Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Davina looked around the room, taking in its spacious interior and elegant furnishings. Everything about the place screamed luxury, from the expensive-looking furniture to the enormous windows overlooking the city.

She was no stranger to luxury. Her family's home was just as extravagant, but something about Caspian's house made her curious. Perhaps it was because she knew absolutely nothing about the man who had suddenly become her husband.

"Where are we?" she asked, still examining the room.

"My house."

Davina turned toward Caspian, who was sitting comfortably on the sofa as though the events of the past few hours had been nothing more than an ordinary afternoon.

She slowly nodded.

Apparently, she hadn't married an ordinary man after all.

The thought reminded her of what had happened earlier, and her expression immediately darkened.

Married?

Was that man out of his mind?

She approached him, determined to get some answers before he disappeared again.

"Those men who were chasing me earlier..." She paused, studying his face. "They were actually looking for you, weren't they?"

Caspian let out a faint laugh.

"What do you think? Would they have chased us if I weren't involved?"

Davina frowned. "You don't have to be sarcastic. I was asking a question."

"And I gave you an answer. Are you always this slow to understand things?"

The corner of his lips lifted slightly.

The woman he had married was certainly unusual. No woman had ever spoken to him so casually, much less insulted him to his face. Usually, a single look from him was enough to make people reconsider whatever foolish thing they had been about to say.

But Davina seemed completely unaffected by his reputation.

He couldn't decide whether she was unusually brave or simply didn't understand the danger of provoking him.

Perhaps it was the latter. She clearly had no idea who she had married.

Davina crossed her arms.

"Your family is forcing you to marry someone you don't love, too?"

Caspian's amusement faded slightly.

"Why would you assume that?"

"Because you married a complete stranger just to fulfill some obligation. That doesn't exactly sound like a love story."

He regarded her silently.

She had a point, although he wasn't about to admit it.

"And you're a damn jerk who married me without giving me enough time to think!" Davina continued. "Do you have any idea how ridiculous this situation is? I could probably sue you for what happened."

Caspian picked up the pen resting on the table and rolled it between his fingers.

"On what grounds?"

"Don't test me."

"I'm asking a question."

Davina opened her mouth, then closed it again. She hated that he could remain so calm while she was practically losing her mind.

Caspian stood and straightened his clothes.

"You can stay here for now. I don't keep a full-time household staff, but people come every weekend to clean the house. You won't have to worry about that."

"How generous of you."

He ignored her sarcasm.

"Tomorrow, I want to meet your family."

Davina's expression changed immediately.

"My family?"

"Yes."

"Absolutely not!"

Caspian paused at the doorway and glanced back at her.

"Why?"

"Because my father will kill us if he finds out what happened!"

"Then I suppose we'll find out how he reacts."

"Are you insane?" Davina demanded. "Go and get yourself killed if you're so eager to meet him, but don't drag me into it!"

Caspian stared at her for a moment before leaving without another word.

Davina watched him disappear down the hallway.

"Unbelievable!"

She clenched her fists, torn between wanting to scream and wanting to cry. How could he talk about meeting her father as though they were discussing a casual family dinner?

Her father was probably already furious. The wedding had been prepared well in advance, and she had humiliated him in front of their guests by disappearing before the ceremony could be completed. He might have already lost his temper with the men who had failed to bring her back.

And now she had married another man.

She sank onto the sofa and buried her face in her hands.

"What am I going to do now? I'm doomed."

She had told her father from the beginning that she didn't want to marry Kenzo. Why had he been in such a hurry to marry her off when she still had so many things she wanted to do with her life?

It wasn't as though Kenzo had done anything wrong. He was kind, responsible, and had always treated her well. She had known for years that he had feelings for her, but she had never felt the same way about him.

To her, Kenzo had always been a friend.

She couldn't imagine building a family with someone she didn't love simply because their families had decided it was the right thing to do.

Davina exhaled deeply and stretched out on the enormous sofa, staring at the ceiling.

At least she had managed to escape the wedding. She could explain that to her father eventually, even if he refused to understand her reasons.

But how was she supposed to explain Caspian?

"Damn this place!" she muttered. "How was I supposed to know I'd walked into an office where someone was planning a wedding? Of all the doors in that building, why did I have to choose his?"

She turned onto her side, hugging a cushion.

If she had been more careful, she might have noticed what she was signing before the ceremony began. She had read the documents, but everything had happened so quickly that she had barely had time to process the consequences.

Now she was legally married to a man whose habits, temper, and intentions she knew almost nothing about.

Her father might even disown her.

The thought made her stomach twist. Her father had always been protective of her, but he also had a strong sense of pride. She could already imagine the look on his face when he discovered what she had done.

"I hate this," she whispered.

Part of her wondered whether she would have been better off staying at the wedding. If she hadn't run away, she might have become Mrs. Kenzo instead of Mrs. Sanchez.

But then she remembered how she had felt standing there, knowing she was about to promise herself to someone she didn't love.

No. She couldn't have done it.

She had made a decision, and she would have to face the consequences.

Her phone suddenly rang, startling her out of her thoughts.

Davina sat upright. Her heart began to race as she imagined her father calling to demand an explanation.

She grabbed her phone and checked the screen.

Jillian.

Relief washed over her, and she answered immediately.

"Where the hell are you?!" Jillian shouted.

Davina winced and moved the phone away from her ear.

"I can hear you, you know."

"Then answer me! Your dad is furious. Do you have any idea what's happening here?"

"I know."

"No, Davina. I don't think you do. The wedding was a disaster, and everyone is talking about what happened. Your father has been asking everyone if they've heard from you."

Davina closed her eyes.

"Please don't remind me."

"Girl, I'm trying to help you! Wherever you are, stay there for now. Don't come home until things have calmed down. You know how your father gets when he's angry."

"That's exactly why I'm not going back."

Jillian fell silent for a moment.

Then her voice softened.

"I understand why you ran. I do. It's hard to marry someone you don't love, especially when everyone around you acts as though your feelings don't matter. But you could have at least told me where you were going!"

Davina sighed.

"I didn't even know where I was going. I just wanted to get out of there."

"Well, you certainly managed that."

Despite everything, Davina let out a small laugh.

"How's Kenzo?"

There was a brief pause.

"He hasn't said much. He looks hurt, but he hasn't blamed you or made a scene. You know him. He'll respect your decision, even if it isn't what he wanted."

Davina's smile faded.

She hadn't wanted to hurt Kenzo. He didn't deserve that. But marrying him out of guilt would only have caused more pain in the long run.

"I never wanted things to end like this," she admitted quietly.

"I know."

"I just couldn't do it, Jillian. I couldn't stand there and promise to love someone when I knew I didn't feel that way."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me."

Davina swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Please tell them you haven't spoken to me. I need some time to figure out what I'm going to do."

"Are you safe?"

Davina glanced around the unfamiliar living room.

She thought about Caspian's cold expression, his ridiculous proposal, and the way he had driven them away from the men searching for her.

"I think so."

"That isn't exactly reassuring."

"I'll be careful. I promise."

"All right. But call me if you need anything. And, Davina?"

"Yes?"

"Don't do anything else that will make me lose ten years of my life."

Davina laughed softly.

"I'll try."

She ended the call and switched off her phone. She wasn't ready to deal with another round of questions, especially from her father.

For the moment, she needed to think.

And, more importantly, she needed food.

After lying on the sofa for a while longer, Davina finally got up and began exploring the house.

The place was enormous. She walked through several rooms before shaking her head in disbelief.

"This house is huge, and he lives here alone? Seriously, what does he need all this space for?"

She passed a study and paused when she noticed a framed certificate on a nearby shelf. Curious, she picked it up and examined it.

Caspian Sanchez.

The name appeared on several documents and photographs around the room. There were certificates, business awards, and framed pictures of him attending formal events.

She picked up another photograph.

He was standing beside a group of men in expensive suits, his expression as serious as ever.

Davina tilted her head.

"So, he's the CEO of that hotel?"

She had heard of the company before. It was a well-known business, and its branches were spread across several major cities. She had simply never paid enough attention to its owner to recognize him.

Of course, she would end up marrying someone whose face appeared in business magazines.

Of all the offices she could have entered, she had chosen his.

"Talk about bad luck."

She returned the photograph to its place and continued exploring.

What surprised her most was the lack of personal photographs. Almost every picture on the walls featured Caspian alone or at business events. She couldn't find a single photograph of his parents, siblings, or other relatives.

"Doesn't he have a family?" she murmured.

The question lingered in her mind, but she dismissed it. She had enough problems without worrying about her husband's family history.

Besides, she wasn't planning to stay long enough for it to matter.

She continued searching until she finally found the kitchen.

Davina opened the refrigerator and peered inside. Her expression brightened when she saw several containers of prepared food.

"At least I won't starve here."

She took out a packed meal and placed it in the microwave. While waiting for it to heat, she spotted a bottle of beer in the refrigerator.

She picked it up, opened it, and took a cautious sip.

Her face immediately twisted.

"Why is alcohol so bitter?"

She swallowed with difficulty and put the bottle down, wondering why anyone would willingly drink something that tasted so unpleasant.

Then another thought occurred to her.

Maybe a few bottles would give her enough courage to face her father.

Davina shook her head at herself.

"No. I'd probably end up saying something stupid and make everything worse."

She was still staring at the bottle when a voice spoke behind her.

"You're here."

"Oh, goodness!"

Davina jumped, and the beer sloshed over the rim of the bottle, spilling onto her clothes.

She spun around.

John stood in the kitchen doorway, looking equally startled by her reaction.

"Sorry," he said awkwardly. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Davina glared at him.

"Then perhaps you should stop appearing behind people without warning."

John lifted the grocery bags he was carrying.

"I brought some groceries and was going to prepare something for you to eat."

"No need. There's already food here, and I'm perfectly capable of cooking for myself."

"But Sir Caspian specifically asked me to bring these."

Davina rolled her eyes.

Of course he had.

She was beginning to suspect that Caspian had never heard of the word no unless he was the one saying it.

"Fine. Leave the groceries there. You can go back to whatever work you have to do. I'll manage."

John set the bags on the counter but didn't leave.

Davina noticed and narrowed her eyes.

"What now?"

"I'm supposed to make sure you have everything you need."

"Everything I need? What I need is to go home."

John looked uncomfortable.

"That might not be possible right now."

"Why not? I'm not a prisoner."

"No one said you were, ma'am. But you're married to Sir Caspian now, and your father is looking for you. Leaving without a plan could put you in danger."

Davina folded her arms.

"Being married to your boss doesn't mean he gets to control my life. I didn't agree to become his prisoner."

John nodded slowly.

"I understand."

"Do you? Because everyone keeps talking as though my marriage means I suddenly have no say in anything."

Before John could answer, another voice came from the kitchen doorway.

"What exactly are you complaining about now?"

Davina turned.

Caspian stood there, his expression as unreadable as ever.

She stared at him, irritation flaring all over again.

"Perfect. The man of the house has arrived."

Caspian's gaze dropped to the beer bottle in her hand, then moved to the damp patch on her clothes.

"Having a good evening?"

"Wonderful. I've married a stranger, my father is probably planning my funeral, and your employee nearly made me spill an entire bottle of beer on myself. How could it possibly get any better?"

John coughed into his hand.

Caspian gave him a brief look before approaching the refrigerator.

"You're very dramatic."

"And you're very annoying."

He took out a bottle of water and closed the refrigerator.

Davina watched him, still unable to understand how he could remain so calm while her entire life was falling apart.

"I won't be able to go home tonight," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Caspian glanced at her.

"Did I ask you to?"

"No, but I thought you should know. You're the one who brought me here."

"You're my wife on paper. That doesn't mean I need to know your every move."

Davina blinked.

For the first time that evening, she wasn't sure whether to be offended or relieved.

"Fine. I just wanted to tell you that I'll be staying somewhere else tomorrow."

"Do whatever you want."

She stared at him.

"You're not going to stop me?"

"Why would I?"

"Because you seem to think being married gives you the right to make decisions for me."

Caspian took a drink of water before answering.

"I have no interest in keeping someone in my house against her will. But if you're going to leave, at least understand the risks."

Davina hesitated.

"What risks?"

"Your father has people looking for you. If they find you before you've worked out what you're going to do, they'll probably take you straight home."

"And you think they'll just leave me alone if I'm here?"

"I think they'll have to consider the consequences before they try anything."

Something in his tone made her pause.

It wasn't a threat directed at her. It was a statement about the people who might try to take her away.

For the first time, Davina wondered whether Caspian's reputation might be more than a name printed on business documents.

John placed the remaining groceries on the counter.

"Sir, the men who were looking for Davina earlier were checking guest records at one of our nearby hotel branches. They're searching more than just the streets."

Davina's head snapped toward him.

"They're checking hotels, too?"

John nodded.

"They were asking for your name and showing your photograph. They seemed determined to find you."

Davina's stomach tightened.

Her father wasn't simply waiting for her to return. He was actively searching for her, using every resource available to him.

She could no longer pretend that going to another hotel would solve the problem.

Caspian watched her expression change.

"Now do you understand why leaving without a plan would be foolish?"

Davina pressed her lips together.

She hated that he was right.

"I understand that I can't go to a hotel tonight," she said. "That doesn't mean I'm agreeing to stay here indefinitely."

"I didn't ask you to."

"And I want a room where I can sleep without you barging in whenever you feel like it."

Caspian raised an eyebrow.

"This is my house."

"And I'm your wife on paper, remember? Apparently, that means nothing to you unless you're trying to prove a point."

John looked away, his shoulders shaking slightly.

Caspian noticed.

"Something amusing, John?"

"No, sir."

"Then stop smiling."

John immediately straightened.

Davina tried not to laugh, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her.

For a moment, the tension in the kitchen eased.

Caspian noticed her smile and looked faintly surprised. It was the first time she'd appeared even remotely relaxed in his presence.

Then she turned back to her food, and the moment passed.

"Is that all you're going to eat?" Caspian asked, glancing at the packed meal she had heated.

Davina stared at him.

"Why do you care? Mind your own business."

"I was asking a question."

"And I was answering it."

Caspian shook his head slightly before walking out of the kitchen.

Davina watched him leave, then returned to her meal.

She was still hungry, but the thought of her father searching for her had ruined her appetite. Every time she tried to relax, she remembered the men at the hotel and the determined look on their faces.

She needed a plan.

She couldn't hide in Caspian's house forever, and she certainly couldn't rely on him without knowing what kind of man he really was.

John seemed to sense her uneasiness.

"I also bought some clothes for you," he said.

Davina looked up.

"Don't tell me you chose them yourself."

"No. I asked a woman to buy them. I thought you might need something comfortable to wear."

She glanced at the bags he had brought in.

For once, she had no sarcastic response ready.

"Thank you," she said reluctantly.

John smiled.

"You're welcome."

Davina returned to her food, thinking about what to do next. She would have to contact Jillian again when it was safe, and eventually she would have to face her father.

But not tonight.

Tonight, she would stay in the one place her father apparently hadn't searched yet, keep her distance from her unpredictable husband, and figure out how to regain control of her own life.

She wasn't going to let one impulsive decision determine her entire future.

And she certainly wasn't going to let Caspian Sanchez decide it for her.