CATHERINE'S P.O.V

"It is stated in the contract, if you do not do as I say, you would not get a dime" He told me, and I arched my eyebrows at him in disbelief, not believing he could be this cruel.

"So my dear, pick" He said. " Your money or your humiliation?" He asked, and I shakily looked to the floor, not wanting to believe what I just heard.

"You have just three seconds my dear, or no money for you" He threatened, I stood there on my knees, not knowing what to do.

"This concerns my family" I thought, I would do whatever it takes to save them.

"One" He counted, but I still knelt there looking at the floor.

"Two, if I should say the last number, your money is gone, and I would make sure you still lick that spot clean" He growled, and I instantly bent at his final words and licked the floor clean. Every single spot.

"Good" He commented, and the next thing I heard was the sound of his footsteps departing, and the sound of my door closing.

I fell to the floor at that moment and closed my eyes, feeling my heart racing with excruciating pains. My disease was coming up.

"Please" I thought, as I struggled to get up and sit on my bed.

"It is not the time, I have to save them first" I mumbled silently, and got up to make my way into the bathroom, to refresh.

****************************

Few hours after, I was gorgeously dressed in an armless, red gown. It was tight fitting, and completely brought out shapes and curves, I never knew I had.

It was exposive at the back, and had a long slit from my thigh down. I curled my hair, before picking it up into a French bond, with pins and clips all over.

I had no makeup on, since I had no idea how to use them. I just put on a simple lip gloss, and powered my face, before slipping into the high heels, which came with the dress.

The heels were so painful, and too heavy that I could barely walk in it, but I had no choice. I went downstairs and met no one.

The house was completely empty and silent. I made my way outside, thinking Mr. Ash was in the car waiting for me, but I met no car and no one.

While looking around the huge compound, one of the guards came to me and handled me some cash.

I took it from him startled, before looking up to throw him a confused look, wondering what the money was for.

"From Mr. Ash, he wants you to take a cab to meet him at Moonrise Hall" The guard said, throwing me a pitiful look, before leaving me there stunned.

"How was I suppose to get a cab this late at night, with this killer heels?" I wondered, and decided at the moment to take off my heels, and walk barefooted to the main road to try and get a cab.

Once I get to the hall where the banquet was suppose to take place, I would put my heels back on, I said to myself, actually wishing I had a phone at that moment.

"It would have been easy, and I would have just ordered a taxi " I thought as I made my way out of the mansion, and began my long journey to the main road.

Few minutes later, I got to the main road, panting heavily and feeling my leg so itchy and sore. It took me a long while to get a cab, and when I finally did, I thanked the heavens silently.

The cab took me to the entrance of hall, and I paid him, before putting on the uncomfortable heels once again and entering the hall.

Everywhere so beautifully decorated, everyone were gorgeously dressed and looked stunning, that it made me feel out of place, and wanted to leave, but I knew I dare not do so.

Just then, as I was looking around, I sighted Mr. Ash with Miss Daniella clinging tightly to his arms, they were chatting happily with a guy who I had no idea what his identity was.

After a brief thought, I decided to walk up to Mr. Ash to inform him I had arrived, and I did so.

"Mr. Ash" I called politely with a bow. He turned to look at me surprised, as well as Miss Daniella, who threw me a piercing glare.

"How did you get in here?" He asked and I threw him a confused look, before answering.

"The guards delivered your message to me" I told him.

"Who is this?" The man opposite them asked in a loud voice and instantly, the four of us became the center of attention.

"Who is she?" She looks like a commoner and completely out of place.…"

Someone whispered, and I felt so embarrassed, wishing the ground could open up and swallow me.

"Shhh, She is Killian's wife" Daniella answered with an evil smirk directed at me.

"What?" I heard whispers again.

"Has Killian Ash lost his taste in women?". I gulped nervously knowing I was embarrassing Mr. Ash, and might face another penalty later.

Summoning up the little courage, I raised my head up and looked at him, only to see him throwing me a glare filled with hatred.

"You belittle me Catherine", I can and would never get married to someone only fit enough to lick my shoes clean " Mr. Ash said, and I could feel my heart shattering.

The next thing I heard was laughter and mockeries from everyone. I wanted to cry at the moment, and I actually did.

But it didn't end there, but instead, I felt a huge wetness on me and realized someone had spilled her drink all over me…intentionally.

"We want no dirt here, guards please bundle this low life out of here " Daniella said with a smirk, and before I knew it, guards grabbed me and threw me out roughly. My kneels broke due to their rough handling.

I was hurled to the ground heavily, and sustained some bruise. I sat there on the floor crying my eyes out, before deciding to get up and leave.

****************************

"Catherine!" I heard Mr. Ash roar as I was treating my wounds. I shivered and knew I was in trouble.

I fearfully went down the stairs, and stood on the last one when I sighted him, with a furious look on his face.

"How dare you?" He growled as he sighted me. He walked over to me angrily, and I shivered, unable to move. He gripped my hands tightly and jerked me forward to him, only for our lips to met.

I widened my eyes in shock, as I felt the soft flesh on my lips.

"I thought I was so dead" I thought.