Violet POV:-

Ever since morning I've been feeling strange sensations. They are dreadful as if sending shivers down my spine, leaving me benumb.

“Are you okay, Violet?” My coworker asked, worried about my condition.

“I don’t know. I feel really.. I don’t know how to explain.. bubbly.. unsettled.” I breathed out, resting my hand on my chest.

“Is everyone okay at your home? Any tension?” She asked, putting her hand on my shoulder.

“Why would I have any? I am fine. I just don’t know…” I whispered, leaning on the wall.

“The fright and bad omen are very unusual. It tells me to run away .Strange, doesn't it?” I chuckled dryly, shaking my head.

“A bad omen? Are you sure everything is okay? Anything… threats?” She asked, vexed about my condition.

“Threat? Come on. Don’t be ridiculous.” I chuckled, shaking my head.

“I am only asking. Judging your state.” She said, checking my form.

I can't even focus on work no matter what. I just can't shake off this feeling.

“I think I should go. I can’t think properly.” I said, curling my hand, freezing my hands in a fist but to no avail.

“Yeah, you should.” She nodded, willing to take over in my place.

But, I don’t understand why?

I took a short leave from work. I can't work like that.

My mind cannot comprehend the things around me. I think I am in a desperate need of rest or I have a fever perhaps.

“Ah.. Leave it, Violet.” I muttered and went home, shrugging my worrisome thoughts off.

“Mum-” Wait. the door is already opened?

“What the-” I paused for a second.

Please don’t make my persage true, I cannot deal with any stress.

I entered and closed the door behind me. It must be Kenneth, my younger brother.

That idiot always leaves the door open when he goes out to play.

“That idiot.”

I have told him many times to close the door but he doesn't listen. I sighed and entered and called Mother.

"Mum!I am back!!"

I spoke loud enough for my voice to reach each and every corner of the house and let my mother know her daughter is here and to complain about her son who wants us to get robbed one day by leaving the door open.

“Mum, I am saying this for the last time, teach your son to close the door unless-”

I paused when I heard the sound of footsteps and my Mother wore slippers that didn't make a sound like this.

“Mum?” I called again, entering after taking off my coat.

My ears were expecting a warm welcome from my mother, not from a stranger.

"Welcome love. Your voice is like a melody to my ears"

“Huh?” I blinked, considering it to my deception but to no avail.

A handsome devil in an expensive suit, spelling danger by his very presence was approaching me. Is it a sick joke? I blinked, taking a step back.

My eyes widened when I looked at him.

How did he get inside? And God, he called me love.

This man had a very malicious aura around him and to enhance the worry, what is someone opulent doing at our paltry home?

“You look lovely.” His deep voice came, scanning my form which enhanced my distress.

He drained my energy, giving me shudders to think what he is doing here because he doesn't look like a thief and he definitely is not from the bank.

I paid my mortgage this month!

"Who the hell are you? What are you doing here?!" I yelled at him, curling my hands in a fist and controlling my emotions.

"Now, love. Lower your voice." He said in a serious tone. His voice made my heart skip a beat. But me being me I yell louder this this,

"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"

The instant I finished my sentence he pinned me harshly to the wall as I groan in pain, he put his index finger on my lips in hushing manner and spoke in deadly voice,

"Now Violet.When I told you to lower your voice.You will lower your voice. Understood?"

The moment he said that my whole body began to tremble in fear. Unnerving quivers traveled in my core as my legs became numb.

“Who are you?” I asked breathlessly, trying to keep his face in my mind to complain right to cops.

“Stop whining if you want to know.” He replied temptingly.

The fear was taking control over me, I couldn't fathom how he got my name. Under the ambience of his dominating aura, I gulped and nodded.

Because it's the best thing I can do now. My lips began to tremble, feeling the repugnance of his touch over my lips which etched great apprehension in me.

"Where is my Mum?" I asked in a vague whisper.

He chuckled darkly, his predatory eyes scanning me.

He then smirked and slowly removed his hands from me. I heaved a sigh of relief when he get away from me and asked again,

"Where is my mother?"

He spared a glance at me and motioned me to follow him. My heart skipped a beat in terror as I walked before him with my shaky legs.

“Who are you? Why are you doing this?” I asked, hoping to gain some answer but to no avail.

He took me to the living room, my eyes widened in horror at the sight I saw.

There are two men pointing their guns at my mother. Before I could do and say anything, the guy who pinned me to the wall yelled,

"You idiots! How dare you point guns at my future wife's mother. "

Wait what? His Future Wife?! This man is pure psycho.

Is he out of his mind or some creep?

But right now my top priority is Mother.

"Mum!" I called her as I was about to run and hug her. That man held my elbow.

“Who are you? Why are you doing this!?” I hissed at him, trying to rip my arm but he drag me close to him and said in a low voice,

"You do want your mother to live, don’t you?” He asked in a low husky voice.

“Yes.” I nodded because all I know is to obey quietly when the other person holds a gun unless you want to die.

“Good.” He smirked, pleased at my subjugation.

“Now listen, Violet, You will marry me. Or else say Goodbye to your mom and your beloved brother. You will become my wife one way or another." He demanded.

His voice was low but filled with vehement. How dare he!? I can never marry a person like him.

Who does he think of himself? I will never do it.

I pushed him with all my force. And spat at his face,

"Who the hell do you think you are?! Do you think I will marry a psycho like you? Never! Get the hell out of my home!"

My words of reality enraged him as he pulled my arm and yanked me to him. I winced in pain because of his tight grip but his grip tightened as he said in a ferocious tone ,

"Looks like you are not listening.... Kill her." He ordered the man to kill my mom. I was stiff upon hearing this. No..

As the man was about to pull the trigger I scream from the bottom of my lungs,

"No, No, No, Wait! I am sorry!" I called, trying to pull his arm, realizing my grave mistake.

"Tell me what I want to hear." He said monotonously. I lowered my head, biting my lips.

Knowing there's no escape as I cannot win against his overwhelming power.

"Okay... I will marry you..." I whispered in a croaked voice. My heart ached and broke into pieces.

This is not how I imagined to have my wedding.

It is the most undesirable situation of my life where I was left vulnerable and weak with no choice but to agree with the person I don't even know to marry.

“I will do anything but please let my Mother go.” I managed to say with extreme difficulty.

I looked down on the ground, a tear pricked in the corner of my eye. Before it could fall, He held my chin and forced me to look at him.

My heart thumped against my chest in fear in his pernicious presence. His voice is so dominating compared to me, my voice sounds like a pathetic wimp.

"Good. You shall marry me, Raymond Smith." He said his name.

Raymond Smith…? I have heard this name but where?

He then moved to my neck, I shivered endlessly when his lips brushed against my neck.

Causing my hairs to stand on their edge and engrave immense distress in my soul. Defeated, I let the sensations of his lips to travel in me as he whispered huskily,

"Embed my name deep into your soul because you can't escape me." ,

"Embed my name deep into your soul because you can't escape me." ,

He kissed my cheeks and left.

His mere presence served as a storm in my heart, an unavoidable doom.

As I fell on the ground and curdled like a ball in my mum's lap, feeling utterly defeated before the person who can stumble my home of gaiety in a matter of heartbeats.

‘Why did this happen to me....”’

After he left I began to cry in my mother's lap. hiding my face.

“What is happening, Mum?” I cried, letting out my misery in the form of tears, showing the devastation chasing me with full speed.

"Why...why is this happening to me?"I asked in a low voice.

I just don't know what to do. My dreams and my hope everything was crushed to pieces in an instant.

“One moment, and everything in my life changed on the snap of his finger. Who is he? How could he do this?” I asked desperately, mind going blank by fathoming what could happen.

He is terrifying, doing this to me, leaving me with no choice but to marry a person I don't even know.

“How could he do this? And- And why? What do I have?” I asked, pulling my hairs in desperation, losing my patience by the pain.

It gives me chills to think what he could do if I refuse.

“Oh, Lord, please help us.” Mom was also crying due to the affliction that just occurred, not knowing how to comfort me.

"Don't cry, Love, everything will be alright..."

My mother tried to calm me but instead it hit me like an arrow. Her tears cannot console me. In fact, nothing can.

"Alright? How? He was going to kill you and I couldn't do a single damn thing other than saying 'Yes'.” I snapped, I have never felt this powerless.

What am I? I couldn't even do a single thing to help us! I am not his toy!" I said exasperatedly, slamming my hand on the ground.

"But..we both are alive...." he tried to reason.

"Yeah..with me being forced to marry the man whom I know nothing but his name...." I chuckled dryly, wiping the tears of misery on my cheek.

"Everything happens for a reason...." She is still trying to be positive, knowing there's nothing that could make me feel good.

"I don't think so .....This is going to be nothing but an endless nightmare for me...." I whispered, sniffling, closing my eyes.

“If Papa was here… he wouldn’t let it happen, would he?” I asked innocently, looking up at her with my teary eyes.

“He would never let anything hurt me.” My voice broke.

“But he wouldn’t want you to lose hope either. You are our strong girl, you can’t lose.” She said sternly, trying to encourage me.

But, I have seen the extent of my powers. I cannot regain them anymore. I have seen how defeated I was that I couldn’t fight him.

“It’s going to be alright…”

My mom was running her hands through my hair as I began to cry again. The heartbreak inside me is getting the best of me, I cannot hold it inside me.

"I am pathetic..." I sobbed.

"No, you are not. If you weren't there, I might have died..."

“But- But…”

Silence broke out between us.... None of us had words to pursue the comfort we lost.

We both know there's nothing left but shattered glasses of misery. In the silence which crushed me miserably, I couldn't bear the anguish inside me anymore.

"I am being forced into a loveless marriage..." I said in a broken voice.

“No, I won’t let it.” Mother said sternly, wiping her tears.

“You cannot stop him.” I whispered, realizing his overwhelming power. He could easily crush middle-class people like us.

“I am getting married and nothing could change this fact anymore.” I enunciated, aware of the future, he wouldn’t let it slide.

He will make me his bride with or without my consent.

"What?! V is getting married." I

heard my nickname being called and turned to look at my younger boyish version; Kenneth, my brother, staggered upon hearing the news we received from a disaster an hour ago.

"Yes"

"No"

I looked at her mother who said no. I gulped knowing Mother is willing to cross every limit to make me safe.

“Is she or not?” Kenneth asked again, tilting his head in confusion.

But I am far too terrified to do anything which can bring harm upon my family. I don't want anything to happen to my mother or brother.

"No. Your sister is not going to get married." Mother said sternly, shaking her head to put up a strong front..

"Mother...no..." I spoke in a barely audible tone. I didn't have much strength left in me as today's events are carved into her mind as a constant source of agony. His words are echoing in my mind, stirring it drastically,

"You will marry me. Or else say Goodbye to your mom and your beloved brother. You will become my wife one way or another."

I shut my eyes when I sensed his proximity. For someone who never had much intimacy with the opposite gender, his voice and dominance was leaving goosebumps on my skin.

"No...Mom..please...he is willing to cross every limit just to get me..." I tried to make Mother understand.

"Who? What are you guys talking about? Is V getting married or not? "Kenneth Interrupted.

“Does she have a lover? Did you guys fight? Why is she crying? Don’t you want her to marry?” His series of questions came.

He began to think I like someone and Mum is against our marriage.

“Kenneth, say something to Mama. She is not listening.” I said weakly, wiping the tears in the corner.

“Mama, why are you saying this? What if V wants to get married?”He frowned, coming closer, hugging me.

He hadn’t seen my tears and they broke his heart.

“She is not getting married, Kenneth. It’s not what you think so calm down.” Mother sighed, shaking her head.

“But-” We both said at the same time but to no avail.

"No one is getting married, Son. Let's go, I will serve dinner." Mother said with her usual smile as she stood up and left.

After she left I also stood up and gave Kenneth shoulders a gentle squeeze,

"I am getting married." I said in a feeble voice, knowing there's no escape. A person who can break into my home, he can do anything.

"But, Mum said..." He trailed off.

"Don't mind her. Nothing could change the fact that I am getting married." I passed him a faint smile, trying to hide my pain.

"Do you love him?" He asked innocently. My heart was torn to pieces when I heard it, bearing the crumbled dreams inside me.

“Mhm.” I nodded and stood up and left without saying another word.

I was amazed at Mother about how she can smile even after the havoc had just happened. I couldn't be able to speak in front of Kenneth and she kept herself together.

I excused myself and went to my room to think about it with a clear mind, what could be the reason for this happening to me.

‘He looked like an aristocrat, how could he possibly know a low girl like me and moreover marriage?’

After thinking one thing is roaming in my mind, I am being forced into a loveless marriage.

I just want to run. Run far far away. I feel so pathetic.

I couldn't do a single thing in front of him. Overwhelmed by emotions, I let him do whatever he wants, No being able to do anything but obey is frustrating me.

What I used to dream and what I get is a complete opposite. I wanted to marry a person I love, I care about not a person I have the urges to kill.

“Dammit…”

I closed the door behind me and locked it as I fell on the ground. I stare at the floor without any emotions.

Is my life so cheap that it took a mere second to bond with some stranger?

What turn my life has taken?

Just yesterday I was running around the house chasing my brother because he ate my chocolates. What is mum going to do?

“Papa, please help me… I can’t do this..”

I know she won't let this marriage happen but I don't think it's gonna change something. I am afraid of what he could do.

As I was sitting like a lifeless body, my breath suddenly hitched as the truck of realization hit me.

He is Raymond Smith.

I suddenly remembered his name.

“What the- Please say this is a sick joke. It can't be him.”

I opened my phone and searched for his name, if I recall correctly.... It was him!

Of all people, him! Oh my God. Oh no…

“R..Raymond.. Smith..” And by now I had utter faith that his words are my future. I could never fight him.

Raymond Smith is one of the most successful and young business men, the handsome beast people never urged to cross paths with and mine did. A billionaire, owning Smith airlines, A guy living in the air, consisting of coldness- ruthlessness.

That man said so himself,

"I get what I want"

..and now he wants me.

“What do we do? What do we do?” I panicked, throwing my phone away.

We can't fight someone as powerful as him. How in the world did he meet me?

How did the thought of marrying me cross his mind? I know one thing, I am stuck in a very dire situation.

At night I went to Mum's room to talk to her about it, to tell her about the vicious man casting darkness over our lives.

"Mum..." I called her vaguely, entering with exhausted eyes.

"Yes, dear?" Mum mused, lost in her own thoughts.

"We can't do anything.." I said in a low voice, utterly defeated.

"What is it?" My mom worriedly asked why as she had never seen me this weak before. I was never like this, he broke me. I hate him, I resent him with each fiber of my core.

"Mum.. He is Raymond Smith..." I showed his information I could find online to my mom. My mom smiled at me and said,

"I know who he is... but I also know my Violet, who isn't scared of anything.” She said, trying to cheer me up.

“But, Mum, can’t you see how he entered our home, how he shook our lives? Do you need more displays?” I asked, losing my patience, my strength.

“This doesn’t mean we will stay quiet because of his fear, We cannot surrender. My Violet won’t lose, I can’t let it. I am sure she isn't thinking of giving up.”

“But-” I tried to speak but she refused to listen.

“No, Love. I cannot watch us lose before trying. He cannot ruin our lives as toys, we can’t let this happen.” She whispered, my heart clenched, knowing she was right. He cannot raise our happiness.

“You cannot lose faith, My Violet is not like this, she is more powerful than some rich bastard. She must have been thinking of making him regret his decision. Am I wrong?"

She asked, holding me, providing me equanimity. My mother's words suddenly encouraged me. I opened my mouth to argue but I knew I had to do something.

That's right! Me is me. I am not going to lose hope.

“You Are right… we cannot stay quiet.” I nodded timidly.

“If we surrender, I cannot meet your Father’s gaze. We can’t. We have to fight.” She whispered, I narrowed my eyes, nodding.

“You are right, We have to.” I nodded, determined by her words cheering my spirits.

I won't let him get his way, I have to break boundaries if I want to liberate myself from him. I would never allow things to go the way he desired them. I won’t. I won’t.

I took a deep breath and smiled and hugged her.

"Thanks...Mum" My mum smiled and said,

"I know the police can't do a thing...but we can..."

"How?" I asked, pulling away.

"Wait, my love." My mum kissed my forehead as I slept with my mother.