Chapter 3 Two-faced Diva

• Her face went pale with disbelief as she scurried off the bed.
• “But you said.......
• “My terms changed when I saved your life. I had Kent tail you the moment you snuck out, and this is what you get for trying to act smart with me.” He retorted.
• She sobbed at her stupidity as she remembered Dylan’s betrayal.
• Maybe she should have listened to Matteo.
• She shouldn’t have been so desperate to leave.
• Guilt flashed in his eyes, but he brushed it off, turning to her.
• “I give you only twenty-four hours to decide. When it’s over, you’ll have no say in whatever I choose to do. Do yourself a favor and don’t try to run off because you’ll detest me if I have to look for you again.” He threatened, striding to the door.
• Weeping in regret, she knew she had to decide quickly because Matteo wasn’t the type to be this patient.
• He was giving her a second chance to live.
• Her life was over anyway. Dylan made sure of that.
• “I’ll sign it now!” She shouted, and he halted, his hand on the doorknob.
• From almost becoming a legal wife, she ended up as a mere contract wife.
• As much as she tried to deny it, she knew it was grass to grace, not vice versa.
• A simple and loving family of her own, that was all she ever wanted. Even if they earned pennies, it was going to be okay.
• But her life could only get complicated by becoming a contract wife.
• She felt it, the next day, just by being in the same space as Mateo Walton in the spacious home office.
• “Listen, Selena, I’m doing this for my son......
• “I’m Elena.” She corrected for the millionth time since she started working at the Walton's.
• “Elena, he needs someone to take care of him and stand in for me when I’m away. Being his nanny wasn’t enough, and I had to do this because he wanted it.” He said, reclining in his swivel chair with an air of authority that made her realize he wasn’t explaining himself but giving out orders as usual.
• “You must know I love Justin as a Mother would. But I don’t get why you had to resort to blackmailing to trap me in your lives.” She said as hot tears gathered in her eyes.
• Dylan’s betrayal still pricked her, each time she remembered he gave her no choice but to become a contract wife.
• He stood up in a predator-like manner. The type he did when he got furious.
• “I just did what was best for you. And when you didn’t listen to me, what happened?” He taunted her, closing their distance while she scuffled from him, yet he was faster and grabbed her arm, making her puff.
• “Don’t shed a tear for him in my house. I don’t want my floor to get stained because that bastard isn’t worth it.” He said with icy calmness, brushing a teardrop from her eye.
• “You knew everything?” She asked in surprise.
• He nonchalantly slipped his cellphone out of his pocket and showed her a video.
• “I watched everything. Even when you cried in the rain because of that jerk, he fooled you real good, didn’t he?” He asked, but all of a sudden, she let out a wail like a little girl.
• He guessed her tough girl act must be over and moved to crash her into his arms.
• Patiently allowing her cry to her heart’s content, he stroked her hair.
• “I didn’t know you could be so fuckin’ loud. Will you take responsibility for soaking my shirt with your baby tears?” He asked.
• As his words brought her back down to earth, she jerked out of his embrace.
• “Justin’s waiting.” She lied with obvious flushed cheeks as she lowered her gaze and hurried off.
• Too embarrassed to face him again, she managed to steer clear of him for a few days.
• But bumping into him was inevitable, she reasoned, while she brushed Justin’s hair for school.
• “Daddy says you’re my new mommy now, are you?” Justin asked.
• His innocent puppy brown eyes searching hers for the truth, she ruffled his hair affectionately, pecking his cheeks.
• She nodded an answer.
• “But I’m still your favorite nanny, right?” She asked.
• “Yes!” He hopped on the bed in excitement, and her heart swelled with joy.
• She was determined to love him wholeheartedly and not give Dylan the power to ruin her mental health.
• A mental breakdown was the last thing she needed.
• And going to a movie night with Justin and his Dad. No, her contract husband was also the last thing she wanted to do.
• Kent made it clear it was an order from Mateo, not a request.
• “You have to get ready. We’re going to get you a dress from the store.” He instructed.
• “Can I refuse not to go? Because I have no money to get any expensive dress...... stroking her crumpled dress with a frown... Besides, I wouldn’t want to disturb their quality time.” She continued, hoping the excuse was big enough to change his mind.
• “It’s my Master’s order, you have no choice,” Kent said with his usual deadpanned expression.
• Knowing Kent was anything but friendly, she obediently left with him.
• On arriving at the elegant boutique, she gawked as they got off the SUV.
• “Are you sure I can buy anything here? Maybe we should leave. I’ve only seen celebrities enter this store.” She told Kent, who didn’t bat an eyelid.
• “Of course, you can’t afford anything here. It’s been taken care of.” Reaching for a black credit card, he extended it to her.
• “Master gave you this for the dress ......... she reluctantly accepted it with an alarmed expression.
• It was a black card, for goodness’s sake. She might have grown up living from hand-to-mouth, but she knew only elites used this card.
• Why on earth would Matteo give her this card just for a dress? She opened her mouth to argue.
• “You must make it snappy and come back in time. Something urgent has come up. You can take a taxi home.” He continued.
• Only giving her the card pin, he didn’t leave any room for more questions and left.
• “You can do this, Elena.” She whispered, bracing herself to walk into the building.
• Exactly how she imagined, the place was swarmed with rich-looking folks that in their midst she looked like a church rat.
• From their designer's clothes down to luxury heels making click-clack sounds as they pranced.
• They were chattering and giggling like they hadn’t a single problem in the world.
• Of course, they didn’t. She breathed nervously, walking towards the dress section, but a voice halted her.
• “Excuse me. How did you get in?” A red-haired lady asked, advancing towards her with a scowl on her face.
• Judging from her suit dress, she seemed like one of the sales attendants.
• “Uhm mm, I want to buy a dress.” She said, and the lady coughed a laugh, folding her arms across her chest.
• “We don’t sell cheap clothes here, so you can leave now before I call the security.” The redhead warned, running her eyes over Elena’s figure in disgust.
• “I have the money to buy a dress. Is it proper to harass a customer like this and for no good reason? And why would you call security as if I stole something.” She argued, not sure what the lady had against her.
• “Not yet, but you’ll definitely steal something and our job is to keep cheap beggars like you out of here. Now leave while I ask nicely.” The redhead threatened.
• “Hey, hey, leave the poor woman be.” Another voice chimed in and they both turned to spot a stunning lady dressed in blazers approaching them.
• She looked like a celebrity.
• The redhead instantly switched into the most polite tone with a broad smile.
• “Ma’am, she’s just a nuisance I’ve been trying to get rid of. Don’t bother with us and continue shopping please.” She convinced.
• “You don’t get to judge people by their clothes now, apologize.” She ordered, sending a tiny grin to Elena, who was almost in tears.
• “I’m so sorry, Miss.” The redhead quickly apologized and gestured towards the array of beautiful dresses. “You can pick a dress of your choice. Please.”
• “Thank you.” Elena said to her savior, her eyes grateful to the diva that had just helped her out.
• Not all rich people were bad after all.
• “It’s okay dear. Happy shopping.” She winked at Elena and disappeared out of sight.
• Careful not to touch anything because the price tags were worth more than her life at that point.
• She wanted to pick a dress for the lowest price possible, so she took a longer time to settle for one dress.
• Just as she stretched to take it off of the hanger stand, an alarm buzzed, and she heard frenzied feet run towards her.
• It was the security team and, like a bad dream, they pounced on either of her sides, grabbing her arms.
• “What are you doing? Let go of me.” She cried, confused, but onlookers were already whispering and sending irritated stares at her.
• “I knew it! She was bound to steal something!” The redhead from earlier exclaimed as she trotted behind the security men dragging her out.
• “I didn’t steal anything, I swear. Check my bags. I have not bought anything. Let go. I promise, I’m not a thief.” She begged and struggled to break free from the stone-faced men, but they didn’t stop pulling her along.
• “We saw you from the CCTV cam, you liar, you’ll rot in jail.” The redhead said in an excited voice like she was enjoying the whole show.
• By now, people were shaking their heads in sympathy as she was being treated no more than a trashcan.
• “Please stop. You’re hurting me.” She winced as they yanked her to the floor, cuffing her wrist.
• Meanwhile, she spotted her savior from before, quietly standing near the redhead.
• Her heart leaped in joy knowing the diva was still there, at least someone like her would believe her.
• Escaping their clutches by hair’s breath, she scrambled to the diva with tears.
• “You saw me earlier, right? I’m a simple girl who came to get just one dress, and now they’re accusing me of stealing. Please help me.” She lamented, and the diva patted her back in empathy that she saw a ray of hope.
• The diva was going to save her again.
• “Thank you for believing me........ in a second a slap landed across her face, blinding her vision and she flew to the floor.
• Her ears went deaf, and her cheeks throbbed painfully, only to raise her head and see the diva’s smug face glaring down at her.
• “I saw you grab that dress and shove it into your bag, you lowlife. Arrest the thief!”