||Chapter V: I rather you to visit a local hoe! ||

|Sawyer Mansion.|

Raymond always felt close to himself, at peace with himself in his house, closer to the forest. The night-sky was sprinkled with tiny, little sparkling white diamond. The cool breeze was soothing; Raymond stuffed his hands in his dress pants.

Now it stuck his last nerve. He stood in the balcony, thinking of all the people gathered in his house for the 'Foster children's fund raiser event organised by Miss. Standish' at his house. It irked him, Mai, once again, hadn't asked him before announcing him as the chief guest. And went behind his back and made his house a venue for this stupid event. He'd bet his life all these people had come to see him and were not really bothered by the 'Foster children's fund raiser event.' They were all curious about the rumors of his marriage were true or not. His mother was happy pulling a publicity stunt at the expense of their curiosity. They weren't here to congratulate him, no; they were here because he had unfortunately managed to gain Kim North's-top Pg3 journalist's- attention. Her article read-

Scandalous Royal Fairy-tale Family!

Seems the most proper Prince Raymond Sawyer has stunned London society and royal watchers all over the globe by taking Abigail Dunhill (uncommonly sexy commoner) his soon to be bride. Breaking millions of hearts. The prince, recently hand-picked by his great grandmother, the late Queen of Korosol, to be new ruler of the fabulously wealthy European country. There must be a reason for the imperially instant nuptials....

Reason for the Imperially instant nuptials... he almost laughed, little did they knew, his life always had been meticulously planned by his mother and this was nothing new. AND he was FINE with it. All these- over hundred filthy rich people- had come to gossip about his undeniably beautiful Abigail. He sighed; she had left-no, stormed out of the dining room without a single glance at him. He had no idea, but boy did she look hot, when angry. His thoughts echoed her name,

'...Abigail

... Abigail...

...The sweet little angry Abigail. She was angry.' They - The voices- told him and he agreed. His whole afternoon was spent wondering 'what could she be doing?' He was so sure her anger may perhaps burn down the whole earth.

'She was supposed to be here half an hour ago, what is taking her so long?' they kept asking him. If only Abigail could get here! When she failed to arrive on time, he'd blamed it on traffic, but she should have been here by now. Why hadn't she called him? It irritated him further. When she failed to arrive on time, promptly, his mother shepherded the Sawyers inside. "We have to keep them waiting, hungry." She said. His father, Vivian, Shane, Mai, and himself dutifully obeyed. Simon had begged off, saying he had to be somewhere. As his family waited for her in the study room; he stood in the first floor study room balcony, observing the stars as depressing thoughts raced his mind.

What is taking her long? The voices asked him again. He clenched his fist then unclenched them in his pockets. His jaw muscle was set in a tight knot. It wasn't difficult to say, he was not in 'the right mood' for this social gathering. They wanted to spend some alone time with her. Even he craved her honey like voice. The urge to be with her or around her was so raw that he refused to acknowledge Mai's small sweet gestures or even her off mood since lunch. He just wanted her near him. No questions to be asked, just wanted her.

"Ah, the lucky bride!" Vivian said, as if on cue. Relieved Raymond turned. Through the heavy doors of the study -where they all waited for her- sailed in Abigail fixing her hair. She abruptly halted as she saw people studying her. On her face he read discomfort to match his own, and experienced a wave of sympathy. At least he was born to the spotlight. For Abigail it was new.

"Sorry..." she said in a low voice as she reached him. She looked stunning in her mid-night blue, American diamond studded evening gown, a slit ran from mid-thigh exposing her creamy leg, he thought with pleasure. "The paparazzi... " she trailed and simply wrapped her tiny hands around his biceps, slightly possessive. As if it was normal. Raymond was utterly surprised at the gesture, yet delighted.

Ours...

Ours...

Ours ...they purred. Now, he could feel the buzzing energy flowing from his body and wrapping around her as possessively as it could. The energy kept flowing back and forth between them as he stared at her in a daze. Just like a sea calming after a raged storm, slowly ebbing in containment. Her eyes shined so bright; he wanted to say that loud, but contained himself. He wondered if she also felt this...this flow of energy. The spell broke too soon for him.

"I'm glad you all made it." Lady Sawyer announced addressing the rest of Dunhills, who went unnoticed by Raymond till now. His mother had the rare genuine smile playing on her lips. Raymond did a double-check.

-*-

She gasped at the sudden feeling of warmth romping her body, seemed radiating from him. She wanted to throw her head back and slowly burn in this heat. Her grip on his biceps tightened as she tried to balance her on her numb feet. She lowly groaned when she was no longer his centre of attention.

"I apologise for the inconvenience I didn't realize there were any paparazzi." Raymond addressed her family; her parents looked at him like he was some God; while her brother glared at Raymond and Mai, giving a new definition to 'if looks could kill'. And this is how the formal greetings between the two families were exchanged. While Raymond and Abigail found themselves lost in their own little world hooked to each other. Raymond's world consisted only Abigail; while Abigail's reeled back at the conversation or rather a monolog her mother had with her in front of her dresser.

Abigail sat in front of her massive dresser mirror, in her mid-night blue evening gown mindlessly fiddling with her fingers... nervousness and anxiety seemed to be permanent residents of her now a days. Adel stood behind Abigail, with her pale hands and eyes engrossed in Abigail's fiery-red hair braiding an elegant braid as she spoke.

"Men were meant to rule, guide and be leaders, it's pre-defined. But that doesn't mean women should stand in the shadow and never rule. Women can rule men and indirectly bend the world as they desire, yes I know it's saddening. Wine, Wealth and Woman are the three deadly sins of a man and sickeningly this is what drives a man. They say food is way to a man's heart, but it a way to man's brain is through a woman warmed bed. Comprehending?" When Abigail refused to respond Adel pulled her hair harshly, a cry of pain left Abigail's mouth. Tears stung her eyes as she shook her head in denial. Adel huffed in annoyance and with a firm grip on Abigail's hair she continued braiding and speaking.

"A man can't deny the woman who provides him sex; there you made me say it. After you become that woman it's a piece of cake, but becoming that woman is not. You've got everything you'd need Abigail, these big innocent eyes, this sensual body, elegance and most importantly brain. Use them wisely for your good, for our good. And fortunately sex is the best reward and punishment need to tame a beast. You know why Mai can be a threat to us. But baby you are better than her, in every way. You just need to make sure Raymond knows that. Make sure he is on his toes on his knees, keep him pleased, be a lady he can't deny. Provide his needs. Make him feel he is in power, that he is the one calling the shots but you have to be the brain behind his every action. It's called staying in the backseat and controlling everything. This is all we can do to get rid of Mai-named-thorn." Adel looked up to a blotchy faced Abigail. And without missing a beat the kind words slipped her mouth.

"What's wrong?" As if Adel had realized how distressed Abigail was. A hope bloomed Abigail's innocent heart.

"You'll ruin the makeup."

Ouch...

And with that Adel got busy perfecting Abigail's make-up again; too oblivious to Abigail's inner turmoil.

When Abigail had entered she could see Mai getting up with a smug smile and moving closer to Raymond, but had stopped when found Abigail wrapped around Raymond. When Raymond hadn't pushed her, she felt more confident. If Abigail could apply all her mother's teachings and get Raymond at her beck and call, it will be the best 'F.uck you' in Mai's face. This was the simple plan Abigail had devices; if she somehow got rid of Mai, rest of her life would be easy, considerably at least.

Or so she thought.

"Let's go down, I have some fun events planned for the lucky couple... " Mai's change of tone didn't go unnoticed by Abigail. Mai's eyes contained promise of mischief and retaliation for the afternoon incident. And suddenly Abigail lost all her courage. She met her mother's narrowed eyes glaring at Mai. She felt like a meek mouse in front of a shrewd hungry, very hungry cat. Mai was a devil's' incarnation. She suddenly didn't feel all up for this game.

They walked down the circular staircase, through grand foyer, into the large hall. A soft melody that could be heard, now amplified. Abigail heard the clink of glasses and the murmur of voices. The servants pushed the hard polished door for them, revealed a picturesque grand ballroom; like the one in fairytales Abigail dreamt of.

The room was beautifully decorated with marble floor and high ceiling, golden-brown colour scheme. High ceiling chandeliers emitted a soft, dull yellow glow. Men and women stood talking to each other with a glass of expensive wine or champagne; with soft melody of piano in the background. It was truly enchanting. Abigail hadn't realized that she had stopped walking until Raymond gently urged her to keep on moving. As she entered she found the high ceilings to painted with naked angels, Apollo, Cupid, Nymph, Fey... almost every mythical creature was intricately painted up. She was awed.

She suddenly came to senses when all the chatter and music halted. A hundred pair of eyes were on them, she felt queasy; she looked over her shoulder to find Callum sporting an encouraging smile, slightly calming her. Raymond guided her towards the center; as people parted for them; she noticed a few bowed and curtseyed Raymond and his family.

They formed a colourful array, especially those wearing traditional folk costumes. Although Raymond and his family had been center of the attentional all their lives, London social set didn't bend their knees to royalty. With a jolt she realized that someday people would be bowing this way to her. It was a strange notion. The Sawyers gave a slight bow in return. The four Dunhills, managed curtseys towards the crowd.

Cadence St. John, a black haired, blue eyed man who looked more like a diplomat of Merck group was the first one to approach and greet the Sawyers and a certain Dunhill. Then to Abigail's embarrassment she was pushed forward and introduced as the eldest daughter-in-law-to which Mai scoffed obviously. Abigail's first public introduction as a part of the Sawyers, Adel couldn't be happier. More bows. More curtsies. Welcoming smiles were tempered by frank curiosity as everyone focused on the bride and the groom. It was only a taste of what laid ahead, Abigail reminded herself. She hoped she'd get used to it. Soon!

Cadence St. John presented a series of special guests and staff members of Merck group. Although Abigail's feet hurt standing in line, and even though she was highly confused with Raymond's barbarian ways, she did her best to greet each person as if he or she were the most important individual in the room. Raymond would loosen his grip on her waist now and then but would tighten it again if a male eye lingered more than necessary on Abigail. He was practically growing at all men as they shook her hands, and if someone were to kiss the back of her hand, he would pull her into his chest and glare at them until they left. Abigail did find it funny but was tired and now her waist was sore in his tight grip. So the next time should someone try these antics on her, she'd pull away slightly. But this didn't stop men from openly ogling her, neither did Raymond stopped his growling.

It was long, long night!

-*-

"May I have your attention please; I'm very happy you all took some of your precious time and joined us for the Foster children's fund raiser event." Mai's perfectly toned voice drowned Abigail's train of thoughts. She was totally alert when she found Mai in her blood red dress on a makeshift stage with a mic in one hand and a glass of red wine in another. "Helping hands is a British charity that works for... " and Abigail droned her voice concentrating on the sudden increased flare of energy. She looked up at Raymond; his eyes were glued on Mai as she droned on and on. He looked beautiful in the light grey suit, totally desirable. His hair still had out-of-the-bed look, but he still looked ... very handsome and desirable. His grip had started tightening again, and she wondered what was causing him to do it again. She was hundred percent sure she'll be bruised tomorrow! It took her a minute to snap out of her ogling trance and understand his words or the loud cheer around.

"You better stop staring soon!" he snapped in her ear, a pearly white smile laced his lips, he spoke looking everywhere but her. He took care no one noticed the abnormal couple. She looked up at him with a ruby blush on her cheeks. She was dying of shame, this was the second time she was caught staring at him and he had to remind her.... He moved away from her, only to offer her hand, to which she just stared at funnily.

"May I have this dance?" She was confused and started looking here and there. What's going on! Before she could put much thought in it, Raymond pulled her away from the cheering crowd. They reached center and joined the other couples ready to dance.

One hand rested on his chest and other rested in his other hand. The moment his large hand rested on her hip and pulled her closer, the violent wave of energy crashed her like water waves crashing on the shore. They started slow dancing on the slow rhythm of piano. She closed her eyes letting him guide her, her legs hurt from all the standing. Her head buzzed from all the new information. She had-

"Hey..." his deep raspy voice caught her attention. She gingerly opened her eyes to look at him question. Why was he talking to her? He had a certain glint in his eyes- a certain kind of warmness, tenderness.

"Hey?" she looked at him as openly and invitingly as she could, but something caught his attention over her shoulder and he turned quite cold again. The flare of energy flared again, this time more vigorously, but his eyes turned back back to stony blue ones.

"What are you wearing?" He hissed with brows furrowed as his eyes stared in hers with unmatched intensity. Her knees buckled, she tightened her grip on him as she stared up at him through her eyelashes, questionably.

"I don't want to see this dress on you again." Try as she might, Abigail couldn't twist his words to mean that he wanted her out of it. That her plan was working.

"Why ever not? It not a low cut." She wanted to make a snide comment about Mai and her dressing tonight but bit her tongue.

"It reveals too much." Wanting him to elaborate she raised a solitary brow. He pushed her away gently and did a classy dance move of slowly twirling her. Then pulled her back in his chest with her back against his chest and started effortlessly guiding her.

"It reveals too much of your leg which is unnecessary, your shoulders," he place a gentle kiss on her shoulder before continuing. "arms and your whole back. And every man here wants you and you look like some low life w.hore, and I can't have-"

"I did have few qualms about that- WHAT!" She began speaking but suddenly broke the dance step and turned with blazing eyes. Her eyes held shock but most prominently held anger. As if he suddenly realized his grave mistake and pulled her back to their original position- hand in hand and chest against each other. His miserable attempt to cover up didn't help calm her.

"It's the fabric," he complained, all he needed to do was stomp his foot in order to resemble a tantrum throwing toddler. "I can see every move you make in it." He tried to reason his previous harsh words.

"It's true for half of the woman in the room! Why are you so conscious of it with me?" her words were acidic and burned him.

"Because I am responsible for you," Raymond blustered.

"You want to get rid of me." she simply stated and she could practically see the wheels turning on his head.

"Yes-No! It's not like this..! What are you talking about?"

"I saw what you and your lady love doing this afternoon, under the table!" she scoffed.

"In a marriage of convenience, you can't seriously be dreaming of a loyal knight in shining armor." His simple words held no emotions, as if stating facts he'd uttered those words. Like the sky was blue and sun raises from the east; you can't seriously be dreaming of a loyal knight in shining armor.

"So this means you promise of no fidelity." She asked in a steady voice even though her heart twisted painfully.

"Yes. Yes, because if you can't satisfy me, I'll need to look for something since I'm a man of needs. But of course I'll be very discreet about it. "

"What about me? I'm a woman of needs too" she hissed. Those words stumbled out even before she could reason them. She could practically see the sudden change in him. His stony blue eyes dilated, nose flared, face flushed red. His grip on her tightened painfully to the point she winced.

"Well then you come to me." his voice was low and very threatening, his blue eyes glared at her viridian ones, daring her to protest.

And she didn't, even when he had grabbed her nape in a firm grip and another hand roped around her lower back, pulling her in and forcefully met her lips. He started the kiss in urgency and desperation, as if making up for her absence in his life. All the frustration he felt because of her, it was his way of conveying them. The cheers made him realize that they had an audience and he slowed down. Everything was sweet, gentle and caring about their second kiss. His lips slowly moved against hers.

It was all for a show.

She told herself. To show other people that they were madly and deeply in love, and to show her who called the shots in their marriage of convenience. Her heart broke further at the thought of not having a normal life. But she didn't protest though, he was gentle with is his movements quite a contrast to his words. It felt as if he was apologizing. She had just started enjoying the kiss when he pulled away. She slowly opened her eyes to find his staring at her, and his thumb caressed her cheek, then ever so slowly he rested his forehead on hers. Then taking a deep breath he said,

"I'm sorry...Bambi..." the voice was a small rumble and she had almost missed it. Her eyes widened as she made sense of his words. Before she could say something the song came to an end and the loud cheering crowd broke them apart. Abigail could see Raymond's eyes held anger, but her held disappointment and hurt.

"Can I steal your bride?"

"Can I steal your groom?"

Two voices pulled them further apart, both the owners had a smile on their face, but one could tell Mai's smile was fake as if it pained her, and Simon's was genuine. In a wink of an eye the couples changed and the music began again.

Simon towered over her; Raymond frowned at her petite figure and thought how Abigail and he looked together, one too tall and the other barely reached shoulders. He twirled Mai but his eyes moved with Abigail. She held a somber look on her face when she left with Simon but watched as her somber face into a cheerful one in a mere span of minutes. Simon said something and she flashed him a merry smile as he twirled her and the danced in arm in arm. In a twinkling, they disappeared down the line of dancers.

"Raymond, I ..." Mai began, but Raymond was more interested in searching for Abigail.

'Why are his hands on her?!' the voices growled.

'Why is she laughing? She never laughed with us!'

'Why did she wear that dress today? '

'Don't touch her!'

He couldn't believe he was now jealous of his own baby brother. But, Simon always has his ways with girls and women alike. Raymond would be damned if he let that happened.

"What are you looking for?" Mai asked following his gaze.

At last she came back in the view, breathless and laughing along with Simon. With that burning image in his mind he started his march towards them. Before he could make it ten steps a hand wrapped around his biceps in a firm grip.

"Come with me." Mai said barely containing her anger.

_*_

Mai had pulled him out of the ballroom near the forest in a canopied sitting area. She stood very close to him with her hands resting on his chest.

"Are you going to really marry Abigail?" a simple question but such a relative answer, for a few it was simple yes or no answer, but for a few it promised nursing a broken heart for quite some time. His silence was more painful and she couldn't understand it at all.

"I asked you, if you're going to marry her!" Mai shrieked, her heart withering in pain. Her lips quivered, her runny nose was red, and her puffy eyes dealt with the frustrated tears, which wouldn't stop.

He kept mum for another minute, then looking up at the sparkly night he spoke in a daze. "She's the woman my mother chose for me." the urge to get up a slap him was so dominant, how could he-her Ray- do this to her. How could a person who'd go hell and high to make sure Mai- his best friend since birth- was happy and content. How could he step on her heart to please his mother?

"It doesn't matter who it is, as long as your mother picks her out?"

"Yes, it doesn't." he sighed.

"Don't do that, please Ray! Don't do this to me." her grip on his collar tightened as she shook him, begging him to come to his senses.

"Mai..." Raymond tried to remove her hands, a half-hearted attempt. She tightened her grip more as if to prove a point. She continued, it was like a state of madness, she just wanted Abigail out of the picture, out of her life at all coast. She was causing her pain, a lot of pain.

"Do you like her? Do you feel for her?"

"No..." he huffed and she was annoyed.

"Why marry someone without any feelings?"

"Because..."

"Because What!" she screamed again.

"Oh for the love of everything that's holy, just stop screaming!" he growled, ripping her hands off him and turned his back on her.

"Now you'll turn your back on me when you don't have feelings for her, I don't even wanna know what you'll do when you actually have feelings for!" she aggressively held his arm and turned him around.

"What are feelings?! Feelings... love...trust... do you think she loves me, trusts me? Or is she marrying me for my money? Yes, do you think I don't know that? She is just like the rest of them."

"I'm not! F.ucking look at me!"

"NO! Just... just forget everything!"

"I can't forget it and I won't ever do it. Are you listening to me? I will never forget us.... We were better off without her, she is the b!tch taking away what is mine. She can find another meat to sink her teeth in! She can go to hell for-"

"Mai Eva Standish." The authority in his voice shut her up. "Don't cross your boundaries. Don't act like you know me when you know nothing."

"Oh, now I don't have the right to complain... but her, she can-"

"Mai..."

"Okay, Okay, Okay... I get it. I can't speak about her. But...but if-" she sobbed and vigorously wiped her tears. "...it's a marriage without love then marry me."

"Mai..."

"No listen to me, you want to get married, right? Then marry me, that way you'll be sure that you are not being used, you...you want heirs, I can give you. How many do you want? You just have to say it." In that desperate moment her hands ran up and down his chest. Tell him he could have her any way he wanted.

"I wanna know What the hell are you thinking!" he grated.

"You had me from the start, I won't let this end." She gripped his nape and pulled him in for a kiss.

"Mai... NO!" he warned.

"Kiss me damnit! Did you f.uck her already?"

"What...No! What the hell-"

"Then let's make love all tonight.... I'll make it all better. I know you can't go a month without sex. C'mon I'll make you feel so good. I promise." Her free hand reached for his then she placed it on her bum grinding her front to his. He hissed as she applied more pressure.

"Trust me... trust me...I..." she sensually whispered and she felt him loose his resistance. Good. "I know you want this like me.... see...see I'm wearing your favorite red dress...hmmm skin-tight...." She tilted her neck and her breath fanned his neck, she shivered much to her desire. "Today I just wanted to look good for you baby...But I think this dress will look better on the floor." she pressed her lips on his neck, tracing them up to jaw then to his lips. Kisses began with small yet desperate perks and slowly turned into rough ones, as his grip on her bum tightened. She continued grinding when he moaned in her mouth. Giggling she pulled away.

"Tell me, do you want me now?" she innocently asked.

"How fair is this!'" he pulled away slightly staring at Mai and tucked her hair very gently, she giggled again.

"But Mai I don't think we should-" his words died down in his throat when his eyes meet with a wide-eyed, stunned Abigail, partly hiding behind a distant tree. Far from the hearing range but very close in the vision range to witness his secret little rendezvous. She looked as if she was caught red-handed, instead of him.

"Is this how you'll satisfy your needs?" she shouted so her hoarse voice reached Raymond. "Then I rather you to visit a local hoe!" she started walking backwards, away from the disturbing sight. Gulping the lump formed in her throat, her steps fastened when Raymond didn't make any move to come close to Abigail, except for brushing Mai away from him and muttering a low 'Sh!t'.

She barely made ten steps away from when a lone tear betrayed her. She hastily turned her back to them and broke into a unsteady run towards the forest.

_*_

Tada! What do think of Raymond, Mai, Abigail? I really really wanna know plz! Like I'm as desperate as Mai. Comment your thoughts and the first commenter gets a dedication on the next chap! Kim a dedication to you for obvious reasons :-D

Okay, before you all stab me with a butter knife, I'll apologize for not updating soon. (Guilty of thoroughly enjoying my Diwali vacations. hehehehe!)