Dave pulled her up against him from the step. She fell against his chest. For a second, he held her, staring into her eyes.
She smiled hopefully.
His face slowly breaks into a mocking smile.
"I am still Dave!"
She pushed him with all her strength. Her eyes flashed in anger.
"I deserve an explanation. What the hell is going on?" she breathed.
He scoffed and chuckled in disbelief. He couldn't believe her audacity.
"You don't deserve anything from me. You should be glad that I am even talking to you."
He took an intimidating step closer as he spoke. She stepped back, but glanced back this time to avoid the previous accident.
She chuckled.
"You are scared," she said.
"Me?" he pointed at himself, chuckling in disbelief.
"Who else? You are scared that he is better than you!"
"What did you say?" his voice was dangerously low, almost inaudible.
She raised her head defiantly.
"I said, You are scared because Chris is better than you!"
In a split second, he closed the gap between them and wrapped one large arm around her neck.
She grabbed at his hand, choking.
"Let…let go!" she gasped for air.
He leaned in, baring his teeth. "Repeat what you said!"
She coughed. "Let me go!"
His hand tightened. She gasped, struggling, trying to pry his hand off. Her fingers could only scratch him.
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND A DAMN THING!" his voice shook with anger.
"He was kind," she choked. "He loved me. Give him back to me!"
"HE WAS FAKE!"
"NO! HE WASN'T"
"YES! HE WAS!" he roared angrily. His body was shaking with emotion.
He suddenly glanced at his hand around her neck, as if only realizing he was choking her. He let go quickly and stepped away from her.
Released. She fell to the ground.
"I… I wasn't trying to hurt you," he said offhandedly.
Her breathing was heavy with anger.
"I said I deserve a FUCKING explanation. I am NOT going to guess what is going on," she stood up slowly with controlled anger.
She poked his chest with her finger. "You will tell me exactly what I want to hear!"
"You'd better start talking," she said, raising her left hand. "See, I've got your family ring on my finger."
She continued poking his chest.
"I married you in front of the whole world. Every news outlet carried it. Everyone saw it. They called us the marriage of the century. You are trying to threaten me?" she scoffed. "You should be begging me!"
He didn't say anything. Instead, he watched her, almost amused. Then he smiled.
"You've got spirit. I was expecting you to run away. You surprise me by the second. Impressive"
"Stop changing the subject," she stepped closer.
She stood directly in front of him. Her head bent back, so that she was staring directly into his eyes.
"Explain! How are you not the man I married two months ago?" she almost shouted.
He bent his head close. So, their lips are almost touching. He glanced from her eyes to her lips and back to her eyes.
His eyes are teasing.
"Talk!" she commanded.
He paused and then—
"I didn't notice it before, you are actually very beautiful. That must be why I married you."
He leaned closer again. Now, their lips are inches apart. They could both feel the air from their breath on their faces.
"What are you doing?" Samantha asked, confused.
"We are married, right?" he asked gently.
Samantha hesitated, then she nodded.
"My father accepted this marriage?" he added. "He agreed to it?"
She nodded again.
"—And we have been living together all this time?"
Samantha cuts in.
"I only want answers to my question. What are these questions you are asking me?!"
He eyed her lips and slowly licked his bottom lip, and leaned in to kiss her. Just as his lips were about to touch hers, she pushed him away.
"What are you doing?" she snapped at him.
He scoffed. "Funny."
He straightened up and stepped away from her. He was fuming.
"You are sure are loyal," he hissed.
Samantha took a deep breath and ignored his words.
"You haven't answered my question," she repeated.
"If we got married in front of everyone, you must be the Jones' girl?" he eyed her. "Am I right?"
"I will not answer your question until you answer mine!" she retorted.
"Jones… You are the Jones girl!" he said, slowing and pacing as he got his thoughts together.
"So, it's that family." A pause. "Which means this wasn't for love."
Dave gets in her face. "You only married me to save your family's company…and that means you can't do a thing to me."
"What?" she asked in disbelief.
"Stop acting high and mighty and just stay still till I know what I am going to do with you," he gently tapped her nose.
His voice was simple, as if he were explaining something basic.
"You-"
He cuts in.
"When I finish, you can talk. Till then, shut up and listen," he commanded.
"You are-"
"I. Said. Don't. Talk. Till. I. AM. Done!" he emphasized each word.
Samantha bit her lips.
"Good," he said flatly. "So, since this is a contract marriage. There is no need to try to blackmail me, and there is no need for me to destroy you unless you cross the line.
Samantha opened her mouth to speak, but saw the icy look in Dave's eyes and kept quiet.
"So, until I have a better solution. You can stay here. I will leave my life how I see fit, and you can do anything you want… until I find a way to end this farce without anyone getting hurt."
Her jaw fell in disbelief. He noticed. He waved at her dismissively.
"You may speak now."
"FUCK…YOU!"
She turned, jumped, and drop-kicked him across the head. He fell flat on the floor. He sat up quickly, holding his head in pain, and glared at her.
"YOU-"
"I said, I want answers!" she cut in before he could finish.
His eyes narrowed. "You crazy woman!"
"It takes one to know one."
She leaned over him. "Now, talk."
He shrugged. "Move, while I am still playing nice. I haven't gotten back at you yet for that kick."
"Just answer my question," she moved closer, her eyes flashing defiantly.
"Fuck this shit!" he said.
In a split second, he grabbed her hand and spun her; she was lying on the floor under him.
He smiled devilishly, pinning her under his body.
"You really don't know when to stop," he paused. "That's going to be a problem."
"You…."
Samantha saw his dark, unfamiliar eyes scowling at her. She bit his hand... bolted. She ran into the bedroom and slammed the door, locking it behind her. Her breathing was uneven. Heavy.
Her mind couldn't take any more. She was tired. She pressed her back against the door, shaking.
The way he looked at her… like a stranger. She couldn't bear looking at him.
Then-
Silence.
The handle moved. Slowly.
She stepped back, her teeth chattering.
"You're still in my house."
She bit her lip as tears streamed down her face. She slid to the floor, hugging herself.
What the hell was going on?
She just wanted the man who loved her back.
"He loved you?" His voice came again. Calm and curious.
"Stop talking…" she whispered to herself, trembling with sobs.
A pause.
"Tell me what he did to make you fall for him."