masked party

Chapter 4

"You don't just ring up my line, after making me sign a marriage contract with you and ghosting me," Ruby yelled in annoyance on the phone at the same man she was trying her best to forget.

There was a short silence on the other end of the line.

"I know you heard me, Mr. Jaxon!" She said, more angered by his silence, "You went two weeks without speaking to me, I'm sure you can make it two years" She mocked.

"Watch your tone!" Jaxon's deep voice replied, "You're my wife now, and you'll do as I say."

"I'm not your wife, not in any real sense. And I'm at work right now, so I can't just drop everything for you."

"You'll quit that job, effective immediately," Jaxon ordered, "I don't want my contracted wife working in a place like that. You need to be available whenever I desire."

Ruby's face flushed with anger.

Her hands trembled as she gripped the phone. "You can't just dictate my life like that! I won't quit my job, and I won't be at your beck and call."

Jaxon let out a mirthless laugh."Oh, but you will. You signed a contract, and you'll uphold it. My driver will pick you up for shopping today. Be ready."

The line went dead, leaving Ruby in her frustration and anger.

How did she ever get to such a mess? She wondered.

She found it hard to believe the audacity of the man who had seemingly disappeared for two weeks, only to resurface with demands and orders.

Who did he think he was? Oh! He thought he could make things work in his Favour by pulling the right strings.

Well, she refused to be his toy, tossed about anyhow he wanted.

It was now that Ruby started to regret her decision to sign a marriage contract with a man whose history she knew nothing of. An hour later, her phone rang.

It was the same person, Mr Jaxon.

"Why are you still there?" He snapped.

She stiffened, "What do you mean? How do you know where I am?"

"You don't make use of your brains much, do you?" He asked dryly. "Our devices are linked. I monitor your location anytime I desire to. And, right now I can see that you are still in that restaurant."

His words confused her. Linked devices? When and how did that ever happen? She asked herself.

"Now, step out of that place and stand by the door. I want you to be ready by the time my driver picks you up. I hate being delayed."

"I did not agree to getting picked up by—"

The call ended again before she even finished her statement.

Without thinking, she took off her work apron, let down her hair, and rushed out.

As she stepped out into the sunlight, a sleek black car pulled up beside her, the driver's window rolling down to reveal a stern-faced man in a suit.

"Mr. Jaxon asked me to pick you up"

She rolled her eyes.

"Please, get in."

She yanked the door open and got into the sleek black car, recognizing the driver from the day she signed the marriage contract.

There was someone else in the background, someone she just wasn't ready to meet yet.

Jaxon!

"I don't like to repeat myself twice." He said as she settled into the car seat, "I'll make this an exception, Ruby. I don't want you to return there" He pointed at the restaurant.

"What?"

He continued, ignoring the flash of anger in her eyes, "I shall pay you thrice the amount you make there. Just don't be in places like that again."

She opened her mouth to protest but snapped it shut when he put on a dark shade of glasses and turned his neck the other way, to show that he wasn't interested in whatever she had to say.

The driver took them to a high-end clothing store. When they got in, Jaxon led her to a rack of elegant gowns.

"Pick one," he said. His eyes scanned her figure, and he was grateful that she had no idea as he had his glasses on. He watched how her face lit up with delight as she took out each dress from the rack. She gasped as she noticed the price tag on them.

"As long as we are together, you don't have to worry about money. I'll cover the cost of the dress" Jaxon said, answering the question in her head.

While Jaxon watched her, his gaze lingered on her curves and he realized, for the first time, how beautiful she was, even in an outfit as simple as jeans and a tee shirt.

As Ruby tried on a few dresses, she noticed how the other women in the store shot glances at Jaxon, snickering amongst themselves.

Her mouth went dry and her stomach churned.

"Stop!" She cautioned herself under her breath, "He's not even yours yet. Stop acting all jealous."

She was surprised by her reaction to seeing how other women tried to get his attention. Yet, he took off his shades and had his eyes on her as she strolled into the dressing room.

She was out within minutes.

"This one," Jaxon said as she emerged from the dressing room in a silver gown. "You look great in it."

Ruby's cheeks flushed slightly. "Thanks."

It felt weird, having him say something nice to her when she was so used to his blunt remarks.

"I want your appearance to make a statement at that party." He said, stroking his beard as her watched her.

Make a statement? Was that all she was to him? A trophy wife? His way of "making a statement to anyone who cared"? The more she thought of it, the more pissed off she got.

"Wipe that look off your face!" He said with a sharp tone before he turned around to beckon one of the sales reps to collect the gown from Ruby. He asked her to pick any jewelry of her choice. Then, he made a transfer in payment for the items.

When they were back in the car, Jaxon asked her, "Have you ever been at a large, formal gathering before?"

She shook her head in silence.

"Oh! What about birthday parties? Do you attend such?"

She barely had a social life and was thrown aback by the direction of his questions.

"What exactly do you want to know? Do I have another big obligation as your contracted wife?" Her eyes rolled.

He handed her the bag containing the dress. "You do. You must be careful enough not to mess this one up. We're going to a party tonight. You and I."

Ruby nodded.

"It's a private event and high-profile individuals will be there. It's a good thing that everyone will be required to wear a mask."

"A mask?"

"You will get your mask before we arrive at the venue," Jaxon replied, ignoring her question. "And remember, Ruby, you're to avoid people and not engage in any conversation. Just stick with me."

Unease settled over Ruby. Things were beginning to get worse with this man. A masked party? Why did he want her to tag along if he didn't want people to know that they were married? And why was Jaxon being so secretive?

When the car pulled up to her apartment, Jaxon turned to her. "I'll pick you up at 8 pm. Be ready, Ruth."

"Ruby."

"What?"

"My name is Ruby and not Ruth. Seeing that you badly needed a wife, the least you could do is remember her name."

He ground his jaw and eyed her. "Ruby, you're beginning to get bold"

She cocked an eyebrow and smiled.

"We both signed that marriage contract. It is time to play to my rules as much as I play to yours."

With that, she opened the car door and gracefully stepped out.

She could feel the heat of his stare burning down on the back of her neck.

"Be ready by 8 pm." Jaxon called out behind her.

The car sped off.