Chapter 3 Ask Second Wife

POV VIONA

It didn't take long for four paintings to be sold. One painting remains to be auctioned today, a picture of a child on a white horse on a green meadow in a small village. This painting was created by the imagination of my first love, a handsome, brave man like a fearless warrior.

"This is my first work, it means so much to me for telling of a childhood friend who has been my greatest inspiration. Such a beautiful piece I'm opening for $100. Please make your offering! we're waiting for the highest price. thank you." My flat for the last painting.

Some fight for the highest price. But then a handsome, gallant man sat in the back row of seats to the attention of all auctions including myself.

"One million dollars," said the man. My eyes lit up with my mouth open to hearing it, a painting that opened for only $1000 gets a million. Their voices alternated between quaking in the hiss, offering a varying price, but after the man offered me the highest price, I don't think any sane person would dare bid the work of an ordinary painter like me for more than that.

"Will any man still dare to charge more than you?" the Master of ceremony shouted for his next offer, silent for a few moments.

"I don't think there is anymore. Well, we've decided that the gentleman over there deserves this painting. Excuse me, Sir, can you please state your name?" The master of ceremony was smiling impatiently waiting for the man's reply.

"Richard Nelson," the man blurted out and then took off his sunglasses that covered his hazel eyeballs. The piercing stare compelled anyone to see it.

My body tensed, my head bowed impulsively unable to look at it. The man in the painting is here.

'Richard has come to my flail? Is this my nap dream? 'my inner? His name kept swirling around in my head.

"Mr. Rich will meet with the administration to finish administration after the auction," declared Master of Ceremony.

In the stress of my body turning cold, I was confused as to whether or not this was a beautiful dream. My mind is churning, I know very well how Richard's character is impossible to waste time doing useless work that will not generate money or profit but today I see him present only to the fair.

Richard must have other business, I can assure you attending the exhibition is not the point. I worked hard to straighten my heart out and lifted my head and smiled as sincerely as I could at him.

The auction is complete the exhibition hall is empty, leaving a few people who bought the painting to finish the transaction with the organizers including Richard. Richard walked right up to me with his hand in his pants pocket. I couldn't keep my eyes off him, lying if I said I wasn't fascinated by some amazing man in a formal suit. My heart rate is getting out of control. I can't tell if it's her heart beating from her terrifying stare or her charm.

"We need to talk," Richard made me a mix-up.

I pointed my way into my private quarters in this museum without answering her words. A room prepared for artists who do exhibitions.

"What has caused Mr. Rich to even bother to come here to an auction for a lowly painter like me?" The opening word I signed up for started a conversation with. Is that too harsh? I don't care I just want to fix this tension right away, but I seem to be the only one in tension. Richard was seen casually sitting back on the sofa with folded arms across his chest and legs crossed.

"I have a good deal for you," Richard explained to me with a difficult look to be guessed. That face with the lack of expression makes me more curious.

Being alone with her in a confined room makes me more nervous, Especially if our eyes accidentally met each other, it makes my heart beat faster. I think the situation is going to make me die young from a heart attack.

"I don't want to mince words Viona. I came here on one important point, I want you to be my wife," she says yet another flat expression as if her face would crack if she smiled a little. "I don't want to hear your rejection. If you accept my proposal your father will be released from prison," Richard added his voice sounding pushy.

Hearing that, I felt a soar above the clouds. Is this a proposal from a prince I've been waiting for all these years? I was so close to crying for an application proposal. Of course, I accepted that because Richard was my first and still is the only love in my heart. He's also the reason I left London. To be honest, I had no face to see him again after my father stole his shares and was sent to prison for his despicable deeds, I ran as far away from Richard as I could because I was ashamed of what my father had done.

I took my breath in and then exhaled, the proposal was too shocking and I was so happy. Accepting the proposal gave me two advantages to my father's freedom and of course my love. But why would Richard propose to me, would he feel guilty for leaving London even though it wasn't my fault? Or could he be conscious of my feelings and then fall in love with me too? Fuck whatever the reason is Richard's proposed to me right now. Even so, I had to play hard to get him to beg me.

"Why me?" I asked her to talk.

"Because I want to," he answered curtly.

"I accept," I answered enthusiastically. No longer CARES about the high-stakes.

"Good, sign the contract." Richard handed me a piece of paper. I thought about signing it without reading it.

Unfortunately, the guy stopped me and said, "Sure you don't want to read it first?" Richard's voice made me stop, suddenly a bad feeling came over my heart.

I nodded my head and began to read it, on the paper were points I had to obey. My eyes widened in disbelief. I should have suspected that Richard's proposal couldn't have been so sincere it must have had some ulterior motives.

"Are you married, rich?" I'm curious. My breath is tight, my chest drools like a thousand needles stabbing my heart.

"Yes, I have married seven years ago, shortly after you left London," he said casually. I was disappointed to find out that Richard was married. I don't know how to save my heart, it's too painful. I was just made to bounce on an impromptu proposal and then blow up with this contract.

"Have you lost your mind? You want me to be your second wife to take care of your first wife. I can't believe you're so heartless. I thought you weren't married and wanted to propose but it's, Rich. This contract is just you being signed, and what about me," I shouted at Richard, my tears melted away, I felt so fucked by him.

I don't believe the point of this contract is much more profitable for Richard. Willing to be his second wife to care for his comatose first wife and not to feel for one another. My heart hurts that I have to be a thorn in someone else's marriage.

"Can you keep your voice down? I don't want anyone to know about this. Of course, you will benefit, I will first release your father from prison without spending a penny, and second, after the contract expires I will compensate you." Richard explained as to the benefit I had from being willing to marry him, my heart ached more and more to hear it as if the love I had meant nothing at all.

Oh, God. I'm insulted by Richard's visit today. Does he think I'm some crazy woman who would do anything for money? Of course not, I can even live alone in the country without her help.

Anyone would not want a honeymoon, whether I or his first wife would be equally hurt if she found out he was a polygamist.

"No! I don't want to be your second wife, Rich, have you thought about the consequences? No one will be happy here, neither I nor your first wife. she'll be very disappointed to know she's on her marry again." My challenge to him. I do love her but I can't sacrifice my happiness and my future.

"No need to worry about my wife. she won't find out. I'll divorce you as soon as she wakes up. And what do you think I can do about it, huh?" He yelled at me. Once more her mental temper surfaced, Richard walked closer locking my hands behind my back. I'm scared but I can't be weak. I have to keep my pride.

"Why can't I refuse? Are you gonna kill me?" I screamed furiously as I tried to get out of the lock of his hand.

"Well, you're against me, dad? See what I can do to a thief like your father." With a relaxed tone and a sneering smile. He took off my fingers and showed me some photos that startled me, tears falling after looking at the person in the photograph.

My dad looked like he was beaten up pretty badly. I'm crying hysterically, Richard. it's crazy how he did this to blackmail me. Doesn't he feel sorry for me? For years I have suffered so much away from my father and now Richard is torturing him.

"Rich, I beg you! Don't do this to me. My father has suffered enough in prison. Release my father and I'll do as you ask." I begged him to get my father out of prison. It's okay for me to sacrifice one more time for my father's freedom.

"So you want to be my second wife and take care of my first wife?" He asked again. I nodded the signal. yes, slowly, Richard backed back up to take some distance.

"Take it easy, Viona. It's just for a while, be a good man, take good care of my wife until she wakes up. After that, I will divorce you and one more thing no one can know is that you are my wife. I'll introduce you to everyone in the house as my new nurse and my little friend. You've read the affidavit, too, haven't you? Remember, you can't fall in love with me, no physical touch of any kind. Your job is to take good care of my wife, make sure she's safe. If he gets a scratch on him, you'll know what happens," said Richard at length trying to warn me.

I thought very hard how Richard could forbid me to fall in love when all this time he had been in my heart. Let the taste stay on till the press.