CHAPTER EIGHT 

   “A woman is like a tea bag—you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” —Eleanor Roosevelt. 

                 CHERRY. 

My father was grinning from ear to ear as he sat across me on the hideous black couch, he looked around and nodded, taking a sip from the glass of vodka. 

"I see you are getting comfortable" He stated with a note of certainty. 

I scoffed, the words seemed like a joke to me and I hated the fact that I was right, he doesn't care he is okay with selling me to a monster. 

"So what is this? Forced marriage of convenience?" I inquired, waiting for the bullshit he would spew. 

"Of course it's a marriage of convenience, we will benefit from it and so will your husband, I'm sure you will learn to get used to it," He said with finality. 

"Can you listen to yourself right now! Huh? You exchanged me like some merchandise to a mafia! A killer and all for what? For business or was it to make me more miserable?! Gosh I can't believe it, you just sit there and tell me to take it and you expect me to be okay?" I ranted in anger and he ignored me putting his glass of vodka down on the mini glass table. 

I lost it instantly. I reached for the glass and without thinking twice I hurled it at him, he ducked and the glass smashed on the wall with a heavy crash. 

Pieces of glass shattered behind him as he looked horrified at my reaction, "I swear it, you will pay for this father, I won't be miserable and you will be out there enjoying your life with your useless family. I simply won't in fact I cannot allow it, we will be miserable together Daddy, and trust me when I say I will ruin you. Your precious company and everything your shitty family has built from scratch I will destroy it" I gave him a feral grin when he clenched his fist and stood up. 

"What is this behavior, Cherry? I didn't raise you to be a spoiled disrespectful brat" He snarled and I chuckled, taking slow strides towards him until I stood right in front of him. 

"Oh you haven't even seen disrespectful yet, and just you wait until I show you how evil this spoiled brat can be" I gritted out and he sighed as if I was being difficult. 

Like I'm being dramatic and I'm overreacting, like he didn't use me for his own selfish motives and to think mom knew but she didn't tell me breaks my heart even more. 

"Your mother would be so disappointed in you Cherry" 

No he didn't just. 

"Don't you dare say that! How dare you!" I yelled in tears and grabbed his collar. 

"You get your hands off me or else-"

"Else what?" A dark yet calm voice asked, you would be fooled by how calm it sounded but anyone with brains would know how dangerous that tone is, my heart skipped a beat as I saw him sagged on the wall right behind us. 

How did I not notice him? 

And what is he doing here? He said he wasn't going to see me until the wedding, his eyes had this glint I didn't quite understand, he exhaled taking in the glass shards he was standing on, I took a step away from my father before turning my back on him hating myself for crying in front of him. 

"Mr Russo, this is a family issue you see I was just discussing some important details with Chery and she spiraled out of control," My father said, faking a smile as I turned to face him. 

"I'm not an animal and I didn't spiral out of control you fucking asshole! You know what you should get out" I tilted my head toward the door as he scoffed like my words didn't matter to him. 

"I said get out!" I yelled and he was about to say something when Arthur cut him off. 

"You heard her, get out and never show your face in front of my wife again or else there will be consequences" He threatened glaring at my father and he paled instantly. 

Probably shocked that he took my side, hell I'm shocked too. 

"But-but she's my daughter, we can sort this out right Cherry? As a family I'm your father" He smiled at me but I wasn't having any of his bullshit. 

"And she is my wife. Mine. I won't repeat what I said before you are no longer welcome here if you are an inconvenience to my wife" 

I gulped as he used the word 'wife' again. It gives me the creeps and it makes me feel weird, my eyes found his and he didn't blink as he stared right back at me. 

I averted my gaze when my pathetic shitty father walked out the door, suddenly I wished we weren't alone. I could feel his eyes on me and I sighed, shutting my eyes close for a minute to regain the confidence I lack right now. 

"You didn't have to do that" I mumbled to his hearing while avoiding his eyes, the maids came out of nowhere to clean up the mess I made, then I remembered my father brought my things over, that's why they were occupied earlier. 

They finished in three minutes and rushed off as if their asses were on fire, desperate to leave. I headed for the stairs lifting my chin and acting indifferent when I felt a firm grip on my forearm. 

Flinching as his hand came in contact with mine, his grip was firm but soft. I could yank my hand free from his grip if I wanted and but for some unknown reasons, I let him hold me. 

I glare at him as he stares at my face with furrowed brows, "What? Expecting a gold medal?" I mocked and he groaned. 

"Shut your mouth, you've got tears on your pretty face" He let go of me and I secretly mourned for the loss of contact only for his fingers to brush my cheek slightly almost like a caress. 

Is he wiping my tears? 

Wait, did he just call me pretty?!

I gasped and took a step backwards as all my senses screamed in red alert, "I don't care what you think but I'm not weak and I won't go down without a fight, Mr Russo" I spat his name like it was a forbidden thing to say, he scoffed pinching the space between his brows. 

"You are such a stubborn woman" 

I scowled at him for calling me stubborn again and I found my confidence returning as I took a step towards him closing the distance between us, our chests brushing against each other, he took a deep breath, his chest heaving. 

"You know nothing about me, Ace, so don't pretend" I seethed. Instead of moving away he pressed his chest on mine even more. I gasped as he bent his neck looking down at me, because the man is stupid tall. 

"You would be surprised how much I know Cherie" He whispered and his lips stretched into a smirk as I couldn't find any snarky remarks. 

"I-you are insane" I can't believe I stuttered, he took a step backwards and I inhaled suddenly realizing I held my breath when he was close to me. 

"That I won't deny Miss Markwells, you know why? I'm not a liar like you" He remarked and I raised an eyebrow at him. 

"I beg your pardon?" 

"I'm sure you want to know why I wiped your tears. No?" He challenged. 

"I don't care" I swallowed and his eyes were on my throat taking notice of how tense I was, he smirked again before turning towards the door. 

"Do you need something, Miss Markwells?" He mocked, appearing amused at my discomfort and I cursed my body for reacting like this around him. 

I hate him. I hate him so much. 

"No Mr Russo, you can go and stop fighting for my attention, I have no business with you" I retorted and he chuckled. 

The sound was so dark and velvety I felt it in my bones and I wondered how he would sound if he laughed, does he laugh when he slaughters people? 

"Very well then, see you at the wedding Miss Markwells" He walked away from me and I felt this strange tug in my chest. 

I immediately recognize the feeling of loneliness, even if we hate each other, he makes me feel safe. 

Which is weird I shouldn't feel safe with a criminal like him. 

He paused at the door and looked over his shoulder, "I couldn't stand the tears because, if I'm not the reason you are crying then I don't want to see it" 

"What?" I frowned not getting his angle. 

"I'm the only one allowed to make you cry, and if I'm not the reason you are in tears then I can't stand it. He is your father. I would have killed him on the spot and you know why? You are mine, not just because of the ring. You've always belonged to me, and I should be responsible for all the emotions you feel, especially despair, that's the only thing you're allowed to feel from now on" He left the same way he came silently. 

His words kept echoing in my head and I started laughing as soon as I got to my room. 

That psychopathic asshole! 

"I'm so screwed" I laughed bitterly, tears blurring my vision. 

This is my life and I'm not letting these men do whatever they want with me. 

If he thinks I will cower and waste away in sadness then he doesn't know who he's dealing with. 

I'm Cherry Markwells, I bow to no one. 

Ace Russo has no idea who he is dealing with and by the time he does, it will be too late. I'm suddenly looking forward to my wedding. Let's see who wins this game.