Fated to the Ruthless CEO

“Where the hell do you think you are going?” Came Devlin’s thundering voice. Amber didn’t realize that her body was trembling when she heard him. She was busy fixing the bedroom. She was already packed since last night. She didn’t have much to pack. She only took the things she brought with her when she first came to the condo. She left everything that Devlin gave her including the jewelry she got for that dinner party.

“You think you can fool me, huh?” Devlin went to her and grabbed her wrist tightly.

“Let go. You are hurting me, Devlin. I already told you that I am leaving. I am sorry for all the misunderstandings. I never came here for anything except to attend your grandmother’s funeral and to hear your idea about our grandparents’ agreement years ago. That’s all. I just wanted to find peace in my heart that I will not be able to honor your grandmother’s wish.” She said with a shaky voice, fear was evident in her eyes. Devlin’s piercing eyes were really unnerving.

“So, you think you can get away easily?! You are staying here. We are going to get married on Wednesday as Attorney Harrison told me. I am assuming that he already called you last night.” The smirk he gave her was just so insulting.

“No, I didn’t receive any call from any lawyer. And how many times do I have to tell you that marrying you is the last thing on my mind.” It was too late for Amber to realize that her words were insulting for a notorious playboy like him.

“Bravo! I commended you for being such a great actress. However, whatever you say is not going to work with me. Not when you will take a large portion of wealth from my grandmother. You definitely planned everything right. Did your grandmother help you? I saw how small your farm is and…” Amber could take all his insults but not towards her marmee. She slapped him so hard that it even left a mark on his face. He looked at her wickedly.

“That would be the last time you are going to do that. You will regret what will happen next.” It was a serious warning from Devlin.

“You are coming with me since you already packed your stuff.” Amber did not have time to protest. Devlin grabbed her right hand tightly and pulled her with him. Then, two housekeepers came into sight when they were in the living room. He instructed one of them to bring her luggage to his car.

Amber started pulling her hand but to no avail. He opened the private elevator just next to his condo unit. He pushed Amber inside hard which made her back hit against the wall of the elevator. She started crying.

“Devlin please, I am begging you. Just let me go home. I am going to sign a paper that would denounce my claim on anything that your grandma is going to give me. Please…” But Devlin was on deaf ears. He would never let her off the hook easily.

“You should have thought of that before you barged into our lives. Now, you are going down the drain. I am going to make sure that you regret the day that we met.” Devlin pulled her from the elevator the moment they reached the basement. Then, he pushed her unceremoniously inside the shotgun seat. Amber gave up fighting him. She stayed quiet the whole time Devlin was driving her to somewhere.

She thought of her marmee. She didn’t tell her that she planned to come home today. It was supposed to be her surprise. She wanted to call her but Devlin suddenly broke his silence.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“Give me your damn phone.” Amber stared at him incredulously.

“Why? How can I get hold of my marmee?” She protested. What she has been experiencing today is too much.

“Give me the damn phone. I will decide when you will contact your grandmother.” Devlin said with finality.

“Devlin please, my marmee is sick. I don’t want her to worry about me.” She tried to appeal but his blank look made her sigh in frustration.

“Hand me the phone, now. She will not worry about you.” Before Amber could hand her phone, he quickly grabbed it from her.

She could not do anything for now. She just realized this is the real Devlin. It is true what she read about him then. He is nothing but a ruthless person. That’s what quickly made him get to the top.

“I didn’t know that you were this kind of person. So, what they said about you is true then.” Devlin smiled smugly at her when he heard her comment.

“You are no better than me. Besides, I don’t care what others have to say about me.” Devlin stopped at a towering building. He owns a penthouse on the top floor. They use a private elevator that goes directly to Devlin’s penthouse. It is only him who can access it since it scans his face to open it.

“How long do I have to stay here?” Amber blurted out without thinking.

“You stay here until I decide what to do with you. You need to do the wedding ceremony. Then, I will file for a divorce later on. However, you need to sign a paper that you are going to return every penny that you will get from my grandma.” Devlin’s cold voice did not bother Amber anymore. What he just said made her speak up bravely.

“If that is your plan at the end, then why shouldn’t I just sign the papers now? Just like what I said earlier, I am not going to get any penny from your grandmother.” Amber said with a gentle voice. She is still trying to convince Devlin to let her go.

“I have my reasons. Besides, I can’t just let you get away with all the troubles you have caused.” Then, he took out Amber’s phone from his pocket and handed it to her.

“Call your grandmother right now. I want you to inform her about our upcoming wedding. Don’t tell her anything about what’s happening to you. Simply tell her that we are honoring their wish.” Devlin ended with a stony-faced.

“Should you dare say anything to your grandmother, I can easily get your small farm burned into ashes. So, don’t fool around with me.” Amber just could not believe that the Devlin she is hearing right now is the same person she was with these past few days. He is ruthless. He is a devil just like his name. She didn’t dare say what’s in her mind.

Amber took her time to calm down before she called her grandmother. After a few rings, she heard the familiar voice of her grandmother.

“Hello marmee. How are you doing?” She greeted her grandmother cheerfully, trying to mask her shaky voice. Devlin was just in front of her listening to their conversation. He clicked the speaker button so he could hear her grandmother.

“Amber, my child, I am doing great! How is everything with you? I am so happy that you never fail to contact me every single day. Anyway, when are you coming home? Are you enjoying your vacation so much?” Her grandmother was laughing from the other line. Of course, she would never tell her of her situation at the moment.

“I am always happy to spend time with you, marmee.” Replied Amber with less enthusiasm.

“What is wrong, honey? You don’t sound good to me.” Of course, her grandmother knows her too well especially if something is bothering her. She saw Devlin’s warning look. He also signaled her to say something about the wedding.

“Everything is great, marmee. Maybe, I am just a bit nervous.” Amber laughed slightly. She lied of course. She is scared especially that Devlin issued some threats against her.

“Why are you nervous? Tell me.” She tried hard not to lose her composure. She doesn’t want to make Devlin more angry.

“Uhmm… there is something I want to tell you.” She said while stealing glances at Devlin.

“What is it, honey? You are making me worried now.” Her grandmother’s worried voice brought her to tears but she tried not to make any unusual sound.

“There is nothing to worry, marmee. Everything is great. I just want to tell you that Dev- Devlin and I are getting married soon.” She finally said it. Her tears did not stop flowing. Devlin took the phone from her before she could say something else.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Adams. This is Devlin. I am sorry to break the news to you this quickly. Your granddaughter and I just hit it off right. Now, I just could not let her go without putting a ring on her finger.” Devlin just said the perfect script of a besotted lover.

“Oh?! I must say that I was shocked for a while. I didn’t expect that you both would even do the marriage. Congratulations then! I am sure your grandma would be so happy right now. And I am happy, too. I know you are a nice man.” Devlin suddenly felt a slight tightening in his chest. He lied to the old woman. What can he do? Her granddaughter forced him to be in this difficult situation. It made him more angry at her.

“Thank you so much. I will take good care of her.” He said with conviction. Amber’s grandmother was happy.

Amber was just listening while still crying silently. Devlin handed her back the phone. He went to grab a bottle of whiskey from his mini-bar. He immediately opened it and took some quick sips.

“Marmee,..” Said Amber who already stopped crying. She needed to act right so she would not worry her grandmother.

“Amber why you never said anything that you and Devlin are warming up to each other? I just can’t believe that you two will sort out your feelings for each other this fast. Tell me, are you in love with him? Or is it just because of our wish? And the promise you made to Olivia?” Amber had no answer to her grandmother’s questions. Furthermore, she has to be careful with every word she is going to say. Devlin is just right in front of her, leisurely drinking from his bottle of whiskey.

“Uhmm.. Marmee, it was love at first sight from my end. He is such a great man.” Amber said casually. She wondered why she hadn’t broken down yet. She really wanted for their conversation to end soon. She may not hold her emotions any longer.

“I am so glad to hear that. I hope that your love will stay strong despite all the tests you are going to face together.” Her grandmother’s advice doesn’t apply to her. She feels deep sadness within her.

“So, when is the wedding? You mentioned it soon.” Amber looked at Devlin again who was now leaning his head on the sofa.

“Uhmm… we have not finalized it yet, marmee. However, he informed me that he wants to get married as soon as possible.” She heard her grandmother chuckling from the other line.

“Kids nowadays! They just want to speed up everything. Anyway, keep me updated so I can get ready to attend your big day.” She heard her grandmother’s excited voice.

Amber didn’t prolong her conversation with her grandmother. She made an excuse that they are planning to get out later for dinner. She could not stomach her lies to her.

The moment the call ended, she immediately set down her phone on the center table. She heard Devlin clapping his hands.

“You are such a great actress! Imagine, you were able to lie to your grandmother without hesitation.” Devlin’s insult pierced through her heart.

“You left me with no choice. My grandmother is sick. I don’t want her to get worried. I would never forgive myself if something happens to her.” Her words did hit a nerve on him. In fairness to her, she did try very hard to conceal her emotions from her grandmother. However, that still doesn’t change his mind of what he thought of her.

“It is definitely your fault if something happens to her. So, be a good girl and cooperate.” After hearing his taunting words, Amber left the living room and went to the restroom. That’s where she let go of all her emotions. Her throat hurt and no sound would come out from her cries. She cried until she started to have difficulty breathing. Before she left the restroom, she vowed that she would find a way to get out of her situation.