Chapter Eight
1473 Words
CHAPTER EIGHT
HOLLAND
Holland Sinclair— the name that gets everyone shivering and peeing in their pants....
People who watch TV know me well. I'm always chased by paparazzi.
Want to know more about me pookie?
Well, I'm six-feet-two, broad shoulders and a face people don't forget. A sharp jawline, eyes that make women forget what they are saying and a smile that has ruined more than a few good intentions.
I'm the man rumoured to have killed his father, but noone knows what the devil did...
People....they always have a story to fable up. ....
The way I see it, I'm just honest about what everyone is thinking. And yes, I work hard, but let's not pretend half of my success isn't because I look like I walked off the cover of a magazine.
I'm an oncologist but sure, I can also handle other fields too, especially children's health....
I always made sure to treat them the best way I can. Kids are lovely and the fact that they're so frail and tender adds to it...
When you show them love and affection, they take it the right way, but when you do otherwise.... they break....so easily.
I often want to spend time with them....
I wanted to know how a happy childhood feels like since I didn't get to enjoy such benefits...
No warm love....just a father who knows nothing but to be cruel and fault-finding and a mother who abandoned me and left to God knows where!
Well, the chaos was enough to build me. So strong...
Enough of me, let's move on to something more interesting.
Aryna Elford Moore.
Fuck.
Scratch that...
Aryna Elford— that's it now.
One crazy little rat.
She's changed a lot tho...
This isn't who she used to be fourteen years ago. She was more lively, more annoying.
She doesn't remember what we used to share...
The accident fourteen years ago took everything and Ryan took even more.
Throughout all the years she's been away from me...
I've always watched her. I had my men follow her around, of course, secretly.
I had always thought of a way to bring us back together and viola! Now here comes our contract marriage.
Why were we at the hotel?
I booked a private suite for us to discuss before moving to my penthouse.
I wanted no misunderstanding.
As much as I had craved our togetherness, I had to let her know that this was nothing but a business deal.
I save her from that devil and she becomes my bride in turn.
No strings attached. No mutual feelings. No, opposite attraction.
I had this rule all laid down and we both signed our loyalty, but I doubt if I could pretend for so long.
"I need to visit my grandma at the hospital after the event tomorrow." Her voice broke into my thought.
I looked at her, a frown, "Is your grandma sick?"
"Yeah, she's down with leukemia," she answered.
"For how long now?"
Her gaze met mine, but she looked away almost immediately.
"She's been managing it for more than 3 years now, and it doesn't seem to get better." She sniffed, "also I want to move her away from Ryan's hospital. Though he doesn't frequent it, it's still a branch under his family name."
"Sure." I nodded, "why don't you move her down to my hospital? I'll treat her personally."
"No..." She shook her head, "I think I should be able to find a better solution. I wouldn't want to owe you anything."
Ouch, that hurts by the way.
I scoffed, "a better solution?" Trust me, Aryna, I am all your grandma needs. We don't have to waste time any further. We move her away from there tomorrow, unfailingly.
She gave a sarcastic laugh, folding her arms across her chest, "don't you think you're doing too much?"
"Guess you forget things easily or perhaps," I turned my face to look at her, "you didn't comprehend everything in the contract agreement."
She stared at me blankly.
"Confused, aren't you? I let out a dry laugh, clearly unimpressed, "During the six months of our fake marriage each partner would share every responsibility of the other—phase number eight says. So I am to look after you."
"So when you get into trouble I'm to look after you?" She widened her brow at me.
I nodded, "sure."
She moved closer, placing her hand on my shoulder. "What if it's something I can't handle?"
I glanced over my shoulder, flashing a knowing grin as I was clearly enjoying her confusion, "something you can't handle...like what, honey?" I leaned closer, my mouth near her ear—voice low.
I could see her freeze, her hand slipping slowly from my shoulder .
Shrugging ,she gulped, "I don't know...I just have the feeling that you might get yourself into something I can't handle."
I have a dismissive huff turning away, "you don't have to be Wonder woman." I'll stay out of trouble then be the hero for you."
There was a glint of gratitude in her eyes but it soon faded, now replaced with doubt.
She didn't trust me and I wouldn't just try to brag about it. I'd prove it.
I'm Holland— the most eligible bachelor in the whole of New York and I'm not to be underestimated.
"You look so beautiful," I commented, my tongue sliding along my bottom lip, getting it wet on intention.
Aryna swallowed as she turned around to see me.
She looked stunned at first but she blinked the surprise away, pretending not to be driven crazy by how hot I looked.
"Such a beautiful morning when I wake up and the first person I see is you." The corners of her lips curled into a smirk as she sized me up. "Brioni Tuxedo— so impressive. It portrays your arrogance even more."
A sly grin crept on my face as I stepped closer, "you omitted something, pookie...." My words dragged as I leaned in, "you didn't mention handsome. Fudge, complement me better."
She scoffed. Placing her hand on my chest, I thought she was admiring my suit until she pushed me out of the way.
"We'd be late, Holland Sinclair." She but out through clenched teeth, making her way to my Porsche waiting outside for us.
I let out a deep sigh.
So stubborn.
Twenty minutes later, we were at the venue. My soon-to-be bride and I, hand in hand, ready to do something memorable—crash this "seamless" wedding.
I turned to Aryna, a smile on my lips, "shall we?"
"I like the fact we're barging uninvited."
"Just the way you barged into my roomast night?"
She raised a brow, fists clenched, "I thought we talked about this yesterday."
I shrugged, "Well, I think you did but I don't remember ever saying I had forgiven you for that?"
"Good." She smiled, patting my shoulder, "I shall go in now, dear, while you spend some time here and figure out more lectures. How's that?"
I huffed, turning away. "Stop being dramatic, you're not leaving without me."
Ryan sure would've instructed the security not to let me in. I got the dismissive stares from them but with just a scoff and wearing again, my signature "cold as ice" face, they stepped out of the way, immediately.
They knew who was in control, it is I. The bastard who always had the upper hand.
We halted at hall entrance, heaving a sigh.
Aryna and I shared a look. She smirked back.
"Watch me do the unexpected, darling."
I grinned, "Finally, you found a better word."
She gave a tight-lipped smile, "I'll pretend I didn't hear that." Now, let's break records."
"Sure."
"Attention, everyone!"
Celebration was on, music blaring through the speakers but Aryna's voice was loud enough to pierce through them.
All heads turned toward us and, of course, they had that surprised look, like they had just seen a ghost.
And Ryan Moore? I saw his face amidst the crowd. That face I'd hate all my life.
The moment his eyes landed on us
His jaw dropped, eyes widening like a wild bear had his butt in its mouth.
Drops of sweat broke across his forehead in that second. I could see him shiver.
Of course, his ruin was here— me. With the woman, he thought would stay deserted forever.
"What's wrong, Ryan Moore?" Aryna tilted her head with a lazy smile, her smile low and mocking, "Two weddings would be taking place here." One between you and your sweet princess and the second, between your worst nightmare and I— he's my new solace, I must say."
Ryan gritted his teeth, eyes flashing with something funny I do not want to say.
"Aryna!" He groaned.
Ouch, baby boy's going to cry!!
- Writer
