CHAPTER THREE
1390 Words
I looked intently at Astoria as an entire medley of emotions flashed across her face in a matter of seconds. Shock, surprise and confusion were all evident, made even more so by the way her fork dropped back onto the plate.
“I… I don't understand. What do you mean, as your wife?” she asked.
“You heard me. A contract marriage. We get married for a certain period of time, make the act look convincing enough, and after an agreed time, we split up amicably, and I'll compensate you heavily afterwards.” I explained to her.
“Do you just go around asking random women to marry you? You don't even know who I am.” She argued.
She had a point, though. What I was doing was wild, reckless and sure to make my family crazy, but let's face it. That was one of the major reasons I was doing it anyway. As for Astoria, though…
I just couldn't explain it.
Yesterday, when I discovered that I had run someone over, I rushed out of the car, not expecting to lay my eyes on someone as perfect as her. Sure, she was unconscious and a bit scratched up, and she seemed really distracted from the accident, but I don't know what came over me. I ended up bringing her to my penthouse and getting my personal doctor to look her over rather than taking her to the hospital. I just didn't want her out of my sight.
There was something very familiar about her, but I just couldn't place it. It was almost like I had met her before, but I couldn't place where that was.
A sound of a throat clearing pulled me out of my thoughts and back into the present. I noticed Astoria glaring at me, her hands crossed in front of her chest.
“Answer my question, mister. You don't even know who I am, why should I marry you?” she asked.
She was wrong though, I knew exactly who she was. After the accident yesterday, I had my men scour the city to look for information on her. Astoria Brooks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Galan Brooks. She was newly divorced, married to Darren Thompson for almost two years up until yesterday. She had a twin sister, Aeris Brooks, but there wasn't much to be known about her.
“You really think I don't know anything about you, Astoria Brooks? You have a twin sister. You just got divorced. Currently, you don't have anything because your ex husband swindled you, and father left you to fend for yourself.” I narrated, pulling a shocked gasp from between her lips. “Now, don't be too surprised on how I know all this. A man like me knows how to get the things he wants.”
She stood up from the chair and said, “I'm not going to marry you. What made you even think that I would?”
“I'll give you till the end of the day to think about it. Meanwhile, stay in the apartment. There's food in the fridge and pantry, and you can watch anything on the television. If you need anything else, you can ask my housekeeper. I have to go to the office, but I'll be back later, and then we can have another conversation.” I said and stood up, buttoning my suit jacket and leaving the room.
I was on my way to the office when my phone rang. I turned the screen to look at the caller ID to see that it was my mum. Rolling my eyes, I pressed the button to raise the partition between me and the driver before picking up the call.
“Hello mom,” I said into the phone, trying to sound as bored as possible.
“Zayan, you child. You don't even call your mother anymore. What kind of a son are you?” she said, sounding very sober and pitiful.
“Let's skip the theatrics, mom, we spoke a few days ago. I'm an adult and a busy man, we don't have to talk everyday. What's the problem?” I asked her. I knew my mom, she usually only called me when she was cooking up some new scheme.
“Humph, I don't know what kind of son I have, thinking I'll only call him for a reason,” she grumbled. “Anyway, I see that doing fine, I'm doing good as well, thanks for asking. How's work?”
“Fine, mum.” I didn't bother trying to sound enthusiastic.
“Well, I called to tell you that we'll be expecting you for dinner on Sunday night. And I heard that Mrs. Robinson's daughter is back in town, and she might be able to come over too.” she said excitedly.
I groaned inaudibly. This was yet another matchmaking attempt by my mother. Why didn't she get the hint that I wasn't ready to settle down with any of the girls she chose? I needed the day to go by faster, so I could reason with Astoria as quickly as possible.
“I don't know if I'll be able to, mom. But I'll try my best. But if I'm coming, I'll be bringing my girlfriend along, so prepare for that.” I announced.
“Girlfriend?!” she shrieked, “how? Since when did you have a girlfriend? And why didn't you tell me about her?”
“I wanted it to be a surprise, mom. Now, I have to go, I'm really busy. I'll call you back, okay mum? Bye.” I said, cringing inwardly at the raw excitement in her voice.
“Bye Zayan, see you on Sunday! Your father and I can't wait to meet her!” she said and hung up.
I winced as the call ended, silently cursing myself for introducing Astoria to my mother as my girlfriend without even telling her. But knowing my mom, if I didn't take such drastic action, she would never let me breathe.
Now I only wished that the hours would speed up so that I could get home faster.
It seemed like my wishes were granted because I lost track of time at work, and the day ended before I could realise it. I rushed back to the penthouse, eager to know what Astoria had decided, at the same time dreading what her reaction would be to the stunt I pulled with my mother. I reached the building and beelined towards the elevator, not responding to any greetings on the way.
In the apartment, I found Astoria in the guest bedroom, just sitting on thr bed with a blank look on her face.
“Hello there.” I said to get her attention, since it seemed like she was lost in thoughts.
She startled, jumping a bit before turning to face me, “Oh, I didn't see you there. You're back.”
“Yeah. Are you feeling any better?” I asked.
“A lot better, thank you.” She replied, after which an uncomfortable silence followed.
“Did you eat anything today?” I tried to break the silence.
She shook her head, “I didn't want to take advantage of your generosity.”
“Don't be absurd,” I said, the words coming out a lot sharper than I intended, “you'll have dinner with me, alright?”
She only nodded, after which I beckoned for her to follow me out of the room.
When we were seated comfortably at the dining area, I broke the news to her.
“So, what about my proposal from earlier? Did you consider it?” I asked her.
She nodded then said, “Yes, I did. But I'm afraid I can't accept.”
“I'm afraid you can't refuse, Miss Brooks.” I told her.
Her head snapped up to look directly at me, her face wrinkling into a frown as she asked me, “What do mean by that?’
“I introduced you to my mother as my girlfriend today, and we're expected for dinner on Sunday night.” I dropped the bomb.
I expected a reaction from her, not the plain lack of expression I saw on her face.
What I didn't expect, however, was the palm that landed on my cheek.
- Writer
