BILLION TO ONE: The Contract Marriage (ENGLISH)

6

6

I woke up in an unfamiliar bed. It’s soft and cozy and it smells really nice. I pulled the blanket up and smelled it once more when a hand reached for my waist. A strong gripped wrapping my waist then I felt something behind me. “Good morning, babe.” A gentle calming voice whispered to my ears. “Did you sleep good?” He asked once more then he started kissing my neck. It made my heart skipped a little. My body couldn’t move, and I was just enjoying every touch of his lip onto my skin. “I will make you remember.” And just like that, he’s already on top of me. I am now, staring at Tanner’s half naked body. His shoulders are more toned, and he looked hotter. He took my hand and put it on his chest, which felt like a rock, I love it. “Babe, what’s going on? You don’t look happy. But I know how to brighten up your mood.” He smirked at me then he started cupping my right chest. A moaned escape my mouth like I was already losing it. His kisses went down to my belly button as his other hand made its way in between my legs. “You are so ready for me, babe.” He licked my lower belly down to my legs.

“Oh don’t stop!” My mouth has a mind on its own. I didn’t even question why am I in here with him? And why are we making love?

“Ohhh!” A loud moan came out of my mouth when I felt his tongue as I intensely close my eyes. “Ohh, ohhh right there.”

“Sloane? Sloane are you okay? Sloane!” I heard another voice, but I am too busy savoring the pleasure I am feeling right now.

“Sloane!”

“Ouch!” The pain felt so real that I had to open my eyes, where I saw Becky. “What the heck?!”

“Are you doing what I think you’re doing?” She teasingly asked but I don’t know what she’s talking about. “Did you just stay here the whole night?”

“What? Where?” I stood up and I looked around then reality hits me. It was just all a dream, but of all the any other dreams, why that one?!!

“So, who was in your dream when you said ‘ohhhh ohhh’ huh? Sounds so intense and hardcore.” Becky’s doing a flirty moan but I just ignored her. There is no way I would tell her, though I know she would not let it go.

“I wasn’t doing that.” I shortly answered while sitting back on my chair. “I can’t believe I fell asleep.” I hurriedly check the presentation I was doing. “Thank god it’s still here.”

“Was it Alec?” She continued. She sat on the chair in front of me and she looked so desperate to know about my dream, just as I thought. “Wait a minute, don’t tell me it’s that Hargreaves guy! Oh, come on!” She buried her face onto my table as if it’s a bad thing.

“There was no one okay. I – I was not dreaming at all.” I know she’s not going to believe me, I don’t even believe myself. “Wait, what time is it?” I yawned and stretched my arm trying to change the topic.

“It’s almost 10:00. It’s weird because Alec wasn’t even looking for you, he was here early. Unless he saw you out cold and just decided to give you the time you need to wet dream.” She teased before running away from me. She knows I would kill her. “I’ll grab you a coffee! And you might want to wash your hand. Love ya!!” I threw the pen at her but she was already gone. I smelled my hand and it doesn’t smell anything at all. Thank goodness. That’d be embarrassing.

Suddenly I felt the disappointment. I don’t even know why I had that kind of dream. I wasn’t even thinking of him, yet I wanted what we were doing. I should’ve known it was a dream. That guy would never sleep with me, not that I would sleep with him either. We couldn’t even last an hour in a room without even fighting so no, that is very impossible and I am not hoping for that to happen. I wasn’t thinking of his half naked body right now, nope!

“Who am I trying to convince? Oh god, I think I am going crazy!” I ran into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth when I heard a commotion outside my office. “Oh my god!!!” I dropped the water on the floor when I saw Tanner in front of me. Am I still sleeping?

“Ma’am I am sorry, no one could stop him. He said he needs to see you.” The receptionist nervously said while checking out Tanner. Nervous not in the sense of scared but his irresistible presence.

“It’s okay. Thank you.” I should calm myself and I shouldn’t act weird. “So, nice weather, isn’t it?” Great! That’s not weird at all.

He looked at me from head to toe. “You’re wearing the same clothes as yesterday!” He folded his arms over his chest and sat on my table.

“It’s my uniform. You wear the same everyday duh!” I lied. We don’t wear uniform if you’re a manager, not that he would know. This man doesn’t have anything in his brain but what he’s going to inherit.

“Did you even go shopping like I told you to?” His voice started to annoy me. I don’t even like the way he talked to me. He’s treating me like a crap. Or you just expect to treat you the way you want him to treat you? Shut up brain!!! I don’t want to think anything until you forget the dream I had.

“Oh I am so sorry I didn’t – “ I rolled my eyes, “ – because unlike you I have a real job to do to support my family and other financial needs. Like I really have to work instead of shopping. If my clothes don’t suit you, I don’t care. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a presentation to finish. So get off my table!” I pushed him off my table but he grabbed my wrist. “What the heck?”

“You’re coming with me now!” He commanded but I fought him. “Fine, let’s do it the common people way. I’ll triple your salary!” My jaw dropped from disbelief.

“No! You can’t just come in here bribing me with the money that’s not even yours.” I whispered because I don’t anyone to hear.

“Not yet, but I can. So tell me, how much is it?” He’s so confident that he could bribe me easily.

“This is my workplace, you are going to get me fired! And no, I am not coming with you. I am pretty sure you know the way out.” I sat back on my desk and went back with the new policy and regulation for the stakeholders that I was working on.

“Is everything okay?” Alec just showed up and he saw Tanner in my office. Their gazes locked as if they were old lovers reunited. Oh wait, they were sort of. This isn’t good.

“Woah, if it’s not the Alec Persson. Tsk! Man, what happened to you? Weren’t you the heartthrob in high school? Oh, it’s Tanner Hargreaves by the way.” He extended his hand for a shake but Alec ignored it. He is so cocky I want to punch his balls. Good thing Alec doesn’t give a crap.

“Sloane, are you okay?” He walked up to me. “Did he do anything to you? You want me call the security?” He tapped my shoulder like a good friend he is.

“I am fine. I am done with the new policy and I just emailed it to you.” I was talking to Alec but him and Tanner were just staring at each other as if they’re in a staring competition and whoever blinks first will die.

“Fine, you don’t want to leave because of your job. Well, if you don’t have a company to go to then it means you don’t have job anymore, right? I mean, I can pull some strings right now and just have this company close or anything like that. Let me see -

hmmmm” He took his phone out.

“No, you can’t do that.” My frustration and anger is over the top and I don’t know if I could still control myself.

“Oh, babe, of course I can. I am Tanner Hargreaves, remember?” Then he started making a call. “If you don’t come with me right now, you won’t be here tomorrow. None of you will.” He smirked while threatening all of us and I couldn’t think straight.

“There are thousands of employees who depend on their jobs in here. You can’t just do that!!!” I was going to snatch his phone, but Alec stopped me. “No, he doesn’t have the right to do it. He can’t! Don’t be scared of him. He’s bluffing!!”

“Sloane, why don’t you take a day off today. The presentation’s done, you worked the whole night. You deserve a day off.” Alec’s face looked defeated and sad. We stared at each other for few seconds when I realized that he’s not joking.

“But – “ Alec’s eyes were seriously telling me to just go, not because he wants me to but because he knows Tanner can do anything in a snap of his finger. “Okay. I’ll take a day off but not because of him but because I worked the whole night. Thanks, Alec.” I grabbed my things and started walking out.

“Perfect! Hey wait up!!!” I heard him yell from behind but I ignored him and walked as fast as I can. “Where is my credit card?” Seriously? He’s worried about his credit card? “Can you stop when I am talking to you!!!” He grabbed my hand, stopping me from walking. We’re already outside the company and to avoid gossips I took the back exit to the parking lot. Crap! I forgot I don’t have a vehicle to use. “Did you buy anything? Anything fancy? Anything branded?”

“I am calling the deal off.” I said without hesitation.

“Yeah right.” He put his credit card back to his wallet.

“You don’t own me, Hargreaves! You can’t just show up and embarrass me like that. I am a respectable human being at work and I am good at my job. If you can’t respect that I am not just your hired employee then this won’t work.” I took the ring off and gave it back to him. “Just find someone else.” I turned my back at him.

“WHAT? No! You can’t do that! My grandma will be pissed! She arranged a dinner for us that’s why I am here. So take this back and do what we’ve agreed to.” He took my hand and gave the ring back but I didn’t take it.

“Save it, Tanner. I’m not going to play your game again.” I am just so tired to argue to a gold fish brain person like him. I just want to sleep and rest my mind and body. I called a cab and went straight home. I can’t go back to work because I know for sure I will be bombarded with questions. I’ve decided to take this opportunity to sleep all day. Martino is in school and aunt Matilda took grandpa for his check up. She said they had something important to do after. Grandpa got discharged since he insisted he's okay and he's not doing the surgery until I get married. What a pain in the head!"

I took a bath and wore my pjs as my bed’s calling my name. I am about to lay down when I hear a loud bang on the door and I jumped off my feet. Who the hell was that? It sounded like as if a SWAT team is going to raid our house. I grabbed the baseball bat next to my bed and headed to the front door to check. I quickly opened the door and about to swing the bat – “Sloane? Why do you have a bat? Are you about to swing that to my face?”

“Mrs. Hargreaves – hi. What a surprise? What are you doing here?” I tossed the bat behind still confused why is she here.

“Is this where you live? Hmmmmm.” Wow she didn’t even wait to be invited huh. Well at least I know she’s not a vampire. “So, did Tanner tell you?” I like how classy her every move is.

“Uhm who’s Tanner?” I tried to think for a bit but I got scared of the look she gave me. “Oh, oh you mean Tanner, your grandson. He didn’t say anything. I worked all night and I haven’t had any sleep at all. I am so sorry but I have to –“ she went straight upstairs and ignored me. Now I see her resemblance to her grandson. “Mrs. Hargreaves, I hate to break it to you but me and your grandson aren’t together anymore.”

“Is this your closet? Oh god, what kind of wardrobe do you have? I wouldn’t even wear any of this even in my 80’s. Ugh, nope, nope, definitely not –“ she took every single clothes out of my closet, “ – you know I’ll get you a new wardrobe. Let’s go.” She grabbed my hand rushing me to leave when she felt my hand. “Where’s your ring? What did you do with it? Did you sell it? Forget it, I’ll get you a new one before my grandson notices.”

“Mrs. Hargreaves, can you please listen to me?!!” I didn’t mean to raise my voice but I felt like I had to. “I am sorry but I didn’t sell the ring. I gave it back to your grandson.” She gave me a worried terror look and I don’t know what to tell her but the truth. “He came to my work and threatened everyone including my boss that he would shut the whole company down. What an irresponsible, arrogant, pea brain jerk?!!! Thousands of employees could’ve lost their jobs, for what? Just because he wants me to do as he say?

No, I would not want to marry someone who is not responsible and not thinking about others but himself!” I was so upset I forgot it’s her grandson I was talking about. “I – I am sorry, Mrs. Hargreaves. I think I said too much.” I slap my forehead fearing for my life as silence was the first response she gave me. “Look – “ she dragged me back downstairs and headed straight to her vehicle.

“What you’ve said about my grandson – “ she started as soon as we got in her car. My heart is pounding so loud I could hear it coming out of my chest, “ – are all true.” And then she started laughing. I took a deep breath before laughing nervously with her then she stopped and looked at me so I stopped as well. She is as insane as her grandson, now I regret being involved with their family.

Her face was stern and serious – again. “We’re going to teach that spoiled pea brain jerk a lesson.” I like the idea but I don’t want to be part of it. I am so doomed!!