His ring, Her Rules

Chapter 2

Lina's point of view

Did he just mention that we can go into a one-year contract marriage? How did he know about that?

I thought my parents and I were the only ones discussing marriage; how did he find out?

Something's off.

Even if he did, this isn't a reason why he should be acting as though my life depends on it.

"Hey, we shouldn't be talking about that now, and who told you I'm even desperate for it?" I asked him, trying to pretend not to be concerned about it.

I frowned, trying not to let him see that something was going on.

"Come on, girl, I'm just making this offer to you because I'm pitying you and I feel like helping you," he told me.

This guy is still as rude as ever; I hate the fact that he still thinks he's helping me.

"Who's pitying whom here? Do you think I'm desperate and vulnerable?" I asked him, folding my arms across my chest. His gaze was fixed on me, and I turned my gaze away, trying to play tough.

"Alright then, since you're not interested, I'd better leave; I've got more important things to do with my time," he told me, showing no concern.

This guy isn't nice one bit.

I huffed. "So, you're saying I'm not worth spending your time?"

"I don't think so; I mean you're not worth my time at all," he snapped, getting up from the chair. He collected his phone from the table and started to leave.

Is he serious? Is he really leaving just like that?

"Hey, wait!" I said, raising my voice. He stopped and turned to face me.

"What?" he asked, spreading his hands with a frown.

I raised an eyebrow. "What's with the serious look?" I asked, my frustration evident.

"If you ask me that one more time, I'll walk out, and that'll be it," he warned.

I rolled my eyes. "Why are you being so arrogant? You think you're the only man left in the whole wide world?"

His response was a low, irritated hiss. "And you think you're the only woman worth knowing?" he snapped.

This guy has no tact whatsoever.

"Honestly, you're making it feels like I'm the only one that needs a favour here. We both need the favour." I told him.

"You don't need it?" He demanded.

"I'm not saying I don't need it, but what I don't like is how you're making it seem like I'm desperate or my whole life depends on it," I said, my frustration growing.

He huffed. "Just accept your fate_"

"You're the one who needs this favor because of what you stand to gain, so shouldn't you be the one begging?" I asked him.

His response was laced with arrogance.

"Well, you need it more." He added.

"So, you're saying you don't need it?" I challenged.

"Who's in a tight spot here?" he retorted, stepping closer. "You're the one cornered, and I'm just trying to help. Stop being so proud and pretending you're something special," he said, his tone condescending.

I'd had enough of his insults. He could take his proposal and leave.

I won't let my guard down, I'm going to make him know that my life didn't depend on his charity, and I certainly wasn't going to beg.

"Get out! Take your proposal and get out of my sight!" I yelled, my anger boiling over.

"Mark my words, you'll be crawling back to me on your hands and knees," he hissed, his eyes blazing with fury.

"You think I'd ever beg you? You're delusional!" I retorted, my voice rising to a shout.

"We'll see who begs first," he snarled, before turning on his heel and storming out of the room.

Fuck this bastard!

"What am I going to do now?" I wondered, anxiety creeping in.

How would my father react when he found out the date he'd set me up with ended in a bitter argument? Would he disown me or throw me out of the house?

Frustrated, I ran my hands through my hair. Had I been too hasty in quarreling with that insufferable man? But he had been arrogant and condescending.

Collecting my handbag, I decided to leave the restaurant, uncomfortable with the feeling of being on displayed.

I dreaded going home, knowing my dad's reaction would be a loud and angry lecture. The thought of it was already playing out in my mind.

As I sat in the cab, unsure of where I was headed, my phone buzzed with a text from my friend Sandra.

"Don't forget the mask party tonight," she reminded me.

I typed a quick reply: "Noted."

***

Later that night, instead of going home, I decided to hang out in a club with my friends.

Sandra's eyes lit up. "Oh, yeah! How was the date?" she asked, barely containing her excitement.

I shook my head. "It was awful – worst date ever," I said, throwing my hands up in frustration.

Leah jumped in, "Was he harsh or rude?"

"No, he was just plain stupid," I said, laughing. I proceeded to tell them the whole story, and they listened with rapt attention.

"So, what are you going to tell your dad now? I know he'll be expecting good news, like his daughter tying the knot soon," Sandra said.

"I don't really know what to tell him," I said, frustration evident on my face.

"It's best you run away to another city," Sandra suggested. "And maybe that could make them look for you. And wouldn't have to force you to get married again." She added.

I felt really confused and decided not to come to any conclusion yet, I've got to think about that carefully before doing it.

And since it's a mask party, I decided to dance my mind out.

As I kept dancing, a half-drunk guy stumbled over to me, and to my surprise, we hit it off on the dance floor. The music pulsed around us as we moved in sync, our chemistry palpable.

The night blurred into a haze, and before I knew it, we were checking into a hotel room.

"Take me back," I said weakly, but I was just too drunk, and I could feel the whole place rotating.

The next minute, he carried me inside a room and forced his lips on mine.

I found myself responding to his kisses which started slowly but turned into a rush.

I never wanted to, but it seemed like my body was betraying me and soon, I began to feel a burning sensation all over my body.