MARRY ME NOW

“I think you meant who. I’m giving you back the money she owes, just take it and leave.”

His jaw clenched. They were going to fight. At least from what I see. But I hope not.

What the hell is wrong with Austin? I think he’s enjoying all this, making unnecessary scenes in my life. Ugh.

Knowing Austin, he isn’t the type who takes insult very well and that’s an insult to him. He’s probably going to pretend he didn’t hear what Cedric had said then ask him to repeat what he said. I hope, and then maybe Cedric may repeat it less insulting because I don’t want them fighting here.

It’s going to create so much noise and the old lady leaving next door hates noise. I remembered the last time Anne had gone off crying so loud, the old Lady suddenly came out with a shotgun, cussing at us.

But Austin didn’t, instead, he raised his feast hitting Cedric in his face, Cedric practically flew back with a groan, from the sudden impact. I screamed.

“Oh my God! Will you stop?!” I screamed at Austin hitting his chest and pushing him away with my tiny fist as he was going for Cedric again. Bad option, it only hurt my hand. Real bad.

“I’m tired of you constantly causing trouble in my life, what? Haven’t you done enough? I don’t get why you’re even here, i-” he cuts me off.

“Tess-”

“Don’t even say my name!” I spat disgustedly. Glaring at him, I turned towards Cedric. I bent down to help him up, there was blood in his mouth. Oh my.

“You can follow me in, I’d help you clean this up.” I offered, and he nodded his head yes. We slowly walked into the house. I slammed the door shut to make sure Austin got the message.

I brought out a chair for Cedric to sit down. His hand was on his jaw, it still hurts. That was quite a blow.

“I’m so sorry this happened, I. I didn’t know he was going to be here..” I apologized.

“It’s okay, Tessa. It’s not your fault.” He replied understandingly.

“Well, there goes our dinner date.” I laughed nervously.

“Yeah,” He replied “How come I don’t see anyone?” He asked.

“Oh, since I was going on a date.. kara decided to take Anne and her mom on a movie date.”

“Okay,” He replied. “You know, we could make our date happen here.” He continued. I raised an eyebrow.

“Well, we were going out for dinner. We could have dinner here together. Also, I’m dying to taste your food, I bet you’re a very good cook.” He suddenly said making me giggle.

My cheeks were on fire.

Don’t mean to brag, but I’m very good at cooking. This conversation brought a lot of memories of when I was with Carson.

“Yes, I’d go prepare something right now,” I said like a child on Christmas.

~

Third Person’s POV

~

the sweet aroma of food spreads through the house. Tessa was busy in the kitchen, trying to make her food taste good as far as she can.

Cedric smiled. He knew she was putting in so much effort to impress him with her food. It was working. The plan.

Cedric frowned to himself as the thought of the plan came to his head. As much as he wanted to ignore the feelings he knew he was growing for her, he couldn’t.

And for the first time, he’s thinking about going through with his feelings and not his plan.

Technically, they were both the same.

But also different, the plan stated getting her heartbroken after it was all done. But now he couldn’t think of breaking her heart.

She was so fragile.

Yep, he was whipped.

Now his goal was straight. And much easier. He looked out through the window and noticed Austin’s car. The hate he had suddenly grew for Austin was unimaginable.

Not because of what happened earlier, but because he felt like Austin was competing against him in terms of Tessa. He knew Austin loves Tessa, of course, that was the goal of the plan in the first place, to make sure Austin and Tessa don’t get together…

He scowled but quickly turned into an evil smile, the ball was already in his court. He wonders how Austin would feel when he gets together with Tessa.

The door to Austin’s car opened and Austin came out looking directly at the apartment. Worries, regrets, and of course jealousy were written all over his face.

Cedric smiled imagining the things going on in Austin’s head. He hoped it was scenarios of him having sex with Tessa going through Austin’s head.

That would probably kill him. Cedric chuckled and closed the curtains. He walked over to the kitchen. Tessa was still focused on what she was doing.

He eyed her. Tessa must have sensed him as she turned around. She smiled, and he returned the smile.

“It’s almost ready.” She said and turned back to what she was doing. He nodded his head and walked closer to her.

Her skin glowed in the not-so-bright light. She looked so inviting. What the hell what he doing?! But he couldn’t stop himself. When he was very close to her, he placed his hand on her waist. She jumped.

That was a clue, he went too far. “Sorry, something was stuck there.” He lied. A very stupid lie.

“Oh. Thanks?” She replied nervously calming herself. Her heart had flown away.

“No problem, so. Are Kara and the rest coming back anytime soon?” He suddenly asked.

“Uh. I don’t think so.” She replied.

She was done, she served two plates and went over to the dining table and placed the plates.

“Looks good.” Cedric complimented sitting down.

“Thanks.” She replied gratefully.

Cedric took a spoon of it, his eyes grew. “Wow, it tastes very good.” He complimented. She giggled slightly.

“Thank you.” She said shyly. They ate silently till half of the plate was eaten.

“Were you ever in a relationship with that Austin guy?” Cedric asked. It kinda threw Tessa back as she wasn’t expecting that question, she thought he must have already known.

“No,” Tessa replied.

“Ah. Nice. So. I think we have to get to know each other more.” Cedric offered. She nodded her head in agreement.

“Well, I think so too.”

“20 questions?” He asked.

“Sure… As soon as we’re done eating.” She replied. He agreed and they continued eating. A few minutes later, they were done. They went to the living room and sat down.

“So.. Who goes first?” Tessa asked awkwardly.

“You.” He said.

“Okay… How’d you get that accident?” She asked. She has always been curious since he told her about the accident he had but he never told her how he got it.

“I was on my way to see my mom, a truck was headed towards my car and I couldn’t see it on time, it hit my car.” He explained. Her mouth formed into an ‘o’

“My turn, do you have any connection with your ex-husband?” He asked.

“No, I don’t,” I replied.

“Uh..” She started thinking of what to ask. “Where are you from?” She asked.

“Britain,” He replied. “Do you have any sort of feelings for me? Austin?” He asked. His questions are unexpected. Unlike the other questions she had answered almost instantly, it wasn’t the same as this one.

Did I have any feelings for Austin? She asked herself

Hell. Yeah. Her subconsciousness replied. It was eating her, she wasn’t supposed to feel anything for Austin.

It was disgusting, after everything he had done to her but she couldn’t help herself. Austin has always managed to be in her mind, she’d always think of him, either positive or negative.

I’m an idiot, seriously. I shouldn’t be having such feelings for Austin, it’s ridiculous. If I can’t convince myself that I don’t like Austin then I would have to force myself to believe so.

But it was so hard for her to say ‘no’ instantly at that moment. Suddenly there were thunders. “I’d go close the curtains.” She used that as an excuse. She stood up and quickly walk off.

Cedric watched her as she walked away. She does love him. It was surprisingly hard for him to admit it.

He would have to change that. To make her love him instead. Hopefully, it was going to be easy.

It wasn’t. Not at all.

There’d be a time when he would have to use force. He sighed. Minutes later Tessa return. “It’s late already. I think you should be heading home?” She said. He looked at the time 10:33 pm.

And it was raining heavily. The hotel he was staying in would probably be locked up. “In this weather?”

“Oh…” The situation was awkward for her and she didn’t know how to handle it.

“We didn’t finish the game by the way.”

“Yes. But I’m very tired right now, maybe some other time?”

“Sure. You can go relax, I’d be fine here.” He said. She nodded her head before turning back to her room.

She called Kara to make sure they were all okay before she had gone to sleep.

~

Next Two Days

Tessa’s POV

~

I dropped Anne in the daycare home before going off to work. I haven’t seen Cedric, but I have heard from him and thankfully, everything was back to normal.

And it wasn’t awkward between us anymore. I walked slowly on the sidewalk when suddenly everything was in slow motion.

A black car was heading directly to where I was walking. My eyes widened, oh my God. It was going to hit me. I wasn’t exactly good at running.Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.

“Tessa!! Step away-” Everything happened slowly and before I knew it I was on the floor with someone on me. “Tessa, are you okay?” The voice asked. I was in so much shock that I couldn’t recognize who has the voice.

After a few minutes, I was back. Oh thank goodness, I wasn’t hurt. I looked at the person who had saved me.

Cedric.

“Oh my God, Cedric.”

“What the hell were you thinking? You could have gotten yourself killed.” He said but breathed out a sigh of relief at the end.

What was I thinking? I wasn’t thinking anything! That car was going to kill me purposely. It wasn’t an incident, I know it.

Jesus. Someone was out to kill me. What if it was those people who had brought us here? Was my daughter safe?

“I wasn’t thinking about anything, Cedric. Whoever has that car is out to kill me!”

“I know.” He suddenly said. Did he know? At least he doesn’t think I’m crazy or making this up.

We got back to our feet. “I think I know who’s behind this.” He said. I became curious. Did he know? If we know who’s behind all this, then we’d be able to bring the person down.

“Yes. Jake and Austin.” He said. There are many Jakes and Austins in this world, he’s probably not talking about the ones I knew.

“Jake and Austin who?” I asked curiously.

“The ones you know.” He replied steadily. I wanted to laugh, I don’t believe Jake and Austin has anything to do with this.

I and Jake might have a nonexistent relationship right now, he might hate me but I don’t believe he would go as far as wanting me dead. Would he?

How did Cedric even know I know someone called Jake? “How did you know I know someone called Jake?” I asked.

“That night. After we got into your apartment and you were cooking. I noticed Austin wasn’t gone still, I saw him through the window. He made a call with someone named Jake. They talked about something similar to this.” He said. It was so unbelievable.

There was no way I’m believing this, not until I see proof. “It’s crazy, I know but it’s true. I have proof.” He said firmly. My heartbeat raised hearing that.

“C-can I see it?” I asked.

“Sure.” He replied bringing out his phone, he played an audio tape and the voice speaking was very similar to that of Austin’s.

That could be forged right? It was commanding exactly what had happened a few minutes ago. “B-but that’s not… Enough proof.” I said.

~

“I-i don’t get why they’d want me dead.” I whimpered.

“I think it’s because they’re bitter.”

“Over what?” I asked stepping into the house. There was more than enough proof, they did try to kill me. It was very difficult to believe at first and then it turned out to be true after the cops had managed to track down the car.

Jake wants me dead… It’s unfortunate, I can’t do anything about it because of how powerful they were. It was sick. A few years back, I would never have believed Jake would do a thing like this.

“Are you crying?” Cedric asked.

“N-no.” It came out as a pathetic cry. Cedric came closer to me and encouraged me to cry on his chest. I broke down and did so. It was a really painful moment for me.

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……..