I woke up to hushed whispers and a terrible headache. My eyes tried to readjust but it was hard due to the sunlight coming in from the curtains. I felt like hell and I was sure I looked like it as well.

"Good morning." I heard Czar's voice say.

When I finally opened my eyes I found him standing at the edge of my bed with his arms crossed and a stone cold face. Beside him was Lonnie with a plate of breakfast, water, and pills which I was assuming was for me.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Someone slipped something in your drink. Lada thought it was the bartender so I took care of him and that creep that grabbed you." He explained.

I sighed not wanting to know the details and Lonnie walked over and gave the the plate along with the glass of water and pills. I quickly took two pills and drank my water before diving into the plate of food. I thanked Lonnie quietly and as she left the room.

Czar rubbed his forehead. "We have to talk."

I looked up at him "What about?"

He sighed. "I didn't want to rush the wedding because I wanted you to enjoy planning it or whatever it is that you girls do. But, I have business to attend to at the end of next week which requires for me to Bora Bora for a few days and I don't want to leave you behind."

"What are you getting at?" I asked.

"We have the wedding next Tuesday and we can spend Bora Bora together as a honey moon." He stated.

"Okay." I said as I took another bite from my eggs.

He looked surprised "Really that's all you have to say?"

"I'm already getting married against my will, I don't see the point in trying to prolong it." 

He didn't say anything for a while a he watched me eat. I looked up at him wondering why he was still here but suddenly his phone began to ring and he answered it as he walked out of the room. It had me wondering if he was talking to Kira, his so-called "assistant". 

A guy like Czar properly has been with plenty of girls and I wouldn't expect him to stay loyal to me during our marriage. Why would he? It's not like we're in love. But, I do wonder what will happen when he wants kids, would he expect me to carry them? Does he even want any? I know that I want kids more than anything, I was too maternal not to have any. It made me sad, I always thought I would have children with someone I was madly in love with and I see now, that's not the case. 

I shook of my thoughts off and continued to eat my breakfast before I made my way to the bathroom to take a shower, after words I brushed my teeth and left my hair in it's natural curly state. As I was changing I noticed 10 missed calls from my mother. I instantly called her back and she answered before the second ring.

"Zariah, I've called you ten times!" She said.

"I know mom, I was in the shower. What's wrong?" I asked.

"It's daddy, he had an heart attack, we're at the hospital right now and the doctor is telling us he's not sure if he'll make it." She sobbed.

I felt my heart drop and ice run threw my veins. "What?"

"You have to get here now. We're at St. Joes." She said.

"I'm on my way." I said before hanging up.

I frantically threw on a pair of sweats and a random shirt with slides all while trying to hold back my tears. I grabbed my phone and rushed down the stairs heading for the front door.

"Where are you going?" Czar asked as he stepped in front of me.

"Please move..." I sobbed not being able to hold my tears back.

His face shifted. "What's wrong?'

"My dad...is in the hospital" I said in between tears. "I have to get there...I have to."

"I'll take you, you can't drive in this condition." He said as he grabbed one of the car keys off the rack and opened the door for me.

I hurried to the car and he was not far behind me. When we were in the car I told him the hospital before breaking out into tears again. Every now and then I could feel Czar glance over at me but he didn't say anything as he drove to our destination. I was hoping that the doctor was wrong and that my father would be able to pull through, it was a scary thought knowing that he might not be able to. I know I had been mad at him for the past few weeks but I wouldn't forgive myself if he left this world thinking that I hated him.

"We're here." Czar said cutting off my thoughts.

I practically jumped out of the car as I sprinted to hospital doors. When I got inside I found my mother and Josiah in the waiting room.

"Oh honey." my mother said as she got up and hugged me and I broke down.

"Is he-"

"He's okay for right now." She said as she stroked my hair. "He'll be glad to know that you came."

I noticed that Josiah was standing awkwardly behind us and staring at something. I turned to see that he was starting as Czar who was standing behind me and looking just as awkward.

"Thanks for bringing her." My mother said as she released me from her hug.

Czar nodded his head once and looked down at me. I knew he was uncomfortable I was surprised he even came in. I mouthed the words thank you to him before going to sit with my mother and Josiah. Czar sat a few chairs down and was busy on his phone or at least trying to make it seem that way.

My mother looked at me "How is he treating you?" she whispered. 

"We've been over this mom." I said.

"I know, I just want to make sure." She smiled weakly.

"He's a good guy mom." I reassured her.

She nodded her head and didn't ask anything else and I decide to just tell her about the wedding.

"The wedding is next Tuesday." I said loud enough that Josiah could hear. He whipped his head towards us.

"Why so soon?" My other asked.

"He has business in Bora Bora and he thought it would be nice to have our honey moon there." I explained.

"Bora Bora, that place is expensive." Josiah said.

"Well, I don't think money is a problem for him." I said.

"I see." My mother said as she eyed him. "Please tell me if he was to harm you."

"He won't mom." I said defensively.

I wasn't sure if that was entirely true but for some reason I felt the need to protect Czar from my mother's glare. After all she didn't have a problem with him when she watched me sign my life away.

A few minutes went pass of us not talking and a doctor walked in.

"Mrs. Jones?" He said.

"Yes, that's me." My mother said as she stood up.

"Your husband has been stabilized, we will like to keep him in the hospital for a few more days to monitor his heart, but you can head back and visit him if you'd like." The doctor explained.  

"Yes, we would like to." My mother took hold of my hand as we followed the doctor with Josiah close behind us.

We entered the room to find my dad on the bed connected to all types of tubes and wires. He was awake but his eyes very droopy and he looked exhausted.

"Zariah?" He said weakly.

"Yeah it's me dad." I said, already tearing up, I walked over and sat at the edge of his bed.

"I've missed you, I'm so sorry." He began.

"It's fine dad, you don't have to waste your breathe trying to apologize. I forgive you and you need to rest." I said as I patted his arm.

He sighed "I love you."

"I love you too dad."

We all spent the rest of our time in silence, watching my father until eventually he fell asleep. I knew Czar was waiting for me so I decided it was time to go. I hugged my mother and Josiah good bye and promised I would visit soon but I knew I was bluffing. I may have forgiven my dad but I wasn't ready to just go back to the way things were before the contract.

I made it to the waiting room to find Czar still sitting in the same position. 

"I'm ready to go." I said.

He nodded his head before getting up and walking towards the exit with me following close behind. We got in the car and the drive was silent. Czar looked over at me every now and then but I was too busy staring out the window and thinking about my life and how It had come to this.

We finally arrived in front of the house and before I was able to get out Czar lightly touched my arm and I turned to look at him.

"I'm not a good guy Zariah." He said lowly before he exited the car.

"But you can be." I mumbled

~

yayyy. 

I finally updated this book and I hope you all are enjoying and I'm trying to update more often but I'm really bad at doing that and being sick with COVID didn't help at all but I will be getting around to update more. I love you all don't forget to comment, vote, share, and follow. Until next time my lovelies.