THE NOTEBOOK BETWEEN US

SIENNA’S POV “Dad?” No answer. I stepped further into his office. “Dad?” Still nothing. My eyes moved round the room. Everything looked normal. Way more normal than usual. His laptop was open on his desk. Papers were scattered everywhere like he had been working all night. His coffee was sitting beside him, untouched. Dad always takes his coffee before doing anything. But something didn’t feel right. I looked at his desk again. There he was. His head was buried in one hand. “Dad?” Nothing. My heart dropped. I ran toward him. “Dad!” He suddenly lifted his head and burst out laughing. I froze. Then I stared at him. He kept laughing. I didn’t. “Not funny, Dad.” He tried to catch his breath. “I’m sorry.” “You scared me!” “I know.” “I’m dying of course,I need you ready for anything.” “Still don’t scare me like that again.” “I’m sorry my love” My father was dying. And somehow that wasn’t the worst thing I’d heard this morning. I pulled out my phone,just to catch up on social media today. After that scare,I needed something to distract me. I looked up. My father was standing behind his desk,with one hand on his chest like he was begging it to stop. “Dad” “I’m fine.” “Of course you would say i am fine.” That is what dad always said when he didn’t want me worrying. I grabbed the glass of water on his table and walked towards him. “You’re not fine please drink this.” “I said I’m fine.” “And I said you are not, don't make me call mom.” He gave me a tired look. I knew that look on his face. It meant he didn’t want me worrying. Unfortunately for him,I am his daughter. Worrying is my part-time job. He sighed. Then sat down. I pulled the chair opposite him closer so he didn’t have to shout. “Tell me what’s wrong.” He stared at the paper on his desk. For a few seconds he said nothing. Then pushed a file towards me. “Cross holdings is in trouble.” I opened the folder. Numbers. Debts. Losses. Loans. Figures big enough to make my stomach drop. I was speechless. I stared across the desk. My father’s desk. The same desk where I’d watch him sign a million-dollar contracts. We were losing money. A lot of it. “How bad?” “Bad enough that the only way out is the Vale contract.” I froze. “Sorry?” “The Vale Contract?” “You heard me, Sienna.” “The biggest deal we have tried to get all year long.” I knew about it. Everyone in the company knew about it. But my mind was still stuck on the words Vale. Vale Holdings was one of the biggest companies in New York City. And Alexander Vale was the man running it. Of course. Alexander freaking Vale. I’d read about him. Everyone had, with these daily magazines flooding the city. Thirty one. Billionaire. Vale Holdings heir. Rude. Arrogant. Impossible to work with. The kind of man whose presence alone could make a room uncomfortable. And,unfortunately Beautiful. Annoyingly beautiful. Six foot two. Dark hair. A face that seemed permanently carved into an expression of irritation. I had seen his face in magazines more times than I could count. He always looked the same. I had never met him. But I already disliked him with all my being. I looked up at my father. “You’re telling me now.” “Because we are out of time.” The room suddenly felt smaller than when I walked in. “What does this have to do with me” He looked at me. I didn’t like that look either. “Everything.” My fingers tightened around the paper. I could feel my heart racing. “No.” “I haven’t said anything.” “You don’t have to,I know that look.” He sighed “Sienna,I need you to listen to me.” “No.” “You’re the only person I can ask.” “Ask me for anything but that.” “Ask me for money.” “Ask me to sell my car.” “Ask me to take ten jobs.” “But don’t ask me what you’re about to ask me.” He went quiet. Then he said it. “I need you to marry Alexander Vale.” These words turned my worst nightmare into reality. I stared at him. Then I bursted out laughing. Not because it was funny. But there’s no way he would say that,it has to be a joke. “You can’t be serious.” “I’m serious” “Marry Alexander.” I waited for him to laugh. He didn’t. “You’re serious?” “Yes.” I stood. I started pacing. “This is insane.” “I know.” “You want me to marry a man i have never spoken to.” “Yes.” “A man whose company has spent years trying to destroy ours.” “It’s not like that.” “Oh,really?” I turned towards him. “Because from where I am standing,it sure looks like you’re telling me to marry your business rival’s son.” My father said nothing. I sighed. Alexander Vale. Of all people. I’d rather be stuck in a zombie apocalypse. Being chased by an elephant or something. At least then I wouldn’t have to look at him. I stopped pacing. “And what if i don’t do it.” “Cross Holdings collapses.” He said it without hesitation. There it was. My whole world crumbling before my entire eyes. The company. My father’s health. My future. Our employees. Everything we had built. “What makes you think he will want me.” “That is cause he knows you.” “He knows me how?” I stared at him “Why?” “He needs you.” “Dad you seem to be getting be a bit confused.” “Alexander needs a wife in order to appear settled.Someone from a respectable home,Someone educated.Someone who understands business and won’t make unnecessary demands.” I slowly leaned back. “And you think thats me?” “I know it is.” I laughed again. “You want me to be a business accessory.” “No.” “A very expensive one?” “Sienna.” “You are infact, selling me.” His face fell. “No,I am trying to save your future” “No,you’re just trying to save Cross Holdings” He didn’t need to admit it. I knew from his face. He pushed a yellow file towards me. It was the said contract in question. I looked down at the file. And everything around me that would be gone if i don’t sign this deal. I swallowed. “How long.” “A year.” “A whole freaking year???” “Then the contract ends.” “And I walk away?” “Yes” “No feelings?” “No feelings.” “No real marriage.” “No,Sienna i promise.” I stared at him Then I took the file And I stood up. “Where are you going.” “I need air.” “And of course.” “To meet my future husband.” Those words tasted bitter even when I said it. “Thank you.” “It’s fine dad,I love you.” “I love you too Sienna.” Twenty minutes later,I was driving towards Vale Holdings. On my way to meet my future husband. My palms were sweating. It felt odd. I had stood before millions of people to seal a contract. Held conferences. Signed deals worth millions of money. But meeting Alexander Vale? It was enough to get me more tensed than usual. Finally I arrived. I looked out the window. Vale Holdings. Huge. Cold. Of course expensive. I took a breath. And another. My phone buzzed. It was my dad. “You can still change your mind.” “No I can't.” I put the phone away. Opened the car door. Stepped out. I stepped through the glass doors. The receptionist looked up. “Good morning.” “I am here to see Alexander Vale.” “Of course,Ms Cross he has been expecting you.” I followed her towards the elevator. The doors opened. I stepped inside. She smiled,pressed the top floor number and waved me goodbye. The doors opened. I stepped out,trying to adjust my bra strap. Barely took two steps and boom! Something hot splashed on my hand. “That hurts!!!” The man before me stood still. He looked at his ruined shirt. Then at me. And of course it had to be Alexander Vale. But seeing him in person was much different. I hate to admit it but. He was beautiful. “You are Sienna Cross.” I nodded. “Try paying attention when you’re walking.” I stared at him with so much disgust. “Excuse me?” “You heard me,i don’t have time to waste on cleaning up after little girls like you.” “Little girl?” My mouth was wide open in shock. Oh,I hated him. And somehow in a few days I would be his wife.