Deal?
1010 Words
"I am not your babysitter," I managed to say, my chest heaving. "You are a full grown man, and I need you to start making this f*****g hell easier for me to live in, or I will make it worse for you to live in too. Glad I have your attention."
I turned, grabbing my discarded glass of wine. I chugged it down in one gulp, then dropped it, my eyes catching his one last time, before I turned away and started making my way towards the stairs.
I had barely taken two steps away when Salvatore's hand wrapped around my hand.
"Let me..." I started to say, but the words died on my throat as he pulled me back hard, till I hit his back with a soft thud, his warmth immediately enveloping me.
I swallowed hard, my chest heaving hard as he brought his other hand to rest on my arms, and he leaned down, till his chin rested on my face.
"I know," he whispered, letting his hand run up and down my arms, fogging up my brain.
The wine had already loosened all inhibitions and now this... this assault that wasn't quite one, it was almost too much.
I swallowed hard, turning slowly. He moved, just enough to let me see his eyes.
"You are supposed to be my wife," he continued, one hand leaving my arms to wrap around my waist and pulled me back to him. "Only... I am not letting you."
I bit down on my lips. "Why are you doing this?"
His eyes darkened, and he leaned even closer, till his breath fanned my skin. Till I had to resist closing my eyes.
"Well, think about it, Manon. My grandmother is hardly impressed by your PR skills since your attempt at salvaging my reputation is only making this marriage seem... toxic."
Well, no s**t. An unmarried womaniser is just that. A womaniser. A married one on the other hand, is all shades of bastard.
"You could cooperate with me," I said, seeing a once in a lifetime opportunity to strike a deal with the man. "We could steer clear of each other and..."
"Do you really want to be tied down to me for five years?" he asked, his hand running up and down my arm again. "I know why you are doing this. Your ill father... your little big girl dreams. You need money, I need my freedom."
"I can't.."
He let me go, then stepped back. He took the glass I had drank from, and filled it halfway, then turned to me. I watched as he drank slowly, making sure to use the exact spot where my lipstick had left a mark.
I sucked in a sharp breath, and he smiled against the glass.
"I have a proposal for you," he said, his voice still low. "It will be better than whatever my grandmother offered, and for much shorter time."
I took a step forward. "What do you mean?"
He shrugged. "Fake it with me. One year. The same amount of money. You be my wife, and I learn your name. You get your money and I get rid of you after one year."
I raised my brow. "That can't possibly be all you are getting."
He shrugged. "Why do I need to reveal all my cards to you?"
I folded my arms in front of me. "I may be poor but I am not stupid. You have something you want, and you can only get it through me. Spill, or I am not going through with this."
He chuckled. "I am not the one with the dying father, sweetheart. Mine's already dead."
I examined him. This was coming out of left field, and I knew deep down that Madam Isabella may have raised the stakes. What could it be?
"I mean, even without your offer, Madam Isabella is already signing for the..."
"Is she?" He asked, taking a seat, his legs crossed. "She made it clear to me that the signature the doctor needs is completely dependent on her mood. You can assume how her mood is right now since I don't see you doing anything regarding the last scandal. Plus, if I tell her about the gigolos in my living room, you know how swift she can be."
"You are threatening me."
"I am offering you a deal. Move your things into the master befroom. Wear a lingerie tonight. Act like you like me, and I will do the same. For a year. It is all I ask."
I bit down on my lips even harder, my chest slightly heaving. Of course his deal was much better. I wouldn't waste five years of my life with a man who would never look my way, and I would have the same amount of momey.
I would be free of the leashes I put myself in, and for one fifth of the original time.
It was practically perfect.
"I will do it," I said, my voice low. "But if there are any hidden stakes, I swear to God..."
"What?" He asked, leaning forward. "You will run to my grandmother? Or what?"
I took a step back. "We will see. We will see, Salvatore."
I turned away and started to make my way towards the stairs.
"Lest I forget, we are starting tonight. My grandmother has decided to move in, so be quick about moving your things out of the guest room."
I turned, my brows raised. A laugh escaped me before I could stop it. "There it is. You are doing this because Madam Isabella will be moving in."
He looked at me like I had grown two heads, but I barely cared. I broke into another round of laughter, then turned to him.
"Well, I guess I will see you, husband. Make sure to behave. You don't want me telling Madam Isabella that you are trying to outsmart her in her own game."
He said nothing, but raised his glass to me. I knew it was only the beginning.
- Writer
