Chapter Twenty-Four

Book:Billionaire's Captive: Sold For His Revenge Published:2024-6-4

It has become clear to me that wealthy people have a strong affinity for social gatherings, which I now perceive as a means of flaunting their wealth.
As the tale goes, a grand statue was erected in the heart of a bustling town. A joyous gathering was held to commemorate this magnificent creation and to honor those who had played a part in its completion.
This is absolutely unbelievable.
As we stepped further into the room, I couldn’t help but draw closer to Hardy, aware of the curious gazes from the surrounding couples.
The most important component was to portray ourselves as deeply passionate.
Act like we were in love.
We were immediately approached by two butlers who offered us tiny shots, but Hardy and I declined.
I couldn’t take alcohol with the baby in me and Hardy for some reason didn’t want to drink.
“Oh my gosh… you made it” I heard a familiar voice behind us and just as I was about to turn around to see who it was. Aneesa hugged me. A tight one that caused me to let go of Hardy.
Great.
“Hi Aneesa” I called gently, patting her back.
“I had no idea you’d be here too,” I added. Acting like we’re friends.
I mean, she started it.
The best thing I could do is to play along. And one day nobody will hear from me again. After filling in Bailey’s space and having Hardy’s baby, I’ll leave this place and this whole new world and go back to my own world. A world with still no Bailey and just the after thoughts of this world with Hardy and these people. This sure still feels like a dream to me if you ask me.
Aneesa and I let go of each other and I said hello to her husband jeffery who was grinning so much behind her. He returned the gesture and towards Hardy too.
But Hardy hardly gave them a reply.
He’s such a pain in the ass.
Aneesa glanced at someone behind me before turning back to me.
“Honestly… I can’t wait to spend more time with you at the white Ale-o house, you know, less people, just peace and quiet. Some of the ladies there are here, but enjoy yourself for a while now I’ll introduce them to you later” Aneesa flashed her gummy smile before linking arms with her Jeffrey and walking away.
I didn’t notice I was still watching them as they walked away until Hardy scoffed behind me.
I turned to him.
“Don’t get attached to anyone” He warned.
“I am just being social and friendly. It’s not being attached” I scoffed. “You would know that if you’d let loose for a few seconds”
“Don’t tell me how to live” He scoffed back.
“If anything. I am being real here… be friendly or social here, nobody actually cares. They’re only that way because you’re with me. You’re a nobody Joanne, and after everything you’ll just be forgotten when I’m done with you. Forgotten… out of the picture and these people wouldn’t give a darn or care to ask what happened to you.”
His words struck me Like lightning and somehow I couldn’t move.
I hate that he was right.
It was exactly what was running through my head.
So what exactly is the point of my existence at this point. Being used by Hardy?
I mean it’s already as plain as day but hearing it come out of him is just.. I would say it’s almost breaking me into pieces.
I don’t know what expression I had on my face but I was feeling so hurt. And Hardy saw right through it.
“What?” He scoffed.
“Get yourself together and do as I say. My words shouldn’t try to break you when it’s only the truth”
Ouch.

Hardy didn’t notice, but throughout the entire gathering, the dinner we had, the toasts and introductions, I was teary on the inside. Beyond my faux smiles and the people being extremely friendly and loving with me, Hardy’s words kept replaying in my head over and over again.
And when Aneesa introduced me to some of the women I’ll be meeting from the Ale-o house like she had promised, I tried my best to leave a good impression as I was being watched by hardy.
“We can’t wait to see you on Thursday” One of the ladies had said and that’s how I knew I’ve left a great impression.
And somehow I can’t wait to see them on Thursday too. Anything to get me out of Hardy’s crib.
On our way home, I was quiet and down and watching the buildings with amazing lights from inside the car, I started to wonder.
What would my life be like now if Bailey hadn’t sold me off in her place.
I rubbed my chin and itchy template as I tried to think of so many things at once.
We finally got back to the new villa and just as we exited the car.
Theodore approached me and took my hand in his.
“Are you okay?” He asked.
I nod, trying to shrug it off
“And why shouldn’t she be?” Hardy added from nowhere, taking Theodore by surprise.
“She looked a bit gloomy back in the car I ju-
“So what are you? Some sort of detective that detects If people are happy or not?” Hardy interrupted Theodore, sounding mad.
“Well at least he noticed” I said almost quietly but loud enough for him to hear.
“Wow” Hardy scoffed.
He went quiet but went on to laugh right after.
A laugh that shows nothing but anger.
“Okay so let me make this clear …” Hardy took a step towards us.
“Theo…. Just because I’ve said nothing about it doesn’t mean I approve of it. You stick up your horses in Joanne. I don’t want that”
Oh well, that was… unexpected .
And I thought he didn’t care.
Theodore didn’t give a reply, instead he just glared at his boots.
You could tell he wanted to say something so badly, but he was just respecting his line as the bodyguard he was.
“What do you mean, sticking his horses up in me?” I didn’t know when the question came out of me. But it did and I guessed I was just pissed.
Hardy turned to me.
Like he didn’t expect me to talk back to him.
Well enough is enough.
He knows how I hate being treated like a toy.
I have once made it clear to him.
“I keep telling you, you don’t have a say in any decision I am making here” He looked like he was about to stomp his feet.
“Right” I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “And without me, all you’re planning, your child I am carrying. Everything would not be coming together. Theodore isn’t or hasn’t stuck any horses of his in me.. I don’t know where you’re getting at but please just stop. All you know is to stop putting people in their so-called places. But let me get one thing straight. This is not my place. I am not Bailey and if you treat me like shit or tell me shit one more time. I’ll kill myself. I don’t care I’ll get my neck in a fuckin rope and hang myself. There’s nothing to lose anyways”
I was catching my breath from saying too much until I decided to look at Hardy.
I couldn’t decipher all He had on his face, but he was looking at me like I just said something so horrible but at the same time I could see fear and sadness all wrapped up together in such a stern face.
His jaw was hanging a little and his borrows slowly furrowed in sadness.
I glanced at Theodore and Theodore was also staring at me.
And he gave me a look that said I shouldn’t have said that.
Okay whatever did I say so wrong?
I don’t care.
Whatever I said must have hurt him. So we’re even now.
I glared at Hardy one last time before making my way towards the door.
A piece of my mind still juggled on that expression on Hardy’s face.
.
.*