Chapter 6
1088 Words
RYKER
"I have rules, Gabriella." I said, passing a piece of paper that contained carefully crafted rules for her job as my wife.
While I knew I now had the upper hand, ans she was not likely to do anything stupid, I didn't want to take my chances.
"What is this?" Gabriella asked, looking at me in confusion as she took the paper from me.
"Read." I comanded, and leaned back as she looked inside.
Her eyes widened unnaturally. She opened her mouth, and began to read.
-No Falling in Love – This is strictly a business arrangement. Emotions will not be tolerated.
-Public Affection is Mandatory – When in public, we must act like the perfect couple. Holding hands, kisses, and playing the
role convincingly are required.
-Absolute Discretion – No discussing our contract, relationship, or private matters with anyone.
-Obedience is Expected – When I give an order, you follow it without question. (Especially if it's a dominant male lead.)
-No Other Men – You belong to me for the duration of this contract. No dating, flirting, or entertaining other men.
-Bedroom Arrangements – We will share a bed / We will not share a bed (depends on the level of intimacy in the contract).
-You Must Accompany Me to Events – Social gatherings, business parties, and family functions whenever I need you by myside, you will be there.
-You Will Carry My Heir – This contract includes the expectation that you will have my child.
-You Must Maintain a Certain Image – Dress well, act appropriately, and uphold the reputation of being my wife.
-Breaking the Contract Has Consequences – If you attempt to leave or violate any terms, you will face the consequences."
Once she was done, she looked up at me, her expression shocked. "You have got to be kidding me!"
I shrugged. "No. Not at all. On the contrary, I am only just stating fact. I need a wife and an heir. And you need my money." I told her withouth a care in the world.
"You want a marriage without love, but you want babies?"
I had put that first one for effect, but I mean, it worked. "Yes. What is wrong with it?"
Gabriella placed the paper down. "Why me? You can have any woman you want, Ryker. Why me?"
I passed a pen to her. "You just answered your question. I can have any woman I want, and in this case, the woman want is you. Now sign it, and lets begin the preparation for the wedding."
She looked like she wanted to say more, but just grabbed the pen and signed, before throwing the pen at me.
Only then did the tenseness in my shoulders reduce. I had been doubting she would go ahead. I wasn't going to do most of the things I had threatened her with, but still.. "I wouldn't want a huge wedding. I want something really small, with less than te people present."
Gabriella clutched her bag to her chest, not looking at me in the eye. "Better. I don't know how I would feel being engaged to Alexander one day, and marrying you the next. And having people witness that."
I didn't give a s**t about any of that. "It is settled then. My assistant will take you shopping for what you need. And after the wedding, your things will be moved here."
She just continued to nod, not for once, objecting to anything I had said.
Something squeezed inside of me, but I ignored it, getting up from my chair and going around the table so I could stand behind her.
I placed my hands on her shoulders and squeezed them lightly. "Believe me, Gabby. This would not be as bad as you think and in the long run, you would come to thank me."
She shrugged my hands off. "Yeah. Waking up one day and having your life snatched away from you in the most humiliating manner ever, will be good for me in the long run."
"Gabriella..." I started, but she cut me off, getting off from her seat.
"It's fine. At least my grandmother's bills are being paid for." she stalked towards the door. "I will be waiting for your assistant."
And then she left, and I let her.
~
I placed my phone to my ear, waiting for the person on the other end to pick up.
The look Gabriella had given me was going to stay in. my mind for a while. I felt a tiny bit guilty, but it just had to be done.
"Ryker?" The sound of Rosetta's voice drew me out of my thought. A cough followed, and I frowned in concern.
"I hope you are doing everything the doctors asked you to do?" I knew the woman. She was stubborn as hell.
She laughed, then coughed again. "I'm old anyway." As expected, that was the only answer I was going to get. "Has she agreed?"
"Ahh.... straight to the point now, are we? You didn't even let me warm my way into the issue."
"Oh please, cut the chase son, it's almost time for my evening nap in this damn hospital. Beside, Gabriella will soon be here,"
I sighed at the mention of her name. "She did sign, but shes so f*****g stubborn"
"As she should be. No one would agree to something like that with a smile on her face." she paused. "Juat make sure you take care of her, and give her the life that was taken from her." Rosetta's tone was low, and serious.
"I will never do anything to hurt her. But.." she didn't let me continue.
"No buts.. And if they are, you will have to fugure that out on your own. I know you will, Ryker." she coughed again. "And you better don't see this as a punishment. Look at it from the positive point of view."
I struggled to believe her.
The conversation steered away from that, and we ended the call.
I walked over to the antique mantle in my study and picked an old document.
Two years after I was born, Alexander had followed, and two years later, in another house not too far away from us, Gabriella Stevensons had been born.
Two business men, one pact. Either of the Williams had to marry a Stevenson, or a lot was at stake.
Only, my father had cheated. And somehow, I had stumbled on it.
- Writer
