eat, the tea-break will end soon." She said, shoving a cupcake in her mouth. I also took a cupcake and ate it too.

After a tiresome day, I went to see Eugene. I entered his room and smiled sadly, looking at him, covered in medical equipment. I took a seat and began to say,

"Eugene, some people came to ask for my hand in marriage to Christian Elvis. I know he is rich and all but I don't want to marry him. But, he will help me to treat you in a better hospital. I don't know what I should do.

This all will stop if you wake up. Please, my brother, wake up and save me.

I don't want it. If you wake up, everything will be normal and I don't have to marry him. Please Eugene save me. Please wake up..." I said as tears began to fall from my eyes uncontrollably.

But no matter how many times I pleaded with him to wake up using different reasons, he didn't move an inch.

Feeling disheartened, I came home. Mother was waiting for me. I hugged her and freshened myself. We were having dinner in silence but mother asked,

"Have you thought about it?" I nodded and said, "I'll reply to them tomorrow." I said and left for my room. I couldn't sleep as I was lying on my bed. Mother knocked and entered.

My gaze was fixed on the ceiling. I sensed my mother sitting beside me and putting her hand over my forehead and caressing it sweetly. I smiled and continued to look above.

"Sophie, What are you gonna say?" Mother asked. I turned and snuggled with my mother.

"I don't know what I should do. We definitely need money but this doesn't feel right."

"I am not forcing you but remember, A better treatment for Eugene. You know that there's no hope for him to wake up with the current treatment and we don't have money for better treatment."

"And you? A place for you to live, Mother?" I asked thinking she might be interested in it but no. She chuckled and said.

"I'm old, sweetie and have lived enough. I'll gladly spend my life here." I hid my face in her lap and said, "But I said that I'll give you a house on my own."

"It's alright... You can't fulfill all your dreams.." She advised me as I nodded and went to sleep in her arms.

The next day, since it's Sunday and my holiday, I took a deep breath and called them. But my egoistic part interrupted as I was about to cut the call but didn't. We need the money and maybe it's an escape for us from this.

"Hello." I heard a voice. Mentally preparing my mind, I answered, "Hello, I am Sophie Skye, I accept your proposal." I heard a chuckle as my being became outraged.

"Very Well. We will talk about it further later." He said and cut the call. I scoffed and sat on the bed. Mother rubbed my back to calm my vex form down and I pulled my hair in frustration.

It's all right, I am doing this for all of us. We all can live a better life after it...

It's been a week and there's no reply from them and somewhere in my heart, I am happy about it. Just when I thought that it was all a realistic dream and we are back to normal the bell rang.

I muttered something under my breath because my mother was cooking and I had to open the door. I opened the door and saw them again, this time smiling at me. I gave them a bewildered look but soon my face change as I forced a smile and welcomed them,

"What brings you here?" I asked politely.

"We would like you to have dinner with Sir Christian."

"We would like you to have dinner with Sir Christian."

One of them said, My smile faded and I remained stoic. No, no, no. My heart began to beat faster and I shook my head no. They raised their eyebrows and I asked, "Why?". "To see If we can proceed with things further or not." I swallowed hard and nodded.

I was about to leave to tell mother about it and to get ready but they said, "Please wear this for dinner." They motioned to a beautiful black lacy frock which seems very expensive and I can only imagine to wear these dresses not to actually wear one.

"I can't wear it," I said. "You have to." They insisted and after arguing for a few moments, I sighed in defeat and turned to see my mother looking at me. I took the dress and went to my room.

Surprisingly, The fitting was perfect for my curves and I looked at myself in the mirror, I looked so graceful. Such alluring looks, I can't explain. I took a deep breath and walked out. I let my brown hair fall on my back and applied a little makeup.

They smiled at me and took me with them. In the car, I suddenly realize, this can also be fake so that they take me somewhere else. I'm stupid, I shouldn't trust these guys in the first place and I am alone with them, how idiotic I can be. I bit my lip in nervousness and opened my phone.

Since I haven't seen this Christian Elvis before, I searched through the web for him to know if I'm meeting the actual deal or not.

I looked at his pics, Oh My God, he doesn't seem like an old guy. He is pretty handsome but anyone can look beautiful in filtered and edited pictures.

Finally, after a devilishly long ride, We reach a mansion which is bigger than one of my dreams. I think it's right to call it a castle instead of a mansion. My eyes widened in awe as I looked at them.

The car stopped at the entrance and one of them said, "He'll instruct you further." I nodded and walked out. I saw a person in a butler attire smiling at me.

I smiled a little as he said, "Welcome, I am Samuel, the butler of this mansion. You must be Miss Sophie Skye?" He asked and I said, "Yes." Under the pressure of this overwhelming power, my voice came out like a whisper.

He nodded and said again, "Please follow me." And I followed him like a kid. We entered and my heart began to thump with nervousness. The lavishing decors. Anything here is worth more than my lifetime salary. I didn't lift my gaze because I didn't want to embarrass myself.

We reached a dining hall and my heart stopped when I saw a man with a prodigious dominating aura leaning on the wall. A feeling of being an inferior being in this presence of crushing power filled me.

He turned and looked at me. My gaze met his exquisite raven one. His piercing gaze looked at my petite form. His eyes scanned me for a second as he walked closer. My throat dried as I couldn't produce a single sound.

He walked closer and stood in front of me, his unnatural eyes never leaving me and giving an eerie feeling of fright.

I then noticed his other features and he is even more handsome than the pictures. Perfectly combed black hair along with a beard that matches his superior presence. He's gorgeous like an ancient Greek God, a flawless beauty. A skin which is perfectly tanned by the sun. I quickly turned my gaze away from his mesmerizing features and looked at the ground.

"Sir, She is Miss Sophie Skye." He hummed in response and Samuel left without saying a word, leaving me alone with this supreme guy.

Our gaze met for a second and I muster some courage to produce a single sound in his highness presence,

"Good Evening, Sir." I can't possibly call him by his name. He evoked a feeling of contempt in me.

"Come," That's all he said and I swear even his voice is heavenly. I tentatively nodded and took a seat.

He sat on the head of the house chair as I looked away. I feel like I can't speak in his presence, not until he allows me. Being consumed by the ultimate power, I waited for him to talk and he did,

"How old are you?" He asked. My dried lips answered, "21."

"How educated are you?" He asked again. "I completed my graduation two years ago."

He just asked two questions and I can't say anything more. I hoped that he might not ask any more questions and surprisingly he didn't.

There was a silence that was crushing me by each passing second. Soon, the food was served and his eyes were observing my every move.

I thanked God for the past six months in the hotel because I've seen people eat and learn quite a lot from it. I picked the right spoon and began to drink my soup. After being satisfied that I'm eating correctly, he began to drink his soup as well.

The dinner was silent and none of us said a single word. After dinner, I thought of breaking the silence by asking him to send me home but he spoke up first,

"I want you to know a few things before marriage," He sternly said and since I am too immersed in the ambience, I just gave him a nod.

"You won't expect love from me and will please me whenever, wherever I want." He stopped for a second and all those helpless feelings faded away as anger took over me. How dare he? If he's rich he can't use me like that.

Becoming furious I replied, "Excuse me Sir, But I am not a whore. Kindly, Look for another girl, I'm not a sellout." I became angry and stood up to leave. I turned to leave but I heard him,

"Wait, I haven't completed myself," He said authoritatively, I swear if he said another stupid word, I'll slap him, I don't care who the hell is he but I am not a plaything. I turned and saw him standing so close to me, my breath hitched as I took a step back.

"That's the reason I want to marry you. I'll give you my name, my money and everything you desire. In return I just want two things from you." He said.

"W-What?" I shuddered in fear.

"Loyalty and Satisfaction." My heart skipped a beat as I took a step back. Fright took over me as I spoke in a vague tone, "What I-if I r-refuse?"

He smirked and took a step closer. My body became numb as dread consumed my body. The anger which induced me evaporated in an instant and was replaced by his presence that deluged me in fright.

"You can't. I'll afford all the expenses of your brother's treatment and fulfill your greatest wish; A sweet home for your mother." He said and his lips curved upwards triumphantly; leaving me speechless. How did he know about my greatest wish?

My lips began to quiver as he took another step closer,

"I'll give you a week to think about it." He said. My trembling form lost its strength and wants to run away from this tribulation. Away from him.

"But, remember one thing, Sophie," My whole being lost its senses when he called my name. My throat dried and my energy- which was very little of left, was also deprived from me.

He continued to walk closer and somehow some courage blessed me and I took a step back and he continued to say,

"Once this is started, You are stuck."

My body drowns in the pools of apprehension as he continued to say a sentence by each step,

"You'll be mine to claim."

"Your body, Your soul will belong to me"

"I'll never tolerate anyone who tries to think about you the way I do."

"You can never cheat on me."

He stood in front of me and I shut my eyes in terror. The fear anticipated by the fact that he can do the unimaginable to me causes me to break miserably. I felt his hot breath on my face as he said the last sentence,

"I'll give you whatever you desire and you give me what I desire."