Unwillingly His

Back to the Room

Jayden's POV

The drive back from the office was quieter than usual.

More presentations went well today. More companies were coming to invest.

The investment group was closer to signing than they'd been this morning and I should have been focused on that.

On the deal. On what came next.

Instead my mind kept drifting back to breakfast.

That smile.

She'd sat across that table like she owned every inch of the room and smiled at me like she already knew how the day was going to end. Did she already know she could use my father against me? And I'd walked out thinking I was ahead of it.

I wasn't.

I'd barely set my bag down when one of the house staff approached me.

"Mr Spark. Your father would like to see you in his study."

I looked at him for a moment. Then nodded.

I knew this was coming. I just didn't think it would be waiting at the door for me.

I knocked once and pushed the door open.

My father was at his desk. He looked up, gestured to the chair across from him. I sat.

He didn't rush. Closed what he was working on. Folded his hands on the table. That alone told me this wasn't casual.

"How was work?" He asked

"Good. The investment group is close to finalizing."

He nodded. But his eyes didn't move from my face.

"Jayden." A pause. "You slept in the guest room last night."

The air shifted slightly.

"Yes." I replied, knowing what would come next.

"On your second day of marriage."

I said nothing.

He leaned back slowly. The kind of slowness that meant he was choosing his next words carefully.

"She told me what happened.”

I kept my jaw relaxed. My hands still. What did she say to him? Could she have said more than what happened?

"You will go back to that room tonight. Whatever is happening between you two, sort it out. Like adults."

"I understand."

"Do you?" He leaned forward, his hands together on the desk. "Because understanding and doing are two different things Jayden.”

“Don't disappoint me Jayden. Make sure you keep to your promise” he said and with that he told me to leave.

I walked out of the study and stood in the hallway for a moment.

She'd done it. In less than 24 hours. No shouting, no

accusations, no spectacle. Just one conversation with my father and she'd accomplished exactly what she needed to.

I almost respected it.

Almost.

I started toward the room. My room. The one I'd walked out of yesterday carrying my own belongings like I was the one being removed.

I stopped outside the door.

Whatever was on the other side of it, I was going to face it. She wanted a deal. She wanted terms. She wanted two years and a clean exit.

I hadn't agreed to anything yet.

But I was done running from it.

I pushed the door open and walked in.

There she was sleeping perfectly like nothing in the world matters. She looks so calm in her sleep.

Instead of the guest room, I had come in straight to our bedroom to applaud her for using my father as her weapon.

My phone rang. Mia. Why is she calling me?

I held the phone, stared at it for a moment before picking up.

“What do you want, Mia? Getting involved with her won't end would make me be on the wrong part.

“We're supposed to be meeting today, just want to let you know I'm missing you already” she sounded like one who was obsessed.

I had planned to meet up with Mike tonight at the Club. I guess he told her since he's quite close with her. That doesn't mean I want to see her after what happened.

I didn't respond immediately. And she spoke again

“Jay, did you hear me?”

“I did Mia, and you can go ahead with Mike, I won't make it there tonight.”

With that I ended the call, and silenced the phone just in case She decided to call again and Mike called.

I need to sort this issue with Ellie. This marriage already started on the wrong foot but my Father wants me to make it right. I promised never to disappoint him. Not again.

And I'm going to talk to her to let her Father off the issue we have. She has to respect that.

Still holding my briefcase and phone. I gazed at Ellie again. She was still sleeping.

The sound of coming in and the phone ringing didn't wake her up.

Why does she have to look this peaceful when sleeping and not peaceful on a normal day.

I shook my head.

Well, I don't care. We'd have to discuss it tonight. When she's awake.

Whether I'd accept the deal or not. Depends on when she wakes.

I scoffed.

She won't be the one to give her terms. I'd give my terms and she just has to stay off my part.