chapter 10
Iselyn
I’m getting married, and the man standing at the altar is none other than the evil prince of the underworld. He’s smirking while standing there, and I’m walking toward him helplessly, no happiness on my face. He takes my hand from my papa’s warm grip, and I open my eyes with a gasp.
I sit on the bed, shaking my head. Same nightmare again.
Matleon gets what he wants. And he wants to marry you. I mutter in my groggy morning haze, “Shut up,” trying to quiet my own thoughts.
This is another morning ruined by the nightmare. It started haunting me when Avi and Wen were deciding Avi’s wedding venue and dress. She isn’t marrying now, but the visuals cling to my mind like a ghost.
I’m unable to concentrate on anything. Every other thought is a replay of his words from that night. It’s been years since I’ve been this disturbed, and coincidentally, every time, it’s because of the same man.
I get down from the bed and walk into my bathroom.
I was doing fine when Avi and Wen were here.
Now they’ve returned to their countryside home in California.
In the past week, I’ve met Matleon multiple times while visiting his house to see Wen and Avi.
To my relief, he hasn’t tried to manhandle me, corner me, or talk to me inappropriately.
If he had said anything about marrying me once more, I would have definitely lost my mind.
I know in my gut he was serious when he said that, I saw that clear determination in his eyes. But he hasn’t made a move. So maybe I’m reading too much into it. Maybe he was joking to mess with me. Yes, that must be the case, or else he would have at least said it again.
After bathing, I prepare my breakfast, eat it, and get ready for university. I take a thicker jacket today, the weather has turned significantly colder since last week.
Outside my apartment building, my car is waiting for me along with my security team’s vehicles.
When I first started going to university with a security team, students used to notice a lot, but now it has become common knowledge.
Everyone knows a girl comes here with six bodyguards who follow her everywhere on campus.
Some areas, like the cafeterias, even start feeling cramped because of their presence.
The head of security is Malt, he drives me between university and home.
None of them talk to me, and I don’t need to ask to know it’s because of Matleon, he must have ordered them to keep their mouths shut.
I’ve never seen such a controlling man, he is a step ahead of my papa, who himself can be unbearable sometimes.
The car pulls in front of the building where my seminar is today. I get out and enter the building. The seminar is in the third hall on the first floor. I reach there and search for Dex. He waves at me from the fifth row. I walk toward him. Today is his last day here.
I sit down beside him. He greets me with a “good morning,” looking in a good mood today. I raise my brow. “What happened?”
He grins. “She has come here.”
My eyes widen. “In New York?”
He nods.
I grin. “So you don’t need to hide her anymore.”
He shakes his head. “No one knows about it. I’ll keep her hidden here until I become capable of protecting her.”
I smile. “It won’t take you long. Don’t worry.”
His face hardens with sheer determination.
“By the way,” I add carefully, “won’t your stepbrother’s death affect your condition?”
Matleon had him killed that very day he came here to intimidate Dex. He attacked me because of misinformation, his stepbrother thought Dex’s girlfriend was living in that apartment.
His expression turns thoughtful, a shadow crossing his face. “It shouldn’t, but I can’t be sure. My father isn’t taking his death well.”
Dex’s father married twice. His first wife, Dex’s mother, was cheated on with another woman.
His stepbrother was around his age. A very powerful man in Australia, his father intended for the stepbrother to inherit everything.
But according to his grandfather’s will, all assets under the grandfather’s name belong to Dex. That’s the root of it all.
His stepbrother wanted to eliminate him, but since he couldn’t kill him directly, he targeted his girlfriend’s life instead. Everyone knows how much he loves Aurora.
I’m glad his stepbrother got the wrong information about Aurora’s location, and that it was me instead of her.
I like seeing people madly in love.
Because it reminds you of your old days, my inner voice says. I scoff at it.
After the seminar, we decide to sit in the garden to discuss the plan ahead. The winter sun hangs low, casting long shadows over the grass.
My phone pings, and I see a message from none other than Satan.
“Why are you sitting so close to him?”
I frown as I read his message again. It takes me a few seconds to realize he’s talking about Dex. I decide to ignore him and put my phone down. But another message pops up, and I lift my phone again.
“Don’t ignore my texts, Angel, unless you’re missing me and want me to come over.”
I close my eyes for a second, gritting my teeth, and type back: “I’m discussing things with him. Where do you think I should sit?”
His reply comes instantly, “I don’t like it. Get done with this discussion as soon as possible.”
A chill runs down my spine. He’s not here, then how does he know where I am and how I’m sitting? My eyes drift to my bodyguards standing a little distance away. Do they tell him these things?
I text him back. “How do you know where and with whom I’m sitting?”
“I have my eyes on you all the time, Angel.”
I roll my eyes at the screen, irritation mixing with unease. I have better things to do in life than play Sherlock Holmes about his stalking habits. I don’t like this, but I grit my teeth and swallow the discomfort. I only have to put up with this for two more weeks.
After twenty minutes, Dex opens his laptop, and starts noting down his updates. I lean back slightly, pull out my phone, and check the screen. It pings with a new message.
“Time’s up, Angel. Tell this Australian to fuck off.”
“Or should I send help?”
Why is this man behaving so territorial, and for absolutely no reason? Then again, since when has Matleon ever done anything reasonable?
I type back, pissed. “What is your problem, Matleon?”
His reply comes instantly. “Right now? That boy with blue eyes sitting so close to you that he can probably smell your vanilla scent.”
I frown. The next message makes it deepen. “I want to smash his face into the floor until his nose breaks.”
I remind myself of my mantra for dealing with him. Ignore Matleon. So I reply, “You’re insane. I’m not entertaining you. I’ll leave when my work is done. You’re only delaying me.”
His response is immediate. “Make two feet of space between you.”
I grit my teeth. “Fine! Fuck you!”
His reply follows without hesitation.
“You’re always welcome to do that, Angel. Tonight works for me.”
I want to hurl the ugliest curses at him, but all I type is, “Go to hell.” A ridiculous thing to say to the ruler of that place.
He replies, “Already living happily. Waiting for you to join me.”
I roll my eyes. “Keep dreaming.”
“I do. And you’re in each of them. Now move away from him before I make this ugly.”
I turn my phone off and slide away from Dex. He looks at me, confused. I give him an awkward smile and shift positions, sitting cross-legged on the bench, facing him. I open my tablet and place it between us, at least now it looks like I moved only to sit properly.
Damn this Matleon.