Bound to Him by Debt

Lola Benson took a deep breath before linking her hand into the waiting arms of her friend, not really seeing the gathered crowd. She hoped the serene countenance she'd practiced before the mirror over the past week was holding up. Today was, without doubt, the most humiliating day of her life. Her friend was doing the honor of giving her hand away in marriage. A marriage that was payment for the impossible sum of money her late father owed.

It would not have been so bad, perhaps, if her husband-to-be wasn't Crown Prince William Adebowale Gbadegesin, heir to the throne of the kingdom of Ijomo, or if she even liked him a little. But he was a man she loathed with every fiber of her being. A man she had insulted. A man she had sworn would never see her naked. But she had to swallow her pride and do this.

She'd hardly had a peaceful moment since their wedding date was announced. He hadn't even had the courtesy to inform her that it was to be in print. No, he'd let her find out in the pages of the tabloids. What an arrogant ass. He did it on purpose, to humiliate her further and to let her know who was in charge. Simply mortifying. He knew she would not be able to back out once it was out there. The media took delight in reporting their upcoming wedding, following her around just to catch a glimpse of the lady that had caught the eye of the crown prince.

Lola wanted nothing less than to participate in this sham of a wedding, but she'd had no choice.

"Lola," her mother had said when she'd blatantly refused, "you must. The welfare of this family depends on this marriage."

"But what about me?" she'd replied. For how long would she have to live her life in service to others.

Her mother took her hands.

"Sweetheart, do it for me. And also for your brother," she cajoled.

She gripped Nathaniel's hand like her life depended on it as she was led to the altar. She kept praying that the whole thing would be over soon. All she could see was the back of the man that would be her husband. He was tall and broad, the black tux he wore fitting him perfectly. As if he could feel her stare from under the veil that covered her face, he turned around to look at her. She would have stumbled if not for the grip Nathaniel had on her.

"Easy, Lola, just breathe. It's not too late. I can still help you to escape," he whispered gently.

"It's okay, I'll be fine. Thank you for doing this for me." She gave him a strained smile.

William looked quite striking in his bespoke tuxedo. Handsome, boyish, yet at the same time, not boyish at all. No, he looked devilish, as if he knew the temptation he caused merely by existing. His eyes spoke of mischief, as if he knew something others didn't, glittering in a face that could have been carved by Michelangelo himself. Somehow, the look in those eyes dared her to envision him naked atop a pedestal.

Lola shook herself. Perhaps he was a work of art, but he was definitely not a friend. He was an enemy planning to imprison her in marriage. His eyes were piercing, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.

He stared Nate down hard as he handed her over to him, but he gave Lola a knowing smile. It changed his whole countenance, and her mind skipped a beat as his dimples winked at her.

She did not hear a single word of what the presiding priest was saying. She just replied like a robot, wishing she could escape this formidable-looking man.

"You may now kiss the bride," Lola heard the priest say. She was a nervous wreck by the time her groom lifted the veil from her face. She couldn't even bring herself to look up. He used his fingers to lift her chin up so that she could look directly at him.

"Relax. I won't eat you, at least not yet," he growled at her.

She waited for the kiss with a sense of foreboding, and she was surprised when he only pecked her on the lips, not pressing any further. It was just a slight graze of his lips, but it still stirred something in her. She looked at him in surprise, but he only gave her an amused look before taking her hand and facing the priest, who announced them to the cheers of the congregation. Her face ached from the constant forced smile. This was her new life now.

All of a sudden, she felt as if she couldn't breathe. Cameras flashed here and there, the cheers of the surrounding people sounding miles away. She tried to control her breathing as a member of his security detail escorted her into one of the gleaming black SUVs that were waiting to drive them to their reception venue.

She gulped in air as she sat in the comfort of the car, appreciating the dark tinted glass, which created the illusion of shutting out the world for a while. Already a nervous wreck, she really wished she had taken Nathaniel up on his offer to help her elope, but now it was too late. She was already married.

She could feel William's stare, as if he were willing her to look at him, causing her to squirm and lean further away from him. For the life of her, she couldn't comprehend why he had insisted on organizing a reception for them.

"So, tell me again what you said when you came into my office, about me being the last man you would ever consider marrying," William pressed with a devilish grin.

Lola cursed silently as she remembered the events that spun her life out of control.

********

"Are you telling me that Dad owed this man a lot of money, so much that he could not pay it all before he died?" Lola asked her mother as she paced around her mother's room. The news of her father's debt came as a rude shock to her. The father she knew was a smart, business-minded man, and she respected him a lot. They shared a bond that she and her mother did not have. It was the news of her father's death that had brought her back to Nigeria from London, where she had been working as a nurse.

After obtaining her degree in nursing at one of the best universities in Nigeria, her father decided to send her outside the country to further her education. She had just spent three years in the UK when the news of her father's demise hit her.

Now, her mother was telling her that her father had made some unwise business decisions and that these decisions had led to him borrowing money in order to save his company from bankruptcy.

"I don't know how your father met William Gbadegesin or ended up owing him this much, but it's obvious that since your father is dead now, he wants his money. He's threatening to seize your father's business," she said in a flat monotone. Lola knew next to nothing about business. Her father had shielded them from all the harsh realities of life.

Lola armed herself with loads of information before paying William a visit. Prince William Adebowale Gbadegesin was the heir to the throne of Ijomo. With an estimated population of close to one hundred thousand, the kingdom was rich in oil and gold. Their resources made them indispensable to the government, and that brought lots of expatriates into their city for business. New businesses were constantly opening, creating more jobs and making lives much better for the people.

He was the owner of William Gbadegesin Group, a multi-billion-naira conglomerate, and the one in charge of the oil refinery his father owned. His office was headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. He also enjoyed the company of beautiful women. At thirty-five, he did not look like he was ready to settle down anytime soon or even consider marriage.

Lola woke early in order to meet him on time, showering and dressing with care. She was not a woman going on a date, so she chose a fashionable skirt and blazer, pairing the gray suit with a red silk camisole—her one nod to color—her pearls, and her gray suede pumps. She wrapped her hair in a neat knot and secured it with pins. Then, she rolled on some lip gloss and applied mascara before giving her reflection one last look in her full-length mirror.

She looked professional, competent, precisely the way she wanted to appear.

Lola frowned at herself. She wasn't unattractive; she was professional. She didn't want to give him the wrong impression, especially after seeing how much he played around. If she could control nothing else about these chaotic past few weeks after her father's burial, she could at least try to prevent their business from being seized by William.

"Sir, your 2 pm appointment is here, Ms. Lola Benson," the secretary spoke into the intercom to announce her arrival. Lola thought the lady looked more like a model who had just stepped out of a fashion magazine than a secretary. She was immediately ushered into his office, and William signaled for the secretary to excuse them. She had seen his pictures splashed all over the internet, on the front page of reputable newspapers, and all over the glossy pages of magazines. Image after image. She had read articles about his childhood, his education at Cambridge, about his father, the king himself, and his two brothers, but she was still not prepared for the impact of seeing him in the flesh. He was tall and dark, like a model from a magazine ad in his gray pinstriped suit. She did not realize she had been staring at him until he spoke.

"You know, staring at a man like that could get you in trouble," he said. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he stared back at her, yet he still managed to look intimidating. She quickly averts her eyes. She felt like just leaving right then and there, but the thought of her family's welfare wouldn't allow her to do so.

"Good day, Mr. Gbadegesin," she said, sounding very professional.

"Please, William is fine. Why don't you take a seat?" He gestured to the chair opposite his massive gleaming mahogany table.

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you, Lola?" Her name rolled off his tongue as if he was caressing it. "I'm sorry to hear about your father's demise. I was out of the country or I would have attended his funeral," he said with sincerity.

"I'm sure you would have, Mr. Gbadegesin, but I would like to get straight to the point. I know my father owed you a huge sum of money before he died and that you intend to take over his business. I am here to ask you to give me some time. I promise I will pay you back," she said with all the dignity she could muster.

William's gaze swept over her, pausing and staring intently, as if trying to commit her to his memory. It wasn't like he was being rude or perverse with his gaze, but she felt uncomfortable. Lola felt as if she was being stripped naked by his stare, and goosebumps raised up along her body. In all her twenty-seven years, she had never felt such an intense attraction to another man, which only annoyed her further. He took his time before answering her.

"Just for the sake of argument, how long do you think you will need to pay me the over one hundred million naira your father owes me? And how do you intend to pay?" he asked, amusement laced in his tone. She opened and closed her mouth, trying to wrap her mind around the aforementioned figure, but he beat her to it.

"My point exactly. It's not like you have a job that pays that much. Your father told me you worked as a nurse abroad, so I'm sure all your savings could not even come close to this amount, especially seeing as you just started working not too long ago. Plus, now you are back in the country and surely need new employment. See? It's nothing personal; it's just business," William replied with a hint of arrogance.

"I'm sure I'll find a way somehow. Just give me six months," Lola whispered, though she was not sure how she intended to raise the funds.

He found her confidence refreshing. She wasn't bad looking either. Those lips of hers caused him to have thoughts that would make her innocent eyes pop. If he looked past the dowdy outfit she was wearing, he could tell that beneath the clothes were hidden curves. The more he looked at her, the more an idea began to take shape in his head. His sick father had been on his back about getting married as the first son and heir apparent to the throne. He needed to give him grandchildren or else the throne would be given to his brother, who happened to have a strong aversion to the thought of getting married, though his father did not know it.

But he was not ready to let the old man down now, especially over something as silly as not giving him the grandchildren he wanted, and he knew his father would continue to annoy him. Truth be told, it was time he settled down and started considering marriage. But every woman he met was more interested in his money than him. If he married Lola, he would at least know what he was getting into and he could control the situation.

"You know what? I'm willing to let this go, the debt and everything else. I will even make sure your father's dreams for his shipping business are realized. But you have to agree to one thing: marry me."

"What? Are you insane? Do you think that because you are a prince you can have or do whatever you want? The sheer arrogance! Well, I won't marry you, not even if you're the last man on earth!" She stood up, not wanting to spend another second in his office.

It should have appalled him, the way she spoke to him, and he knew he sounded crazy. But he was focused much too intently on her lush mouth, not to mention all the things he'd like to do to it. Enough. This is neither the time nor the place, he admonished himself. But his body was not paying the slightest bit of attention to his cool, rational mind. He now wanted her even more.

"I wouldn't be so quick to leave if I were you. Because, trust me, I won't be lenient or merciful. I will collect my money, one way or the other, so be very careful about what you do next. Talk to your father's lawyer before making any hasty decisions. I will wait for your answer. You have 48 hours," he told her arrogantly as she left without a backward glance.

She would be back, he was sure of it, and he would enjoy every second.

"Should I expect you to die anytime soon?" his voice snapped her back to the present moment.

He sat next to her as if the spacious back seat was a throne. He took up too much of the available room as it was already—or maybe it was that he seemed to claim all the air.

She winced at the memory of what transpired that day, and she knew that, like a typical man, he would lord it over her. She decided to ignore his question and save her energy for the waiting crowd at their reception. Like any royal wedding, it was over the top. No expense was spared. Lola was sure the reception would be as lavishly decorated and controlled as the wedding had been. Everything had been planned by the wedding planner he hired. He did not allow her to do anything. Even her clothes and wedding accessories were chosen for her.

Lola felt suffocated in her wedding gown, trapped. She always pictured her wedding day as a simple event without any pressure. His gaze was stern as it moved all over her, from the crown of her hair down to the sliver shoes strapped to her dainty feet. Lola stared back at him, her chin rising of its own accord, far more defiant than the moment called for. She was seized by a desperate panic as the moment dragged out, but she'd rather die than let him see it.

He chuckled at the way she looked at him with defiance. This was much better than the whimpering attitude she had moments ago. He knew she was still seething from how he forced her into marrying him, but he was sure that by the time she started giving him heirs, she would be over it.

The SUV convoy rolled to a stop at the reception venue. The wedding planner really outdid herself with all the wedding arrangements. From the venue, to the flowers, to the decorations, everything looked elegant. The theme was all white, and money was not an issue. No expense was spared. It was classy and strictly invitation-only. The guests were already seated, all looking elegant and radiant.

She plastered her happy face on again and linked her arm in William's as they were ushered to their seat amidst cheers from well-wishers. She was on autopilot, smiling for the cameras and paparazzi, but William was the opposite, he looked as if he were enjoying every moment. He gave her adoring glances as if she was the best thing that had ever happened to him. His father—the king—could not come due to his health, but he was represented by the chiefs, and one of William's brothers was also in attendance. He looked jaw-dropping hot; apparently good looks ran in the family. Lola was surprised at the warm reception he gave her considering they had just met.

"I just need to see the beautiful lady that has snatched my elder brother off the market. Though I must say, it all seems quite the rush. But that's Liam for you," he stated humorously.

She did not know what he had told his family, but she was sure they did not know about the debt issue. She preferred it that way. She smiled at what he said without giving anything away.

"What is Leo telling my darling wife? I hope you are not up to your antics again, baby brother," William asked as he joined them after mingling with some dignitaries.

"Nah, nothing like that, bro. I'm just keeping your wife company. Besides, I don't have a death wish," Leonard responded mockingly.

"But if you're tired of seeing his ugly face, you can always come to me," he teased.

She watched the playful banter between the two brothers, seeing a side of him that appealed to her. It made him more approachable. But she quickly hardened her heart again when she remembered how ruthless he was with her. They did not stay until the end of the reception, as William announced that they had to leave for their honeymoon. Her mother was over the moon, as if she had just won the lottery. She would continue to live the luxurious life she was used to. Lola spared a glance at her across the room as she left the reception with William.

She was surprised when their convoy took them straight to the airstrip and a jet with his company's logo written boldly on it. How rich is this man anyway? He owns a jet too? Lola muttered to herself. She knew he was rich, but this was a little much.

He closed his eyes and laid his head on the headrest the moment they were airborne.

"Why are we even going on this farce of a honeymoon?" she muttered resentfully to herself as she buried her nose in a magazine she had picked up to read.

"Well, we're going on this so-called farce of a honeymoon, as you put it, because it's what happens after wedding ceremonies," he replied, amused.

"Ohh...I-I thought you were asleep..." Lola nearly swallowed her tongue. She had thought he was fast asleep, but she was wrong.

"Yea, I know. I was wondering when you would finally break your vow of silence. I was beginning to think you were practically deaf and dumb. People have gotten married for worse reasons than ours, so just accept it in good faith and put an end to this injured innocent attitude," he said, as he closed his eyes again.

She glared at him, seething in silence, not knowing what to say to him. Maybe he thought that because she was not talking, it meant she was going to take everything in good faith. Well, if so, he had a surprise in store. She knew when to pick her battles, and if he thought he would get some while on this honeymoon, then he was in for a shock. He would have to literally tie her down before she would allow him to have sex with her.

"Please fasten your seatbelts, as we will soon be making our final descent," the pilot's voice boomed over the speakers, waking Lola up from her slumber. She didn't realize she had dozed off. She adjusted the straps of her gown, making sure everything was still in place, before strapping on her seatbelt. William had already buckled his, looking calm and unruffled.

She glanced outside the window to take in the beautiful, serene landscape of Panama. This was the first time she'd traveled here, and she was taken aback by how beautiful the city was. She hadn't even known that Panama was their destination when they boarded. It was only when the plane was about to take off that she heard the captain announced it. The plane came to a stop, and she reached to unhook her seatbelt, but for some reason, it wouldn't budge. She tried again, getting frustrated. When William pushed her hands away to help her, the belt came undone easily, as if he were the one that had locked it with key.

"Thank you," she whispered. He nodded his head without replying as he stepped out of the plane.

The first thought that came to her mind was why Panama? Lola could not understand why Liam would choose Panama for their honeymoon, but as they drove through the city, she too fell in love with the place. The stone ruins transported visitors back to the time of the gold-seeking conquistadors and buccaneers, who did battle over what became one of the richest settlements in the world. The charming pastel-colored residences and historic mansions captivated her. They took a boat ride from Panama City to Pearl Island, their honeymoon destination.

The island was one of the most beautiful resorts she had ever seen, and she had seen quite few during her various holiday trips. Their beach house was stylishly crafted, with antique furniture decorating the rooms. She could smell the sea water and promised herself she'd go for a dive soon. For the first time, she wished that hers was a normal marriage and this was a real honeymoon as she wandered around the rooms. In the master bedroom, a centuries-old painted mantel offset the honey-tone paneling. An antique table, paired with a chair, was by the four-poster bed. The bed itself was cover with cream-colored fabric. A Persian rug lined the floor of the bedroom, and bookcases divided the bedroom into two spaces—one for sleeping and the other for reading or working.

"I come here to get away sometimes," Liam explained from behind her, causing her to jump a little. "So do you like it?" he asked as he strode in to the room.

"Well, what's not to like? It's beautiful," she replied, still gazing around.

He sauntered to where the closet was, opening it. "Everything you might need is here already, so you can go ahead and freshen up." He folded his hands and rested them on the door frame, looking at her. His intense perusal sent a tendril of heat curling through her, causing her face to heat up. "You know, they call this particular island Pearl Island," he continued, unbothered by her silence.

"Oh really? Interesting." She rolled her eyes. "Well, let's not get carried away. This isn't a love match or a lesson in history." Glaring at him, she stormed into the adjoining bathroom. But she had totally missed his point. His late mother's name was Pearl, and that was one of the reasons why he loved this island.

Lola was too preoccupied with her thoughts to appreciate the beauty of the bathroom. A stone tub was neatly tucked in one corner of the spacious bathroom, with a glass shower stall on the other side. The wall was lined with a powdered blue mosaic of painted tiles. If anyone had told her that this would be her life, she wouldn't have believed them. Everything was different now. She had never seen it coming either. Everything had been going just fine until the news of her father's death changed her life and all her plans just fell apart. Just like that. It was audacious of him to shop for her clothes, but nothing he did could surprise her anymore. "How did he even know my size anyway?" she hissed. "Now I know why that woman did so much measuring."

She never even had a chance to end the budding relationship she had been forming with a new guy her friend in London had introduced her to, though they were still in the getting-to-know-you stage. She sighed heavily, wishing she could just turn back the hands of time. Lola discarded her clothes, turning the shower dial to medium before stepping into the stall. The cool water cascaded over her body, relaxing her overheated skin and washing all the dirt and stress of traveling away. She switched the water off, stepping out to snag a robe from the neatly folded pile of towels and lines placed near the side of the tub. Lola tied the sash of the robe, checking herself in the vanity mirror to be sure her cleavage was not showing. She was certain her new husband would want to have his way with her tonight. Goosebumps raised on her skin at the thought. She had heard about how ruthless William was in business, and also with women, about how the women always came back for more. But once he had them, he never went back.

She shuddered at the thought of what a man like him could do to her innocent body. He would take and take until there was nothing left to give. She was afraid of letting her guard down. The only solution was to handle things with maturity. That being the case, she squared her shoulders with conviction and stepped out.

William unbuttoned his shirt, placing the cuff links on the bedside table. It had been close to thirty minutes since Lola had stormed into the bathroom, locking herself in. He had thought about knocking on the door and demanding she came out, but he dismissed the notion. He was a patient man after all, and all good things came to those who waited, so he let her be. He smiled as he thought about why his wife might have locked herself inside, refusing to come out.

"Maybe she thought I was going to force her into consummating our marriage tonight." Liam grinned at the thought, removing his trousers, which left him in just his black briefs.

He watches the door ease open, and Lola stepped out, bundled in a robe. He gave her a wolfish grin. His new wife was a nervous wreck.

"William, I—" Whatever Lola had planned to say could not get past her closed throat. Her brain signals seemed to get jammed as her gaze roamed over his well-defined broad shoulders, tracing his chest down to where his hairline disappeared into his briefs. God! He was gorgeous.

"I thought you might be planning to sleep inside the bathroom," he taunted her. "Did you want to say something? Or would you prefer to continue staring at my body? I'm not complaining; I just should clean up first, then you can look and feel," he drawled.

"Oh, yes. I mean no. Sorry, go ahead. We can talk when you're done," Lola scurried to the closet, embarrassed by her reaction to him.

"Alright, little wife, but just one more thing…" He waited for her to look at him.

"Yes?"

"You can call me Liam. That's what my family calls me." Chuckling, he sauntered into the bathroom.

"Damnit, I hate him for how he makes me feel," she muttered. She brought out the bag in which she had packed her underwear and nightclothes. She selected a black silk nightgown with a matching robe that reached her knees, putting it on quickly before Liam could come back and catch her undressed. She was annoyed that she could not act as calm as he was. She crossed the room to the bed and climbed onto it, leaving the bedside lamp on, determined to wait and have that talk with him when he came out. Lola rehearsed how she was going to start the conversation with him, "Now, you see, I know we're married and all that—but I'm not ready..." She yawned heavily, still determined to practice what she would say. She pillowed her head with her hands.

Lola didn't notice when sleep claimed her.