Chapter 3:Married Overnight
1253 Words
Emily’s POV
Wait. What?
My head snapped up, and I nearly fell off the bed when I locked eyes with the man from last night.
The stranger in the elevator.
The man looked older, way older than me. He looked old enough to be my father’s friend.
My body went cold.
Had I gone mad? What on earth was I thinking about letting a strange old man take me to bed?
Well, at least the strange man before me was handsome.
You know, that dangerous kind of handsome… the kind that makes one’s mouth go dry.
The smirk on his lips was infuriatingly calm as he stood in the doorway like he owned the world, wearing a casual dark shirt unbuttoned at the top. He had a well-worked-out body, tall broad shoulders and a jawline that looked like it was carved from stone. His wavy black hair was thick and swept back with not a single strand out of place.
Simply put, he looked breathtaking.
“Wait…” I blinked, “What did you just call me?”
“Wife,” he repeated, stepping into the room. “Congratulations, Emily Raed, you're now my wife. Legally, officially, signed, sealed and delivered.” He grinned.
I glared at him. “Was that supposed to be funny?”
“Was it?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. He stopped and dropped a folder on the bed.
“What’s this?”
“Your ticket to happiness.”
I frowned but took it either way. “I’m not interested—” The rest of my words got stuck in my throat and I gasped when I saw the content.
“A marriage contract?” My eyes widened in horror.
My name and signature were clearly written at the bottom.
“What.. What sort of sick joke is this?”
“Apparently, you were drunk,” he said calmly. “But not too drunk to say yes.”
“Wh-What? "Drunk?” I stuttered, “What are you talking about? I never signed any of this.”
“Yes, you did.”
“No I didn’t.”
“You seriously don’t remember?” He frowned. “Last night, we kissed, had some explosive fun, took a couple of drinks and…well, after that, we went a few more rounds.” He paused to clear his throat, “You signed it yourself, you don’t remember ? I offered you a contract marriage. One year. And you said yes.”
“No, I didn’t!” I pushed the papers away. “Have you gone crazy? What the hell do you mean I said yes? I… I-I don’t even know your name!”
“I’m Dario,” he replied, “Dario Davin.”
I frowned.
Why did that name sound familiar?
Forget familiar, what sort of crazy man had I stumbled into?
“You know what? "I don't care.” I wrapped the sheets around my body and scrambled out of bed.
There was no way I was getting myself tangled with some crazy man.
“I don't accept this… this madness.” I gestured towards him and the folder. “You can take your contract and shove it down your throat. I’m leaving.”
I reached for my dress when his next words stopped me.
“You were very clear last night, wife. You said you wanted to forget everything. You begged me to help you forget and said you’d do anything. Whatever it was, you said you'd pay. ”
I clenched my fists and turned to him.
“Well, by whatever, I didn't mean this! I never said I was interested in marrying you, Mr. It was supposed to be a one night stand, how can I just wake up married? "Does this look like some sort of drama to you?”
His smile was slow and wicked, “I told you I would be paying a different price, didn’t I? This is the price.”
I scoffed.
Yup, I had successfully gotten entangled with a crazy man.
His icy blue eyes were dark and unreadable as he stepped forward.
“Last night, I offered you something better than forgetting.”
“What?” I snapped. “A lifetime of regret?!”
“No,” He smirked, “Revenge.”
“What?”
“Stay with me for a year,” He said. “Be my wife. And I’ll help you destroy the people who destroyed you.”
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
“I never told you what happened.”
“You told me last night.”
“No…” I shook my head. “No, I didn't. I didn’t tell you anything.”
“Then how would I know your ex’s name is Austin?” He said smoothly. “And that he cheated on you with your best friend? That they made you look like a fool?”
I took a step back, my blood running cold.
“How… how do you know about that?”
“I told you, wife. You told me everything.”
Alarm bells blared in my head as I took another step back, still clutching the sheets around me. Something was wrong.
Everything about this man felt wrong.
Dario closed the rest of the distance between us and leaned in.
“One year. That’s all I ask. I’ll destroy everything for you.”
“I don't care what you say, but I'm not accepting this.” I shot him a glare, “Now, if you will excuse me, I’d like to get dressed.”
“Why?” He raised a brow as his eyes found their way down my body, “Nothing I’ve not seen already.”
My face turned red.
“Fine then, I’ll leave.”
I pushed all my shame aside, quickly threw on my gown and grabbed whatever belongings I had in the room before I started for the door.
I had barely taken a few steps when he spoke again.
“You can walk away now and still be alone. Or, you can stay and take power into your hands. Get your revenge on everyone who hurt you. The choice is yours.”
I paused.
I tried so hard to ignore but his offer was so tempting.
“Who are you?”
“Someone you should’ve never gotten involved with in the first place.” Something in his gaze shifted as he walked toward me slowly.
“And in return?” I whispered, “What do you get?” I just had to ask.
It didn’t make sense.
I was a total stranger. Why would he want to help me?
“What do I get?” He repeated thoughtfully and looked away, as though he was seriously thinking about it. His eyes returned to mine seconds later and his lips broke into a smile.
“Everything.”
I froze. I could've sworn my heart skipped a beat as I stared at that beautiful smile.
What on earth was wrong with me?
I should’ve walked away.
I should’ve torn that damn contract in half and run away.
But instead, I looked at the ring on my finger.
This was crazy.
Something warned me not to, something gnawed at my stomach but just like before, I ignored it.
“Fine then.” I agreed, “One year. I’ll be your wife for one year but you'll have to keep your word.”
“Dont worry. For as long as I'm here, you won’t have to worry about anything.”
- Writer
