Chapter 8

The heavy office door banged open as Xander strode inside, hung his coat, sat on the leather chair and threw his head back.

David entered cautiously, pausing at the sight of his boss—calm and relentless as if nothing had ever happened, sitting unperturbed in his chair. He was surprised. His friend was clearly seething a moment ago, but now?

“An escort,” he said flatly with a scoff. “He wants to mock me?”

“Xander, I suggest you calm down and think about the inheritance. I believe there might be a case of mistaken identity—”

David’s words trailed off. His face narrowed at Xander’s emotionless glare that cut to him. Nothing more. Just a glance.

“What?… Is there something on my face?”

“You don’t need to pretend, Hart…” He paused, his eyes searching for recognition on David’s face, but found none. “You surely remember her.”

David looked bewildered. He had never met Tatiana before, though he might have seen her photo as the daughter of their business partner—but certainly not the previous evening.

“Xander, about last night…” He carefully observed Xander’s expression before adding, “Are you sure? You must be mistaken. Miss Tatiana seems respectable…”

The sound of the name—Tatiana—was the last thing Xander wanted to hear, especially when she was spoken of with respect.

Xander stood, stepping toward the window, hands sliding into his pockets. Whatever was said about Tatiana, he didn’t care.

“Mi… Miss Tatiana…” David stammered, the sound of the name irritating Xander.

His voice rose sharply, echoing throughout the office. “Try defending that woman again, David, and I…”

But his words suddenly ceased.

David was not trying to defend Tatiana. She was there, standing by the doorway looking at Xander with a stung expression.

Xander’s eyes slightly raised in shock. It was a voice that echoed in Xander’s mind. “What the hell is she doing here?” His eyes clearly questioned why she was there.

“Miss Tatiana, you are here?” David's voice resounded.

That irked Xander. He straightened his chest and turned away, back toward the window.

“May I…” She waited for permission but silence stretched.

David cleared his throat to signal Xander of Tatiana’s presence—not that he didn’t know. Xander didn’t move an inch, nor make any effort to look at Tatiana.

So, David had no choice than to smile politely toward her, giving a nod that she should enter.

Tatiana watched Xander’s back and his studied muscles. He was clearly against letting her in. Nevertheless, he didn't oppose his secretary.

“Miss Tatiana, is there a problem?” David’s voice broke Tatiana's thoughts.

She turned slightly, looking at him, then back to Xander. She was expecting his turn at least, a simple turn to listen to what she had to say. But Xander give her no importance.

“I will marry you...” Tatiana's lips parted, eyes fixed on Xander for a reaction. At least, his shoulders shifted. But grim echo of a scoff was all she could hear.

Tatiana felt her heart tugged by his actions, his rejections. She should turn away, but she needed this marriage. She needed it maybe more than he did. So he was right—she was desperate. But not for money.

“This will benefit both of us.”

Still, he didn’t turn. His hand was still in his pocket. No reaction, not even a scoff this time.

“Sir, Miss Tatiana…”

“I’m not interested.”

David started, but then Xander's words, sharp and bitter, resonated. The room’s atmosphere darkened with frustration, pain and anger.

As a friend, David was frustrated. At least he should consider this for the inheritance. But Xander was stoic.

“ Thirty seconds…”

His voice was swifter, his movement fast. His hand came out of his pocket, and he sat on his chair, eyes fixed on Tatiana.

David shook his head in frustration. Sure this was his friend, worse than his actions now.

Tatiana was desperate—desperate to stay away from her home, her mother, and her uncle. She couldn't let this marriage go. No, never.

“I will accept any condition. In exchange,... I live in your house starting today.”

Her heart was pleading. Tears had welled up in her eyes. She didn't know the consequences of her decision yet that was her only redemption. There was no holding back.

Her eyes didn’t go unnoticed. For the first time, Xander’s brow twitched—not in anger, not in disgust, but with a pull like a force.

His eyes couldn’t move away.

“I will accept no money, no rights—nothing that comes with the name Mrs. Michelle,” she pressed. “All I want is a roof over my head.”

A flicker brought by the tinge of broken plea in Tatiana’s eyes. And his heart—he didn’t like the feeling: weak, pity, —something different—tight chest.

A slight grin passed across Xander’s lips.

"Please Mr Michelle, I want nothing. Just... just a roof over my head "

That plea hit deep. Was she begging him? Why? Xander's eyes felters at her. His jaws tightened.

David was for a minute stunned at the atmosphere around the room. he seemed to be the only one in reality.

"Xander..."

David's voice brought him to reality.

His stare lingered for a minute and then he swallowed hard. His heart, that feeling of pity and anguish- he hated it.

He didn't want to pity her. She was the woman his grandfather chosed. She might be pretending

Xander emitted a low cough, gritted his jaws . Again, his instincts, his ego, his perception set in.

“Seven days.” his voice came out cold. The words dropped like a verdict.

David’s eyes widened at Xander. What was he saying?

“You will bear my name for seven days,” Xander said evenly. “After that, you’re gonner” He have a brief pause for the words to sink deeper and then continued,“I’ll pay you, if that’s what you want.

Tatiana stiffened, anguish flickering in her features.

“I... I don’t want your money!” Tatiana snapped.

Xander was stunned for a moment. Was she rejecting his money?

"That's my offer!" he declared,"You will be my wife for seven day." his eyes stared, "take it or leave!"

The words slammed into Tatiana’s chest. Seven days. Just Seven Days. This was a countdown, not a total freedom.

She thought of her uncle, of the prison she called home.

No matter how imperfect the deal, she couldn’t return there.

Tatiana's lips trembled before she forced them into a steady line.

“ I accept.”