MANZINO'S ARRANGED BRIDE

FOUR

Chapter 4

Manzino's POV

“Mr Manzino,” the security guards jumped to his feet once he spotted me walking towards him but I didn't give him a second glance as I walked past him and stormed towards the elevator.

Punching the numbers, I climbed in and impatiently waited for the damn machine to stop on the fourth floor.

Finally it did and I jumped out before the doors opened fully, marching past the reception desk to the office.

“Mr Manzino, we weren't..” the receptionist trailed off and soon her hurried footsteps behind me reached my ears as she struggled to keep up with my strides.

I walked fast usually but when I was as upset as I was presently, I sprinted.

I kicked the door to Madam Liz's office open and stormed towards her, picking her up as if she weighed nothing.

“Mr. Manzino, we weren't expecting you…” she stammered, her eyes filled with fear as I stared at her.

“How could you pair me with a woman who wasn't interested in working with me? Do you have a death wish Elizabeth?” I asked, using her full name and she shivered.

“I..she..”

Granted no one in their right minds would ever consent to work with me but still, she had no right to make me look like a fool.

The only reason that girl had gotten away with talking to me like that was because she had been blindsided or else she might have ended up with a few bullet holes in her pretty head.

“If you ever pull something like this again…” I didn't have to finish my sentence, my message was clear.

I dropped her and walked out, not sparing her a backward glance.

Even though she had f****d this entire thing up, it was too late to find someone else. Amelia would have to do now whether she wanted to or not.

I pulled out my phone as I walked and sent Amelia a quick text message.

“Set up a meeting for tomorrow and send me details or Madam Liz might not make it to her next client appointment.”

She wouldn't care about Madam Liz in another situation but she was not like me, unfeeling, brutal and f****d up.

She still had a sweet, fairytale overview of the world so she would care if another human being got killed just because she didn't do something.

Or at least I was hoping she cared enough because then I'd have no choice but to threaten Doctor Shane or worse her sister.

I pulled out another cigarette and quickly lit it before placing it in my mouth.

I took a long puff as I waited for her reply, my hands itching to reach for my gun but this time with every intention of using it.

My phone dinged signaling I had a new notification and I pulled it out absentmindedly to check.

A wide grin ate up my entire face as I read a reply from the unknown number I had texted a few minutes ago.

Okay, it read. Plain and simple but it proved that I was right.

My bride-to-be was as innocent as they came. Hopefully she'd remain that way and leave with her innocence intact after the contract was over.

***

The next day, my driver pulled into a small coffee shop on the other side of town and I frowned as I got down.

This was the address my future wife had texted me and it just dawned on me that I had made a mistake leaving the choice of picking a meeting place up to her.

Eyeing the coffee shop with hooded eyes, I pulled my coat tighter around my body even if it was hot out and quietly made my way towards the shop.

The bell dinged over my head as I walked in and all eyes fell on me.

Well there weren't many people in the shop but I noted a pair of blue-green eyes watching me from across the room.

Ignoring the rest of the people around, I made my way towards her and sat down, placing my gun on the table to ease the weight around my waist. “Isn't it a perfect day out?”

My soon-to-be wife eyed the gun, her orbs widening before she nodded and looked away quickly.

“I know Madam Liz blindsided you into accepting this deal but circumstances aside, it's too late for me to did a replacement so you'll have to do.” I started, going to the heart of the matter.

Her eyes found me again and they narrowed, her expression unimpressed. “Excuse me?”

“I hate repeating myself cupcake so you'll have to keep up. Now, I need the wedding to happen as soon as possible, so get your act together and hop onboard.”

She stared at me, her eyes blank and her expression completely unreadable for a few minutes before she burst out laughing.

My eyebrows creased as I watched her laugh, wondering if I had said something funny.

“Who do you think you are?” She asked and I smirked. There was that question again.

“Dwayne Manzino, at your service,” I replied even though I knew that wasn't the answer she had been hoping for.

“I don't appreciate you bathing into my life and threatening me like that.” She said referring to Elizabeth and I grinned.

“Oh cupcake, it's not a threat when I fully intend on doing it.” I shrugged like it was no big deal and her jaw slacked, her chin almost touching the table as she regarded me in shock.

“I'm quite perched. We should order, right?” I asked and without waiting for a reply, I signaled to one of the staff.

He immediately ran towards us and kept him head down z his legs trembling in fear.

I scoffed but went on with my order anyway. “A dry gin and whatever the lady likes.”

He finally looked up at Amelia,.his body relaxing as he asked her what she wanted.

“Nothing, thank you,” she gave him a polite smile and my eyes narrowed when I saw him smile back.

No f*****g way.

“Bring her a glass of water and get lost..”

The smile was immediately wiped off from his face and he nodded before scurrying off.

I met her gaze again to find her judgy eyes boring into me. “So where were we?” I asked and without waiting for her response, I continued. “So the wedding, I don't want anything loud and seeing as it's a contract arrangement there's no need for the fan dare, also you will be signing an NDA so you can't really share details of our arrangement with anyone.”

She scoffed and didn't say anything. The waiter came back with our drinks just then and she grabbed the glass of water, downing it all in one go.

“Get her another one.” I told the waiter before he left, completely enjoying how nervous I made her.

“Why are you doing this?” She asked once she had set the glass down and I frowned.

“I'm quite sure I explained we're getting married so it's only natural I take care of you. Don't worry cupcake, you'd get used to it when the children start coming.”

Her eyes widened and she choked, sending the water she had drank earlier flying everywhere including my face.

I wiped it off with a smile and watched her carefully. She was scared of me but was trying very hard not to be and it was freaking cute.

“So when do you want the wedding?” she asked, faking bravery.

“Tomorrow,”