MARRIED TO MY ENEMY’S SON

THE TERMS

I stared at him and the folder in my hand over and over again without managing to say a single word, the paper didn’t change no matter how much I looked at it.

Marriage contract, I lifted my eyes slowly while saying it. Are you serious? I managed to say.

Damien didn’t answer immediately and that told me everything I needed to know he was serious too serious to be precise, he replied in the most causal tone I have ever heard him say,

“ wouldn’t hand you a folder if I wasn’t serious “

I let out a short laugh because I honestly didn’t know what to do in this situation, I looked him dead in the eyes and asked.

So you brought me here and introduced me as your girlfriend without even discussing it with me first and now you are handing me a marriage contract like it’s a business proposal I'm supposed to look over and submit tomorrow. What do you honestly take me for? “I raised my voice before I could stop myself.

“It is a business proposal” he replied casually,

That statement set me off my grip tightened around the edges of the folder”

“NO!!”

The work dropped cleanly between us just like I wanted cause there was no way I was getting married to the Blackwood heir.

For a second there was silence,Not awkward, it was controlled.

Like he has already anticipated that response he he stared out to the distance through the balcony as he exhaled slowly folding his arms,

“Alright”

he finally said i replied just alright ? No protest?

He finally looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time tonight.

I don’t need to protest, he said I just need you to understand why I asked.

I looked at his strangely dark eyes, Then explain,

He exhaled again like he was truly frustrated.

“My father hmm, I said your father what “

He decided that I would never be CEO if he doesn’t see me settled. That means more blind dates,more meetings with carefully selected women who smile too much at things that don’t even make sense.

He paused like the thought alone irritated him.

“I don’t want any of that and I don’t have the time to keep rejecting them politely.”

“So your solution is marriage?”

“A controlled marriage he corrected you and I already work together. You are in my circle. You know how my world operates. It won’t look suspicious.”

“That’s insane I yelled”

“That’s efficient he corrected”

I shook my head like it could fly me out of there absolutely not I said

His expression didn’t change

“I’m not asking you to fall in love,” he said.

“I’m asking you to play a role.”

I stared at him for a long moment, then laughed softly.

“Well that’s comforting, isn’t it?”

Damien didn’t respond.

And somehow, that silence felt like a decision had already been made without me.