Hateful Games: (An arranged marriage billionaire romance) (Arranged Games Book 2)
Chapter 24

“Okay, that’s it. We’re taking Rosa to the ER,” announces Bee, slapping her palm on the table and drawing the attention of the other patrons in the crowded restaurant.

Iris rolls her eyes and says, “She’s fine.”

“The hell she is,” she retorts and waves her finger up and down in my direction. “She’s not acting normal.”

“How?”

“We’ve been sitting here for over an hour talking about Nova and she hasn’t once threatened to kill him.”

Iris squints her eyes and slowly mumbles, “Because that would be… normal.”

“For her, yes.”

I watch them bicker back and forth, keeping my mouth shut. Usually, I would actively participate or be amused while fighting the urge to smirk. However, I can’t even muster the strength to give my two cents because inside, I feel dead. Sleep has evaded me, making dark circles my daily essentials.

I’ve run out of days.

Time flew away at the speed of lightning.

Before I know it, tomorrow is finally the big weekend.

I thought I was prepared after all these years but a fresh wave of nerves is beginning to take root. How can one ever be truly ready for a life of imprisonment? Most girls dream of the fairytale day, but I never did. My mind was too in the clouds, concocting otherworldly scenarios that were far away from reality.

All I needed was some music in my ears and I was off to traveling in my head.

I yearn for those simpler and more peaceful days.

Hoping a relaxing and fun lunch with my best friends would be a distraction from the impending doom, I sneaked out of my house away from the bodyguards. While asking Jasmine to cover for me.

My father has me on lockdown, worried I might run away.

Being a runaway bride is only fun in rom-coms.

From my peripheral, I see Iris’s hand inch toward my plate of pizza and just as her fingertips graze one of the slices, I slap her hand. “Hey! Eat your burger.”

“See, she’s fine.” She smirks as she says this to Bee.

Bee smiles but the underlying concern is still heavy in her gaze and she becomes somber. Ever the thoughtful one. The mother hen in our little sisterhood. “Seriously, Ro, you’ve been too quiet. Talk to us.”

“What is there to say?” I mutter and stare at my almost full plate. I’ve hardly touched my food. The pizza now cold and looking unappealing by the minute.

Iris pauses mid-bite and sets down her burger. “So, that’s it. You’re quitting.”

“What?” I demand, confused.

“I can’t believe Nova succeeded in snuffing out your fire.”

“He did not.” Scowling, I accuse, “Am I not allowed to grieve the future I could’ve had?”

“Of course you can,” says Bee, trying to diffuse the sudden tension.

At the same time, Iris counters, “Who says you still can’t?”

“How? Do you have another crazy-ass plan like you had for Bee?” I huff and cross my arms. “Because I’m all ears.”

“Ever heard of a divorce? An annulment?”

“Not without serious consequences.”

“Are those as terrible as being miserable for the rest of your life?”

“Or maybe you can give it a real chance?” cautiously suggests Bee. Betraying herself as a hopeless romantic. “I never thought Dash would be the one but look at us now, I can’t even imagine my life without him and I would do it all over again.”

Unconditional love drips from every syllable from her mouth to the happiness blooming on her entire face. Another person would envy her but she and I have seen each other through all the ups and down in our lives. Bianca knows me inside and out.

Last year was both the best and worst time of her life.

I saw her heal from the shell of a person she used to be, barely living, to a strong confident woman who learned to put herself and her happiness before others.

She’s also a woman madly in love, who’s forgetting not every girl is as lucky as her.

Some of us are not destined for heroes.

Only ruthless villains with devilish smiles.

“The difference is, Dash was always in love with you and got close to you to make you his, while Nova is hell-bent on hating me. I’m nothing but an obligation to him to appease his family. A ladder to climb his way to the top.”

Iris and Bianca offer matching heartbroken smiles.

Iris grabs my hand. “I didn’t mean to offend you, Ro, and I wish I had another insane plan but if there’s even a small chance or a tiny ray of light to get you out of this mess, don’t hesitate.”

“You’re a fucking badass, Ro,” says Bianca proudly. “Even Dash is scared of you.”

“I did leave those two snakes in the drawer of his home office,” I confess with a half-smile. I’m a woman of my word and I did tell him if he ever hurt Bianca, I would get my payback. Although, I did do it after they both moved back to the city.

“He says he didn’t scream but I swear I heard him.”

“How you even got your hands on two venomous snakes is beyond me,” hums Iris with a chuckle and awe.

“I know people,” I reply with a proud grin. Though, they weren’t actually poisonous. But I let them believe otherwise.

“Right there, that’s the spirit you need to have for your marriage,” Iris chirps excitedly. “Think of this as the ultimate battle between you and Nova. So, you better fucking win. By hook or by crook.”

Her pep talk renders me stunned.

I share a look with Bianca and mutter, “Our girl is growing up.”

Honestly, if the situation were reversed, I’d be saying the same thing. Ultimately, it is a battle of wills. A vow of hate.

“And if you want us to kidnap you or help you escape, just say the word,” promises Bianca with a wink. “If we’re in a public place, blink twice.”

“I’ve finally brought you both to the dark side.”

“What else are bridesmaids there for?”

“Pretty sure stealing the bride from the wedding isn’t on the to-do list.”

Iris takes a sip of her mimosa and snickers. “It should be on the top.”

I laugh. A genuine one.

“And, Ro,” says Bianca, grabbing my attention. “The offer doesn’t have an expiration date.”

God! I have the most amazing and wild best friends. As the afternoon passes in laughter, bickering, and drinking, I forget all the worries about my future for the time being.

***

Later in the evening, I return to my home from the secret entrance. Slightly tipsy but I can’t seem to give a fuck about the hangover I’ll have tomorrow. The security guard buzzes me through until the large iron gates open and the cab driver ventures down the circular driveway.

Our house sits on a large acre of land surrounded by lush, tall trees with the mountains as the backdrop. Every square inch of the garden we’re passing by is lit up with thousands and thousands of blinding colorful lights. So, anyone who crosses the street can immediately tell a wedding is happening in the family.

As if the world didn’t already know it.

The press is perched outside on the perimeter, hoping for an insider’s scoop. It will be even worse tomorrow. My cheeks are already hurting imagining the fake smiles and devoted looks I’ll need to give.

The dreadful small talks with all my relatives arriving. Some of whom I haven’t seen in years. The last time we all gathered together was for one of my second cousin’s wedding. As if that wasn’t enough, I have to worry about mingling with Nova’s family too.

Fuck. The more I think, the more it feels like my biggest nightmare come to life. My breaths turn short as I start to feel overwhelmed. I tell myself it’s just wedding jitters. Before it can turn into a full-blown panic attack, the car comes to a halt and I look into the rearview mirror at the driver.

“Could you pay in cash, ma’am?” he asks.

I reach out for my purse and answer, “Sure.”

Paying him, I unlock the door and step out. My legs wobbling from being cramped in the back seat for too long, I lean on the door for a few seconds before shutting it behind me. Just as the taillights of my Uber ride disappears, I catch sight of a familiar figure from the open garage.

Uncle Raghu.

Besides my mom and sister, he is only other confidante in the house. I was a little girl, maybe five or six years old, when I first met him after Dad hired him to be my full-time bodyguard, driver, and caretaker since my parents traveled constantly. Never realizing he’d come to mean so much to me. The man who cares and protects me more like a father than my real one does. Now, he simply works in the garage and helps with security.

Sensing my gaze, he looks up from the hood of the car he is working on.

He waves me over and I walk toward him. When I’m within earshot, he straightens and warmly greets, “Where were you, pretty girl?”

“Missing me, were you?”

“I hardly ever see you anymore, kid.” His tone is sad with longing. “You’ll be gone soon. Who am I going to teach dirty tricks about cards and help sneak out to go alone on late-night drives?”

I’m a night owl and some nights, I would just go out to drive down the highway with the moon chasing me. It helped me think, calm my anxiety. Nothing is as serene as the cool wind caressing your face and stars gazing down. None of which would be possible without Raghu distracting all the eyes guarding me.

A sudden idea strikes. “Why don’t you come with me?”

A resigned weight sags his shoulders while disappointment darkens his soft eyes, and he answers, “I already tried but your soon-to-be husband refused.”

“You talked to Nova?”

“Yes. Asked him to be on your security team.”

“When?”

“Doesn’t matter.” He shrugs and confesses, “I’ll be retiring after your wedding. I only stuck around for you.”

Emotions clog my throat. So much is changing so fast. “Will I never see you again?”

“I’m only a phone call away, kid.”

“Still,” I murmur.

“Here, I got you a wedding present.” He rubs his grease-covered hand on his jeans before walking over to his bag on the table. He pulls out two beautifully wrapped gifts with bows on the top, my heartbeat picking up in excitement to see what he got me.

His lips curve into a small smile as he hands them to me.

“Can I open them now, please?”

“Of course.”

Shoving down the impulse to tear into it like a kid, I slowly unwrap them because I appreciate the effort that he made to make them so pretty and actually got me something. The first one I reveal has me letting out a happy scream and my mouth watering.

“Did Aunty Asha bake these?” I ask about his wife, staring at the homemade brownies in a brand-new Tupperware container.

“They wouldn’t look so yummy if I had.”

I laugh. “True.”

“I told her to buy something but then she lectured me about how a gift should be thoughtful and is more meaningful if handmade. So, what better gift than baking your favorite brownies. Although I did warn her that you’ll finish them in minutes.”

“Only because I don’t want anybody else to get their hands on them.”

“Of course.” His tone is sarcastic.

“What’s in here, though?” I hum, pulling open the next present which is more compact and smaller compared to the first. Uncle Raghu quietly watches for my reaction. I still as I peer at the velvety jewelry box underneath and gasp in awe after opening it. “Oh wow, Uncle Raghu.”

Inside sits a beautiful pair of simple gold bangles. If they were from someone in my family, I wouldn’t bat an eye but this must have cost a fortune for Raghu and his wife. Making them a million times more meaningful.

“Do you like them, Rosalie?” he nervously asks. “I know they’re plain compared to the ones you must own.”

“They’re stunning and elegant and more special than any I could ever own or already have,” I answer him truthfully and touch one as it glitters in my hand. “But you didn’t have to spend so much, Uncle Raghu.”

“You’ve always been like a daughter to us, pretty girl. I’ve watched you grow up before my eyes and I couldn’t be prouder of the woman you’ve become.” His eyes shine with love and protectiveness. “Asha and I never had any kids of our own but because of you, we never felt as though we were missing out. I wish you nothing but happiness and if that boy ever treats you with anything less than respect, you let me deal with him.”

Emotions have never been my strong suit yet I can’t keep the tears at bay. Closing the gap, I wrap him in a bear hug and whisper, “I love you, Uncle Raghu. Thank you for always having my back. I’m going to treasure these with my heart. I promise.”

He pats my head affectionately. “Your father is a foolish man. His loss, my gain.”

“I hope you’re bringing Asha tomorrow and I better see you both sitting in the front row. I’ll arrange it without pissing off Dad.”

“Don’t worry, kid. We’ll see you one more time.”

I smile, brushing away the wetness from my cheeks. “Okay.”

“Go get your beauty sleep.”

“Good night, Uncle Raghu.”

Clutching the gifts, I rush to my room without running into anyone. As soon as I enter my bedroom, I’m swarmed by Bunny and Fire. Across the room, my gaze locks on my wedding dress. My mood sours.

Yesterday, I didn’t replace it in me to return it, let alone go buy a new one at such short notice. I assumed Dad would’ve told my mom by now and she’ll eventually come to me.

She hasn’t.

Sighing, I decide to get it over with. My bags are all packed since I won’t be returning here and directly going to my new place. In one of them, I put my gifts so I don’t forget. Afterward, I drag my feet to the corner and grab the dress off the hanger.

“What are you doing?” comes Jasmine’s confused voice from behind me.

Twisting, I flatly answer, “I have to get another. Dad found out.”

“Why? He doesn’t care.” Entering the room, she sits down on the bed. “I heard Mom telling him yesterday and he said okay.”

“Huh? Really?” My tone sounds incredulous. Did he somehow grow a heart overnight and change his mind? It must be why none of his minions came to check up on me at the end of the day. Since there’s always someone making sure I follow through with his cruel demands.

“Yes. So put it back.” I do just that when she suspiciously says, “Wait a minute… why did he call you yesterday in his office?”

“He just wanted to know about the wedding preparations,” I lie, without turning around. Otherwise, she’ll pick my words apart.

My mind, on the other hand, travels back to the events of yesterday.

Mainly getting caught crying red-handed by Nova.

Could he have anything to do with my father suddenly changing his stance on the matter?

At first, I thought I was hallucinating him.

But I could never so vividly conjure the square and chiseled jaw, the burning intensity of his chocolaty eyes or that inviting masculine mouth, pressed in a firm line and no longer with his trademark roguish smirk.

My traitorous body still responds to his ensnaring beauty.

Except not yesterday, after witnessing the blend of pity and rage on his face. There was no dismissing the harsh reality he saw. A side I had kept hidden from everyone. The treatment I receive from my father. It was a frequent occurrence when I was a kid. I could never do anything right.

Still can’t.

Nova saw my shame. The man known for manipulating my weaknesses for his gain.

However, I never suspected he might actually stand up for me, against my father, no less. I’m not fooling myself into believing he did it because he feels something for me.

Either way, it leaves me scared.

Because unpredictable Nova is a fearsome opponent.

If I stand a chance to survive unscathed, I need to be one step ahead of him. I need to unearth his true intentions for marrying me.