|Meck HQ-Britain|

It was five on a friday evening and all the workers had left, except Raymond Sawyer. A few scared souls awaited their fate in the Conference room. Raymond, Shane, and Mai - the trio walked with predatory eyes and a stern attitude towards the conference room on the twenty-fifth floor.

Each busy with their own thought Raymond was stressed and could barely tolerate any human interaction, and he had a unsavory mood. It had been a fortnight since he had seen Abigail, and it was a rucks in his head. The voices constantly whispered her name as if she was their life substance. It would always start innocently and then suddenly take a violent turn.

Abigail...

Abigail...

Our Abigail...

Her lips... Her breasts- lush and supple. Her curvy hips... her legs...
HER...

It was enough to drive him nuts and savage with desire for the red headed vixen. But not today; today he was buzzing with tiny dots of energy with the mere thought of seeing her again tonight at seven for dinner at her house. But it also irritated him and had him snapping at everyone every minute. His mind had been a whirlpool of dangerous thoughts.

His heart desired peace which only she'd bring. He had never desired for a woman with such a passion, that he was afraid it was becoming an obsession. The voices wished to feel her presence in such a way that he had never imagined-hot bothered and withering in his arms. She was a perturb ache in his heart that no medicine could fix. Like blood, he needed her, flowing in his veins.
It scared him that he no longer cared for his end, but he wanted their story to begin like this. He came to believe that his life needed a woman's presence and touch; he required her to be that woman. He required his Abigail. Every thought of hers drove him away from sanity.

The silence was broken by Raymond.

"Do we have the security there?" he questioned Mai not particularly looking at her.

"Yes, Gorge, Josh, Tom and Thomas are waiting at the entrance." She replied coldly.
She was giving Raymond a cold shoulder for three weeks now and he didn't know what to do to make it right. He missed his sassy intelligent friend, a lot.

"No I want them in." he told her.

"Okay." With that, Mai ended the conversation. Raymond sighed in defeat. A minute later the elevator dinged leaving them to enter the twenty-fifth floor. Raymond took control of his raging thoughts and his demeanor changed from a confused being to a hard-to-please boss and seething angry boss. They stormed into the room. Took their place, Raymond sat at the head chair; Shane sat to his left and Mai to his right.

~*~

"Can someone tell me...why am I here breathing in the same room as a bunch of stupid cocky morons and not enjoying this evening with my beautiful Fiancée?!" Raymond took a deep breath in and prayed the Lord above to give him the energy to walk out of this meeting without killing someone. "Why am I wasting my breath on you all good for nothing CEO's?"

"S-Sir?"

"Yes Mr.Winteres... please enlighten me." his sore and gloomy mood and the sarcasm didn't go unnoticed by any. Raymond Sawyer and his moods were like London weather, bloody unpredictable.

"The assets...the assets they...twenty...no, twenty-five-"

"Any time today!" he fired. "Now let me make this very clear. I would appreciate if all of you wee shits don't waste my time here. So I have to ask you Mr. Winteres to sit your ass down, and Ed start making this minute count for me."

"Yes, s-sir!" He fumbled getting up. "So according to the last six months study, these are few companies that could bring our net worth down. These are the critical companies which will destroy our net turnover this year and they need to be looked at."

"Thank you, Ed, for stating the obvious. But..." Frustrated, he took in a deep breath. "Give the me the numbers Ed!" Raymond slammed his palm on the table hard.
Everyone knew what this meant. And no one wanted to be a part of this meeting. After every six months the companies that didn't suffice his needs and meet their full potential they were literally ripped into pieces. It was like punishing them, selling away the companies for it to be bought by Shane Hoarn, he was a co-operate shark. He would buy the companies at a high price than the Market Retail Price and the money made by selling these 'problem causing companies' would split in a way that three-fourth goes to Merck Group, and remaining to the ex-owner.

"We all know what this means. This means that the companies that are not profitable to me I trash them with the help of Mr. Hoarn. So pray to God that you pull something important out of the magic hat and hope that it'll save your sorry asses!" Raymond mocked excitement. "So Ed, enlighten me."

"Ye-Yes sir!" Ed cried nervously. "This is a projection, that if we keep Mr.Whinteres' company in our book we are going to face three percent of the loss. Mr. Caldwell costs us one percent loss..."

"Stop," Raymond interrupted. "Shane," he turned to his left looking at Shane. "What price would you quote me for Mr. Winteres' and Caldwell's companies?"

"But ...please sir!" In unison a protest heard from Mr. Winteres and Caldwell.

"Twenty million for Winteres' and ten for Caldwell's," Shane smiled at Raymond, he made a good business. He was going to sell these companies at twice the buying rate.

"Very well then. It's decided. Mr. Winteres and Mr. Caldwell it was good doing business with both of you. My assistant will have the papers sent to you by midnight and five million would be sent to you Mr. Winteres and Mr. Caldwell you'll receive two million by tomorrow midday. "

"You scoundrel!" Mr. Winteres' face turned red as he screamed rising from his seat and charged at Raymond.

"Security!" Raymond roared before Mr. Winteres could reach Raymond's throat the guards held him. "Throw this rowdy out of this premises and if found anywhere close do not hesitate to call the police." He ordered all the while staring in Mr. Winteres' eyes, daring him to pull a stunt. He struggled against the guards as they ruoghened him; all this while Mr. Winteres muttering profanities, his eyes were violent with rage as he glared at Raymond before disappearing out of the conference room.

"Do you want to leave like Mr. Winteres- a grand exit or you don't mind getting out with you dignity intact, Mr. Caldwell?" Raymond's words scythed the awkward atmosphere. Without a word Mr. Caldwell left.

"Now let's make this easy." Raymond stood up and continued. "I see that my company is in..." he looked down and flipped a few pages and scanned the pages.

"...Twenty percent loss!" he raised his eyes to meet the offenders. "I don't-"

"Make that twenty-five." Mai piped in all of a sudden.

"What!"

"I said the Merck group is at twenty-five percent loss."

"How? Who's adding that five percent?" his fury filled gaze looked at Mai for explanation.

"The Dunhills." She calmly replied, not fazed by his rude behaviour.

His hawk like eye scanned the room for the offenders. And when he found the father-son duo his anger raised a new level.

"Five percent?" he grated as he sat down in his chair. He stared at them with contempt. If they were not related he wouldn't mind kicking them off the twenty-fifth floor. His fingers tapped the wooden table with anxiously, trying to hold back his anger. His chest rose and fell rapidly. His jaw muscle knotted and his hands curled in a fist. He was really tempted to get up and smash a chair at their faces. The only thing stopping him from doing so was the whisperings of the voices.

His sweet little vixen...Abigail... the red headed enchantress that invaded his every thought. She won't be very happy if he did that, he knew.

The senior Dunhill didn't meet his gaze. Fucking coward! But Callum held his gaze when he spoke.

"We have a request..." he timidly spoke.

"Please be my guest." Raymond said with his jammed teeth. With that Callum got up and all the lights went off and the projector started.

'Luxury secured and composed of 7 fully glazed apartments. Comfortable spacing with 2800 m² carpet area. Efficiently eco-friendly, more stress on sunlight related lighting, for instance solar panels to support the whole system. Here we have the model of the new duplex with elevators on both the levels. Terrace with sea view, very airy and bright. Reversible climate control...' Callum continued giving the presentation.
Raymond was really skeptical. He knew he shouldn't have bent to his mother's wishes of buying this jinxed company.

~*~

The meeting got over by six thirty and everyone except for Shane, Mai, and Raymond left. Raymond had sold four more companies. It was a stressful order. Shane and Mai, both stared at Raymond silently. He had his face in his palms.

"Do you really want to go with their Plymouth project?" Mai broke the silence.

"No."

"Then, why did you say you'd fund them?"

"I don't know, Mai." Raymond murmured stressed.

"Why not sell it to Shane and let him rip it apart? We know that will really earn us real money, now."

"I agree." Raymond said.

"I don't. I think investing in this will earn you thrice the amount you'll earn now, if the project is successful." Shane piped in.

"But what if it isn't?" Mai raised a brow.

"Well, he has to take risk."

"He doesn't need-"

"Mai, stop, please. I have a headache..." Raymond pitched in. "I agree with your idea and I promise to talk to you soon. But now please go home. It is getting late."

"Okay, Ray. Please have something for your headache. I'll see you tomorrow."

"I will. Goodnight Mai." With that Mai left.

"I don't agree with her-" Shane immediately spoke when he knew she was out of ear shot as he stood up to leave.

"Me too." Raymond sighed getting up to leave with Shane.

"Abigail won't be happy." Shane chuckled at his friend's misery.

"I knowwwwwww," Raymond groaned. His phone buzzed in his hand suddenly and he groaned at the caller ID. He showed the screen to Shane and he laughed further.

"Hello sis, how can I-"

"I heard you asked her to sign a prenup?"

"Yes and in the most polite way was told off!" Raymond scoffed.

"Well....? What did you expect?"

"Well, definitely not a 'Go f.uck yourself with a dry cactus.'"

"Well forcing her won't bend a true woman to your desire."

"Yes, please tell me your secret because I desperately need it."

"Women look for an emotional connect and not a physical one."

"What are you-?"

"In men physical desire is a hunger, but in women it is just an appetite."

"What the hell! Have you lost your marbles?"

"A woman can spend her time with a man who can't give her sex but just his company, because she loves him. But a man can't begin to imagine such a life; willingly that is."

"Stop. Talking. In. Riddles!"

"You and I both know how we can't lose her because you are a downright wanker. You need to befriend her. You need a pure blood heir. Just keep that in mind."

"Well, I don't wish to befriend her. She's a ridiculous woman! I can't be bothered-"

"You'll be bothered by not having an heir! Find a four covered leaf or have God Fairy bless you, But. Wish!" With that she hung up.

"What happened?" Shane wondered loudly looking at his friend's scowl. He believed his wife had something to do with it.

"She wants me to be friends with Abigail. What is wrong with Vivian?" Raymond uttered in distain.

"Oh, boy!" Shane laughed out loud.

"Yeah, 'Oh, boy!'"

My life is royally fucked.

~*~

In the balcony, leaning against the thick stone parapet; she stared at the night. The velvety night cast a melancholy spell on her. Shining moon and the tiny dots twinkled joyfully in a blatant mock. She was desperately cold, a cool night wind blew reminding her of her nakedness, her attire consisted of a simple mid-night blue bra and a matching panties, and of course, the itchy sapphire pendent.
She shivered.
Spread across the thick stone parapet was her guilty pleasures; an empty tray of chocolate mint cookies; half-eaten banana chocolate pie, remains of a half-pound white forest cake, some half-eaten croissants. Oh, and a half-empty bottle of red wine. She was more than slightly tipsy.
On some distance a vinyl played the evocative sounds of Maria Callas, singing of her lover's betrayal; the aching voice resembling her heartfelt agony and the soring pure notes mildly filled her ears tugging at the soul deep wound ripping relentlessly at her emotions.

Another gush of wind had her flushing and shaking, his words playing in her mind like a broken tape recorder. Cruel words he had uttered not a fortnight ago.

You and I both know that you are loaded with things for the almost professional pleasure...

Well, you are definitely not a virgin!

How'd you learn to kiss like that?

Honed to perfection on how many men?

She poured herself an helping of red wine and hastily gulped down tranquil liquid. The worst of his word engraved her soul painfully and repulsively clawed her skin. Her mouth curled in a bitter laugh.

Dress it up as you may like, but marrying a man for his money is kind of Prostitution.

He had a mocking smile and an evil soul, tongue blessed by the devil. A heart where the demons homed. He was no human. A pure cursed soul which relished in belittling others.

"I agree!" she screamed in the air. And with the fits of drunk giggling she screamed again "I agree!"

A sharp pain of reality sliced her heart. There would be no future for them because he was not a knight in shining armor but a difficult little devil and she was queen of despair and debt. A match made in heaven like milk and honey. Which she didn't really fancy. And she mistook his eagerness. Of course, he had been seductive. Where women were concerned, he was driven by his lions; she came to the brutal conclusion. There had been no tenderness. His desire to have sex. And she had been conned. Bitterly she wondered how she could she ever feel good about herself again.

She poured another helping of the red liquid of tranquility, wishing, she would be lent some tranquility. This time she took slow devouring nips.

Marrying a man for his money is kind of Prostitution...

She raised the glass heavenwards for a toast, a tribute! A sweet smile laced her lips and bitter emotions laced her brimming eyes.

"To being a Prostitute!" She smiled. "To the beginning of my new life of a whore. Bless me, oh sweet baby Jesus." She pulled the glass down and brought up to her mouth.

Lost in her own beliefs she laughed and danced to the sad tunes of Maria Callas. Calling out loud to her betraying lover...

"Ms. Dunhill!" Harsh raps on her bedroom door shook her from her bliss. Her mind was in such turmoil that she couldn't think strait. It was hard to walk steady but she slowly paced pass the balcony doors and entered her bedroom making a cue towards the door.

Lime-green was the room theme, from the walls to the curtains everything was in a matching shade of lime green and few hues of black. She hadn't quite grown out of the phase, fairy lights decorated her bedpost and thrown anywhere and everywhere they could be thrown. It was the only source of light in the room, dim and yellow. She tripped near her bed and slowly balanced herself with the help of her bed. A drunken giggle escaped her lips.

As she moved forward, she felt unsteady on her feet.

"Ms. Dunhill!" the raps were harder this time as if meant to break the door. The voice was irritated and gruff. She was about to flung the door open when her drunken mind recognized the voice to be Raymond's. She froze mid stride. She briefly remembered her mother telling she'd invited him for dinner and in her buzzed mindset she didn't pay much heed but now she regretted. Her heart swelled with pain and the helplessness that angered her.

"Leave me some privacy!" she shouted. But it came out as some slurs which were muffled by the door. Her eyes full of angry tears. She didn't want to see him; definitely not when she was this vulnerable and humiliated.

Before the door opened, she quickly pulled and draped the bed quilt around her. It annoyed her instantly that Raymond had walked in on her as if he had the right. But he had always done what he deemed right and to do hell with what others thought.

He wore a full sleeved baby blue sweater and dark denim, hair a mop of mess. A sheer and pleasant contrast to his business attire. As usual dressed to perfection. He looked composed though his gunmetal blue eyes were hard, set on her. Just like a hungry warmonger. His eyes took in her appearance like a hawk. For the first time she knew how the prey felt under the unnerving predatory gaze. Trapped and spellbound. She let go of the breath she held and pulled and bit her plump lips in a miserable attempt of control. The set of his lips, the sharp but quick lift of his chest and shoulders, suggested he was trying and struggling to master some tempestuous emotion.

Nervously she wondered what they were. Triumph at seducing her? Scorn, disgust... with a hazy mind she could only name a few.

It was at the tip of her tongue. Only pride held her, her wounded pride. Avoiding his intimidating gaze she turned her back to him and walked to her dresser. One hand held the quilt strongly and the other rested on the dresser. She gathered her anger and busted.

"What was so important that you couldn't wait till I was dressed?" she snapped.

"An offer?" he sounded uncertain of his words as he slowly walked in her room closing the door behind and sat on her bed. She could see him through the mirror. It had been fifteen day she had last interacted with him; she hadn't missed him but definitely missed his masculine presence. The ache between her legs was difficult to curb.

"An offer?" Confused she repeated.

"An offer of friendship."

"Friendship with you? Who wants that? What is it to me?" She scoffed brushing her hair to idle away the time. She was too drunk to express her full fleshed wrath. She was just too tired to react properly.

"Are you afraid?"

"Of?"

"Of us ending in bed together, very soon? Our sex would be extraordinary, I promise you Ms. Dunhill." he whispered softly, his words held a hidden promise. Moving close to her with a mock concern look, he stood behind her, his solid chest pressed firmly against her back. The quilt was the only separating barrier that prevented him from feeling her silken skin with his callous hands.

His sexual frustration knew no bounds. The buzzing dots of energy violated her and his mind and body alike. It was all consuming, and caution was thrown out the window. "Of developing feelings for me?" He softly asked her and as though having a mind of its own his index finger traced her neck and moved slowly towards her shoulder blades. Abigail swallowed hard. Her head whirled, whether from alcohol or Raymond's nearness, she didn't know.

"A-as if!" she stammered. She found her gripping the quilt tighter and her eyes screwed shut. She took a deep breath and was soon cocooned in his sent. He smelled of clean linen, sandalwood and musk. A true heady concoction of virile sent. Her mind reeled. Reeled. And reeled.

"Then you have no reason to refuse." She opened her eyes slightly to find him looking at his finger his eyes followed every pattern traced. His brows were furrowed and with utter concentration he stared at her skin as if memorizing the soft supple texture of hers. With a sudden twinge of excitement she discovered his finger started tracing her collar bone and as the finger dipped in the hollow of her neck, she sucked in a deep breath and stilled completely. She heard him inhale deeply.

"You smell divine. Utterly irresistible." His head dove down and short and sweet kisses were been placed neck very dotingly. The music swirled around them just as the buzzing dots of energy rendering her helpless and the evocative tune, the insistent rhythms ate her brain with lust.

"Why must you be so tempting? Alluring, bewitching? Are you an enchantress? A witch, perhaps?" he hotly whispered in her ear, nibbling the lobe harshly. Her eyes shot open and she looked at him through the mirror. The challenging smile made her blood boil. He thought she was a quick lay!

The arrogance of this man!

Maybe she did keep falling for his practiced seducing charm. But she hadn't actually succumbed. All she had to do was to remember he had called her a Prostitute! And that he thought that she was merely a toy designed for his pleasure. Finally, the spell broke slowly she regained her integrity and bitterness laced her mind, eating her alive from inside. With a jolt she spun in his captive arms. His rude words from earlier, kept her from making a fool of her over a man who could be a serial adulterer.

After all, she hated him. With her mind, body and soul.

In a genuine disgust, she gave a shudder, as if she was repelled by the mere suggestion of being friends with him.

"My only hesitation is that I'd have to pretend liking you." She said grimly, pacing past his captive hold. "What about Mai? She defiantly won't be happy." Raymond shook his head disappointedly at Abigail. But she didn't see it as she sundered off to her balcony to have another helping of red liquid of tranquility, without waiting for his reaction.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to bring her in this? You never learn!" he followed her in pure agitation. His vein in the popped, laying more emphasis on his anger. "What is tha--?"

"You called me a Prostitute! Why should I even consider being friends with a scumbag like you?" she questioned him, taking a rather large sip of wine and it made her bolder with each sip.

"You were planning to run away with half of my assets! Assets for which I worked hard!" Abigail merely scoffed just to push Raymond's buttons.

"Some of them lie below your belt and are virtually the private property of a certain General Attorney's daughter." She scathed. Now Raymond was quick to recognize the insult directed at Mai but didn't react. For once he grinned-much to Abigail's dismay- his gunmetal blue eyes shone wickedly with mischief, sending her in a hunger and embarrassment.

He knew! He had caught her red handed! Abigail was jealous of Mai and the position she held in his life. Abigail was mortified.

With a mocking smile he said, "I can't help being virile. Our sex will be...Entire continents would move. Flames scorching our-"

"Look here-!" began Abigail, red-faced with disapproval.

"Come." Raymond catapulted himself forward and gripped her wrist pulling her back in her room.

"Where? I don't want you touching me!" She wiggled in his grip.

"You weren't exactly complaining a few minutes ago." She had the warm fuzzy feeling in her as she heard him laugh while he blatantly insulted her. "I have something for you." Raymond reached for a box on her bed. He said while handing her a big rectangular fancy box.

"What is this?" she raised a brow as she freed from his grip and took the box.

"A peace offering, if you may." The words barley registered her brain. She was more worried that if she took the gift it would be just like last time. When he had crudely closed the box just mere centimeters away from her fingers. He had mistreated her and then man-handled her.

"Peace offering? Why?" she questioned, clearly not believing him and his secret motive behind it.

"Because...urm... I want to be friends with you?" his uncertainty agitated her even more.

"I call bullshit!"

"Look...just... You know you...just open it, okay? If you don't like it then I'll take it back. But for once I know you'll like it." Her eyes caught his and she was astounded to find them almost nervous. Raymond and nervousness don't go together in one sentence. "Please?" he pleaded and Abigail wasn't sure if she should pinch herself and see. What were the chances of The Raymond Sawyer being kind and nice? Slim to none. But she'd take the chance any day, to be a part of the ninth wonder on earth. She hesitantly but surely opened the 'peace offering'

She lifted the lid and lifted the protected covering off the gift. Her heart refused to beat for a minute as she saw the 'peace offering'.

"What is this!" her eyes welled up. "Is this kind of some sick joke?" she half expected to him to laugh at her, make fun of her. But when she look at him, his eyes shone, they were so serene she didn't know what to say or do. Her fingers traced the fabric...soft as it was that day.

"Do you like it?" he sounded nervous as he rubbed the back of his neck. It was almost shocking to see this side of Raymond, till today she wasn't sure if such a side existed. "What is wrong?" he questioned when he saw her face fall further. His almost non-existent smile faded. "What? What is it? You don't like it? But...But it's the same one you liked that day. I...I saw...you-you were happy wearing this! You wanted this wedding dress and you didn't like that corset thing! Bella...sh- she told-" he looked down at the dress and frowned.

"Ray-" she tried interrupting his nervous rambling.

. "I-I can get you a different one...whichever you'd like. I'm-"

"Raymond!" she yelled gaining his attention. "I like it. Really do like this...This was the kind of dress I dreamed of wearing on my wedding day...I ... I can't thank you enough; but I can't-"

"You can't take it. But why?"

"Your mother..." she trailed off thinking what her mother- in-law would have to say.

"You don't have to worry about her. I'll handle her. Plus it's not her place to have any objection...it's....it is our marriage!"

"I really can't take-" she knew he would torment her later in life saying he had brought the dress and brag about the money he had spent on her... and that she should be grateful to him and whatnot.

And truly speaking she hadn't gotten over his outrageous behaviour fifteen days ago. How he had insulted her by kicking her out of the car in honour of his whore... how he wanted her to sign the prenup... she was pretty quick to realize that-buying the dress and this sweet talk- it all must be a trick to get her to sign the prenup. And she'd rather lick a knicker clean than let him live in peace after he has broken her into piece, divorced her and left her on the streets. No she won't let him live in peace.

"Why!" He whined like a child whose mother refused to buy his favorite toy. He couldn't reason her denial.

"Isn't it a bit tarty?" she wrinkled her nose in doubt. She really loved the dress and she wanted nothing more than to take it but her offended pride held her back.

"Not at the price I paid!" his gunmetal blue eyes narrowed and his face hardened. "All the eyes would be on you. No one will be surprised when I spend the whole day with you and even vow to spent rest of my life."

"Aren't you worried that Mai or your mother will be offended?"

"Everyone will deem this as a romantic gesture." He said pulling the dress out of the box and held it out to her. Abigail was overjoyed on inside, the dress was beautiful. It was her wedding gown, for crying out loud! "People are sentimental at heart. They'll deem this as my love for you and no one will show disappointment, not when marriage is so important and sacred."

Sacred. Her lower lip quivered.

If it really is then why do you destroy it for me with your jabbing words? Why you don't promise of your loyalty?

"But your mother will go ballistic!"

"Not in the public! And she'll be consoled by the fact that I'm taking this marriage very seriously and that maybe we could last longer and I could have a heir to my companies." he said leaving the dress on her hand and taking a step back. His words were simple but the complexity of the thought was just messing with her brain. "It's simple." He smiled ear to ear. Like it was all easy. For him to keep insulting her and then one night just turn up and say 'Hey, let's be friends and as a peace offering I'll give you your favorite wedding dress.' And what did he expect from her? 'Yeah, of course bribe me all you want. I'm happy?'

"Your mother-"

"I'm confident I can persuade her into believing this is for the best." he smiled cutting her with an infuriating self-believe smile.

"Oh, I'm sure." She said warily. "She'll help you put the flags down!" Raymond laughed, but she didn't. There was a sick feeling in her stomach.

"It doesn't seem like you are very fond of her..." he smiled at her, as if they were best friends since birth. "It's okay, she can sometimes be really difficult, I guess."

"She called me fat! Of course I don't like her." Abigail pouted making Raymond realize that the alcohol was in power and not here usually cool and composed self. "You think so?" it made her look like an insecure teenager who was trying to fit into something just because everyone was doing. As if she was conscious about her shape.

"No, I don't think so. I think you are very...sexy." Her eyes lit up happily.

"Really!"

"Really, I swear. You are fine-looking woman."

"Okay." She whispered lowly.

"Okay." He repeated. There was an uncomfortable silence between them. At least for him. She was smiling so bright that could light up the entire town. A sense of accomplishment brimmed his entire soul. And in a very long time the voices didn't pounce at him, there was a calmness that shrouded him as he stared at her smiling figure. Her smile was contagious and soon he was smiling back at her like a ball of sunshine.

He saw all the happiness evade her face and it filled him up with sadness alike her. The voices made their presence known, whimpering and hissing at him.

"Why do you hate me? Then why do you want to be friends?"

"I don't hate you." he snapped making her cower back.

"But you are always so mean to me!" she cried and her eyes glossed up. "You always want to hurt me. I did nothing wrong. You go with Mai always, you'd pick her before me and I'm going to be your wife. You rolled your eyes at me at Bella's and then you called me a prostitute! Clearly you don't like me!"

"I'm sorry, I guess?"

"You guess!"

"Okay, I know I'm sorry. Happy?"

"No I'm not. I don't think you mean it! What are you sorry for?"

"I'm...I...I'm sorry for many things."

"Is this why you brought the dress? Because you felt sorry?" she was sad.

"Why do you take me to be an emotionally challenged monster?" her sounded hurt and belittled, he had no right to feel sad! He had robbed her off her happiness, her fairy tale love life.

"Because you are one."

"You don't mean that." He sounded hurt and ashamed; she scoffed at him. "I brought you this dress because you liked it, because it made you happy. How am I a monster? This dress...you'd out shine all the celebrities and put shame to others. I'll feel hundred feet tall t have you in my arms, to be able to call you mine."

She lowered her gaze to hide the hurt. He wanted her to be his arm candy.

"Am I an accessory to make you proud?"

Oh, how her voice trembled, it hurt him.

"If you are a man as you believe tell me the truth why do you want to marry me? And don't feel me bullshit saying how you mother wants it and you are force, because I know you could deny her. And I know you hate me. You are in love with Her and you want to get rid of me!"

"Firstly, my relation with Mai is different and you won't understand and frankly I don't expect you to. Secondly, my mother is my God; I don't and won't deny her of anything. I want to marry you because for ten years I worked hard to take Merk Group to a position where it is today. Grand and successful. It is an empire built by my blood, sweat and thousands of sleepless nights. It is my most prized possession and I'll be damned if I hand this over to my little brother just because we are blood related. This won't happen if I have an heir or an heiress. My own blood. I want you to give me sons to play by the yard and daughters to pet and adore. Who'd later rule my kingdom, the immense amount of money that I'll make? And I want them to come into existence soon so I can be asured!" She didn't know what to do or say.

She wasn't some baby maker.

"I won't give you any daughters or sons!" she cried. "I won't become a young mother!" the look he gave her was scalding as soon as the words left her mouth.

"Well that is not up for any discussion. We will have as many children as you can give me! I'm thirty, so I'm not going to wait for you to be ready. It's about time I start a family. And I'm not going to become an old father. Am I understood?"

"I-" she began angered, ready to put him in his shoes.

"Shhh!" he growled. "I'll tell you a secret, I hate when women try and think they hold any power on me. Now why don't you be a nice little girl and show me how that dress looks on you, huh?" he mocked her a pleasant smile but she knew if he had his way he'd strangle her for disrespecting him. "Come." He grated through his teeth and his hands slowly reached for the quilt but she tightened her grip.

"No!"

He looked her in the eye as he spoke, daring her to deny him. "Now!" he growled and she let go. "Good girl." He cooed her sparking her anger.

The dress slid down her body, following her curves and hugging the possessively. On the excuse of smoothing the creases, his hand shaped around the lush swell of her hips and swept slowly in the enticing dip of her back. He could hardly breathe. Obediently he responded when she turned her back to him lifting her fiery hair. His fingers skimmed over her ass and eyes almost at the base of her spine. He fumbled like a teenager who'd been offered his first chance to stroke a girl's nakedness. He gradually hooked the top of the dress.

"Let's see." He growled turning her.

Her lush green meadow green eyes were sparkling with anticipation. He tried to cast an objective eye over her but he knew he was too tensed. He looked like he longed her between his sheets. His jaw was jammed; his lions were doing their own thing making him forget he had brains at all. He forgot that he was not a caveman, savage with hungry desire.

At the moment, Abigail heaved a breath in, causing her incredible high and gorgeous breast to swell alluringly above the low-cut neckline. He was driven mad with desire, and he bent down letting his experienced lips move over her exposed chest. While his hands move greedily on her ass.

She gasped as his lips made a bee line towards her neck and in utter sexual frustration she moaned throwing her head back. He bent her backwards giving him more access to her front. Her hands gripped his shoulder for some balance. The silky dress was slid down sensuously over her supple shoulder. The pressure of her knees on his lions sent him in frenzy. His teeth gazed her neck biting to leave a mark. Beneath his pleasure giving fingers the naked small of her back arched as she withered against him. Her one arm ropes around his neck dragging his head harder towards her in a satisfying fierce demand.

"Raymond!" she hotly whispered in his ears. Bring him back to sense, and once again the spell broke. He straitened and stepped back giving her space.

"Every man will wonder why I don't throw you over my shoulder and make a run for it. Nobody will blame me."

"What a shallow lot!" she snapped as she breathlessly fixing herself. He noticed a thrusting dark nipple of her breast peeking out, and how desperately wished to surround it with his mouth and tug until she was at his mercy. But she pulled back the silky white material and the moment was lost. She had however seen his gaze.

"I'm just a body to you!" she flung hot and bothered with unsatisfied sexual desire and irritation. "Nobody seems bothered with what I want-"

"Please..." he objected, turning away from her making a run for the doors. "Get dressed properly, in a way none of your body parts are exposed. Come down for dinner."

"Would you rather I dress as a nun!" she snapped, her voice shaking and breathless, but he didn't turn to look back. If he did he'd take her here in this very room, on the floor without her consent. Plus he didn't' want to be seen as some rapist.

"If you must!" he bit back before disappearing.