From Frying Pan to Strange Fire

For a brief moment, Joan forgot all of her troubles as her eyes feasted on the unbelievably handsome being that just walked into the house and was standing by the doorway with his mesmerizing blue eyes fixated on her.

Nothing could have prepared her for that sight. This was the same man from the hospital, she could tell. But how was he now looking a hundred times better than he did a few hours ago?

It couldn’t be the clothes. He was dressed too simply to attribute the changes to his attire. Moreover, the change didn’t only affect his physical looks. The aura surrounding him was strong, intimidating yet alluring, and dark.

She didn’t know how she knew these things because they were things she wouldn’t notice about a person on a normal day. But she noticed and felt all of it as soon as her eyes met with Roman’s.

The bubble burst when she heard his voice and his words. He had the kind of voice that makes it easy for one to obey his every command, but his words sent a wave of confusion to her head and everyone else present. Did he just call her wife?

“Huh???” Grace couldn’t stop her voice from expressing her confusion. Her utterance successfully got Roman’s attention and he shifted his gaze to her.

“Ah… It’s the friend who wants to discuss payment terms.” Roman spoke, flashing her a wide smile, and at that moment, it came rushing back to her. She realized he was the “cute guy” staring at Joan in the restaurant. “Grace, right?” Roman asked, but she couldn’t respond. Roman chuckled. “She is too stunned to answer. Don’t worry, I am here to rescue her and I don’t require any payment for it. Now if you’ll excuse me, your friend needs my attention.” He turned away from Grace and faced Joan. “Hello, wife.”

“I am not your wife.” Joan threw back instantly without hesitation, despite the guilt that was eating her up inside.

“You’re not?” Roman looked taken aback, but the look lasted only for a second before a crazy smile replaced it. “Of course, you’re not my wife… yet. But you will be in a few minutes. Get the priest, Trevor.” He ordered.

“Yes, boss.” Trevor gave a curt nod and turned toward the door. However, he halted and turned back to Roman, having worry on his face.

“Relax Trevor. I’m in a good mood. No one’s gonna die tonight. It’s my wedding night. Not that I mind, but my bride might not like it.” Roman spoke, already reading Trevor’s thoughts and emotions despite the fact that he was backing the latter.

At those words, Trevor relaxed a little. He started walking toward the door again only to halt one more time when his name was called.

“Mr. Baliante,” Mrs. Charles called out, having had enough already. “What is the meaning of this? I demand an explanation. You can’t just come into my house uninvited, with a stranger who keeps saying things no one understands. What is the purpose of your visit, please?”

“Mrs. Charles, we are not here for you. We are here to see Miss Joan.” Trevor responded to the woman, the initial smile on his face was now nowhere to be found.

“Did I hear you say Miss Joan?” Richard asked, stopping Trevor from uttering his next words. On his face was confusion and evident annoyance. “The only Joan in this house is a Mrs. And she is my wife.”

“Not for long.” Trevor said, then walked out of the house.

Roman, on the other hand, was all smiles as he walked to the table and grabbed the papers, his eyes scanning through their contents.

“Are you ready to sign it?” He asked with his gaze and full attention on Joan, his hand pulling out a pen from his pocket.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

“Sir, please, can we-”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk…” Roman cut Joan off, shaking his head in disapproval. He moved to stand before her, his gaze piercing. “Don’t call me sir. The name’s Roman Graviel, but I’ll prefer you call me husband.” He spoke seriously.

“You are not my husband.” Joan threw back.

“But I’m going to be.” Roman spoke calmly, not the slightest bit affected by all her rejections. Instead, he seemed to be getting pleased by the second, something Joan found to be strange.

“Please, Mr. Roman, can I talk to you outside?” Joan asked, deciding to ignore his words and behavior.

“Why?” Roman whispered, taking a step to the side and walking around only to stop right behind her. He lowered his head to whisper in her ears. “To tell me how sorry you are and beg me not to take the matter up?” He asked in a whisper, his eyes moving to settle on Richard.

Intense satisfaction settled in Roman’s heart when he saw how pained and confused Richard looked while watching them.

Richard had his gaze fixed on Joan, a deep furrow settling between his brows. He wanted to do or say something, but the look his mother gave him, and the awareness that there were armed men around them made him hold his peace.

“No need, baby. Even though I have the power to, I won’t be sending you to jail for what you did.” Roman continued to whisper, his words bringing relief to Joan’s heart for a moment.

She was glad he was whispering, and his words could only be heard by her, but the closeness of his lips to her ear, his warm breath fanning her skin, and his voice were doing things to her mind and body.

“You are too beautiful to spend the rest of your days in Jail, so I’ve come up with a simple solution that will benefit both of us.” Roman spoke, moving his head to the opposite ear, loving her subtle reactions to his actions, which he alone noticed. Also, her scent was driving him crazy and he wanted to get more without actually physically touching her neck.

“What is the solution?” Joan found herself whispering back, and only started wondering why she did that after she already did it.

“Simple. Marry me.” Roman revealed and Joan stepped away from him in shock, turning to look at him. Was he crazy to ask that of her?

“What?! Marry you? I don’t even know you.” She blurted out loud and instantly regretted it because everyone now knew the content of their discussion.

“You don’t know me? Maybe I should refresh your memory about how, where, and when we met.”

“No!” Joan exclaimed with pleading eyes. “I remember now. But this is too sudden. Can you at least give me time to think about it?” she asked, deciding to play along as she didn’t want any situation that would bring her crime to light.

“Of course. Take your time, my love.” He said and Joan was beginning to feel relieved only to hear him add, “You have five minutes.”