3 - Are you sure about this?

Her father's pleading voice reverberated in her nerve cells. This would have been a perfect payback for her mama or even Kyle, also mini revenge on those billionaires who think themselves to be on top of this world but how could she deny her father? He was bound to a wheelchair when he saved her from a car accident. He never complained about her being jobless for months and tried to protect her from Mrs. Del's outcries. Her brother was not one to show her any concern with the pressure he carried on his back, making him distant towards her, which to her meant he didn't care but was rather the opposite. Her brother didn't want to burden her with the company's problems.

The stone wall encircling her heart began to fall, leaving her at the mercy of fulfilling her father's plea. Her defense dropped with every step she took towards her father.

"For your sake dad, just for your sake." She hated the line of a smirk on the corners of Sly's lips.

"Alright then, you have thirty minutes to pack your stuff. You don't need to take much. I will buy for you what a pretend wife should wear. If need be, just come as you are," he chuckled.

Monica might be shy but she wasn't dumb. She was twenty-one and intelligent. Her brain processes information differently.  Her only problem was not being able to speak what she had on her mind. She felt intimidated by new faces. She deciphered the sarcasm in his tone but timidity would not let her release a suitable response. Yet, if he thought she didn't have what it took to be his pretend wife, she was glad to spend his cash. With that perception in mind,  she decided not to pack anything. "You are right, I don't need anything."

Without warning, Sylvester's strong hand grabbed her frail one, yanking her out of her family's house. Her father surveyed gloomily as they veered through the door. Monica scanned her family helplessly. Her mom had a satisfied look on her face but Kyle could not hide his worry. The fact being that no one knew the kind of person Sly was. "He won't hurt her dad, you can bet on it," Kyle said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He didn't know much about Sly's personal life.

"I'm not worried. I'll only miss her. Monica can take care of herself. She's nothing like other girls," Mr. Moses Del Smirked. 

"Don't be too confident. She's very lazy. Sleep is what she does best," Mrs. Del snapped but neither Mr. Moses Del nor Kyle agreed with her yet, they kept their opinion to themselves. It was always better to not argue with her - there was no opportunity of winning.

 Sly's grip on Monica lasted till he settled her on the passenger seat of his car, a Cardiac Beast, buckling her seat belt as soon as he sat on the driver's side. Uneasiness became Monica's constant companion in the car. The interior was cream, taking on Sly's fragrance. No matter how she saw it, he was always close even when there was a distance because his fragrance lingered on. 

He drove in silence, both of them captivated in their thoughts. What Monica did not expect was to find herself in front of a Jewelry shop. A tall glass building with Diamonds written with white glitter lights. It was classic. Monica felt insecure. She froze at the sight of the building, choosing to remain seated. 

Sly unbuckled his seat belt, making his way to the passenger side, he held the door open. "Shall we?" Monica gave no response. Her ogle on her thighs. Sly could sense a pending headache but he had no regrets. It was unlike him to retreat once he took a stand. He furrowed his brow, "We have to make it believable. No one will believe us without a ring. Let's go, I have to make it back to the office."

Monica wanted to move but her legs remained frozen as she imagined the people behind the glass she could not see through. It was tinted. Sly could not keep his patience in check as nervousness began to eat him. "You either come on your own accord or I carry you," Syl's tone was warm but firm.

Monica felt the seriousness in his voice. It was enough trouble being close to him. She couldn't help being carried. She slid out of the car and before positioning herself, she was yanked by the arm again. Monica's gaze remained on the floor as she strutted behind Sly. The door slid open automatically as soon as they stepped in front of it. Sly released his hand from Monica's arm and just before a sigh of relief escaped her, his hand snaked around her waist.

The heat in her chest rose to her cheeks, turning them beet red. She did not have the opportunity to recover before a woman dressed in black knee-length office wear approached them, beaming with an infectious smile. For the first time, Monica felt comfortable around a stranger. Whoever this woman was, she had been well trained. Her aura was relaxing and for a moment, Monica felt at peace in front of her. 

This is the first time Monica felt she was being treated with respect and dignity. She wasn't bullied or looked down on. The feeling was soothing. "My name is Marina. I will be your attendant," the woman said the name written on her tag, her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, her hand stretched appealing for a handshake. Monica shook her hand gently as if she was scared of offending her. Sly looked on repulsed by this action. It was visible that Monica didn't know her worth.

"We need a dignified engagement and a wedding ring for my fiance, and a wedding ring for me," Sly ordered, not hiding the iciness in his tone. He wanted to end Monica's awkward debacle with the attendant. 

"Of course, Mr. Norman, Any special preference?" Monica was surprised Marina called Sly by name before Kyle's chastisement revived her. 'I'm shocked you don't know him. Sylvester Norman, CEO of Norman Holdings.'

"No, just gives us your best," Sly responded.

The attendant led the pair to a mocha leather sofa and opened a bottle of champagne, pouring a glass for Monica and Sly.  "Here you go, you can relax while I get the rings." Monica was taken aback. She was not used to this kind of treatment. The truth was slowly sinking in. It won't be easy to be a pretend wife to someone like Sly. She has to find a way out of it but what happens to her brother's business?

She looked around the cozy room they sat. It was just like a living room with no jewelry in place. From the look of things, they were receiving executive treatment. Sly was already reading a magazine. Monica didn't know the taste of alcohol. She wasn't even a fan of drinks. Her life was buried in books and watching movies.

What others will deem as boring was a typical normal to Monica. Her tummy rumbled and she remembered not having anything to eat since morning. It was just a few minutes to midday and she didn't know how to tell Sly she was hungry. Undisclosed to her, Sly hadn't eaten too but he felt no hunger, and excitement from nearing achieving his goal. He was only left with one more step. 

Monica dropped the glass of champagne gently on the glass table in front of her, stealing a glance at Sly, whose face was still buried in the magazine. As soon as Marina returned with the rings, Monica realized her mistake. The rings were perfectly crafted with gold platinum and red diamond. Even Sly's was lined with red diamonds. The three rings were a matching piece. One that was carefully designed for a loving couple. 

"Let's try it on," Marina said. "If there is a need for adjustment, we can get it done in three days. Monica shifted uncomfortably. She would have loved to wear the rings if she was in love but she didn't think it reasonable in this situation. Marina excitedly slipped the rings on her finger. A perfect fit.

"Wow," the attendant exclaimed. "Would you like to know the mystery to red diamonds?" The question was more of a rhetorical one so Monica remained mute. "Red diamonds are rare and expensive. It is believed that the couple who wear this ring will stay married forever. I believe it because my mum used to have one. Not as big as this though but love always bloomed between her and my dad. Your love will bloom forever," Marina nodded in confirmation to her won words.

Monica couldn't contain the unwanted prophecy. "Do you mind if I change it? I don't like the"

"We will take it," Sly cut her off, a smirk in the corner of his mouth. 

"There's nothing more expensive than a red diamond. I think it suits your hair and eye color," he winked. Monica felt hotness in her stomach. Was he complimenting her or it's just another sarcasm? Either way, Monica's face was beet red.

The attendant exploded in excitement, probably celebrating her commission. Sly gave her a black card which she swiped through the payment terminal. "Done," she exclaimed, returning the card to Sly and the packaged rings to Monica. Sly's hands snaked around Monica's waist for the second time. She stiffened and wanted to pull away but Sly pulled her closer, the smell of his fragrance stronger than ever. Your acting skill is very poor Monica, you need to improve faster," he cooed, close to her ears. Monica jolted with a feeling she didn't have words to describe. 

"Maybe you don't get it. You should pretend to be my wife in public. Is that too hard?" Sly didn't hide the irritation in his tone when they got to the car.

Monica was speechless but her silence annoyed Sly more. He stepped on the accelerator, Monica held breath in the process, fearing the speed. She could not understand why he sped. "W-Where are we going?" Monica stammered, her stomach rumbling.

"To the marriage registry," Sly said casually, making Monica's heart stop. So this is going to happen. What is a fake marriage with genuine documents? She felt trapped and for once, she wished she could do as she pleased. She has never even dated before so how was she going to pretend to be his wife. 

As soon as Sly parked in front of the marriage registry, Monica broke off with cold sweats.

"We will make our marriage official today. Only you and I will know that this marriage is a contract. No one else is supposed to know," he warned coldly, making his way to the passenger seat.

'My parents and my brother know so it's more than two of us,' Monica wanted to say but thought against it. 

Every eye focussed on Sly as soon as he walked into the registry. He was well known but no one dared to come closer. He held Monica on the waist as usual. A casual smile on his face, in contrast to a very uncomfortable Monica. Her gaze was continuously trained on the floor. The look on their faces was enough evident that Sly had to put in more effort to develop Monica's confidence. Their posture conveyed a picture of false submission - not exactly what he wanted.

Once they sat in front of the registrar, Monica was completely bashed. "Are you sure about this?" She shrieked. 

"I don't go back on my words," Sly's spewed with irritation and anger. One that told Monica to sign the damn papers. Sly casually signed the papers without a second thought but when it reached Monica's turn, she fidgeted with the pen between her fingers. Her mind was unclear. So many things could go wrong. She wasn't sure about proceeding with the whole thing. Her mind was a complete mess and she wondered over and over again. 'Should I append my signature?'