Robert remained quiet and puckered his lips in response, and I frowned at him! Was he under the impression that he could intimidate me with a severe look on his face? He has to rethink his position! I stepped away as he walked towards me as if he was going to kiss me! As soon as he got close enough to kiss me, I ran upstairs like a coward and didn’t look back.
An hour later, I went downstairs to talk to my father, who had just gotten home. It was up to me to persuade him that my marriage to Robert would be a complete catastrophe. The bodyguard stayed in the shadows but kept a close eye on me at all times.
“Daddy, can we talk?”
“Can you tell me what it is this time?” He inquired in a severe tone that made my palms shiver in terror every time he spoke.
“I don’t get along with Robert, Daddy.”
“You’re not required to do so. Just get married to him and let him save you from total humiliation! Your future is safe in Robert’s capable hands!” He said it in a matter-of-fact tone, which I have despised the most.
“You have no compassion, Daddy,” I voiced out my disappointment towards him, but he only lifted his eyebrow in response. Even though we are not close as father and daughter, I have never dared to go back to him daily. “Can you, once and for all, take on the role of a father?” He was shocked at my outburst. However, he was the one who provoked me.
“Irrespective of your protest, your wedding to Robert will never be called off. Do you comprehend what I’m saying?”
“I despise you!”
When I returned to my room, I swore and sobbed simultaneously because of my misfortune. After I had allowed myself to grieve for my lost independence as well as for the impending marriage with Robert, I breathed a sigh of relief that he didn’t lock me up or it would be impossible to leave.
When I was out of option, I decided to talk with Robert about it. He’s the only person who could help me get out of my situation. While I descended the stairs, I prayed that I could convince Robert to cancel the wedding and accept my money.
“What took you so long?” Robert asked as soon as he saw me entering the dining room. Just like what he said earlier, he would prepare the table, and that’s what he did.
“Can we have a conversation?” I inquired politely.
“About what?”
“A little bit about us,” I said and paused for a moment. When I glanced at him again, he was eager for me to continue. “It’s all about the marriage,” I said.
“It was already decided, so why are you so stubborn about it? Nothing will change unless you have a prince who will come to your aid on that fateful day.”
“What if you don’t want to be a part of this marriage? Did your parents also put pressure on you to secure this wedding?” I hinted that he lacked confidence for a guy who had allowed his parents to exert control over him. “You must help me get out of this damn agreement!”
“I’m sorry, but these past few days that we have been together, I think I have fallen for your charms. Even with another man’s child, I wouldn’t mind at all,” he stated while daydreaming.
I had to smack him so that he would wake up from his dream. “Doesn’t there seem to be any way out of this terrible arrangement?” I asked him, but when he shook his head, I realized that the only way out was for me to do something drastic. I was devastated and sad, but the foul odour emanating from Robert’s underarm made me wrinkle my nose.
“Sooner or later, you will find out I’m that bad,” he said.
“How much should I give you so that you will back out?” I may have used the same tactic with Lee before, and it didn’t work, but there could be a chance with Robert. It took him a long time to speak up, and before he opened his mouth to speak, he lifted one of his arms, and I immediately tried to cover my nose. When I realized I was insulting him again, I tried to ignore his not so pleasant manly scent.
“Hmmm, that’s tempting. However, I don’t need your money. On the other hand, maybe I will change my mind if you can do something with me tonight.”
“Tonight? Why? What are your plans tonight?” Suddenly, his proposal scared the living shit out of me. Did he plan to sleep with me? No, I wouldn’t be able to do that, and if he would force himself unto me, it could end up with me being in jail for murdering a man.
“I don’t think I can reheat the food again, Selena. Why don’t we go out for dinner?”
A noticeable sigh of relief came out of my mouth, and it was too late when I regretted saying ‘yes. “I’ll just change my clothes,” I told him and suggested that he should do the same. He might change his mind if I could do something with him, and it was only dinner, so why not take a chance? When it comes to cancelling our upcoming, I will do anything for it!
I hurried back to my room and changed into something appropriate for dining out. I used to love wearing mini dresses when going out for dinner, but I was worried someone might notice my pregnancy, which would cause a scandal, especially when there’s no announcement yet for my wedding. Even with Liam Salcedo, there was no announcement because it was agreed with both parties trying to keep it a secret until the big day.
When I rummaged my wardrobe, I selected the dress with extra care. It should be comfortable for my baby and me. I may sound paranoid about my baby bump when it’s barely there, but as much as possible, I didn’t want to restrict its movement. I chose to wear a glittering dress with sequins and has an undulating frilly skirt with a sumptuous ruffle falling down the side. It’s fashionable, comfortable and perfect for a dinner date. I sprayed my favourite scent on my wrist and below my nostrils for slight protection against Robert’s indescribable fragrance.
The man was unstoppable in humiliating me or disappointing me! Outside my room, he stood waiting, and his gaze lingered on my breast. A little skin may be showing, but he acted like it was the first time he saw a woman with a well-endowed breast! I frowned at him for being obvious and continued walking towards the elevator. I was supposed to take the stairs, but I decided to be extra careful about my condition. As much as possible, I would minimize the risk of experiencing a miscarriage. I couldn’t risk losing the baby because it has Lee’s blood!
“You look gorgeous as always,” he complimented my appearance while we were inside the elevator.
“Thank you, but I wish I could say the same to you.” I was honest with him since he didn’t seem very dapper in his unmatched outfit. He looked like a Christmas tree when he combined so many colours in one outfit. Well, he looked absurd to me!
“Is it bad?”
“If you are referring to your attire, it’s hideous and horrible to look at,” I told him the truth, but he shook his head, so it confused me.
“I didn’t mean about my outfit because I feel good in it. I was talking about being with me,” he clarified in a more serious tone.
“You know the answer to that, Robert. I’m still in love with another man, and that’s why I kept on telling you to cancel our upcoming wedding because it would be unfair on your part.”
“No worries, dear. I am resigned to doing this. I mean, everybody’s doing it for more wealth, so I shouldn’t feel bad about what you mentioned earlier.”
For a moment, I wanted to throttle his neck for being so difficult to deal with. When we discussed it, I was almost convinced he wanted to quit and just took the money I offered to him, but he was stubborn! “Damn you, Robert!” I ended up cussing curse words in front of him, and he just laughed at me!