Deal Becomes Reality
1004 Words
Isla James' POV
Hey there, lovely reader...
let me ask you something before we go any further.
If you suddenly found out your life had already been scheduled... not by you, not even with you... but for you... would you still call it fate... or just theft dressed up as destiny?
Because right now, I'm standing somewhere between both.
And I don't even know which one hurts more.
I returned to Rebel Threads that morning wearing a smile I carefully built like armor. It wasn't happiness. Not even close. But it was enough to keep questions away. Enough to keep people from seeing the cracks that never really healed.
The office was already alive when I walked in voices overlapping, heels clicking, phones ringing but everything felt slightly off. Like the building had already heard something I hadn't.
People noticed me immediately. They always did.
So I gave them nothing to read.
I walked straight to Marcus.
He looked up instantly, like he had been waiting for my mood before he even greeted me properly.
"...You're smiling," he said slowly, suspicious.
"I can smile," I replied, placing a cup of tea on his desk.
He stared at it. "This feels like either forgiveness or a farewell drink."
"It's tea, Marcus. Not poison."
"That depends on your definition of emotional damage," he muttered.
I sat down across from him. "You're dramatic today."
"I learn from you," he said instantly.
I scoffed. "Lies."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "So... good morning?"
I hesitated.
"...Don't get used to it," I said, softer than I intended.
That made him pause. Just for a second.
Then he nodded like he understood more than he should.
"You've been doing that a lot lately," he said quietly.
"Doing what?"
"Pretending you're fine."
I stood immediately.
"I have a design idea," I said, cutting the moment cleanly.
Marcus tilted his head. "Now?"
"Inspiration doesn't wait for therapy sessions," I replied, grabbing my sketchpad.
"That sounds like trauma talking."
"Shut up," I said, but there was no heat in it.
He leaned back, watching me leave.
"...You're really bad at running away from things," he said.
I didn't turn back.
"Good thing I don't run," I replied. "I win."
And I walked out.
But his eyes stayed on me long after I disappeared.
Third Person POV
The Vale Palace that evening carried its usual atmosphere-power sitting too comfortably inside silence.
Sebastian Vale sat at the head of the table like he owned even the air itself.
Arnold Vale leaned back, bored but observant
Paul Vale barely looked up from his phone.
Piper Vale kept glancing at Adrian like she was waiting for him to become human for just one second.
And Adrian Vale... remained exactly what he always was.
Controlled. Unshaken. Impossible to read.
Sebastian finally spoke.
"You're always working. Always negotiating. Always building something bigger than yourself."
A pause.
Then colder.
"But not once have you built a family."
Arnold smirked faintly. "Here we go again."
Paul muttered without looking up, "I give it three minutes before Adrian leaves."
Piper shot him a look.
"Don't start."
Sebastian ignored them all.
"If you were serious," he continued, "you would already be married."
Silence dropped instantly.
Piper straightened. This was the moment she expected refusal. Argument. Defiance.
The usual Adrian.
But Adrian didn't react.
Not immediately. Then he leaned back slightly.
And said....
"Fine."
The word didn't echo.
It landed. Hard, Arnold froze.
"...Wait, what?"
Paul finally looked up fully. "...He actually agreed?"
Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "Repeat that."
Adrian's expression didn't change.
"I said fine."
A pause.Then "Set the date."
Piper's voice softened. "Adrian... you don't even know what you're agreeing to."
He looked at her briefly.
"I know exactly what I'm doing."
Sebastian leaned forward. "And what exactly are you doing?"
Adrian answered without hesitation.
"Closing a deal."
Arnold frowned.
"Marriage is a deal to you?"
Adrian's gaze flicked toward him.
"It is when it needs to be."
Piper shook her head slightly. "This is insane..."
Sebastian raised a hand.
"Enough."
Silence again.
Then Sebastian spoke slower.
"Global Market Access. That is what you want."
"Yes."
"Then you accept my condition."
Adrian nodded once.
"I already have."
A pause.
Then he stood.
Adjusted his jacket and added, voice steady, final..
"We're getting married soon."
And he walked out.
Leaving behind a room that no longer had words.
Only shock.
( Isla James' POV)
I only found out hours later.
Not from him. Not from anyone directly.
But from the world reacting before I even had the chance to breathe.
I was in my office when the TV mounted on the wall flickered.
At first, I didn't pay attention.
Until I heard it.
"...Breaking news."
My fingers slowed.
I turned slightly. The screen changed.
And there it was.
A headline flashing across the screen in bold, impossible certainty.
"GLOBAL MARKET GIANT ADRIAN VALE CONFIRMS WEDDING DATE - 4TH OF APRIL."
My breath stopped.
For a second, I just stared.
Then the report continued.
"Sources confirm the highly anticipated union between billionaire Adrian Vale and fashion mogul Isla James will take place on the 4th of April in what is expected to be one of the most exclusive weddings of the decade..."
My hand slowly lowered from the table.
No.
No, no, no.
Not like this.
I already knew I was getting married.
I already knew it was real.
But a date?
A public announcement?
Without me?
My phone buzzed on the desk, but I didn't look at it.
The screen continued.
"...The Vale family has declined further comments, but preparations are reportedly already underway..."
The words blurred slightly.
4th of April.
That's not a negotiation anymore.
That's not a contract.
That's a countdown.
I exhaled slowly, leaning back in my chair.
"...He didn't even tell me," I whispered.
And for the first time since this whole nightmare began...
I wasn't angry.
I was stunned.
Because Adrian Vale didn't just agree to marry me.
He already decided when my life would change.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD