Lia
I entered the lift and let out the breath I was holding unknowingly. I knew it was a big mistake to let out such a statement. But who did he think himself of? That arrogant, self-centered, egoistic, handsome, eye catching... What? Get a grip Lia. Don't say that you fell for him. You were not one of his lapdogs.
I recalled the phone conversation with my mom today.
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"Where are you Adelia? Why are you not picking up my calls?"
Crap! I forgot my mom could call me.
"Mom I forgot my phone in my friend's place." Please don't question about the friend! Please don't question about the friend!
"Hmmm. Is your friend's house is inside Mandarin?"
"Mom..."
"Young lady. Care to explain the photograph?"
"What photo mom?" I tried to talk in the innocent voice.
"Adelia Grace Wentworth, You cannot trick me. I am your mom."
Oh no. "Mom nothing happened yesterday. Please don't worry about that."
"Your position in the photograph says otherwise."
Why can't her believe me above that photograph. I need a change of plan.
"Mom nothing to worry. Besides my face is not shown in that." I gasped on what I revealed to my mom.
"What? Are you only considering of what others will think? What about you and your family? I thought I had brought up my kids in a good way. Now I realised that I am wrong"
I felt a pang of guilt when my mom's voice wavered in the end.
"You are best mom in the world. Please don't think otherwise."
"Then please tell me what is happening?"
I need to pacify mom for now. I will think of the consequences later.
"Mom, he is my boyfriend. We met while discussing the contract between his and our company. And slowly developed into friendship and then even more." Which was not a complete lie. In fact I went to discuss regarding the contract on that day.
"That does not explain the picture."
"We met casually. He does not want media to enter between us. So we used to meet in private locations and that was one such occasion. But err.. things got heated up a bit."
"But..."
"Mom please, I know you are upset. But I will explain you when I come home."
"Fine, I will leave this now. But remember that this conversation is not over."
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I should first check the agreement if there are any hidden loop holes. I cannot go to Uncle Leo and then it will reach my parents' ears. Let me go to Max first and then figure out the next step.
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"The agreement is water tight. He has clearly stipulated on the confidentiality of the marriage. I don't see any hidden agendas. Its straight and transparent. Basically, the marriage news should not be leaked out, no infidelity, you should not misuse your position as his wife and you cannot oppose in case he is asking for divorce. But the divorce settlement is enormous though." The lawyer who Max took us to explained us.
"What about our relationship in our marriage? Any demands?" I asked hoping the lawyer would catch my question. Geez, why was I so embarrassed.
He in turn chuckled "No details mentioned. I think you should discuss it with Mr. Alastair"
"What? How can I discuss this?" Max and Alyssa started laughing seeing the horror in my face and voice.
"Darling, you are ready to agree to marry this man, but not ready to discuss the intimacy?" I did not respond but glared at Alyssa.
"Easy for you to say" I grumbled back which made them laugh even louder.
****************
Luc
"It's 10:30 already. Do you think Miss. Wentworth will call?" James asked in a doubtful tone.
"We have 30 more minutes."
"How can you be so calm? Are you not worried in the answer?"
"Calm down. This is just another business deal. I have a backup plan if this fails"
"What is..."
James was interrupted by the intercom.
"Yes." I barked activating the speaker.
"A Miss. Wentworth is claiming that she has an appointment with you sir" The head security informed me.
"Make her wait for another 20 minutes and send her above by 10:50 sharp."
"What? Why?" James looked utterly confused.
"I had given the deadline till 10 am. If she is willing to exploit the grace period, then I too will play the same game."
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I smirked when I heard footsteps rushing towards my room.
I waited for a couple of minutes before answering the knock. Good, she have the manners to knock even on the crucial times.
Upon my approval, Miss. Wentworth entered the room. I purposefully looked my watch and saw her face blushed red.
"Please take your seat Miss. Wentworth. I hope you have an answer to say."
"Yes. But I have some changes in the agreement and have a doubt"
"It is already 10:55 and you have 5 minutes left for the deadline. Can you complete the discussion by the time?"
I smirked with satisfaction seeing her getting tensed and angry. Yes my dear it will happen only in my way.
"But...But..."
"Alright, give your answer now and I will give you 30 more minutes for our discussion."
"Do I have any other choice?"
"My dear. You always have a choice. You can very well reject the offer and walk out now."
"And see my father and brother struggling in business. Nope. So my answer is Yes, I will marry you. But I need to change one stipulation in the agreement and one doubt to clarify which was not covered in agreement."
My irritation spiked when she mentioned that this marriage is only for her family. So as my intention too for my family. But why her decision bothers me.
"I am not giving any promises. But let's hear it out. Which one you need to discuss first? The stipulation or the doubt?" In fact I am curious on the doubt. Which part have been left out? I was sure that I created a water tight agreement.
"Well first the stipulation. I don't want any settlement when there is a divorce."
Woah, She was already taking about divorce even before marriage. Yes, I have planned for divorce between us. Yet my irritation spiked up when she is thinking about that option.
"If you don't get a settlement then the media will get suspicious. So you will get the settlement after we both accept with a discussion but will have some limitations on the settlement. I will modify the agreement. So you will get a settlement that is convenient to both of us, IF there is a divorce" I quoted stressing the if.
Why don't she want any settlement? Is this some kind of a plot??
"What is the doubt?"
My curiosity piqued when I saw red creeping on her cheeks. She is cute when blushing.
She saw James and me. I asked James to wait for my call in his room.
"So Miss. Wentworth. You have another 10 minutes to clarify your doubt."
"Well.. After the marriage.. well.. You... Me..."
"Still not clear. Can you care to elaborate" I was enjoying seeing her squirm.
"Whataboutourrelationshipaftermarriage?"
"Still not clear" Now I am getting annoyed
She let out a deep breathe "What about our relationship after marriage?"
Now things were getting interested. I would not say that I have never thought about that.
"Can you be clearer" I successfully masked my laughter in my voice seeing her irritation spiking.
"As this is contract marriage what is our relationship status?"
Did I felt her tone became huskier? That created some reactions in my body.
"This may be a contract marriage. But I have not given any time frame for the duration. As you can see I have mentioned as no infidelity, yes you and I will have a regular relationship as a husband and wife."
She open and closed her mouth like a fish for a moment.
"What in case I get pregnant?" Her voice strained to the maximum level.
Imagining her body swollen with my kid gave heavy reactions in me. I had to cross my legs to avoid it showing. "Hmmm. That is an interesting question. I will take care of the problem."
I did not want to pursue the topic as it treads to dangerous path for me.
"Mr. Alastair...."
I interrupted her "I think we crossed the situation to address in second names. Call me Lucian or Luc, Adelia"
"My friends call me Lia."
"Lia..."
Calling her name gave a good feel.
"Lia, My parents wish to meet you. We will be attending morning tea with them on coming Saturday."
"You need to visit my family too on an unofficial circumstances. My mom will wish you to join for a dinner."
"Great. Let's finish meeting the families by this week. James will reach once the agreement is changed as per our discussion with the date for our marriage. It will happen in my parents' home."
"I will wait for your call."
When she was about to start I stopped her again.
"Since we have agreed for this mutual arrangement, you need this."
I crossed across the table and stood in front of her. I took out a small box from my pocket. I was planning to hand over to her so she can put it on herself.
Her eyes widened when she followed my actions.
"Don't expect me to bend on one knee. It will never happen in my life."
"I am not that stupid to expect that. If you hand over the box, I will put the ring on my finger."
The way she spoke without attachment angered me. So I decided.
"Come on darling. As your future husband, I am entitled to do this." I got up, walked towards her, took her hand and slide the ring on her finger.
"And, I am entitled to do this..." With those words I cupped her face and placed my lips on hers...