Marrying my high school bully

Lorraine

Dexter was already at the facade of our house, waiting for me since Drake was able to bring Stella and I home successfully, but I was more than livid. I was damn furious.

First of all, how did Drake know about my stepfather and why was he chasing me with a gun?

“Oh, Lorraine!” He ran towards me, giving me a bear hug that I’d have enjoyed if I wasn’t too tense to be acting all cozy with him. “Your skin,” His eyes trailed down my body, darkening as he sighted the bruises.

After the shootout, I regretted wearing the sleeveless halter-neck dress I later opted for, instead of the simple pair of T-shirt and jeans I’d chosen the first time.

“What do you know about my stepfather?” I seethed, my voice dropping to a very low degree.

He flinched, totally not expecting my cold tone. “What are you talking about, Lorraine?” He feigned ignorance, evading my piercing gaze. “Your stepfather is still around?”

I rolled my eyes and shoved him aside, storming into the living room. “Don’t you dare act innocent with me, Dexter!” I glared up. “I got a call from my stepfather several months ago, then I didn’t hear from him again. Suddenly, he’s chasing after me to kill me and Drake knows all about him. Tell me what is going on?” I demanded, my body trembling with the uncontrollable level of anger that simmered within me.

The last time I got this angry was when I had a fight with Emilia, but throwing a punch at Dexter wasn’t a feasible option because he’d block my attempt with his sharp reflexes.

He put his hands on my shoulder but I shrugged it away. “I need an explanation.” I reiterated stubbornly, stomping my foot on the tiled floor like an angry child.

He raked through his hair with a sigh, his back facing me. “This isn’t supposed to happen.” He muttered.

I squinted my eyes in confusion. “How do you mean?” I probed and he spun around to look at me, his eyes suddenly stoic and furious.

“I mean that I had a deal with him to leave you alone after settling him with a huge amount of money.” He blurted out and heaved a sigh as he dropped to the chair.

Nothing made sense to me-Was it the unknown deal that he wouldn’t have told me about if my stepfather hadn’t come out of hiding? Or his bad attempt at feigning ignorance? Then I remembered the words on the day he asked me to marry him.

Everything began to make sense to me. “Who are you really, Dexter?” I whispered, my fear clogging my throat as I was scared of what would be his response.

He tilted his head backwards, staring at me in disbelief as if I’d said something abominable. “I’m your husband, Lorraine. The man you’ve always loved since high school.” He replied casually, but beneath the tone was the lack of conviction; something I thrived on.

I shook my head in disagreement. “No! You’re not.” I said point black. “It’s beginning to occur to me that you have a lot of secrets, and I don’t even have the slightest idea about any of them.”

He looked surprised, his eyes darkening at the painful stab of my words. “Sit down and I’ll tell you everything.” He said calmly but with a dangerous backing.

“I won’t. I don’t even trust you.” I hollered, folding my arms.

His lips formed a confident smirk. “Of course you trust me, you’re just confused.” He stated and I sank onto the chair, knowing that he was right.

“I’m listening.” I spat nonchalantly and he chuckled, drawing closer to me.

“I care about you so much, Lorraine and I can go to any length to protect you if it means negotiating with your abuser.” A gasp escaped from my throat as I wondered how he got to know about my stepfather.

“How… How do you know that he abused me?”

“Let me tell you a story.” He said and entangled his fingers with mine. “Few months ago, I met your stepfather after he called to threaten you and we had a lengthy discussion.”

My heart skipped a beat. “What type of discussion?”

“I asked him to wash his hands off your case because you are under my protection,, then he asked me what he’ll get in return.” He said slowly and I stared at him, gobsmacked at startling information that I wouldn’t have heard about if I didn’t force him to talk.

“You really did all of that without telling me? That man is dangerous. What if he had hurt you?” I spat.

He scoffed. “Your father knows better than to launch an attack against me. It’s you he wants and I don’t know why.”

I sprawled to my feet, propping my arms against my waist as I tried to make my breath even. “Then take me to him. I want to see the bastard that made my life a living hell after my mother got married to him. She died and left me with nothing, not even my father’s wealth, yet that abuser continues to come after my life after creating an indelible mark in my heart.”

Dexter tried to console me but I didn’t need any close contact. I just wanted everything to make sense. “I did it because I wanted to protect you.” He replied calmly.

I scoffed. “And you did well because he almost got me killed today.” I retorted with a heavy note of sarcasm.

“You weren’t the target.” He cut in.

I cocked my head to the side, wondering what he meant until realisation set in. “Dexter, how do you know that I was not the target?” The question barely made it out of my throat as a whisper.

“You don’t have to know everything, Lorraine, just have it at the back of your mind that I’d protect you from him. Negotiation failed so I’ll adopt other means.”

“You’re speaking in parables, Dexter!” I screeched. “I know that I need protection from him but we’ll have to do it the right way.”

Dexter chuckled, almost mockingly. “The right way? Do you have any proof that he hurt you?” He argued, his voice ascending to an angry crescendo.

“We can figure out a way.” I muttered, biting my fingers. He said nothing so I wrapped my arms around him. “All I’m saying is that you let me in on whatever is going on. I want to know when that bastard pays for all his sins.”

His hand came up to my face which he palmed. “Fine. Anything for my princess. And I’m sorry for allowing you to go through all of this. If I’d known that he would go against our bargain, I wouldn’t have let you out of my sight.” He said worriedly.Têxt belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

I patted his jaw, flashing my sweet smile. “I don’t think he’ll hurt me again knowing that I’m not alone all the time, and for the first time, I’m happy you gave me a bodyguard. I don’t know what would have happened if Drake wasn’t with us.”

As if he remembered something, his eyes lit up in concern. “What about Stella? Is she fine? He might come for her.”

Dexter was right. If my stepfather was out for me, he wouldn’t mind playing dirty to get me anyhow. I still wondered what he needed me for after making it clear that I didn’t want to have anything to do with him.

Maybe he was overly obsessed with me.

“Let her stay with Drake then. I think he’s capable of watching her.” I suggested and he nodded in agreement, lowering his neck.

“Do you want to go upstairs for a massage? You are stressed.” He proposed with a subtle tone.

I kissed him, happy that I was fortunate to be with him again.

Suddenly we heard the door creak, then an excited shrill cry which caused us to break our kiss. My heart leaped for joy when I saw who the intruder was.

Victoria was back, looking healthy and happy.