Chapter Four

"You look pale. What happened, dear? Did he hurt you?" Ginny's concerned voice broke my chain of thoughts and I looked at her, giving her a small assuring smile.

"Umm..no. He did say he might fire me though and uhh..."

I went blank. I had no idea what to tell her. He could be joking about the killing part but knowing him and his temper, I was genuinely scared about the lengths he would go to protect his name and reputation.

"He is heartless. Dammit! Even the tears didn't work on him. Don't worry, Aria. I'll make sure you have a job by tomorrow. I can speak to my daugh—."

"I think I have a headache, Ginny. I'm gonna go rest for a while." I lied, cutting her off mid speech and started to grab my things. I felt bad for lying to her. I would have told her what exactly happened if it weren't for his threats.

"Oh dear, shall I make you a cup of coffee?" She offered with a worried look on her face.

"No, Ginny. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. I'll figure it out. I always do." I rushed and walked out of the kitchen, feeling so lost and confused by what happened upstairs. I informed my grandpa that I was feeling sick on my way out and started to walk towards the gate. As I was walking, I suddenly got an eerie feeling that someone was watching me. I turned around to find no one in sight and shook my head at my silly delusions but just when I was about to look away, my eyes accidentally caught someone walking away from the balcony swiftly, the one that was located on Xavier's wing.

Was he looking at me? Or am I imagining things?

I let out a soft groan and continued on my way out of his stupid mansion, wondering if this might be my last working day. I could get another job easily and my grandpa also wouldn't question me much if I simply say 'I don't wanna talk about it' but we would have to struggle to make ends meet. I might have to work two jobs a day.

Fuck! I jinxed my streak of perfect work record.

Once I reached home, I laid down on my bed and took a deep breath to clear my head. Eventually, I started to think about his stupid deal. I couldn't not think about it. He was rich and things like this must be normal to him but marriage is a huge deal to me. I've always wanted to marry the love of my life not some cocky bastard for some business deal. I was just 21. Who gets married at this age? I mean, it's not like I would agree to his offer if I was older and still single. Or would I?

The fact that I was slowly starting to consider his deal made me convulse in disgust.

What the hell was wrong with me? Was I that desperate? I mean, he did say there wouldn't be any sex involved. I could go to college with the money and get a degree that I've always wanted. I could finally take the next step towards achieving my goal. I could reduce the burden and stress for my grandpa. There were a lot of pros but there was only one con.

I would have to marry him.

But what about grandpa? What would I tell him? He would definitely spiral and prevent me from doing something reckless like this. If I was going to do this, I would have to come up with my set of rules to be included in this arrangement.

Wait, what if all of this was some elaborated prank to make me look like a fool for insulting him? That's highly possible. I decided not to worry about it much and pulled out my book to escape from reality.

If he really was serious and still wanted me to be a part of his marriage deal, he would know where to find me. If not, he can fire us both and go fuck himself.

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The next day, I continued to act sick and decided to stay at home. I wasn't ready to face him. My grandpa almost decided to stay at home with me. I forced him to leave the house after assuring him that I was fine for the millionth time.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Whether you like it or not."

Xavier's words echoed loudly in my head and I swallowed hard, wondering if he would actually come looking for me. He must obviously assume that I quit and my answer is loud no if I didn't show up at work. Now I was just worried about my grandpa. I'm sure he would show his anger by firing him without giving him any reason. He is ruthless like that.

What if he comes here demanding for an answer?

I spent the first half of my day, moping in bed with my sad romance novel and I was almost convinced that he wasn't going to show up.

Does he even know where I live? He just learned my name and age yesterday.

Maybe it was a prank. Or maybe he found some other girl for his deal. He is rich. I'm sure he knows a million ways to make it look like a real marriage than marrying his lame and pathetic house help.

I must be relieved that he didn't find me right? Why do I feel weird then?

A sudden aggressive knock on the door made me jump in shock and fear.

"What the hell?"

I got up from my bed and rushed to my door immediately and looked through the peep hole to find an angry looking Xavier pacing back and forth in front of my house.

Shit!

"What do you want?"

"Open the door."

He grunted, followed by another loud knock. I stood straight, not falling for his intimidation again. At least he was on the other side of the door and that helped a bit.

"Go away. I quit and I'm not agreeing to your stupid deal."

"Open the fucking door before I break it, Aria."

I could sense the rage in his tone and I was scared that he might actually break and enter. I let out a huge sigh and opened the door to find him standing with his fist raised.

"What do you want?" I asked in a defeated tone and he blinked for a second before entering my house and shutting the door behind him.

"Great. Make yourself at home."

"You know what I want, Aria." He spoke in a deep voice with his smouldering gaze fixed on me that for a second I thought he meant something else. I swallowed hard and took a step back just to maintain a safe distance between us. I was hard to think when he was close to me.

The Deal. He was talking about the deal. Pull yourself together!

"It still doesn't make sense. Don't you have money to pay anyone or buy anyone to make it look real?"

"I could but I don't have the time. I need the board members to believe that I am in a long term relationship in order to get married all of a sudden. Hiring some random person to marry me would raise a lot of questions." He explained to me like I was a five year old kid and I couldn't say anything except stare at him blankly. He was wearing his signature black suit that fit him like second skin and I couldn't help but wonder if I have ever seen in casual clothing. He was too young to look serious and powerful.

"Why do you have to get married so badly?"

"It's in my father's will. I have to settle down by 27 in order to be eligible for the CEO position, followed by the votes of the board members or else the company goes up for auction and it will become fair game to all. Including my rivals."

"Oh."

I wanted to pry and ask more about the so called rivals but kept my mouth shut. I knew nothing about him or his business but everything he just mentioned seemed genuine. He had his reasons and I could understand his urgency.

"You could have saved all this trouble if you had a girlfriend." I blurted out without thinking and I saw a flash of surprise on his face.

"Bold of you to assume that I'm capable of love. I'd rather fuck someone to satiate my needs." He added in a bored tone and I tried to get rid of the mental image of him fucking random girls in his mansion.

"Man whore." I mumbled under my breath and saw him smirk from the corner of my eyes.

"Look, I will give you anything you want. A car? A new house? Designer bags, shoes for the rest of your life? I'll make it happen. You just have to act as my wife for a year. That's it. You can go through the paperwork with my lawyer." He offered and I gave him a strange look. Did I look like a materialistic girl? And what paperwork?

"Paperwork?"

"Of course, you didn't think this was some silly deal you make in a phone call, did you? You have to sign a non-disclosure agreement."

This was all too much for me to handle.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be aware of it? I marry men for money all the damn time." I sneered, my tone laced with sarcasm and I noticed his lips twitch as if he was holding back his smile. Or I must be imagining things. He was the devil and the devil doesn't smile.

"Right. So what do you want? Just say it."

I just wanted to learn and get a degree. That's all  I've ever wanted which I might get if I ask him out of this deal.

Shit! Was I actually considering it?

I had nothing to lose. I just have to let go of my dream of getting married to the love of my life.

"I just want one thing."

"Of course. I knew it." He scoffed like he expected me to agree to it eventually. "Everyone has a price. Name it." He urged and I swallowed my pride before opening my mouth.

"I always wanted to study at NYU and get a degree in English literature."

"Okay?"

He waited, assuming that I would go on but I gave him a small shrug.

"That's it. That's what I want."

"You want to study at NYU?"

Was it so hard to believe? I was pretty sure that I didn't look like a dumb blonde.

"Yup. I want to go to college and get a degree."

He didn't look convinced and gave me a suspicious look.

"That's hardly anything. Are you sure you don't want anything else?"

"Oh, I have my own set of rules to be included in the paperwork." I added and he shoved his hands in his pant pockets, ready to hear me out.

"I want to tell Ginny about our deal. She is my best friend and I need at least one person to confide in."

"What if she tattles?"

"She won't. You have my word."

"Fine. What else?" He agreed reluctantly and I smiled that I had some control over this deal.

"I need a separate room once we get married and no physical touch unless we have to put on an act."

"Agreed. I'll make sure you have your own space."

"And my grandfather, I want you to ask him for my hand in marriage and you have to fire him. He can't be working for you if we are going to be married."

"That's right. I'll make sure your grandfather is taken care of as well. He is old so he can retire anyway."

"Thank you. I don't have anything other demands."

"Fine. We'll discuss about our next steps over a meeting tomorrow. I'll have my men send you the paperwork first." He straightened his suit and held out his hand for me to shake on it.

"Do we have a deal?"

Fuck, I am really doing this and my life is about to change.

"We do." I shook his hand, trying to ignore the shiver that ran down my spine at his warm touch. I pulled my hand immediately as if he burned me and he quickly cleared his throat. Did he feel that too?

"I'll have my driver pick you up tomorrow." He gave me one long look before turning around and walking towards the door. He couldn't even bring himself to thank me for agreeing to do this.

Cocky entitled asshole!

"Goodbye, Mr. Hudson."

"It's Xavier from now." He called out, giving me one quick glance before disappearing out of the door and I finally sat down on the chair beside me.

What have I done? I just signed myself to the devil.