Chapter Three

****

I froze in place as soon as I met his gaze. I could barely register what was going on because I was in awe of how much of a beauty this man was.

His grey orbs captured me first, then I drank the whole sight in. He's about 6'4 in height towering over my 5'6, his thick black hair was styled perfectly atop his head. His pink lips were just about full and thin at the same time, perfect. His tanned skin shone in the light and his suit did nothing to hide his well built body. His clean shaven face had my hands itching to touch it, strangely enough. He looked too good to be real.

"Now, if you're done checking me out, can we get down to business?" He stated dryly, just like he was bored but his face gave nothing away.

The statement startled me, my cheeks burned and I felt somewhat embarrassed.

"Yes, sorry." I whispered, going on to take a seat in front of him.

He stared down at me for a while before taking his seat opposite me.

"I'm sorry, are you the person my father owes?" I asked cluelessly. A light smirk from him was my answer.

"Could you please give us some more time to pay you off? You see, it's a huge amount and only just found out a few-"

"That's not any of my business Miss Delaney." He cut off my rambling coolly.

"Your father owes me and he's supposed to pay me by the end of the week, if he doesn't, he goes to jail for breaching our contract." He said so casually like he was not threatening me and my father.

The thought of my father being thrown in jail brought tears to my eyes unknowingly but I blinked them back in without delay. There was no point in showing weakness.

"But..." I wanted to protest.

"Aren't you aware of the alternate solution?" He asked, scanning my face with his eyes.

Of course I was aware but I couldn't just sign my life away to someone I barely knew.

"I know but marriage is a bizarre condition." I uttered shakily.

"Alright then, I guess I'd be seeing you at the end of the week with my money or with your father behind bars." He said icily, he gestured for his guard to escort me out of his office. I panicked, his unsavory words irked me but it was as clear as day, this man meant business.

"Wait, can I have some time to think this over?" I asked frantically.

He did not say anything but handed me a folder which I took hesitantly.

"The details of the contract are contained in that folder. You'll be escorted to your hotel room and tomorrow morning you'll be back here with your answer." He instructed and before I could step into the private elevator, I heard him say.

"Choose wisely, Ariana."

My eyes stayed glued on his until the elevator doors closed and descended. I heaved a sigh but not one of relief.

****

The hotel room turned out to be a suite in an exquisite hotel. I forgot about my predicament for a while cause the view was absolutely amazing. I had a light dinner cause I hardly had an appetite.

I went straight into the bedroom and it was just as beautiful. I went in for a shower immediately and changed into something more comfortable. I slept off as soon as my back hit the soft mattress.

Hours later, I woke up still feeling jet lagged. Traveling always took a toll on me but I couldn't help it, I still loved doing it. I picked up the folder and slowly glanced through the contract.

I figured his name was Damien Kingston from the front page.

"Damien Kingston? D. K..." I whispered as realization hit me. He sent the flowers and called me up the other night.

I fought the urge to google him, it was not necessary at this point.

I found out from the contract that we were going to be married legally and in the church, the marriage was going to be for the prying eyes of the outside world. Basically, I was going to be a trophy wife, getting an allowance and amazing luxuries and improving his image for the sake of his business.

Luckily, it did not have a mandatory obligation to give him an heir. I heaved a relieved sigh.

I read it through and through and saw the space for my signature but I refused to sign it until when I would meet him up the next day. It said that my father's debt would be written off the moment I signed it but I just had to see him and make sure he gave me his word.

With all these things swirling through my mind, I slept again.

****

By about 8am the next morning, I was busy brushing my hair out in front of the large mirror when a knock on the front door came through. I walked up to the door thinking it was room service but I was met with a man in suit I assumed was a body guard of Mr Kingston.

"Good morning ma'am. The boss has asked for you to join him for breakfast at his penthouse suite and I have been assigned to escort you there." He said robotically.

I nodded and excused myself to go pick up my phone along with the folder and make sure my outfit was in order. The blue jeans and long sleeved polo top I wore clung to me and accentuated my curves a little too much. My hips looked wider and my bust, bigger. I definitely did not think this through when I picked the clothes to wear.

We made our way up to the penthouse and I was just as entranced as I had been ever since I stepped into Los Angeles. The view was even more spectacular from here. The floor to ceiling windows, the beautiful white and gold decor, it all gave the place and ethereal ambience.

My gaze flew across the huge hall and landed on the dining section where he was seated glancing through what I thought was a file.

I walked towards him slowly and bade a good morning.

"Morning, slept well?" He asked barely looking up from his tab as he sipped on black coffee.

"Yes I did, thank you." I answered softly, drumming my hands gently on the dining chair in front of me.

"Have a seat." He offered, finally staring at me. He eyed me swiftly, from head to toe and vice versa, and I almost squirmed until thankfully, he removed his gaze just as quickly.

I sat down quietly, the maids came in, served our meals for us and we dug in in silence. Shortly after, we were both done eating and I guessed it was about time we got to business.

I cleared my throat nervously.

"I've my made my decision." I finally said and watched his reaction closely. He didn't look up but I watched him pause for a second. He still did not say anything.

"I'll do it." I breathed shakily.

"Do what now? I like things being stated clearly, you must know that I'm a very straightforward man, Miss Delaney." He uttered, staring straight at me and I gulped, it was almost as if he could see through my soul.

"I mean, I'll marry you." I said slowly. He hummed in mock approval, like he knew I was going to give in anyway. That annoyed me.

"Good choice."

"But, you have to give me your word. As soon as I sign this, my father's debt would be written off right?" I asked with my eyes searchihg his face for some sort of emotion.

"Affirmative." He assured and I nodded.

My phone rang and I saw it was Nolan calling. I smiled as soon as I saw the sweet selfie of both of us with me kissing his cheek.

"I'm sorry, I have to take this."

"Go ahead." He permitted coldly. That was weird.

"Hi Nolan," I said into the phone.

"Hey bebita, how are you?"

"I'm alright-" my eyes darted towards him and I saw he was staring at my phone intensely.

"Nolan can I call you back later? I'm kind of in the middle something." I said.

"But, Ari you're supposed to be here right now, Sabrina is asking of you. Where exactly are you?" He said in a rush. I could hear the worry in his tone.

"I'm in Los Angeles-" I tried explaining.

"Los Angeles?! Ariana, how?!" Nolan yelled and I had to keep my phone away. I tried speaking again when the phone was suddenly snatched from my hand and switched off.

It took a while before what just happened had registered.

"Why would you do that?! That's just rude!" I raised my voice in annoyance.

"That call was getting in the way of something of great importance. Now, take that pen and sign accordingly." He said casually like he did not just offend me. Arrogant brute!

My nose flared in anger but I kept it in, signed the papers, waited for his signature and stormed out of the room.

"Dinner's by seven. Be ready." He called after me.

I muttered curses in Spanish as I marched into my suite. Just who did this man think he was?! Ordering me around like he was some demi god! The audacity!

I took deep breaths and tried reaching out to Nolan again. He wasn't picking up so I just dropped a text telling him I would explain whatever was going on later.

It was then I realized that I had actually signed the contract and I was going to get married soon. Oh Dios mío!