Chapter 8

Three weeks later, I went to the dorms to see Manie. I haven't seen or heard from Arthur ever since our last meeting in his study. Jordan said something along the lines of Arthur being busy with work trips and also his unavailability, so I didn't get to confront him about the contract. At the first week after I found out, I blamed everything on Arthur but then, at the run of the second week, I blamed myself for being so stupid and then blamed Manie and everything but I knew it was all my fault; if only I'd found out before signing off, I'd probably have had a better chance of changing and correcting things. But as I approached Manie's office, I was convinced it's probably too late.

"Look who we have here.." Manie sounded rather sarcastic.

"Hello Manie."

"Oh if it isn't the cold bitch.." she eyed me up and down and gestured for me to seat. I stayed silent to observe her. She looked unbothered.

"You knew I'd signed my life to Arthur, didn't you?"

"Woah.. first name basis now ehh? Wasn't my idea."

"Then whose? Arthur's? For God's sake Manie we agreed six months!"

"Don't you like how you living? How things are?"

"You don't know shit!" I was angry. "You were supposed to defend my choice for the discussed term not sell me off like I'm your freaking property!"

"Well I didn't tell you not to read those fucking documents, so shut the hell up!"

"I'm not a silly object to get rid of Manie.. you were supposed to be responsible for us, for me and then what, you blame me for putting my trust in you?"

She looked away nonchalantly.

"Gosh Manie, it's my life we're talking about, is it that much of a joke to you?"

She rolled her eyes. "He treats you well doesn't he?"

"What?"

"He promised he would if I concent to long term.."

"And you decided to make a choice for me?"

"Look, I know it sounds stupid but I had to. He was willing to pay millions just to have and keep you and I couldn't resist, I'm sorry ok?"

"Sorry doesn't cut the fact that you fucking sold me off just because he agreed to pay millions?"

"Come on.. I got debts to pay and.. he assured he'd treat you well.."

"You of all people know the kind of person he is, does he look to you like someone capable of taking care of a person?"

"For heaven's sake Manie.." my voice broke. "Why did you do that to me?"

She looked away from me but whether or not she feels guilty for her actions, I got to find a way out.

"Look Ana, I know sorry doesn't cut it but there's still a way out." I eyed her.

"What way?"

"Since you want out of long term, the only way is for him to agree to let you go and terminate the contract after your six months term."

"What, get him to agree?"

"I trust you can do that much."

"Y-You're supposed to clean up the mess you made Manie," I was going nuts.

She shook her head. "At the very least, I apologize."

"Fuck!" I banged her desk so hard I thought I'd broken a knuckle. I violently crashed her pile of paperworks and scurried out of her office. As I went through the busy hallway, some sloppy old men decided to gawk at my body and oh my, I was angry enough to kick some balls.

I got out of the building as cold breeze hit me but it didn't soothe my nerves. In no time, my gaze settled on Arthur in a shiny black blazer and pants looking so subtle. What's that asshole doing here? I instantly approached him with fast strides, he didn't move an inch as well as his bodyguards who looked like they were ready to kill. Maybe I was ready to die.

I continued my quick strides towards him, damn those heels that made it look like I was walking down the aisle of a fashion pageant. I hate him, I hate Arthur! When I was close enough, I raised my hand up and brought it crashing down his face.

"You fucking asshole!" His bodyguards made a move to grab me but was signalled by Arthur whose face was still slanted to stand back. "You have no right to buy me!"

He brought his face to look at me. "Get in the car."

I scoffed, this dude has got to be kidding, "I'm not surprised you're not sorry but do me a favor, don't you ever appear in front of me ever again!"

I moved away from him and walked down the road, I felt a crack in my feet, these fucking heels! I stopped to pull them off and continued my trip down the street but the ground was too hot to proceed on my tracks. I looked up and down searching for a taxi but those goddamn taxi drivers have probably decided to stop making a living. My feet was burning from the heat.. gosh! Why am I so unfortunate?

I was shoved off a cliff to death by my closest family, gave up a couple years in a coma, lost my child in the process, plagued by death and those insane nightmares whilst being homeless, soiled my dignity in the dorms just to get revenge and then fate played behind the scenes and decided it was time to be bought over and finally the possession of the meanest man on earth and now sulking with a burning feet.

Arthur grabbed my hand to stop me from going further and his gaze pressed into mine. There were no tears threading down my cheeks but I'm sure my eyes were red enough to cause a downpour in no time. I pulled my hand away from his grip but then he resolved to carry me one hand to the car reversed nearby. I didn't fight him, I didn't fight the fact that I was placed over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes.

He put me in the car and shut the door, then came in through the other side. I shifted till my body glued to the door, avoiding the littlest proximity. He didn't talk to me and I thanked the stars he didn't make a comment. We rode in silence till we got back to the mansion.

A bodyguard got my door and opened it for me to get down but I couldn't move, I couldn't move a limb and I think my muscles were cramped.

Arthur came to my side and observed me not sure of what to do but he didn't waste time staring at me, he just walked away and disappeared into the mansion. Jordan came up to me, he looked like he'd rushed down through a flight of stairs to get to me.

"Ana.." he called as he observed my face, body, and then his gaze settled on my eyes. I stared at him like I was about to crumble. He made to carry me and I let him. He carried me inside and up through the stairs to my room, then laid me on my bed. I think he noticed the red traces of burns underneath my feet cause his face scrunched into a deep frown.

He scurried to the bathroom to grab a towel and a bowl of water. Then he came and sat in a way my legs were on his thighs. He pressed the wet towel gently on my burning feet causing me to wince in pain.

"What happened?" He asked not looking at me. I didn't respond, I just shut my eyes.

"Sorry." He said softly.

"I was sold off to Arthur.." I said as I opened my eyes and discovered his eyes were already on me. "I signed the papers, didn't realize I signed my life away." I said like it no longer bothered me. He didn't look surprised.

"You could make a deal with him.."

"That's the ridiculous part.. it didn't have to come to this..." I bit my lip so hard that I intend to draw blood.

"Hey.." he brought my eyes to meet his. "Everything will be fine."

I doubt. "Will it?"

He just caressed my face and brought me in for a hug. I hugged him back as I pressed tighter into his muscles like an attempt to hide from the world. I still didn't let a single tear escape my eyes cause I couldn't afford to let anyone in on my weakness, but maybe Jordan has already seen through my facade and he rubbed my back gently. I clutched his clothes as my vulnerability laid out like cards on a thatched wooden table.

He pulled out a bit and his gaze pierced mine and then he leaned in to kiss me not sure if I'd let him. I didn't want a connection that leads to commitments, I didn't want to kiss him and lead him on, I didn't want to let him into my world and crucify him with my desires for revenge and most of all, I didn't want to kiss him and in turn, crash in the trenches of subtle dependence, interests and love.

"J-Jordan.." I whispered.

"Hmm?"

"No matter what.. don't fall in love with me." I said tiredly. He didn't move his lips away from mine.

*Not for you to decide..." He claimed my lips in a passionate kiss. I slide up my hands into his hair to probe him in further.