CHAPTER SEVEN
JUST BETWEEN US
David watched his friend silently. Something has changed in him. He has seen this before. A light glittered from the depth of his eyes. He shivered at the sheer determination of it. It is the look when he is about to take over a business. The anticipation of a conquest shone in his eyes. Chris Duvier became a billionaire for nothing. He was ruthless at times. His ways are unorthodox that sometimes it takes those companies by surprise. He was a merciless shark when he sheaths those fangs.
"So that’s Agnes Walden." He queried curiously. Wanting to know more about the woman who stood defiantly at his friend. Right then, he admired her. David thought she was an avenger then. She was also beautiful. Whoever made a report about her being plain was a lazy inspector. He made a note to himself to fire that unfortunate man. Chris looked at him silently, smiling. " Ahh, I see..."
"What? What did you see?" He asked confused about his friend's question. Chris’s mind was still dwelling on their meeting. Whoever said that Agnes Walden is plain and simple should be shot. She was beyond that. He can see himself enjoying her very well for a year--after that, he can dump her. Toying that girl would be fun. Life can sometimes give you a golden opportunity to further his cause and his pleasure.
"What if she won't agree?" David asked again. Trying to decipher the man who was driving the mustang with breakneck speed.
"She will or I will make her," he said simply.
"Chris, are you sure what you’re up to? I mean this revenge of yours to that girl was a bit too much."
"Too much David? I’m exacting my revenge with interest and damages. I also need her, especially her. She was the first reason why I lost the woman I love."
David worriedly looks at his friend. Madness and hate glittered of the depth of his eyes. He was worried for her, not of his friend. How can a mere girl battle a man like Chris?
For two days, Agnes re-read and re-read the contract. Every time the marriage word pops up on that piece of paper she shuddered with dread. She cannot and will not allow that the marriage would be consummated. She almost recoiled with the word. She has read lots of books and the idea of doing it for real with a man, especially someone like Duvier, set off her panic button. If Lea and Chris would be reunited again, it would be painful for her and Lea. Chris Duvier might not think too much about it but her ways are still traditional. Her world is the castle and she never tried to venture anywhere else. Her experience with men was limited to Smith and her father who died when she turns twenty. She cannot ask her mother since she died when she was very young. It would be hilarious, to ask Aunt Liz about it. She would surely flip out.
Tomorrow, Duvier will be coming back to her home, Winshord Castle. She cannot sign that damn document even if it means giving up the chance to help her sister Lea. If only she can run away before the ceremony. Ceremony? Agnes laughed suddenly. The answer is facing her on the face. She got to act fast before her aunt will suspect what she is up to.
***
"Why did you come?”, he asked warily. Agnes wearing tattered jeans, a white shirt, and old canvas shoes stood outside the door of the cottage he rented. He was unprepared for his guest today. She averted her eyes when she saw him also in jeans and his top open, exposing his very firm and wide chest.
"I'm sorry, I come unannounced," she said in a conciliatory manner. "I just need to see you. I have a very important proposal for you."
"You missed me already? Darling..." his voice dripping now with honey. "...our wedding date is not yet set; do you want to scandalize the town?"
Her green eyes when he looked at him flared, but her voice remains calm. She needs her support on this one. She gritted her teeth to refrain from saying something that will antagonize Duvier.
"I have the perfect solution to our problem," she said while stepping inside the room. She cannot let the gossipmonger see her visiting him. The town was too small that any worthy bits of gossip could reach her aunt.
Documents are still scattered on the bed. Duvier continued to work even if he is staying temporarily in their town. Inside, she chooses a chair near a small writing table. Carefully put down a piece of paper on the table and produced a pink pen from her back pocket. He watched her every move. Amazed at the confidence she displayed for his benefit.
"Tell me, what’s you’re cooking now?" he asked amusedly.
"You can have a castle and you don't have to stay with me for a year. This will save us time and you can go on with your life and choose the bride you love. Not someone force on you." she declared excitedly. Gone was coolness she posturing. Now, the real Agnes Walden emerged.
"The lawyer said that automatically I will have the ownership once I signed the marriage contract, correct?” He nods hiding his amusement behind a cool façade. She excitedly continued, “I plan that we just signed the papers after the marriage ceremony. After that, I will own the castle. So, I can just hand you the ownership without the legal repercussion. You don't have to keep the end of the bargain since I own the castle automatically once were married. After the wedding, I will divorce you right away. However, my servants should remain with you. Give them the security of tenure. That part, I insist. They were old and no one would hire them at their age."
Agnes looked at him, trying to read his mind. "It could work right, I mean what do you think," she said uncertainly.
He lazily smiled. "Yes, it could work. I could make anything work with the back of my lawyers."
" So, we will make our agreement, ok?” Her eyes pleaded with him to agree with her. “Here, I have a pen. I have already written everything on this piece of paper, if you wish you can review everything before you append your signature. Please feel free to correct it." she said generously.
" If you wish...here." He scribbled his bold signature at the side of Agnes' signature. "You will sign the agreement I prepared with your aunt. Including my demands?”, he asked her.
"Of course. Now you can get a castle and you don't have to stay with me for a year. I will divorce you right after the ceremony. We will not see each other anymore.’ The prospect of not seeing him suddenly made her heartache. She will forget him. She consoled herself.
Agnes stood up and offer her hand to him. They shook hands while their eyes met. She smiled at him sadly and said, "If ever we will meet again, I want us to be friends." She was thinking of him marrying Lea. No matter what, he is family when her sister and Chris tied the knot. They will have their happily ever after.
Agnes walked towards the door hurriedly trying to hold back the tears. The image of Lea and Chris twisted her heart. She opens the door and steps out.
"Wait!", he called her. she stopped looked at Duvier standing there, in the same calmness that she always admires.
"Yes?" she asked.
"How would I know you keep your end of the bargain?"
"Do you think I will not divorce you? Don't worry I will honor our contract." She steps back and gives him their secret contract. "Here, you keep it. I don't go back to the agreement I committed Mr. Duvier."
He smiled, "So do I." Agnes’ heart jolted. Something in his demeanor made the back of her hair stand up. But before she could analyze Chris’s action, the door close on her face. She was left outside staring at the hotel number. Inside, she can hear him whistling.
CHAPTER EIGHT Prick the Wound The contract signing between her, Lady Elizabeth, and Chris Duvier were gloomy. The rain outside poured heavily like the environment, inside the castle library. Agnes wore again her black frock and her pair of glasses. She felt relaxed now that she manages to have an agreement with Chris. They signed the contract without hesitation. She smiled. She felt vindicated of the mistake she made eight years ago. She can smile again for her sister and Chris. She just hopes that they will love the castle as well as the people inside it. A sigh of relief escaped from Lady Elizabeth. “This call for celebration.” Smith suddenly appears pushing a trolley with the champagne, wine glass, and a dainty cake. “Duvier, my niece especially made this cake for you. She said special people need a special cake.” The lady smiled at he
CHAPTER NINEWedding JittersLea stared at herself in the mirror. Her blue eyes are more violet now after the tears grace her wide expressive eyes. The news of the Walden-Duvier wedding trumpeted in all media outlets. Everybody who knows Chris Duvier talked and wants to be invited. The news dabbed the union as the wedding of the year. She, however, felt the hurt of the news. Even now, Chris was very much a part of her. Nothing could erase the pain she suffers for the man she truly loves. The most painful part of it was that the woman he will marry is her sister. Her sister causes the problem in the first place. If only Agnes had kept her mouth shut while she plans to marry Chris eight years ago. She knows that her eldest sister had always wanted Chris for herself. She turns traitor to her sibling. At first, she did not notice Chris Duvier. Lea cannot imagine her
CHAPTER 10 Dilemma " Do you want me, Agnes? Even if I will have nothing, would you still want me?" She stared at his eyes. If only you know Chris Duvier, that my heart already belongs to you. Long before you set eyes on my sister. Much longer before that. The first day when I saw you standing in front of the horse while you talked to them. My heart was also communicating with you. Long before you glance at me dismissively you already took my heart away. I love you. Even now, my heart is aching, I will stilllove you because part of me is already yours a long time ago. Suddenly unbearable pain twisted her heart. She said, "What change you, Chris Duvier? I remember, a boy who was good and kind. What happen to you?" She asked him sadly. Her hand unconsciously touched his beautiful
CHAPTER 11 Far, far away in a distant land, a bride stood in front of the entrance of the church fidgeting and very worried about her future. Agnes felt her secure world tumbling down on her as she gazed at the heavy door of the church. She must have lost her mind to agree to this solemn and religious event turning into a farce of make-believe love story that the world thought was perfect as the media continually hype for the sake of one Chris Duvier. "Lord, please do not strike me with lighting." Agnes silently prayed. Her cold clammy hands gripped the floral bouquet that cascaded down to the floor. It was like carrying sacksful of guilt and remorse on this momentous occasion. She dreaded this day but there was no turning back now. It is a do-or-die moment for her now. Agnes holds back her tears as she suddenly heard the orchestra start the wedding march. The steps she took, timid and uneasy and each step se
CHAPTER 12Sunshine poured inside her bedroom making her wince when she opens her eyes. She looked around and saw her wedding gown fold neatly in a box. She remembered, her Aunt Liz and the servants waiting for the newlywed at the castle entrance. Her new husband, step down from the car while she followed clumsily behind with the bellows of white lace and tulle. Ann ran towards her and help her with the gown she was wearing. The maid stopped in her tracks when she saw Agnes’ face, mascara and makeup dried up on her cheeks after she stops crying. Ann hurriedly pulls out from her pocket a white handkerchief and wipes her face tenderly. “Beas, the man is a beast. I can’t believe he made you cry.” Chris strode at the steps of the castle and smiled triumphantly. His eyes roamed at the old building with possession in his eyes. He smi
CHAPTER 13 The early morning fog covered her figure as she tries to sneak in back to Winshord. Agnes climbed stealthily to the back gate and sprinted towards the veranda where her bedroom was located. She ran to the stone steps, open the sliding door with her spare key, and safely entered her room with no hitched. She sighed in relief. At last, she was safe in her bedroom. Undressing quickly, she dived in the covers of her bed. A blissful sigh escapes from her lips. At last, she sleeps peacefully. Fuzzily, she felt a presence beside her on the bed. Sleepily, she pushes the covers beside her and saw an arm. A male arm lazily stroked her leg. She screams but before she can do so, a hand covered her mouth. She struggled and push and kicked him on the stomach. “Ouch!” Chris Duvier rol
CHAPTER 14 “The man is impossible!”, she stormed inside the castle startling the servants who were cleaning the room. The usually amiable and nice heiress frightened the new maid who fought with Ann, just a couple of days ago. It cemented her observation that the master and mistress of the castle would surely end their marriage very soon. She could just feel her pockets full of money after she and Ann, wager their monthly salaries. Agnes plopped down on one of the chairs. Her anger increased by the minute when she recalled what Chris Duvier said to her. It’s been a week since he has been treating her like a pariah. He ignored her doggedly and refuse to even look at her. When she cannot take it anymore, she decided to settle the matter by baking him a cake as a form of appeasement for her lack of experience in lovemaking. She assumed that the reason her husband
CHAPTER 15 “Where are my clothes?!” Agnes screamed at the maid who looked frightened at her outburst. Ann averted her eyes and looked the other way. “Your aunt told me to throw away your clothes and your er---lingerie.” Pulling at one of the new clothes hanging neatly in her closet, Agnes almost cringes at the open neckline when she inspected the piece of cloth. “You can’t expect me to wear this garbage. Are you?” she asked incredulously at Ann, who looks more uncomfortable every minute. Ann cleared her throat and said, “Mario, your wedding gown designer pick all the clothes and underwear for you. He said all of these are exquisite and suited to your form perfectly. Chris Duvier will drool when he sees you wearing these clothes.” She laughed