Meeting my psychopathic husband-to-be.

The morning air cooled my skin as I entered the Cross family's private jet. I had signed the contract already and wasn't given enough time to pack my stuff. There was not much to park, anyway. My work barely paid me enough to buy the nicest clothes or jewellery for myself. 

I was alone in the private ride, and it felt super cool.

According to Gracie, now that the agreement is signed, I'll present myself to Kaleb in his mansion uptown. After that, we will proceed with the marriage union. The thought of it momentarily makes me nervous.

The fact that I'm meant to be nothing to Kaleb, yet be his wife. 

As the plane took off, I went through the conditions of the contract I had already signed just to be sure what I was up against. Everything was direct and straight to the point.

Summarizing the contract in my own words: Be Invisible because Kaleb will Hate you, and if he treats you like Trash, take it with Arms Open Wide.

I clenched my fist.

It's just nine months. 

*Sigh

My thoughts drifted to the gossip I heard in the office about Mr Kaleb, the enigmatic CEO with a questionable dating history. 

They say he's only into the tall supermodel type with long hair and perfect skin. I'm none of those. I'm closer to the ground than gravity, my chestnut hair struggles to grow beyond my shoulders, and my skin occasionally has that awful breakout, especially at that time of the month.

"Kaleb is so hot!" I remembered one of my female co-workers' squeals. But another corrected that all his ex-girlfriends hated him after the relationship. 

"They say he has no heart. He is cold as ice and sharp as steel," my other co-worker concluded.

"What is he, a psychopath?" 

"Who knows. Maybe something worse."

I shook the thoughts off my head, refusing to think about any of it anymore.

My eyes narrowed on a clause on the contract that says:

"Ensure all his needs are met. All his needs except sexual needs. You're not obligated to be intimate with him or allowed to procreate with him. Procreating with Mr Kaleb will terminate the contract."

A wave of relief hits me. At least I know I'm not going to be a part-time hooker in this contract. 

When we landed, I was surrounded by a host of bodyguards. They led the way up to a fleet of SUVs that drove to the mansion where Mr. Kaleb resides. It was a mansion tucked in the hills. We drove through push greenlands and a series of maple forests before arriving at the mountain of a building that was Mr Kaleb's house. I gulp down a nervous saliva.

People like me aren't meant to be here before such wealth and splendour. I literally came from nothing and had to dig myself out from the dirt. 

I heaved a big sigh and smiled. I'm going to put up a good presentation for my husband-to-be. 

"Nine months," I muttered as I stepped into the mansion, led by a fleet of guards. "Nine months and it's all over."

The opulence of this place made my jaw drop. I've never seen luxury this transcendent. It felt like a god lived here. 

I remember a co-worker saying Mr Kaleb is as handsome as a Greek god. No one called her out for exaggerating. 

"Mr Kaleb and Mrs Gracie await your presence in the waiting room." One of the guards approached me and said. With this, he led the way, and as we got closer and closer to the waiting room, I began to hear a muffled argument somewhere in these walls.

I tried to mind my business and not think about it until we reached the said 'waiting room' and realized the argument was coming from inside the room. 

It was Mrs Gracie's voice, and with her "You don't understand, son!" said repeatedly, I could tell she was arguing with Mr Kaleb. 

I stopped at the door for a moment. It will be rude to walk in on their argument. 

"I didn't tell you I needed a wife, mum! I do not consent to this!" Mr Kaleb's growl escaped the room

"Listen to me when I tell you it's for your good-" Gracie stuttered. It felt like even Gracie, the grim Heirness, trembled before her son.

"You could have consulted me first!" 

"I did what I could. I told you about it and you turned it down outrightly. Consulting you won't do anything!"

"I'm not getting married to some trashy piece you picked off the street!"

Ouch. 

Trashy? I'm not trashy! Who does he think he is?!

I gritted my teeth in irritation. The guard before me nodded like he was offering a nonverbal apology.

"She will be everything you want in a woman, son. I promise you that."

The door suddenly swung open, revealing Gracie, who eyed me from head to toe.

"This is the best look you can come up with?" She sneered at me. 

I suddenly felt self-conscious, like I was dressed as a clown. "Sorry, Aunty." I quickly bowed.

Gracie snorts in irritation and gestures that I step right in. I crossed my palms over each other, my head slightly bowed as I walked right in. 

I could imagine Mr Kaleb's perception of me as I walked in.

Trashy?

Corny?

Boring?

Ugly?

Whatever it is, he would never cease to remind me that I don't belong here or with him. And he is right. I'm only here because of the contract.

God, please don't make this hell for me.

I bowed in greetings as soon as I got right in. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr Kaleb."

My eyes lifted from the floor to match his eyes, and the first thing I noticed was that he had really long legs. He was in a black baggy jockers, his hands in his pocket, his shoulders broad and muscular, concealed in his black sweatshirt. I could tell he was frowning before my gaze got to his face. But when it did….

I froze! 

My limbs paralysed like I had a temporary seizure. My eyes beamed with tears.

It can't be!

No, it can't!

This isn't Kaleb. It's…

"Big Brother!" I cried out, unable to help myself