CHAPTER 1 Betrayal

Ruby

"You can at least try to act like you're not being forced to come watch me eat." Oliver Harrison remarked with a smirk while watching me from across the table.

I rolled her eyes at his attempts to make a conversation. If it were up to me, I would rather we both eat in silence and then leave afterwards like strangers.

"But I am being forced to watch you eat, Oliver." I clarified.

"Come on, Ruby. I'm a very handsome man, surely you wouldn't mind feasting your eyes on this sight for the rest of the night." He winked while gesturing to himself.

"I would rather ogle a fish than spend my entire day watching you, Mr. Harrison." I calmly stated as I took a sip of my drink.

This is the only good thing about this arrangement. The food at this place was good. Definitely worth the money.

"You see why I like you, Ruby?" He chuckled to himself.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I like you because you match me toe to toe." He grinned before unbuttoning his blazer. "You're a spitfire and that alone excites me." He remarked.

"I excite you?"

"In the most erotic ways, my love." His voice sounded strained and husky as he adjusted himself on his seat.

"Well, it's a good thing that you don't excite me." I said but it was a lie.

Oliver Harrison is a very attractive man and since this evening I've been crossing and uncrossing my legs to help soothe the ache brewing there.

"I can tell you're lying." He noted with a smug look on his face, "You're attracted to me. Actually I know that you can't wait to fuck me." He asserted dominantly.

Embarrassment flooded my entire system at the prospect of being caught in a lie but I decided to not lose my cool.

"With all due respect, Oliver, you are everything I hate in a man. You're arrogant, cocky and you think highly of yourself which is all the more reason why this marriage will never work." I continued, "I want to get married and I would love to marry for love. Not because someone is forcing me to tie the knot with the most irritating human alive."

By the time I was done, he looked speechless. Not too long after, he seemed to compose himself and give a response.

"That was a very nice speech but unfortunately in this case, your hands are tied because you belong to me. I've always wanted you ever since I laid eyes on you. And just as a reminder, my name is Oliver Harrison and I always get what I want." He stated proudly while leaning back into his seat.

Grabbing my phone off the table, I grabbed my purse and my keys as well. "Well, it was nice having this unpleasant encounter with you, Oliver. I hope you have a horrible night." With that, I left the restaurant section of the hotel and started to make my way towards the exit.

On reaching the exit, I spotted an all too familiar blue sports car parked at the entrance of the hotel.

"Isn't that Ethan's car?" I wondered aloud to myself.

"Indeed it is." A deep voice sounded behind me.

I didn't need to turn to know that it was Oliver.

"What are you doing here?" I groaned in annoyance.

"You walked out on me, Ruby. But I'm a gentleman so I wanted to know that you were safe." He responded.

"Thanks for your concern but I'll be fine. I can take care of myself." I focused on the car again and truly it was Ethan's car. I could see his customized tires.

Tracing my line of sight, Oliver looked at the car once more before chuckling, "Why just stand and wonder? Why don't you go find out." He suggested.

Before I could react, he was already leading me towards the reception.

"Hi there, darling. I'm looking for someone." He flashed a smile at the pretty receptionist.

"Can you give me the room number?" She requested with a polite smile.

"See, that's the problem, love. I lost my wallet and my phone on my way here and I have no means of communicating with my friend as I don't have his phone number offhand." Oliver lied smoothly as my jaw dropped to the floor.

"I'm so sorry, sir but I can't release such sensitive information to you. I hope you understand." She replied politely.

"Oh that's a bummer. Well, do tell Ethan that Oliver Harrison was here to see him."

With that, the receptionist's eyes widened before she called us back.

"Oliver Harrison? You're Oliver Harrison?" She seemed shocked as her eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.

"Yes, darling."

"Please hold on, sir. I believe there's something we can do to help." She assured before typing away on the keyboard while I stared at Oliver.

"It's room 103, sir. Just take the elevator and it's the first door by your left. We're truly sorry for any inconveniences caused." She apologized to which he just responded with a nod.

He tugged me along with him as we walked into the elevator, "Cocky much?" I referred to what he did back there.

"You can't blame me. My name opens things." He said while never breaking eye contact with me.

I rolled my eyes as the elevator doors dinged announcing that we had arrived.

"Stay back here. I need privacy with my boyfriend." I instructed Oliver who raised his hands in surrender.

"Very well then. I'll be waiting right here." He leaned against the wall.

Loud moans were heard from the hallway as I stood in front of the hotel room we had been told.

My heart was pounding against my ribcage as my palms got sweaty at the possibility of my worst nightmare coming through.

Rubbing my palms down the front of my dress, I cleared my throat before speaking. "Room service!"

Not long after I spoke, the moaning stopped as shuffling was heard before a sweaty and disheveled Ethan appeared in my face.

He was clothed in just a white towel that was wrapped around his waist as his hair was messed up like someone had run their hands through it repeatedly.

"Ruby?"

I didn't wait for him to speak any further as I slapped him across the face with as much force I could muster.

"Wait, babe. I can explain." He said.

"I don't need your explanation. You can shove it, you pig! How dare you?!" I yelled.

"Ruby, give me a chance to explain and make things right. She means nothing to me." He pointed towards the door.

"We're through! And don't you ever show your face in front of me ever again. You disgust me!" I spat at him.

It was as if something snapped within him at that moment as he went from pleading to laughing.

"You must really think you're all that." He said all of a sudden.

"Excuse me?" I asked in confusion.

"You think you're a hotshot because I take all your bullshit? Get it through your arrogant head that had it not been for your inheritance, nothing would make me look at a woman like you twice!."He grabbed my arm forcefully.

The realization that he had used me all this while just so he could have a shot at controlling my father's chain of hotels in the future hit me like a pile of bricks.

"Get your filthy disgusting hands off me!"

"How dare you, you little bitch!" He raised his hand in the air in anger as I shielded my face with my free hand in preparation for the slap.

But it never came.