Betrothed To The Cold Billionaire

I looked out of my tinted window and as usual, a huge crowd of students had formed a circle around my car. They were all gushing about my new mercedes. I mean, why wouldn’t they? It was the car most of the richest kids in school are dying for.

“That’s the latest Mercedes and a brand new on at that.” One said.

“It’s so beautiful..” said another.

“Are we having another rich sponsor for our school??”

“Who could be rich enough to afford such an expensive car?”

They kept squinting their eyes, trying to see who was inside but they couldn’t because of the tinted glass. The security men around had to come to our aid and drag most of the students away so there would be space for Steven to drive through.

When Steven had finally found a space to park, I opened the door and got out of my car. The moment they saw me, their mouths widened in utter shock. I could even notice Lucas at the far end of the building with surprise, mixed with some type of expression that I couldn’t explain written all over his face.

“That’s right. That’s how I want you to be anytime you see me. You’ll regret ever trying to play me for a fool. This is just the beginning.” I thought to myself as I smirked devilishly at him.

He noticed my gaze on him and that made him turn away in embarrassment. I almost chuckled but held myself back. I straightened up my back and started walking majestically into the school like I owned it. Murmurs filled the whole place as soon as they sighted me.

“It’s Ariel.”

“She’s the owner of the new Mercedes.”

“It’s very expensive. How was she able to get it?”

“Is it a gift from her husband?”

“She’s so lucky. I’m starting to get really jealous of her.”

“I hate to admit it but she looks so gorgeous today. What’s her secret?”

“Ahhh… look at that diamond ring she’s putting on. That’s identical to the one Adrian wore yesterday.”

I turned to stare at the girl that said that with surprise written all over my face. She moved away in fear when she noticed my stares but I didn’t care. All that was on my mind was what she had just said.

So Adrian went out yesterday and left me alone after what he did to me?? I thought he was doing something important but it doesn’t seem like that anymore.

I touched the diamond ring on my finger and grimaced inwardly. Since he can act like we are happily married in front of others, I also have the right to do the same. After all, we got married to each other just for the convenience.

I smiled brightly as I resumed my walk into the school hallways and the students around gave way for me to enter. The murmurs and gushing couldn’t stop as most of them kept on trailing behind me like thay were my bodyguards.

Funny enough that they were insulting and spitting on my face and name when they heard that I was married to Adrian. Now, they are envious of me after seeing the things I’m getting from the marriage. They are really hypocrites.

Then, most of them started taking pictures. The feeling I was getting was too good that it made my head swell. This had always been my dream. To be the centre of everyone’s attention.

I know that I’ve always been the centre of attention all my life but it has never been like this. That was when I realised that I’m actually gaining a lot from this marriage.

It wouldn’t be that long before what I wore and drove to school today would be headlined in most of the popular news blogs and that would only help me with my career.

I was finally able to find my way into the classroom. Some of them that were lucky enough to be in the same class with me entered and sat on seats that are close to mine.

Well, except the one next to me because that is only reserved for Sandy. The rest students were outside and kept admiring me through the windows. About five minutes later, I saw Sandy walk in.

She sat on her seat before she gave me a knowing look. I opened my mouth and was about to say something when the teacher walked in. The class became as silent as a graveyard immediately.

“I need the full gist..” Sandy whispered as she turned her attention back to the teacher. I nodded.

**************************************Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“Wait.. he actually did that to you?” Sandy asked with shock written all over her face.

We were currently in the empty room since it was a free class now. I made sure to lock the doors and windows as usual so no one would be able to eavesdrop on our conversation.

“I just said so.”

“No way. It’s really hard to believe that. How can he think your brother is your lover and still punish you for his false accusations??” She asked in an ‘I don’t believe your words’ tone.

“Why would I be lying about that… see..” I unbuttoned my shirt and showed her the fresh scar.

“I got this that day..” I added and watched as she touched it.

“Ouch..” I winced when her hand came in contact with my bruise.

“Sorry. Does it hurt that much??” She asked as the doubt wiped away from her eyes.

“Not really, unless someone touches it.” I answered as I put on my uniform back.

“It must have been really scary… the panic attack..” She said as her face showed concern.

She was amongst the few people that know about my panic attack. I told her few days after I started experiencing it and that was long ago.

“I felt like I was going to die. Thankfully, Oliver came in just in time.” I replied.

“Oliver?? How did he know what was going on with you?” Sandy asked and that made sink deep into my thoughts.

Come to think of it? I never asked him that. How was he able to come right in time or is it just a coincidence? Well, there’s no other way to explain it except it being a mere coincidence because I’m pretty sure he can’t be watching me all day long.

“Have you been able to talk to Adrian since that day? Probably try to explain things to him so he wouldn’t get the wromg idea anytime he sees me or Hillary with you?” She asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“No. I don’t really care about whatever he thinks. All I know is that I’ve been really faithful to him since we got married.”

“But he might hurt you again.” Sandy said.

“That isn’t going to happen if I don’t see him again.” That word made Sandy snap her head towards me.

“What are you trying to do??” She asked as she gave me a scary look.

“Relax Sandy, I’ll just try to avoid him…. and Oliver.” I answered.

“Why would you be avoiding Oliver? You should be showing your gratitude to him since he was the one that saved you that day, or is there something you aren’t telling me??” She asked as she raised her brows at me.

“W…. what.. d… do you mean. How will I hide something from you of all people??” I stuttered as I turned my face away from her. I didn’t want to tell her what happened between me and Oliver. It is a really embarrassing situation.

“Well, it seems to me that you are actually hiding something from me..” She muttered as she turned me to face her.

“Come on, spit it out!” She ordered.

“It’s just the usual. Him annoying me at every given chance that he gets.” I lied as I tried to avoid gazing at her eyes.

“Are you sure that’s all?” She asked as she gave me a suspicious look.

“Yes, what else could be there??” I asked back.

“Ariel, I’m your best friend so you can tell me if anything is bothering you. I’ll try to give you the best advice that I can. Just don’t hide anything from me.” I smiled when she said that. She can always tell when I’m lying and it’s exhausting sometimes.

“You know that you’re one of the people that I can always count on. I’ll tell you everything once the time is right.” I answered.

“So, you are hiding something from me.”

“I’ll give you the full details later when I’m sure that my suspicions are correct.” I said.

“I hope it won’t be too late then.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t..” I answered and she nodded in understanding.

We kept on talking about other things except Hillary since she wanted to try forgetting about him. After talking for about one hour, we went back to our class for the next subject.

**************************************

*LATER IN THE EVENING*

The school had finally closed for the day and I’m currently in my car, heading home after I had bid Sandy farewell. After driving for a few more minutes, I noticed the car had stopped.

“What’s wrong? Why are we stopping??” I asked Steven.

“The traffic is very severe today.” He answered as he turned off the car’s engine.

I looked out through the window only to see a lot of cars lined up on the road. It was too much to the extent that it seemed like there was no end. I was feeling very pressed and couldn’t hold it back any longer.

I didn’t want to use the restroom at the school because I didn’t really find it attractive or clean so I chose to head home to release my bowels and now, we are stuck in a traffic.

“Is there any way to go around. Maybe a short cut?” I asked.

“There’s a way to go around but it isn’t really a short cut.” Answered Steven.

“Just use it. It’s much better than staying in a traffic that we don’t know when it would get better.” I answered. Steven started the engine and turned the car around.

Instead of taking the express way, he passed through an alley that was wide enough for a car to pass through. The alley was so dark and quiet since it was in the evening. Steven had to turn on the car’s light so we could see whatever that was on our way.

After driving for sometime, Steven stopped the car. I looked out and noticed that we were still in the alley.

“What’s wrong this time? Why did you stop the car??” I asked rather aggressively as I was feeling very pressed.

“There’s someone laying unconsciously in front of the car.” He answered as he unbuckled his seatbelt in a hurry.

“Did you hit someone??” I asked as fear gripped me.

“No..” He replied curtly as he got out of the car. I decided to go out too to see if it was serious.

I followed behind him and kept staring at the unconscious guy that had his back facing us. I could tell that it was a man because of his physique.

“Is that blood??” I asked as I saw the thick liquid on the floor underneath where he was laying.

Steven walked closer to him and turned him to face us. My eyes almost bulged out from its sockets when I saw Oliver laying on the bare ground with blood all over his face and body.