The office was silent, save for the soft click of polished shoes against marble floor, he stood by close to the window, suit impeccable, with folded hands, scanning the city like a predator looking for it's prey. Looking at him one would tell he gives off the feeling of a man who controlled everything but his own heart.
"Rowan, what was i even thinking when i agreed to be your secretary, a blissful life?, hahaha", Elias Rowan's secretary complained sarcastically.
Rowan turned spiking an eyebrow at him "Rowan?, the hell happened to formality Elias?, I'm glad you are having a blissful life, be rest assured to enjoy it for a looooong loooooog time",
Rowan said with that face that always makes Elias wonder how he always ends up twisting every word.
The two have been friends for years.
"What more could i ask for sire!"Replied Elias while mockingly taking a deep bow. "the secretary of the Almighty Rowan Ashbourne, the CEO of Ashbourne capital".
"What about the documents?", asked Rowan
"checkmate", Elias replied
"Where do we stand on the vertex consortium deal?"he asked again
His secretary hesitated long enough for him to notice. He turned to look at him
"They are ready to move forward with the deal, sir", Elias replied carefully "but"...
"But"?, Rowan asked while raising his eyes at him
"They have additional condition or should i say expectation you wouldn't want to hear"
Rowan walked to his seat, sat down and crossed his legs, "Define additional".
"Being an old-money board that values family values and stability", Elias paused, "they want assurance of stability".
"Then we give them stability", replied Rowan
"Ehmmm, by stability, i mean personal stability", Rowan lowered his eyes. "They won't close the deal unless you are married".
Silence filled the office.
"knowing you, it is totally impossible, so i.." Elias was about to say something else before Rowan cut him off.
"what am i known for again?", Rowan asked with that face that screams pride.
"Rowan Ashbourne, the untouchable… The man who never loses a deal",Elias answered.
"How long do i have?", he asked
"Two months", Elias said
Rowan leaned back, expression unreadable, "Then find me the most cleanest and efficient option "
"Huh?", Elias asked astonished. "A wife?"
"A contract ", he corrected.
....
I couldn't believe what happened few minutes ago, the reaction…
I stood there looking at them, i was at a loss for
words.
"Leila, you…you are back". He stammered
"DARVEN!, what's going on here?", i asked looking from him to the very relaxed lady who looked like she doesn't give a damn.
"Ehmmm… why don't you tell her babe", she said
"you see", he gulped, i think I'm fed up with this marriage, i don't think i ever really loved you, you were too available and nice, you never complain… You are just there, like a good robot, maybe that's why I put up with you but I don't think i can anymore"he said vehemently and the lady chuckled.
I didn't know how to react, so this is how he and everyone saw me. i ran… Away from him, from that place, from everything, from… BANG!, i hit my head on the steering, someone had just bumped into my car. I stepped out of my car and walked to the latest model car with tinted glass. The owner hadn't even bothered to come out. I knocked on the driver's glass. After a few moments he winded down.
"You just bumped into my car", i said.
He looked at me and instead of apologizing he brought out a card. "I'm really in a hurry now, so call this number", he said about to drive off.
"i beg your pardon? Sorry would have been the best thing to say but i just changed my mind, I'm calling the police",i said as a matter of fact. "what have i done wrong to deserve all this,?". I asked myself.
"what's going on there Elias"?, i heard a voice, i turned to see a man at the back seat.
"what's going on here as if he is deaf", i murmured, " from the look of things you are the owner of this car, and your car just bumped into mine so i demand you settle or i make this public, looking at you i believe publicity won't do you any good", i decided to pour my venom on both of them.
The strange handsome man smiled, the kind that looks like that of a predator. He looked as if he was busy observing me until he opened the door and came down, he walked to where i was, all the
While still observing me,and then he said,
"I'm Rowan Ashbourne, i believe you know the name", he gave me a crooked smile.
I looked at him, "so this is Rowan Ashbourne the CEO of Ashbourne capital, who doesn't know his name",I thought .
"like i said…, I began.
"i will settle, but, he looked at me . "i will settle on my terms",he said.
"Excuse me?", i said.
"i will pay you whatever you want, but you have to do something", he said.
I observed him wondering if he is psycho or something.
"Be my wife for just one year", he said
"oh it's been confirmed, he is crazy", i thought before i said. "WHAT!?".