Contract Go Wrong: The CEO’s Tempting Bride

The next day.

The wind breezed by, sweeping off and dancing with the dried fallen leaves across the forest.

The temperature was at its lowest degree, the cold breeze slamming across her face, and obstructing her view as it moved with her long hair, swatting it now and then on her face.

Gina had both hands wrapped around herself, the heavy mist that had engulfed the whole forest not helping with her vision of the road ahead.

Despite bundling herself in a very large sweater and having even worn socks and mittens, as well as the large scarf securely wrapped around her neck, her body quivered frequently.

Glancing back at the mountain which was not far behind, the sky had started getting clearer and bright orange rays peeked from the horizon.

Her heart sank but Gina did not stop and continued trudging ahead, doing as best as she could to increase her pace.

It was still dark when she had set out of the mansion, hoping she would reach the city before the sun was at its glory.

How foolish of her to not have remembered the long hours’ journey the car had made to get her here, this dungeon that she would jump at any opportunity to escape.

Despite Adrian’s warning, she doesn’t want to miss her grandfather’s birthday party, and if only she could make it out of this forest soon, she might find a taxi or even some truck going inside the city.

At the last minute, Gina had contemplated whether to forego her plan but it doesn’t make a difference as she would still return here after the party was over.

She wouldn’t want to risk the business her father had given his all to protect, even giving out his only daughter to a stranger.

Hopefully, Adrian would not return while she was gone.

Gina was now deep into the forest. The mist had started to clear, and she could fully make out the huge flower trees ahead.

Every wind that drifted past made her shiver and she regretted not tying her head in a bun, in her rush to flee as soon as possible.

Even if she wanted to tie it now, it was too late, afraid of unwrapping her hands which were now gripping tightly to her sides.

Looking around rapidly, the erratic heartbeat since she had left the mansion only kept increasing.

All alone in a huge forest of flower trees, Gina was also surprised that she had decided to proceed with this last retort.

She couldn’t remember when she was so daring like this. Maybe the time she had bravely stopped a boy from falling off a tall building?.

But that was in a different scenario and they had been in the heart of the city.

Now becoming alert of her surroundings, Gina was half-running not minding the numbing pain she felt in her leg.

But the rows of trees continued far ahead and there was no sign of any car yet.

Panting heavily, her feet were becoming sore and she paused with both hands on her knees.

Gina took a long drag of the hair, lips dried and eyes watered from the intense cold.

Just when she was about to continue, a rustling sound snapped her head to the leaves piled up below a tree, a little distance from where she stood.

The sounds continued, almost approaching as it got louder and Gina’s eyes widened.

She took a step back, her once wobbly legs were now shaking.

Gripping tightly to the straps of the bag across her left shoulder, the sound approached and without wasting a second, Gina dashed off.

It wasn’t a snake, right? No, it shouldn’t be a snake. Even if she was going to die in this blistering cold forest, she doesn’t want to experience a painful death.

Being poisoned by a snake was the last thing Gina had wanted. And she couldn’t risk dying now, the fate of her family’s business rested on her shoulder.

If she dies here in this forest and Adrian went home and found it empty, the thought of what might happen made her already shivering body shuddered. As he might deem her for trying to escape forever.

As the rustling sounds kept approaching, her tears began falling.

Gina ran as fast as she could, glancing back again and again. Then she tripped and fell.

‘No… please’ she cried in her mind, her voice muffled by a palm placed on her lips.

Not able to support herself up, she shuffled back in the sitting position until her back hit the back of a tree.

The rustling sound which had not stopped kept coming closer, and Gina shut her eyes tightly, now crying louder. Then came the slithering movement, up her socks and slowly to her thigh.

Gina kept still, not daring to make a sound as the crawling movement continued. And she could hear the sound of her heartbeat which was now in chaos.

The reptile continued crawling and even the urge to swat it away with her hand was futile as her whole body was limped.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Was she destined to die like this?. In the heart of a misty cold forest, The monster might not even find her bones.

Would he stop threatening her father after she died? Would he jump to another prey to torture?

Adrian was the last person she had wanted to think of before dying. But maybe it was because he had traumatized her for the past few days, which might also be due to the scars left by Greg which had not completely healed.

The two guys were like isomers in her heart. Only that she had loved one with all her heart, while the other one was a total stranger to her.

‘I hate you…, Greg! … I hate you…, Adrian!’. If only she could declare it right into their faces. And if only she could get to do more than that before breathing her last.

Many bullies existed in her life, but they were the cruelest of all. Gina had heard of women who got scarred for life, by men. Now she was being led to her doom by two.

If Greg had not abandoned her in the burning building that night? If he had come back henceforth and apologized for what he did before that moment,

Then they might still be together, and she wouldn’t have to be pushed to marry Adrian and ending in this catastrophe.