A/N: The dresses are not exactly same but you get a rough idea. I want to talk about two things-

1. Hey so listen up, I am planing on making a trailer .... I want song suggestion from you guyz plz. I like 'Hanging Tree' (link  below.) I want slow creepy songs.

https://youtu.be/fg9mRWq5gLs

2. I was going through analytics of my story and found out 11% i.e 67 (yes I did the math) of my readers are from Nigeria, I was so happy! So if any Nigerian reader is reading this please comment saying 'Hey'  or pm me I'm just curious to know you. I'm not asking you to vote or comment on every chapter .... I just want to know.

||Chapter IX: Bastard!||

Raymond clicked off the phone with the sense of relief. He had just set in motion events that should secure his future if Abigail turned out to be a gold digger; he'd have a secret weapon to tame her. He fondly stared at the ceiling, with a cheery smile creeping on his lips. He closed his eyes throwing his head back, enjoying the tranquility his office offered on a Sunday morning. But soon the tranquility was busted by the vivid image of the red-headed enchantress. Her lips...it had been forever since he had felt them. Her honeyed voice.... Her voluptuous figure.... It had been a while he hadn't touched her altogether. His palms twitched to hold her, her sweet smell... her tortuous taste... the images had sent him in a pure sense of ecstasy, burning him in an eternal bliss. His composure was threading on a fragile line of composure. Ever since Friday—the morning he had last seen/ fought with her and Simon— his voices were constantly urging him to go to her. Like they were craving her presence more than ever in an obsessive way. The moment he had free time he had to physically resist the urge to check on her. Friday night when she had left to her house—without asking him— he was filled with livid rage, it was only his rational side preventing him from dragging her by her hair and forcing her to stay in his line of vision. Her absence didn't sit well with him. Agreed, it was him who ran away from his house to take a refugee in his office, the emptiness that filled him for the first time in forever was boundless. It was like he needed her to mechanically make him function. His vices fought his better judgement vigorously and in anger pouncing at him. Dare he admit, he missed her presence. He never liked her when she opened her mouth, but her presence quieted the voices. But now that he had a taste of her, he couldn't help wonder what she would feel in her bare minimum. If he ever made a church confession about the way he wanted to have her, he'd scream 'God forgive me, please... I want her on her knees.' His crotch was straining against his pants with all these torturous thoughts of her. He drew in a frustrated breath...it was dark in his imagination.

A heavy knocking pulled him out of his gutter mind.

"May I come in Sir?"

"Yes Ed..." he sighed in irritation. "How may I be of help this fine late morning, sir Ed?" he tutted; and Ed was quick to recognize Raymond's sour mood.

"S-Sir...Mr. Sawyer.... H-he" Ed stuttered.

"Bloody speak up, you dimwit!" Raymond growled in all his glory.

"Hedemandsyourpresence ...Sir!" Ed jumbled in fear; he already wanted to go home and spend a lazy Sunday morning with his wife than answer his devil of a boss! He had more important jobs like spending a sweet romantic day with his lovely wife making love o her than bear the brunt of his boss' foul mood and for what? Because he hadn't been laid since the beginning of time!

"Speak a human language, more preferably English you dumb fuck!"

"He, Mr. Sawyer demands your presence, Sir. In his office room."

"Why is he here? When did he get here? Why wasn't I informed by your stupid ass?"

"He has been here since six...sir... the guards told me."

"Remind me again why are you still employed in my company? I don't need stupid ass bitches who can't remember to do their work properly?!"

"I-I'm sorry sir..." Ed's voice shook and her cursed at Raymond mentally.

"Your 'sorry' doesn't cut it! Get out!"

_~*~_

Raymond knocked the door systematically three times before entering his father's old office. His father had his back towards Raymond with a brush in his hand he hummed away in peace.

"Father I apologize for not entertaining you soon. I wasn't aware of your presence." Raymond's soft humble voice broke Adam's cheerful humming. Adam smiled. he mentioned Raymond to come in.

"There. The place I'd hope you marry Ms. Dunhill; Ray. Just as I dreamt." Adam Sawyer pointed, proudly at a painting –he painted— in front of him. The early morning light trickled in from the old fashioned huge windows, giving his heavy furnished study a magnificent golden glow. The amber coloured cabinets and the dark brown leather sofa set and other furniture, reminded Raymond of Adam's love for victorian era.

"Korsolian Prince wedded a commoner, will be a nightmare. Plus I don't want to marry her in the first place let alone in the middle of a forest!" Raymond stood behind his father, hands folded over his chest with arrogance, not very happy at the turn of the conversation.

"Ray, your marriage to Ms. Dunhill will end their money problems and shall restore peace in their family."

"So I am to be married and for what, because your heart desires to be generous to a charity case?" Raymond's voice held an edge as if agitated; the tone didn't go unnoticed by Adam. Speechless, Adam dipped his paint brush in light green to colour old birch trees with smooth white trunks in the clearing with other old sassafras and cheddar trees; just like the one in his Backyard forest —where he imagined his elder son's lavish marriage. He had been on the painting since this morning. Adam was a romantic old soul with a deep passion for landscape paintings—a passion and talent that Raymond and his wife, Beatrice, lacked and failed to appreciate. Adam frowned and shook his head at his son's reply.

"An arranged marriage in hopes of finding true love? Raymond continued raising a brow.

"You lay with different women every night; did I hear you talk about love then?" Adam bit back, chucking the brush and the palette on the table nearby; with his back still facing Raymond he sighed. Raymond was just as cold, calculative and stubborn as his mother. And as much as he adored these qualities his wife—they came handy in business— he detested the same qualities in his son. He decided to take a stern approach.

"But—" Raymond started to argue only to be interrupted by his father.

"Don't think I don't know what made Abigail run away and forced to spend the night in the forest?!"

Raymond fumed, he deep deep down knew he had wronged her and she didn't deserve this but he'd never openly admit it.

"Who told you!?"

"You needn't be concerned with that. My marriage to you your mother was arranged as well. And I too bemoaned my fate; but as the years passed I learned to love her as you will to Ms. Dunhill. I've —"

"Who for all we know has an eye in the middle of her forehead. What if we don't work out? As it is she drive me crazy the moment she opens her mouth...the moment she opens her mouth she has something stupid to say and pisses me off. Sometimes I just want to gag her! I ...I'd go crazy if I spend the rest of my life with her, father! We always fight.....it's like a war zone. I can't just deal with her..."

"Ray," Turning to face Raymond, Adam sighed, "Marriage does not guarantee you will be together forever. It's just a paper. It takes love—"

"But I'm not in love with—"

"Boy, it's rude to interrupt someone! And trust me you will one day if you give it a chance. Otherwise, it will be a very heavy burden that you won't be very happy to carry. "

"—her..."

"So as I was saying previously: It takes love, respect, trust, understanding, friendship and faith in your relationship to make it last long."

"You think she trust's me, dad?" Raymond asked in a wondering haze. His father laughed at the sight in front of him. Raymond resembled a small jumbled child wanting reassurance from his father, and like always his father was there to give him that.

"Because I don't!" Raymond was stripped out of the haze and sternly replied.

"She doesn't want our company, Ray. She is a poor child stuck in a deep problem and to help her would be great. And her father and I once worked together and it was divine even if for a brief time. Although we drifted apart as I held the regime of Merck Group and he started his own company....I wish to help him. I don't think he remembers me." Adam chuckled. "So imagine my surprise when I heard about his money problem and then he had a beautiful daughter and I thought ' why not kill two birds with one stone?' and I asked to meet him and he brought his daughter with him and I was so touched by her mannerism and all I could do was think of my lonely duck of offspring—Raymond. And sue me if thinking of my son was wrong!"

"Father you are being too sly and I'm not sure if I like that... and I could have found my own bride."

"When? When, I can no longer hold or see my grandchildren? Ray! All my friends play with their grandchildren and what about me? I sit in the evening club with Mr. Hung and listen to him blabber how great his granddaughter is! No, I'm sorry but I refuse! I'm fifty-nine and absolutely not getting any younger."

Raymond huffed "I don't trust her and she doesn't either."

"Did you do anything to gain her trust?" Adam bit back making Raymond loose his attitude.

"I...I... No. Well, she didn't either!" Raymond pointed out in cold blood, not wanting to be in the bad light alone.

"Ray, my boy..." Adam chuckled humorlessly, confusing Raymond. "What are you twelve? Let me tell you, you are THIRTY not twelve to play 'she didn't either' game... and she is TWENTY-FOUR... that means she's SIX years younger to you. You can be the one with a big heart in this relation." Raymond was shocked that there was such an age difference between them.

"I didn't know about the age gap was—"

Adam was quick to reply when he saw wheels turning on Raymond's head. "But age difference doesn't matter clearly. Your mother and I are ten years apart. We still live together. It's tough to stay married. Beatrice can kiss a stray dog on the lips yet won't drink from my glass. But I still love her and will gladly drink from her glass—even if that annoys the hell out of her..." The father-son duo laughed at the true fact. Raymond knew his father was old romantic soul, who still wished for a passionate kiss in the rain. But knowing his mother—Beatrice it won't be any time soon, his mother was more like a dutiful wife.

Adam walked towards Raymond, placing a hand of reassurance on his scared son, he said, "No relationship is all sunshine, but two people can share an umbrella in the storm... because a perfect marriage is just two people who refuse to give up on each other."

"What if marriage is not my thing?"

"I love being married because marriage lets you annoy that special person for the rest of your life."

"Dad..." Raymond laughed.

"Why don't you take her out on lunch? Maybe I could book a reservation at around two?"

"There is no need to go out of your way for us. But why at two?" Raymond asked in confusion.

"Did you forget you are going to the wedding gown selection with Beatrice, Adel and Abigail, today at twelve?"

"I wasn't told...either way, it's her wedding gown why should I go? And I'm busy; I have to look at the profit profile of delta project. So there is no need to book a lunch."

"Ray! Who works on a Sunday? "

"I do, plus I don't want to be alone with all the women."

"The wedding day is the day all girls dream about since the inception of the idea in their brain. They all want it to be perfect...and I'm saying this from my very own experience with Vivian. Don't you remember how she was during her wedding phase... she changed her wedding gown three times at the last moment just so she'd look perfect on that day for Shane. And I don't think Abigail would be any different. "

"Dad if Abigail holds any resemblance to Vivian's behaviour I won't get out with her... I don't wanna think about it." Raymond's eyes widened in horror. If she drove him crazy now she'd drive him mental at the end if she behaved like Vivian. Vivian was a bizarre bride! She had made Shane change the wedding theme at the last moment, being the rich spoiled brat she was she wailed, cried and threw a tantrum every time she was denied attention.

"Ray, this is your chance to gain her trust!" Adam told him.

"But—"

"Go with her and treat her well and I'm booking your lunch at Oliver's at two be there on time."

"Do I have a choice?"

"No."

"Here goes nothing...." If Abigail behaved anything like Vivian he'd strangle her! With that firm resolution, he walked out.

_~*~_

|Bella's Wedding Secret Boutique.|

"Abigail honey, you are chubbier than I thought... I don't like this let's see something else..."

"Revealing dress won't do...next dress please..."

"NEXT!"

"Absolutely not! It's a wedding and not some hippy night show!"

"Abigail, don't slouch!"

"Watch your stomach!"

"Abigail.... You can only wear limited styles."

"Bride's attitude is more important..."

"Your posture is more important than your size..."

"Honey, are you ready?" Lady Sawyer called out.

"Beatrice, I swear you are going to love this! Das war mein Fall Design und es ist perfekt!" Bella Fox faked a smile and squealed. Abigail's ears were ready to bleed if she heard any more of Bella's thick German accent! It had been the tenth wedding gown Bella had shown them ...all were beautiful but not enough to match Lady Sawyer's expectations. They were sitting in a private sectioned area where Bella herself showed them the dress. She had been very cheerful in the beginning but now she was irritated. All the frustration was been taken out on Abigail for past one and a half hour.

" Ah! Oh, Gott, warum bist du so fett! " Bella murmured with a frown painted on her face as she zipped Abigail with great difficulty. "C'mon hold your breath!" Abigail did as she was told and soon she was zipped up but refrained from taking a breath of relief worrying the gown would tear. She looked at herself in the mirror and looked like a fat pig trying to fit in a gown two sizes smaller. The dress was heavy laced and was designed in a weird fashion; one side resembled a short dress barely reaching her mid-thigh—exposing a lot more than she'd like. On the other hand; her left side covered her leg with rags of frills attached and reached the floor, it stretched for yards and yards it was a hideous dress. Her breasts were on the verge of spilling out, dare she take a deep breath.

"Let's go." Abigail mumbled dejectedly. Bella was in her mid-forties, with platinum blond pixie cut hair framing her hard and slightly wrinkled face. She wore a white pantsuit and black stilettoes. She wore long chunky neck pieces; her fingers had dozens of fancy rings. Her personality suited her job very well.

Bella pulled the curtain aside. In front of Abigail sat her mother-in-law busy typing on her phone who reminded her of Raymond—cold as ice and distant—but with a bit of kinder words. Next to Beatrice sat Adel who for the first time exhibited any motherly instinct would recognize how Abigail felt with just a simple look in her eyes and now she knew Abigail was anything but delighted with the current dress. Adel cleared her throat painfully gaining Beatrice's attention.

"Oh honey, can you even breathe?" Beatrice asked. "Bella," Bella looked at Beatrice fearing another rejection, she would totally lose her sh!t if that happened; it was the tenth dress Beatrice would have rejected in a row; it was below her dignity.

"It looks like if Abigail took a deep breath the dress would fall apart!" Beatrice exclaimed. "C'mon Bella, it's my son's wedding it all has to be better than the best. You see she's heavy on the chest and on the hip region why not look for a proper old-fashioned floor length dress or something in a corset to pull her hips in?" blunt as usual Beatrice ignorantly insulted Abigail, Abigail clenched her jaw to stop from crying.

"Of course Beatrice .....Urm... I have something best for you and it will blow your mind." Bella spoke as she disappeared to get her best dress for the royal family's new member.

"Are you okay with an old-fashioned theme?" Abigail slightly raised her gaze and looked at Adel but nodded as an answer to Beatrice's question. Beatrice busied herself in her phone again. Adel looked ashamed as she twiddled her thumbs in her lap and Abigail had mixed feelings about it. Adel was penny less and to buy her own daughter's wedding dress she had to do things Beatrice's way. It was a shame! She knew Abigail wasn't very happy with the dress but what could she do? Lady Sawyer was paying for the gown so Adel kept mum in infamy.

"Come here darling." Bella pulled Abigail inside the makeshift dressing room and pulled the curtains. "Here, wear this." Bella turned Abigail and unzipped her making take a breath of relief. Abigail took the cream, floor-length gown from Bella and wore it. When Abigail finally turned to look in the mirror she was star struck.

"If we pull your hair in an elegant bun it—" Abigail ignored Bella as her hands roamed the finest cream silk—smooth and soft. Bella fixed the dress properly on Abigail's shoulder as Abigail paid no attention to her moving lips. The dress was beautiful. A simple dress with a plunging neck line; backless with long sleeves. it was a fish-cut- it clinged to her till mid thigh and flared then on. She could imagine herself walking up the aisle with Callum being her best man...she felt beautiful. She was determined to have this gown.

"...let's go" Bella said softly. Her eyes softened as she spoke, "You look really beautiful in this." With that she pulled the curtain aside, Abigail's hands went in her hold her gown slightly higher so as to prevent tripping, her eyes were cast down. Adel gasped silently looking at her beautiful daughter in a wedding gown. She looked breath-taking. The reality was finally catching Adel, her daughter was getting married. She was to become a wife and an amazing mother soon like an ace. Her eyes welled up and she was quick to discreet to wipe them away.

As Abigail's eyes swept up she froze mid-breath, eyes widening. There sat Raymond comfortably in a single sofa chair left ankle resting on his right knee looking arrogantly sexy. Her breath caught her throat and she gulped trying to ease her dry throat. He really looked handsome in a copper colour suit with a white undershirt. As usual, he was busy on his phone but when the curtains pulled his attention was solely captured by Abigail. Her heart quickened in panic as his face blanked even further and his brows knitting together. He looked at her from top to bottom and then did a double take.

'Did he not like the dress? Or does he think I look fat too?'

He suddenly shifted in his chair looking rather uncomfortable; she lost all the hopes of buying the dress. His intense gaze burned her soul and a feeling of warmth spread all over her. It was the intensity with which he stared at her that had her knees trembling. All she desired was some private moments with him in very close proximity with his hands all over her body fingerprints marking and claiming her soul. Suddenly the idea of sitting in his lap and letting him have his way with her felt more appealing and tempting. Her breaths were coming out in small pants almost negligible, but she knew he was aware the effect he had on her. He had her begging on her knees but dare not, she admit.

"My daughter has a nice body; this dress looks great on her, don't you think Mrs. Sawyer?" Adel asked feeling triumphant.

"Umm... honey this isn't too bad.... But....Bella...uh... my son is getting married and not some commoner there will be big people and I want all of them to look up this wedding it should be talk of the country for at least a decade. Of course, this isn't too bad! But I need more... I want to give him the best and that means giving her better than the best ... this dress looks awful."

"No, I think—" Abigail began but Beatrice cut her ignorantly.

"...let's try the corset? It will pull her stomach in."

"Sounds good." Adel agreed.

"Of course, thank you." Beatrice replied smugly.

Corsets? You want me to try corsets?! I want you to try keeping your f.ucking mouth shut!

"Oh honey, why don't you remove that horrendous dress?" Abigail rolled her eyes.

Abigail respected all her elders because she was brought up that way but right now all she wanted was to slam her mother-in-law's head somewhere on the wall.

"Of course, Beatrice, give me just a minute. Come on Abigail." Bella said trying to move Abigail but Abigail wasn't. Her murderous glare was flickering between Beatrice and Raymond. Raymond pretended to be interested in his mobile and Adel was busy fidgeting with her thumbs and looking down, ashamed. Beatrice was also busy looking through a wedding catalog and humming to herself.

Anger and sheer irritation was sailing her veins. Abigail was quick to stalk towards Mrs. Sawyer in five quick strides and in her face with a finger pointing at Beatrice within a movement. Holding an accusatory glare.

"Enough! This is my wedding and my wedding gown; I want this dress and I'll have it!"

"Honey, go on.....please?" Abigail was snapped out of her daydreaming when she heard Beatrice urging her. With a great reluctance, she followed Bella in the makeshift dressing room. Only after the last glance at Raymond who was again busy fixing his coat properly and not glancing at her even for a moment.

I had always dreamt of my fancy wedding dress...

Abigail leanedover and gripped the dresser tightly as Bella pull the strings of the corset gown. The table and the small thing kept on it shook along with the mirror. she whinced, the corset dug roughly on her broder hips.

"Gott,Halt dein Atem an! Pull your stomach in!" Bella exclaimed in irritation; even though Abigail didn't understand German, she held her breath.

I didn't want something extravagant...

She pulled her stomach in and stiffened her back. She slightly wiggled in discomfort as the corset dig in her hips painfully. She gasped for air as breathing was impossible at this point.

A simple dress would have been fine...

Bella fixed her veil on Abigail's head. "The bride is ready." Bella called out and pulled the curtains apart.

I just wanted to stand in front of my lover in a white gown, who'd stare at me with love. With only four, five people in a small church, in front of God vowing to love and cherish each other forever.

"Yes...that's not bad, Bella. Now we are talking business." Beatrice said.

"But this makes her look old..."Adel timidly piped in.

"This is the most expensive dress here." Beatrice scoffed at the unreasonable Adel who had cheap standards of dressing.

"Of course, no wonder it looks luxurious. Your dress looks very rich. Abigail." Adel quickly agreed with Beatrice just like a dog wagging his tail waiting for a treat.

I just wanted someone to say I looked pretty...

"Do you like it, Raymond?" Beatrice asked her son. Raymond only looked up once and rolled his eyes at his bride and then turned away from her.

"Whatever you like mother...it's fine with me." He huffed in a gruff voice.

Abigail inhaled sharply, clenched her jaw and balled her fist. The only thing stopping her from stomping towards him and slamming her fist into his face...very very painfully.

Bastard!

Why and for whom am I standing here?