~REID
After the uneventful night we had spent at my parent's house, we finally came back to mine a few hours ago, and I was in my home office with Athena, who was sat before me, her eyes flickering around the room but her gaze never settled on mine.
I can see the fear etched on her face like a shadow, her lips were slightly parted as if she was holding in her breath, and her skin has paled to a ghostly white. The soft hum of the air conditioner seemed to be the only sound, and it's doing nothing to calm the rapid pulse in her neck. Her hands were clenched in her lap, her knuckles white with tension, and her shoulders are hunched up like she was trying to make herself smaller.
"A year." I started, my voice settled over the room like a shroud, devoid of warmth or inflection, as I leaned back in my chair, the cold leather sending a chill sensation down my back. "That's all I'm asking for. A year of your life, and I'll erase the 5 million debt that hangs over your head like a guillotine." I finished in a dry tone, already preparing myself for the gut twisting questions that was already taking form in her head.
Athena's eyes widened at my choices of words or at my proposal, I really don't know, but her lips parted in shock as she stared at me as if I had proposed death to her.
Her mind racing to process the proposal I had offered and her hands trembled at her sides, I could see the fear, the doubts, etched on her face.
I leaned forward on my mahogany desk, my hands steeply together, my fingers drumming a slow rhythm on the desk as I chose my next words carefully, by breaking it down into a much more simpler form since she was still trying to decipher what I had said earlier. "You'll be my wife, Athena. You'll play the part of a loving wife, attend functions, and smile for the cameras. You'll be the perfect hostess, the perfect companion. And in return, I'll give you everything you need to live the life of Riley and comfort." I explained further, and I think it worked this time because the look she gave me was a more befitting look to the offer I had proposed, than the first look she wore on her face.
I smirked as Athena's eyes dropped, her face paled, and I could sense her desperation. She stood up from the chair she was sat, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I-I don't want to be your wife." She stuttered as tears began to well up her eyes.
"I wasn't asking." I stated, chuckling darkly. "I don't want to be your husband either," I said, my eyes glinning with amusement. "But I don't have a choice, do I? You have a debt to pay, Athena, and this is the only way to settle it." I reminded her incase she seems to be forgetting. Honestly, I didn't plan on taking the money back from her but this was the only way our marriage could be justified on her ends.
Athena's eyes snapped down at me, her gaze locking onto mine and I could see millions of thoughts swirling in those two contrasted orbs of hers. She looked so conflicted and so, I tried to ease her mind by explaining further, with my voice taking on a persuasive tone. "Think of it, Athena. You'll be free to live your life, to do what you want, when you want. No more debt, no more fear, no more uncertainty. All I ask is that you play the part of my wife for one year." I explicated in addition but all I got in return was silence and a dumbfounded Athena.
I sighed in irritation before running my hand through my black locks. How do I break down my words further than I already did? She can't be that dumb, because I don't know what was so incomprehensible about 'Be my wife for a year and your debt would be settled.'
The silence between us was oppressive, heavy with tension as Athena struggled to find the words to respond. I could sense the wariness in her eyes, the fear of being trapped, and the desperation that came with being cornered.
"What happens once the contract is over?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
An askance grin settled on my lips at her question, as it seems we were already getting on the same page. "You'll be free." I said, my voice dripping with assurance. "Free from the debt, free from me. You'll be my wife, with all the privileges and protections that comes with it. And at the end of the year, we'll go our separate ways, and you can do as you please."
As I spoke, Athena's eyes never left mine, her gaze searching, probing, trying to read me, to understand the motives behind my proposal. I was sure she knew we weren't getting married out of love, obviously. She knew I was getting married to please my parents, but what she doesn't know was that, I was getting married to have full control as the Don of the Valtorian mafia. And I would love to keep it that way because it was none of her business. As far as she fulfills her role in this play, we should be good.
I knew she would agree, I knew she would take the deal, because it was the only way out for her. And as she stood there, weighing her options, I could sense the inevitability of it all. She would say yes, and our lives would be entwined for a year.
The silence between us stretched out, the only sound was the soft ticking of the clock on the wall and the faint hum of the air conditioner. I could sense the tension building, the anticipation, as Athena struggled to find the right words to say.
'She was really stressing that last brain cell of hers for such a minor matter.' I thought to myself with a scoff.
"What's the catch?" she asked, her voice a little stronger now, a little more defiant.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her question because I never would have thought she would asked that. Maybe I jumped into conclusion a bit too soon, she might be tad smarter than I thought she was. "There's no catch, Athena. I simply want a wife, a partner, a companion. And in return, I'll give you everything you need to live a life of luxury." I shrugged nonchalantly before a scowl settled on my face, as this conversation was stretching longer than it ought to.
"I don't believe you." Her eyebrows knitted together with her voice laced with dissent. "There's something you're not telling me. What's the real reason you're doing all of this?" She questioned, crossing her arms underneath her breast which made them pump up as my attention derailed for a moment.
I cleared my throat, taking my mind out of the gutter before my eyes locked onto hers again, my voice taking on a dominant tone. "The real reason, Athena, is that I want you. I want you as my wife. That's all you need to know!"
She flinched at the sound of my voice, her eyes downcast before she finally nodded. "I'll do it." She whispered brokenly which made me let out a hum of contempt.
As the words left her lips, I could see the resignation in her eyes, the acceptance of her fate and I knew that I had her, that she was mine, at least for the next year.
"Sit." I nodded to the chair as I laid the papers on the desk. A contract which was waiting to be signed on her end. I handed her a pen, my eyes never leaving hers. "Sign, Athena."
She slowly took her sit, her hand trembling as she took the pen, as if she was about to sign on a death note and I was the grim reaper.
'Dramatic.'
Her eyes settled on mine before I heard a soft scratch, she signed her name on the contract as she sealed her fate for the next year.
The sound echoed through the room, a symbol of her surrender, her submission. And as I took the pen from her hand, I knew that I had won, that she was mine- no, she had always been mine, both body and soul.