The Last Ceo’s Deal

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

Christine.

I’m confused as I climb out of bed. I sincerely hope that this is not what I’m thinking.

So I’m alive!

I try to hold my curiosity as I take a shower. I don’t even know what day it is, so I change into booty shorts and a T-shirt laid neatly on the bed.

Wait! Whose room is this?

I walk into the living room and Diana doesn’t even look at me. I frown as I sit on the Sofa’s armrest. I know she is sulking.

“Good morning?” I ask carefully.

She looks at me and her eyes are blazing angrily.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

She hits me with the newspaper then storms into the kitchen.

I turn the paper and the picture on the front page makes me gasp. I read the headline and my breath hitches in my throat. I stare at the damning words for a whole minute before I close my eyes and shake my head.

I’m so kicking Fanuel’s ass. That stupid Mogul.

So according to an ‘unrevealed source’ as the paper has it, I’m getting married to Fanuel in three day’s time. My picture graces the front page and I don’t need a seer to tell me who is behind the whole thing.

I reread the nauseating headline for the third time.

“Public figure and successful business icon’s wife is quite the eye turner.”

I snort; eye turner indeed.

Fanuel just keeps messing with me each single day and my dislike for him keeps increasing.

Why would he do this? He must have paid a small fortune to have his way with the newspaper. My Mum could sue him for this but obviously she can’t because she’s no match for his money and he must have the best lawyers in the country.

Plus, I’m the sacrificial lamb for my dad’s sin and that will be one of his strongholds against me in court.

I really don’t understand what he is upto.

Jayden came over and handed over his phone to me cause my brother’s call came through and my heart skipped a beat.

Was he here?

We haven’t talked much ever since I was brought here and I know just too well why he’s calling.

“Hi Easton”

“Hey! Glad you’re awake, why didn’t you tell your favorite brother that you’re getting married to a monster?”

I grit my teeth angrily.

Damn Fanuel.

What should I tell my brother right now? He sounds so hurt and disturbed, If I tell him that it’s a stupid contract to blackmail me, then all hell will break loose and he’ll will be contacting his lawyer in the next one second.

Don’t be surprised! Easton has friends!

I’m wise enough not to get him into a fight with Fanuel.

He’ll lose.

“I’m sorry bro, It was kind of sudden and unexpected really because you know like we haven’t known each other for long and it’s because of dad and he needs to…..”

“Christine, you’re rambling!! I have no idea what you are trying to tell me. Take a deep breath.”

I close my eyes and sigh.

“I was going to tell you today.” I almost slap myself for lying to my brother but that’s about the best lie I can come up with.

“I know that lie Christine. Why the fuck will you hide something as crucial as that from me? You were literally going through hell in the hands of that monster and you made no effort to contact me huh? If I had never come there yesterday maybe you would have just died and I would have come to hear a dreadful story.” He yelled over the phone

“Oh, you were here?”

“I was there to see you and I was given the sweetest news about you losing consciousness due to the high intake of chemicals in your body. The idiot wasn’t even sorry at all but all aggressive and arrogantly professional.”

I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

“Please tell me you didn’t fight him?”

“Of course I didn’t, I kissed him”

I sigh in depression, I knew Easton so well, he would beat crap out of Fanuel even if he’s bears the name’ Jesus’

“So when did you two agree on this bullshit?”

“Ummh Easton, can we talk later please? I’m kind of busy right now.”

Seriously, how can I tell my brother that we’re not engaged but apparently we’re getting married through a contract?

“It’s okay. Take care of yourself, okay?”

“Okay bro.”

“And no more secrets.”

“No more secrets.”

My head is reeling when he hangs up. What the hell am I supposed to do now?

Jeez. I’m going mad. I want to hit something so bad.

I shoved the phone to Jayden who stared at me with pity.

I walk to the kitchen to get myself a cup of coffee. That ought to calm me down.

Diana wrings her nose when I go in. She’s all sulky and I totally get it. We don’t keep stuff from each other; that’s a rule.

Things have been happening too fast though and I’m barely able to catch up.

“Can I just say everything?” I ask when she keeps ignoring me and she takes a careful sip from her mug before looking at me.

“Are you going to a spa?

You agreed to his terms, are you going to a boutique with him?”

“Dee, I’m really sorry. I didn’t think it would get to this, at least you’re aware of the whole marriage saga, don’t get all riled up by this. I’m confused as well”

She sets the mug on the counter.

“Okay. So you’re getting married to Fanuel in three days. What exactly are you going to do, tell me?”

“I’m not getting married to him in three days! It’s too sudden.”

“Oh darling, that newspaper doesn’t run propaganda. They use facts and verified information. Now tell me that you’re not getting married.”

“I’m not.”

“Then why would they do such a thing?”

“I think Fanuel paid them to do that.”

“Okay, you lost me there.”

****

It’s almost 1900 hours when I eventually leave for my place.

Fanuel has sent me a text to go visit my Mum with his driver, Cole and warned me not to try anything shitty.

My phone was finally on and everyone including my coursemates has been bombarding me with calls and questions the whole day and I feel angry and drained.

He parked the car outside the apartment building and it’s only after I step out that I realize that cameras are clicking like crazy all around me.

Shit. It’s the press.

It’s like all media houses are represented and I can barely move due to the throng of reporters blocking my way.

Questions are hurled from every direction.

“How long have you two been dating?”

“Is it true you blackmailed him into marrying you?”

“What do your parents think?”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“How did you manage to keep your relationship from the public eye?”

“Where will the wedding take place?”

“Are you signing a prenup?”

“Is it a marriage contract?”

I ignore all the questions. To be honest, I’m not in the mood for this. I feel tears burning in my eyes.

Will I ever have a normal life after this? Why is Fanuel doing this to me?

The question is why.

I’m glad when I finally manage to get inside the building and I scramble up the stairs to my house.

I lock myself all the way in then lie on the sofa. I’m on the edge of throwing a tantrum and I fight hard to keep my calm. I hate drama.

The chime from my phone alerts me that I have a new message. I pull my cell phone from my bag and read it with a racing heart.

“Tell Cole to meet me at Maldives Restaurant in an hour. Come with him.

I curse Fanuel under my breath for the hundredth time today. I’m tempted to call the number and give him a piece of my mind but I’m on the losing end here.

He wouldn’t even let me explain things to my mum who I’ve not even met for a while!