Compelled

10. Lunch, Rains and Snorts.

"What on earth have you gotten yourself into, Scarlett?!" Liana stormed into the kitchen at the earliest hour throwing down the mornings newspaper with a huge headline I didn't bother to read. I had a blazing headache from over thinking all of yesterday's events and would love nothing more than to enjoy my morning coffee.

I looked at Liana who was already dressed to take on the day while I was still in my pajamas looking like crap.

"I did what I had to do." I took a sip of my the dark liquid in my cup but unfortunately found no comfort. "It was either that or my mother's life. I'd like to think that I made the right decision." She scoffed but her face softened. Liana settled on the chair next to me while she eyed me seriously almost like I had lost my mind.

"You could have asked Mr Pearson for the help and paid him back. He wouldn't have objected and he certainly wouldn't demand outrageous favors from you." I sighed pushing my mug away in frustration.

"I cannot ask the man for anymore help. He's done way too much already." She scoffed again and just then said man entered the kitchen.

He was dressed in his designer suit that clung to him perfectly. The warm pleasantness didn't accompany him like it always did when he was near me instead it was actually suffocating. He didn't look at me like he always did. In fact, he didn't look at me at all. He poured himself some coffee then acknowledged Liana with a nod and left the kitchen.

I frowned at this since Justin was never like this. An uncomfortable vibe filled the space when he arrived and remained even after he had left. I groaned thinking that things couldn't get anymore terrible than this but I was utterly incorrect.

Just before noon my cellphone buzzed and the screen flashed a number that I hadn't seen before. "Good day, Scarlett. It's Chase Wright." The deep businesslike voice sounded from the speaker and I regretting answering the damn call.

I looked outside the window of my room which I've been pacing aimlessly since the morning thinking how things got so screwed up.

When I didn't speak he cleared his throat to get my attention. "I will be picking you up for lunch at one." He ordered in a bossy tone. I scoffed insultingly knowing he'd hear and decided that I wasn't going to go anywhere with him.

"You may want to learn to be more obedient, Scarlett." He said warningly. "Your mother's life is quiet literally on my hands." The call was disconnected and letting out a huff I threw my phone onto the bed angrily then crumpled to the floor.

I just didn't understand why the Wrights didn't just settle on a return the loan agreement. Usually you'd demand marriage of two families because the businesses could be strengthened and grow but my dad had nothing. No business, no money and I would inherit nothing. Something just wasn't adding up and I needed to speak to my father after this horrible lunch was over.

I dragged my feet into the bathroom for a quick shower then threw on a little bit of a formal yet flowy black skirt and a deep red top. I didn't bother with any sort of make-up and just ran a brush through my hair.

A black Rolls Royce pulled up, it's tyres crushing the pebbles along the driveway as it neared the entrance. A middle aged man got out of the drivers side and held the door opened for me. When I got in the back seat was empty much to my relief. I looked out the window as the car rolled away from the house which I wanted nothing more than to be in.

I took several breaths to steady myself and my thoughts as the car slowed down then slid into a parking spot and halted altogether. If it wasn't for the chauffeur the door would have never opened and I wouldn't have come out.

It was an undeniably beautiful day. The sky was a nice shade of blue. The air was light and breezy with no sign of ominous weathers and if it wasn't for the tall, authoritive figure that stood at the bottom of the elegant restaurants stairway, I would be marvelling at the serenity of the weather for much longer.

Chase Wright took my hand, placed it in the crook of his arm and mounted the stairs. His face had a no nonsense attitude and he wreaked power and control. He was quiet literally everything I detested in a man.

He didn't smiled at anyone who greeted him when we entered. Instead he brushed them off like they all worked for him. His pride over flowed and it wasn't difficult to see that he was egotistical and so unlike- don't compare them! They're nothing alike.

I shook my head and settled in the chair across from him and when the waiter brought us the menu he brushed it away saying he already knew what he wanted then proceeded to order two of the same thing without even asking if I would prefer anything else.

However, as enraged as I was, I calmed myself down not wanting to cause a scene at such a fine place.

He dug into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet box and placed it onto the table near me. "You should start wearing that. You're going to be photographed a lot now that you're going to be my wife and people would want to know how expensive of a ring did I gift my bride." I held back an eye roll at his rich talk. This guy was disgusting and as vain as anyone could ever be.

I opened the little box out of curiosity and wanted to laugh. The diamond was big alright but the ring itself was atrocious. Placing the box into my purse, I looked around taking in my surroundings.

It wasn't hard to see that only the creme de la creme dined here. The woman were dressed in the finest of clothing with their most beautiful jewellery on display showing of their riches. Their laughs sounded rehearsed and all in all fake and forced except for the lady with deep brown hair at to the right of the room.

She was elegantly dressed but she didn't bring all her jewels to lunch. She was rich, clearly, but she was classy as well and her smiled seemed genuine as did her laugh when the man across her with thick dark brown hair said something.

Chase cleared his throat irritatedly to get my attention. His eyes were shooting daggers at me and it truly felt like I was suffocating. He was about to say something when the waiter arrived with the food. Once they left, he got back to whatever it is he wanted to say.

"As you know, Scarlett, we have held up our end of the deal and I hope you hold your side of it as well." His voice held an undertone of warning that dared me to do anything else aside from what he wanted me to do.

I raised a brow at him which made his gaze narrow at me. "And what exactly is my end of the deal?"

He squared his shoulders leaning in so as to intimidate me. "You will be an obedient wife who will provide me with much needed heirs. After all it's what you were made for." I grit my teeth at his sexist comment and stared at him in astonishment.

I was utterly shocked that such men still existed. To me, it felt like he belonged in ancient history. I just couldn't bring myself to understand how the heck he could be so demanding and controlling. I mean I got that he had a s**t load of money but so did Justin but he was never so vain and disgusting.

"And what if I told you that I cannot have children?" I mentally tapped myself in the shoulder for this one when he almost chocked on his pasta. "What then?"

He recomposed his faltered expression with his egotistical male one. "Then we'll simply have to try to get you some sort of medical assistance." He stated matter of factly. "I'm sure you're aware of the many treatments there are."

I frowned as the puzzle pieces fell into place. There was more to this alliance than I knew of that is why he was so adamant. Chase took a sip of his wine then almost as if he read my thoughts he smirked.

"Your dad did request a huge amount of money. Half of the sum for your mother and the remaining half for his business he started in Greece." My body ran cold and it felt like I was being hit by a bus.

I couldn't believe my father was using this to his goddamn advantage. Which meant the sum was doubled and not just the exact amount my mother needed. For the tenth time today I blinked back the tears and curbed my anger.

"It's all business. We know that your father is a good businessman so we bought shares in his developing company but to make sure he doesn't do anything reckless with it, we joined the businesses." I was speechless and absolutely stunned.

The disbelief of my father's betrayal cut anew and hurt all the more knowing that at such a tough time he chose to bring business in it and use it to his own selfish gain.

I stood up, ignoring the warning glare from Chase Wright and left. The moment I got outside, I inhaled the fresh air letting it carry away some of the heaviness away and although it did little of that, it did make me feel much better compared to what breathing in that restaurant was.

I hailed a cab, gave the name of the hospital I wanted to go to and slumped against the seat. I let out a small laugh at how I didn't think things could get any worse.

I'd always thought that the first time my father betrayed me was truly unintentional but now I doubted that. How could he do such a thing? My mother didn't have all the time in world and here my father was making business plans at the cost of my mother's life and my freedom.

The cab came to a halt so I paid the driver and got out and ran into the hospital. There was still half an hour for the afternoon visiting so I rushed up and entered my mother's room and found that she wasn't alone.

I was about to retract my steps and leave but she had already caught sight of me. "Scarlett, what's the matter, sweety." She frowned and the familiar broad figure to her left didn't turn. I scoffed. Why would he? I was just an obligation to him. Another part of my father's business clause.

I wanted nothing more at that moment then to just lay it all down and unveil my father for his selfish way but I wasn't selfish like him. My mother didn't need any of this while she was here. The less stressed she was the better it was for her condition.

So I settled on the little ottoman in the right of the bed and held her hand. "It's nothing. I think I just get too emotional everything I come here." She looked at Justin who still refused to look at me and that was like the cherry on the top of my day.

I swallowed the lump in my throat that seemed to be my companion these past few days. "I've seen more of you this week than I have of her this entire week." She said jokingly and his entire expression changed.

He feigned a look of offense. "Am I to take that as a hint that you're getting tired of me?" She clicked her tongue at him like she used to do to me when ever I said something absurd. He threw her a warm smile and she patted his hand.

"You know you're the son I never hand, Justin." He smiled tenderly at her before standing up and my heart dropped.

"I'll see you tomorrow. I have to be somewhere in a few minutes." My mother thanked him and nodded understandingly and he left the room.

I stared at his retreating back hating that I didn't know why he was pissed off at me. I'd never seen him angry and I don't recall doing anything that may have caused him to be upset.

"He should still be in the hallway. If you go now you could catch him up and clear whatever it is that needs clearing." My head swung up to see my mother staring at me like she could read me like an open book. She smiled then nudged me and I was out out of the room and rushing down the hall before I knew it.

I spotted his figure in the elevator and ran to it sticking my hand in and then out quickly so it opened again. I got it and waited for the door to close again. He was silent, looking at the floor then at the door just not at me.

"W-what did I do?" His brown eyes narrowed in on me then he let out a scoff and continued looking at the door. My heart clenched at this and when the doors opened he left leaving me behind him.

I hurried my steps following him to the parking. Gone was sunny day. It was raining pretty heavily outside but that didn't deter him nor me. I caught up to him and grasped his hand, holding it as steadily as I could to stop him from walking anymore. His suit that was grey now looked black from the rain.

His eyes were filled with hurt but it vanished just as fast as it appeared in his brown depths. "You could've asked me for assistance, Scarlett. You knew that!" His voice was thunderous and I took a step back.

"I would've never even dreamed of taking advantage of your position by asking for outrageous favor like the Wright's are." I gasped at him knowing that. "It isn't difficult to put the puzzle pieces together."

"I-I didn't know at the time when I told my father to agree-" he cut me of.

"But you knew after that, clearly." He scoffed looking away. "I just find it tough to believe that you'd choose to still go ahead and agree to such an alliance than to ask me for assistance. I would have never made it difficult for you like they are."

I wiped a wet strand of hair away from my face and behind my ear. I took a step towards him. "But you've already helped me so much, Justin." My hands went to either side of his face, cupping it and holding it firmly to he would look at me. "I-I couldn't possibly ask anymore of you. You don't even have to let me stay in your house but you do."

His face soften in brief understanding but he shrugged out of my hold. "That's what you don't understand. I wouldn't have done any of it if I didn't want to but I do. They're not favors but willing, wholehearted choices of mine."

I took a deep breath and so did he. He needed to know just how oblivious I was to what I was getting myself into and the actual truth as to why there's even marital alliance as exchange.

"Let's go home and I will explain everything."

We got home and immediately went to our respective rooms to get some clean, dry clothing on. I was done first and sauntered into the kitchen to brew some coffee to help with the chill. I got out two mugs and shortly after the coffee was done. As I was pouring the dark liquid into the white mugs, the door opened from down the hallway and I knew that was him.

We sat in the living room since the balcony and the terrace would be wet and cold. I placed the mugs on wooden coffee table near the couch we both sat on.

"I was saving you as my last option of help. If all else fails." I started explaining but he stared blankly at the furry carpet below. "To me you've already assisted my family and I more than anyone has even cared to. I just felt like asking you while there were possible alternate options was selfish of me." I couldn't just use him and run to him every time something went wrong. It just wasn't right.

He nodded slowly more to himself as if he processed my reasoning. His head tilted, focusing his eyes on me.

"Fair enough but now you're in a mess. Chase Wright is probably the devils incarnate." He said warningly but I already knew just how disgusting the man was. Justin saw the flash of distaste cross my face and he raised an eyebrow at me.

"I sort of had lunch with him today." Well it wasn't actually lunch but more like me watching him eat while I was too nauseated by the man.

Justin's head flew up to stare at me with a hard look which then transitioned into concern. "Did he hurt you or anything of that sort? He has sort of a bad reputation for being pushy with woman against their will." I shivered hating the thought and possibility if that happening. Oh, this just keeps getting better and better. Why couldn't the brat be a nice person since that would really have made things a s**t load easier.

"I was perfectly safe although he wasn't being a gentlemen-" he scoffed at my use of the word gentlemen and Chase in the same sentence. "The man is horrendously rude and high handed." I let my dislike ooze in my words. "I'm there apparently to just provide him with as many heirs as possible" I laughed at that but Justin wasn't humored instead he seemed more confused and I could see his thoughts going into the direction I waited for it to.

"No one loans money then forms an alliance in return for that money unless the loaner actually had a business but your Dad doesn't-" and just like that his eyes widened and he looked at me in shock and anger at my father's actions. I just nodded slowly blinking away the cloudiness from my eyes before they could build up again.

"He asked for more money than what my mother's operation actually required. Half for her and the rest for him and whatever business he has in Greece." I've never seen Justin speechless but right now that was exactly what he was. He blinked a few times, his long lashes making themself visible at the movement.

He was quiet for several minutes and I gave up waiting for any response from him so I rested my head against the couch and sighed feeling the tiredness course through me.

"What on earth are your going to do now? I mean you can't marry the man. Your life will be a misery. You'd have to live on his rules, his times and terms. He'll even decide what you wear." I opened my eyes to meet his warm ones that were full of concern which reminded me just how different he was from Mr Wrights spoilt brat of a son.

Again my heart clenched with the faith that could never be and it stung. Shaking those tormenting thoughts that would t*****e me to the wee hours of the night, I shrugged and stared in disbelief at my relaxed composure right now. He was more worried than I was about the situation.

"I don't want to rock the boat right now. Once my mother's operation goes through smoothly tomorrow then I shall see what I can do to escape. Until then, I won't do anything." He pursed his lips then smiled tenderly.

"I'm really fond of your mother." His voice was soft and not to far away. I smirked at what I was about to say next.

"She's really fond of you too. Well, she's always liked the brooding type." I knew that wasn't true but he still stared at me pointedly.

"I do not brood as much as you cry." He said and my face fell into a straight, stern mask. I knew he was joking and right now, so was I. His eyes widened as he assumed that he had touched a sensitive topic. My hand tightened on the little square pillow preparing for attack.

"Scarlett, I didn't mean it like-" he didn't get a chance to finish his sentence because his back hit the couch. The pillow in my hand as I launched it at him several times giving me an advantage since I had the element of surprise. Or so I thought.

His hands crept onto my waist slowly, seizing all of my movements at the strength and electricity that spread from his touch. All playfulness was gone from both of our demeanor as he lifted his head up, closer to mine.

My heart pounded in my chest, the blood was rushing to my face and I waited in anticipation. His gaze travelled from my neck then to my lips before locking with my eyes.

All the air was knocked out of me when he pushed me onto the floor, clasping my legs between his, my hands about my head firmly bound in one of his and I knew what was coming. The man distracted me then used my distraction against me.

"Please. Please don't." I begged him multiple times it fell on deaf ears. The mischevious smirk on face grew as he began his torment and tickled me on my side's, stomach and arms. Words could no longer be formed because I was gigling my guts out.

I stared at him through my torment and witness how truly handsome he was with this big ole smile spread across his lips. His hand moved back to my stomach but a bit lower and this was going to get ugly.

"Ooh, she's a snorter." He teased and I wanted to kick him but my legs were still trapped. Eventually, after what felt like decades, he gave up but didn't let go of my hands. He looked at the carpet that was now below us and seemed to be lost in his thought.

I waited for a while then wiggled beneath him to get his attention and when his eyes locked with mine again, I was taken aback with all the emotion that swirled in them and for a moment it seemed as if he, too, was having a 'what could never be' moment.

Should that make me feel better? That he had such moments too and I wasn't the only one. If it was supposed to, it didn't. It only added made me feel worse knowing he'd wanted it even if not as much as I did but still.

The little trail of warmth slid down my cheeks and he wiped them away. "Like I said." He whispered heavily letting go of my hands. "You're such a cry baby." With that he got off me, straightened up onto his feet and left.