Chapter Nine

“You want to marry Diana? Why, that’s great news!” Mr Stone exclaimed with a loud laugh.

“It’s not Diana, sir. I intend to marry Dakota.” Elias corrected, meeting Mr Stone’s gaze.

Her father did a double take. “But how is that possible? I thought you and Diana were seeing each other?”

“We were initially, and then Dakota caught my attention. I couldn’t resist getting close to her.” He explained as he held Dakota’s hand affectionately.

Dakota stared at Elias, astonished. One would think he was actually in love with how convincing he sounded.

Her mother looked on, not even the least bit convinced. “And you really expect us to believe that? How long have you two even known each other? Does your family know about her?”

“Helen! That’s enough!” Her father chided.

Her mother flinched at his tone.

To Elias and Dakota, he said, “You are adults and I want to believe you both know what you’re doing. If this is what you want, then I give you permission to get married.”

“Is that all you’re going to say? What about Diana, your own daughter? Where does that leave her?!” Mother screamed, pointing at Diana who was already on the verge of tears.

“I said, that’s enough! Elias has made his decision, and so have I. I don’t want to hear anymore about it.” Mr Stone commanded.

Dakota had a feeling her father didn’t actually care if it was Diana or her that married Elias, as long as one of them married into the Persson’s family. His business was what mattered to him the most.

“So is this why you broke off your engagement with Ryan?” Her father questioned.

“I found out he and Diana have been having an affair so I called it off.” She blurted, noncommittally.

“That’s a lie! She’s making things up!” Diana roared, lying through her teeth.

Dakota was astounded by Diana’s denial. If she had not eavesdropped on their conversation, she would have found it hard to believe they had truly been having an affair. She just couldn’t believe how naive she had been.

“Honey, Diana would never do something like that. I’m sure Dakota is just being spiteful towards her.” Her mother said with a serious look on her face.

Dakota gave a tight-lipped smile in return. “Don’t worry. He’s all yours now.” Diana could have Ryan for all she cared, she had made Elias hers before her sister could.

Her father sighed heavily, clearly at a loss for words.

“We’ll be heading out now, sir.” Elias voiced out, bowing lightly.

“Ah yes. We should meet up one of these days, son. We’re family now.” Mr Stone offered, as he stood up.

Her mother threw her a scathing look as she and Diana retreated to their rooms.

***

Elias Persson was full of surprises.

Dakota was expecting to see a large and sparsely furnished apartment that depicted his cold and intimidating personality. To her amazement, his house was homely and comfortable. His neatness was already a given.

She walked in slowly, wondering how the sleeping arrangements would be.

“Your room is the first door on the left. You can check it out while I make us something to eat.” Elias pointed, as if reading her mind.

She exhaled in relief.

“Although, we’ll have to use my room when we have guests over, to keep up appearances.” He added, matter-of-factly.

She nodded in understanding.

“Thank you for offering to cook, but I’ll have to decline. I’d just like to go over the marriage contract you made and retire for the night, if that’s okay?” Dakota said. She didn’t know how to tell him yet that she couldn’t trust herself to eat any food that wasn’t cooked by her or bought from a convenience store without sounding rude and unappreciative.

He frowned. “What did you eat today?”

She’d had only a medium sized burger and a Diet Coke in the morning. “I got some fast food downtown.” She answered, vaguely. Knowing how he was now, he’d try to make her eat something and he’d succeed because she was just too tired to argue.

“That’s all?” He prodded.

“Yes.”

His gray eyes peered at her for a while, mildly curious. “All right then. Have a seat, please.” He gestured towards the seat in the kitchen.

He brought out the marriage contract from a brown envelope and handed it to her.

As she went over the contract, she nodded in approval. “This is good, but I’d like to add one more clause and it’ll be perfect.”

Elias relaxed in chair, folding his arms. “Of course.”

She grabbed the pen on the table and began to write, the whole time feeling his warm gaze on hers. When she finished, she slid the paper to him to read.

“Neither party is expected nor required to perform his/her marital duties?” He raised a perfect eyebrow.

She coughed. “As this isn’t a real marriage, so we don’t have to…Of course, you’re free to find some relief elsewhere if you want.”

He looked offended by her statement. “Let’s get one thing clear, Dakota. When I’m married, I intend on staying married. Real or not.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean it that way. I was just…” She trailed off.

He gritted his teeth, slightly annoyed. “You didn’t mean that I was free to find some random woman to sleep with when I wanted to?”

Dakota flinched at his bluntness. “You’re a grown man and you’re going to have needs. Needs that I won’t be able to satisfy.”

“And what about your needs? Who’s going to satisfy them?” Elias said with a scowl.

She hadn’t felt a deep longing for a man in so long. Maybe she was finally dead inside.

“I don’t think you should worry about that. What’s important is the reason for this marriage.” She shrugged.

“Are you sure about that? Because I can always help you out in that department.” He suggested, leaving her dumbstruck.

“Excuse me?!” She spluttered.