Soft Steel

CHAPTER FIVE

Violet

I sat motionless but for my blinking. I was still trying to decide if I heard Marcus well.

"You want me to be your contract wife?" I asked in a whisper. He nodded, looking solemn. "To deceive your grandfather?" His jaw clenched.

"I want to fulfill his wish, Violet. I told you, the doctors said he has less than a year to live." My heart squeezed. I had met Leonardo Grant and I liked him. Knowing he was going to die was a bummer. Still..

"Do you know how absurd this is? Marcus, marriage isn't something to take lightly!"

"I know, Violet. That's why there is a contract." I stared at him. He sighed and leaned forward, placing both elbows on the table.

"You need help, I can assist. I need a favor and I believe you can assist as well." So, he would help my family only if I helped him? Selfish but then again, there really wasn't anyone who did things for altruistic reasons.

"You will pay for my Dad's surgery?" I asked. "I will take care of your Dad's surgery, and ensure Harold Hunt pays for messing with you and your family." He promised.

"And all I need to do is to be married to you for a year? That's all?" His lips twitched. "I don't think being married is an easy thing, but we have to make Pop believe we are in love." My eyebrows furrowed.

"Why don't you just go out and fall in love with a woman?" I asked even though it felt stupid. If it was easy to go out there and just fall in love, he would have done that a long time ago. And to confirm my thought, he said, "I am thirty years old, darling. Unless you've got a proven recipe to get me a woman who is guaranteed to fall in love with me and I with her." Yeah, that wasn't happening.

"For a year, darling. No child so we will not complicate things. I'll get you everything you need. I just want Pop to die happy." Oh, that was so sweet.

"Can..." I stared up at him and he nodded in encouragement. "Can I sleep on this?" He smiled.

"Of course, darling. Take as long as you wish." Oh, really? "I'll hear your answer by the end of the week."

"I thought you said to take as long as I wanted?" I shrieked. He chuckled.

"You have long enough, darling." I glared at him. "Today is Wednesday!"

"I know, four days is long enough, ain't It, darling?" At my intensified glare, he burst into laughter, throwing his head back. It was a beautiful sight. When his eyes fell back to me, those brilliant Jades were dancing in amusement and I felt a flutter in my stomach.

"On the plus side, it would be a great thrill for Jason to see you."

"The ball is in your court, darling. Just say the word." My eyes bulged in delight.

"Really?" He nodded. Oh, man! Jason would be over the moon with joy. I stared at his handsome profile. His hair was black obsidian, cut evenly at the sides and longer on the front, slicked back, but a stubborn lock escaped, flopping down his forehead.

"I read about your parents' plane crash." I said softly and his eyes hardened. O boy. Me and my big mouth! "I just want to say, I kinda understand how it feels to lose someone you love." I stopped as my throat clogged with tears. My Mom's death wasn't something I liked to talk about and I guess that was same with Marcus.

"Sorry, forget I said anything." I said and bent my head. I felt his stare on me but I didn't raise my head.

"Someday..." I wasn't expecting him to speak. "...maybe I will be okay to talk about it. But until then..." He stopped and I nodded. I totally understood. I lifted my wrist and stared at my watch. It was ten minutes to one and my shift started by one.

"Can I get you anything?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Has your shift started?" I shook my head in the negative.

"Ten minutes to. But your tip will be a big help." His lips twitched.

"How big a help?" I spread my arms wide. "So big, I wouldn't worry about anything anymore." His smile was my goal but he gave me his laughter. Good. Anything to take away that hard look I had put through my statement.

"Saturday, St. Nicholas Park. What time will be convenient for you?" I asked, standing up.

"Pick the time, darling, and I will meet you there."

"I'll see you at 6 pm." He nodded. "See you later, Marcus."

"Later, darling." And I walked away to start my shift.

********

It was 7 p.m. the same day, my feet ached, my arms were tired, I was exhausted and the evening shift just started. Dear Jesus!

"Violet, two tables at your end need to be cleaned up." Hannah, a co-worker informed me as she came to the money counter where I sat. I groaned and she smiled.

"Chin up, baby. When you see the tips at the end of the day, it will compensate for the exhaustion."

"I am pretty sure it doesn't work like that, Anna." She grinned.

"It would if you actually smile and flirt with those men rather than drag your beautiful body about looking like a week's leftover." I burst into laughter.

"A week's leftover, huh?" She smiled sweetly and walked away. Vibrations hit my thigh and I dug my phone from my apron's pocket. My breath seized as I saw who was on the line.

"What do you want?" His chuckle filled my ear.

"Still loud and bold, Violet? I guess you haven't learned your lessons yet." Harold spoke. I gritted my cheek and looked around the busy restaurant before heading towards the side door.

"You bastard! An embezzlement charge? Do you know what you have done?" I raged the minute I stepped out.

"Why, yes I do, Violet. I have just shown you that you are nothing. Just dirt under my feet." God, that stung.

"I hate you, Harold." He laughed again.

"Violet, I would mind my mouth if I were you." There was a pause. "You know you can stop all these and save your family right? Let me have a taste of you." I shivered in disgust.

"Not going to happen, Harold. I am done with this conversation. You have done your worst, haven't you?"

"But have I, Violet? Do you think this is my worst?" As with that, he hung up. Fear gripped my heart. What else was he up to? I blinked away the tears that filled my eyes and looked down at my phone as it buzzed, indicating a text from Mama.

"Violet baby, your father's condition isn't looking good. The doctor said his surgery has to be done before the end of this week." My heart sank.