Blackmailing His Runaway Bride by Dance-is-me (mobi reader txt) 📖

Watching the man as he scanned the room like he were some surveying officer, Charles wondered why Rodrigo Ordinaz would send a man that reeked of danger to his house.

Especially when Isabella was with him.

 Then, after that thought, Charles pondered on what the reason for the sudden drop-by could be.

According to the letter, he was meant to contact Rodrigo. Or was it the other way around? Charles pocketed his free hand, his eyes squinting as he tried to recall the contents of the letter earlier sent.

"Like I said..." The man's voice cut through the silence. "Mr. Ordinaz has sent me here." He had his seat on the black couch closest to the huge entrance door. The seat was part of a four-set sofa which was arranged in a u-shaped way.

"What is this message?" Charles asked, and he and Isabella found their seat adjacent to the man.

The man wore a big smirk as he leaned forward, his elbows against his thighs, giving him a more threatening posture. "He is glad his son has finally gotten a wife. He is also glad you are taking him seriously."

Charles scoffed, his thumb running over his lower lip as though that would do a great job of taming the immense emotions he was feeling at that moment. "Why is he being so mysterious?" The man shrugged in response to Charles's question. "Listen, tell Ordinaz to stop this game of his. If he can't face me or give me a way to meet him directly, he should forget it."

The dark-haired man sat up. "But..."

"It is just absurd that someone who has never been part of my life would want to be so controlling." Charles furiously threw his hands in the air as a form of gesticulation. "I might have been crazy about meeting him before, but right now..." The arch of his brows settled. "... I just want to live a peaceful life."

Their unwanted visitor cleared his throat before saying, "I would still like to deliver his message."

After an annoyed sigh, Charles motioned for him to get on with it.

"Well..." The suited individual adjusted in his seat. "Mr. Ordinaz is truthfully also yearning to meet the only son he is yet to see. But he has changed his mind concerning the inheritance."

"As I told you, I have no interest in his wealth," Charles snapped, his reaction causing him to receive a tap on his arm from Isabella who silently urged him to keep calm.

"And he doesn't intend to give it to you. He just wants a grandchild from you. That grandchild will inherit the-"

"Tell Rodrigo Ordinaz that I don't have time for these games. And who does he think he is to dictate when to have my child?" Charles quickly got up, his eyes finally wearing the anger he had been keeping in. "If he doesn't decide on time, whether we should meet or not, he should forget that he has another son out there."

A curt nod from the tall man and he stood up. "I will convey your message, Charles Oxford. But... My boss is not a man who gives up easily."

"Well, I don't give up easily either. If he fails to stop trying to control my life, he'll see how much of a crazy person I can be. By then..." Charles's eyes narrowed with menace. "He'll regret ever deciding to find me."

"Very well."

The door soon closed after Ordinaz's messenger, and Isabella got up. As she placed her hands on his flexing biceps, she asked, "Did you mean that, Charles?"

He sighed. "I did some thinking before we came down here. I don't know why I didn't see it earlier, but that Ordinaz man is trying to play games with me. And I won't let him go any further. Not now, when I have found you." He affectionately cupped her cheeks. "I don't want to put you through another drama because of my real father."

"But he is your father, Charles. Your real father."

"Bella, forget about it." His thumbs caressed her face as his eyes looked worried. "Why do you look so pale though? Sit down for a minute."

"Charles..." Isabella started her statement after she had heaved a crazily heavy sigh while he helped her to the couch. "There is something I should tell you. I should have said this a long time ago but..."

 His phone's ringtone cut through her words and she gave a short nod as Charles excused himself to take the call.

A few seconds later, Charles faced her and said, "That was Augustus. He just informed me that Ben Idoh is looking for you."

"Wh-why?"

Charles squatted in front of her and began to play with her hair while he darkly said, "Because his debts are haunting him."

~

 "Isn't it funny how this hotel keeps hosting us and the people in our lives?" Isabella asked as she walked down the hall, hand in hand with Charles. 

They were both walking toward the room Ben Idoh was residing in for the meantime.

"Hmm," Charles gave a low grunt to her earlier observation, his face wearing a serious look. "Bella?" 

"Yes, Charles?"

"Is this the right thing to do?"

"I'd like to believe it is," she replied, her hand letting go of his so she could hug her jacket closer.

Before they both embarked on hours journey to New York, Isabella's mind became plagued by the things she heard from Charles.

 Since a part of her wanted to spit in Ben Idoh's face and another part wanted to hear him out and then spit in his face, Isabella decided to deal with Ben Idoh.

Charles did not hesitate to show his displeasure at her idea but she swayed him with a determined look.

So, after a few calls to Augustus who provided them with adequate information about the man, they boarded the next flight to New York.

"Bella, I am no longer bothered that you want to see this man. I am more worried that you are going to let him go easily. He should greatly pay for what he has done," said Charles who glanced her way with a hard look on his face.

"Forcing him to pay the debts he tried to evade is enough punishment, right?"