Owned By Mistake

Cherry's face turned pale the moment she heard Benjamin's threat.

She wasn't naïve. She knew exactly what this man was capable of, he had power, influence, and no shame in using both to ruin her if she defied him. She had lived through false accusations before. She wouldn't let it happen again.

But fear wouldn't save her.

Think, Cherry. Think.

With a deep breath, she slowly pushed the panic down and forced her face to relax. Then, inch by inch, she lifted her gaze and met Benjamin's with a soft, fake smile.

Benjamin tilted his head, amused by the shift. "That's more like it, baby," he cooed, stepping closer. "Nothing bad will happen to you if you just cooperate. You're learning. That's good."

He reached a hand toward her face, smirking. "But before we talk more, let me kiss you."

Cherry instantly raised her hand and covered her lips, stepping back just slightly, eyes wide with faux innocence.

"I-I'm just nervous," she said in a trembling but sweet voice. "Isn't your fiancée Olivia Ace Carter? She's really popular around here."

Benjamin paused, blinking, caught off guard.

Cherry saw it. That hesitation. Now. She leaned into the role and pretended to fidget shyly. "I just don't want to get caught. What if she finds out? Isn't she scary?"

Benjamin scoffed, annoyed. "That brat? She's impossible. A spoiled princess who thinks the world owes her something. My parents are forcing me into that engagement because they want to suck up to the Ace Carters."

He rolled his eyes. "If I had a choice, I'd never go near Olivia again."

Cherry fought the urge to gag. Her skin crawled. But she nodded slowly, pretending to understand. "I see, I-I just wanted to be sure I'm not stepping on anyone's toes," she murmured, letting her voice tremble just the right amount.

Benjamin's mood softened again, falling for the act. "Don't worry about her, baby. You're way better than she'll ever be."

Cherry forced another smile, even as her heart thundered.

She had bought herself a little time, but she knew she couldn't keep up this act for long. She needed to get away, fast. Before Benjamin's fake sweetness turned into something much worse.

"B-But I'm still scared," Cherry said in a small voice, her fingers fidgeting at her side.

Benjamin smirked and stepped closer. "Don't worry, baby. If anyone tries to hurt you, I'll handle it. But right now, don't waste time, kiss me."

He lunged to grab her, but Cherry shoved him back hard enough to make him stumble. Her voice turned sharp.

"Are you sure your fiancée won't be mad if she hears what you just said?"

Benjamin froze. For a second, there was pure fury in his eyes. Then came the sneer. "You still don't get it, do you?" He stepped forward again, grabbing her chin roughly. "The first rule of being mine, you obey. Got it?"

Before he could move again, Cherry jerked herself free, stepping away with purpose. She pulled her phone from her pocket with shaking hands and held it up.

"I recorded everything," she said firmly. Her voice trembled, but her gaze held steady. "Try anything, and Olivia will hear exactly what you said."

Benjamin's smirk disappeared. His face darkened. "You little,"

But Cherry didn't wait. She turned and pushed open the door behind her, shouting, "Help! Someone, please!"

Voices echoed nearby. Footsteps.

Benjamin's eyes widened. He didn't expect that.

Cherry didn't look back. She knew the only thing keeping her safe now was momentum and the truth.

Cherry was gasping for air when a loud, continuous knock suddenly echoed from the door.

"Is there anyone in there? Open up!" a man's voice called out, urgent and impatient.

The interruption made Benjamin flinch. He was forced to release Cherry from his chokehold, and she collapsed to the floor, clutching her throat, coughing violently.

She didn't move right away, still stunned, still trying to breathe, but when she realized the voice might belong to a co-worker, a spark of hope ignited in her chest. She tried to scream for help, but Benjamin was quicker. He lunged down and covered her mouth with his palm.

Cherry struggled, refusing to give up. She pounded the wall as hard as she could, desperate to make noise, to let the person outside know she was inside.

Benjamin snarled in rage and yanked her away from the wall, his eyes burning with fury. "Gosh I said Stop making noise!" he growled through clenched teeth, his voice low and threatening.

But the knocking didn't stop.

"I'm warning you, if no one answers, I'm calling the police!" the voice said firmly from the hallway.

Benjamin's aggressive posture shifted. The word police changed everything.

He knew he had crossed a line, and this wasn't a place where he could control the outcome. Not his turf. If this got out, his family would be dragged into it, and the scandal would be unforgivable.

With a final scowl, he released Cherry completely and spat, "I'm not afraid of threats, Cherry Blaire. I will get you, wherever you run."

He stormed to the door and flung it open.

Cherry's co-worker, Mark, stood there, stunned by the sudden appearance. His eyes widened in confusion as Benjamin shoved past him.

"Get out of my face, idiot!" Benjamin snapped and stormed off down the hall.

Mark blinked in disbelief before turning back to look inside the room.

He gasped when he saw Cherry curled on the floor, trembling, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. Her eyes were red, her lips pale.

"Cherry! What happened? Are you okay?"

She couldn't speak yet. She just nodded faintly, still shaking.

Mark rushed to her side and gently helped her sit up, but his concern was turning into rage.

"That man... What the hell did he do to you?" he muttered, already reaching for his phone. "I'm calling the police,"

Cherry grabbed his wrist, her voice hoarse but urgent. "No... not yet. Just help me out of here first. Please."

He knew Cherry had brought the food cart, but why had she left it outside? And why was the room locked and so eerily quiet?

That's when his worry turned into dread.

Everyone in the area knew Benjamin Scott's reputation, the son of a powerful governor, with a long list of rumors and hushed-up complaints about his behavior toward women. Sexual harassment, intimidation, and abuse, whispers that never reached the courts but echoed loudly in the hallways.

Mark's gut told him something wasn't right. That's why he knocked, just in case. And now, looking at Cherry's pale face and trembling hands, he was certain of it.

"Are you okay, Cherry? What happened? Ma'am was looking for you earlier," Mark said, gently helping her up.

Cherry forced a small, shaky smile and brushed her hair behind her ear, trying to make herself look composed.

"O-I'm okay, Mark," she replied softly, avoiding his eyes as she quickly smoothed out her wrinkled uniform.

"Are you sure? Did that guy do something to you? Do you want us to report it to the police?" Mark asked, his tone growing firm with concern.

Cherry quickly shook her head, panic flickering in her eyes. "No, no, please. I'm really fine." She took a deep breath, then gestured weakly to the food cart beside them, where the juice had spilled across the tray. "He was just scolding me. I spilled the order, that's all."

Mark glanced at the mess, then back at her. He didn't look convinced, but he also didn't press further. Maybe he sensed she wasn't ready. Or maybe he understood how powerless people like them could feel around people like Benjamin Scott.

"Is that so?" he muttered, still sceptical. After a pause, he finally nodded. "Alright. Fix yourself up a bit, then follow me to the kitchen. Ma'am was looking for you."

"Okay, Mark. Thank you," Cherry replied in a whisper, relief softening her voice as he walked away.

As soon as he disappeared down the hall, Cherry let out the breath she had been holding. Her knees buckled slightly, but she steadied herself against the wall. Her hands were still trembling, but her mind was already racing.

She couldn't let Benjamin get away with this.

Not this time.

After leaving the hallway, Cherry suddenly remembered her cellphone. She had dropped it during the chaos earlier. She hurried back, picked it up off the floor, and silently thanked heaven when she saw that it was still working.

The truth was, she never recorded anything. She had only bluffed about it because she was desperate to escape Benjamin. Luckily, she remembered Benjamin's fiancée's name, Olivia, from a conversation she overheard while sharing an elevator with Gilbert. That quick recall probably saved her from something worse. And now, that very bluff seemed to be keeping Benjamin away.

In the days that followed, Cherry's life slowly returned to normal. Benjamin had disappeared again, and she hadn't seen him anywhere on campus. That alone was a huge relief. Maybe he was scared she really had something on him.

She was also back to her usual routine, going to university during the day, visiting Luke at the hospital afterwards, then heading to her part-time job in the evening. Thankfully, her boss didn't fire her over the commotion at the restaurant. He simply gave her a warning to be more careful in the future.

That morning, Cherry received a notice from the guidance office, she needed to submit some documents for her scholarship renewal. So, after class, she headed straight there with a neat folder tucked under her arm.

"Good afternoon, Mister Martinez," Cherry greeted politely as she entered the quiet office.

The elderly man behind the desk looked up and smiled. He was in his late forties, slightly balding, with reading glasses perched on the edge of his nose.

"Good afternoon, Miss Blaire. Please, have a seat," he said, motioning to the swivel chair in front of his desk.

Cherry sat down and offered a faint smile as she handed him the documents. "These are the requirements you asked for, sir."

He took the folder and placed it on the desk without opening it. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. "How have you been lately, Miss Blaire?"

"I'm fine, Mister Martinez," Cherry replied quickly, the practiced smile still on her lips. She didn't feel like opening up, not to him. Something about the way he always looked at her during consultations made her uncomfortable. He never did or said anything outright inappropriate, but his eyes lingered too long, and his tone often carried a subtle edge that made her want to end the conversation as quickly as possible.

"I see," he replied, voice calm. "You're a good student, Miss Blaire. But remember, even good students can lose their scholarships if they're... distracted."

Cherry blinked, unsure how to respond to that. There was a strange pause, then Mister Martinez smiled again, though this time it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Don't worry," he added, finally reaching for the documents. "I'll make sure everything's in order. But if you ever need... extra support, you can always come to me. My door's always open."

"Thank you, sir," Cherry said, standing up as politely as she could, even though she felt a sudden chill creep down her spine. "I'll keep that in mind."

She walked out of the office as calmly as she could, but her thoughts were racing.

One danger seemed to fade, and another might just be taking its place.

Mister Martinez leaned back in his chair and studied Cherry closely, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"I received a report, Miss Blaire," he began with false calm, "that you've been having an inappropriate relationship with a schoolmate. Is that true?"

Cherry's brows knitted in confusion, her chest tightening.

"W-What? No, Mister Martinez. I don't have any relationship like that. I swear,"

But the teacher just smiled, slowly, almost mockingly.

"No need to be nervous, Miss Blaire. I'm not here to report you to the dean. I just want to know if what I heard is true."

Her stomach dropped.

"I don't understand, what do you mean?" she asked, voice shaking slightly.

The grin that spread across Mister Martinez's face made her skin crawl.

"Stop pretending, Cherry. If you need money, you can just tell me. How much is your going rate? I'll pay double if you agree." He leaned in. "What do you think?"

For a second, Cherry couldn't breathe. Her mind went blank, overwhelmed with shock and disbelief. Did she hear that right?

Before she could respond, he casually reached across the desk and laid his hand over hers.

"Think about my offer, Cherry," he said smoothly. "You can come to me anytime you're ready. No pressure."

Cherry yanked her hand away, but his grip tightened. Her voice trembled with disgust and anger.

"I don't know what kind of rumors you heard, but I'm not that kind of person, and I don't need your dirty money!"

Martinez chuckled, still holding her hand firmly.

"Don't be so dramatic. I'm just trying to help you out. What's so wrong with that?"

She glared at him, her whole body trembling with fury.

"You're disgusting. What you're doing could cost you your license!"

The grin on his face faltered. He opened his mouth to reply, but before he could get a word out,

The office door slammed open.

Everyone turned. The dean stepped inside, followed by two school directors and Gilbert Ace Carter.

He was wearing a crisp black suit over a white shirt, his presence sharp and commanding. His cold gaze scanned the room and landed on the exact moment Mister Martinez was still gripping Cherry's hand.

Cherry's heart plummeted. She immediately pulled her hand back, cheeks flushed with fear and humiliation. Gilbert's eyes narrowed at her, unreadable, and that look alone made her legs feel weak.

She didn't know what scared her more, the humiliation of the moment, or what Gilbert might be thinking after seeing it.