Chapter Four
Smells of coffee and omelette filled the air as he walked into the cafeteria for a personal business. Dylan had suggested inviting Patricia over for the deal, hence the rationale behind giving her a day off. It's been two days after the incident, leaving him giddy with nervousness. Questions like - will Patricia agrees to it? What if she doesn't agree - kept invading his mind making him nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of locker. Sitting at the extreme of the cafeteria, Daniel glanced at the menu before him, uninterested in it. His stomach growled noisily, mortified, he wistfully glanced around, glad that no one was paying him any attention. Earlier, he had insisted on a mask to avoid unnecessary fans popping out of the blue sea. Just as he placed an order for a diet coke and an omelette, two figures approached him, dressed in black suit with their black curly hair styled giving them a sexy, model look. His tensed muscles relaxed instantly as his brain recognized one of the figures. "Hey man!" Dylan called excitedly, smiling like a lunatic. He had no chance for response when his phone rang noisily forcing some heads to turned towards his direction. "Excuse me" Daniel muttered as he glanced at the caller ID with a sigh. "Boss, Mr Dominic is here to see you concerning the signed document and contract" his secretary spoke into the phone. "Inform him of my absence""Sir, you also have a meeting with the stake holders of 'Blue Rose Company' " she added persistently. Damn it. "Cancel all my appointment for today!" "But, Mr Graham is here to see you..." "Look Celina, if you are not ready to lose your fucking job then do as instructed. Reset your moronic pea brain. Cancel all my appointment and meetings, inform Graham of my absent. Is that so difficult a task for you?" "Not really..." Fear clouding her mind, Celina apologized with intense humility that was really a facade. "Sorry Boss. I will.." He rudely disconnected the call, not interested in hearing false lies from her bitchy mouth when he had better things requiring his full attention."Work issue?" "Yeah" he replied drily, feeling irritated. "So, Mr Daniel..." Dylan quipped. "Meet Edward, my attorney" glancing at Edward, he added. "Meet Daniel Graham, my buddy and your client." "It's a pleasure meeting you" Edward spoke with a friendly tone, offering an handshake which he didn't resist. His voice sounded really masculine. Daniel couldn't help imagining how terrified an accuser under vindication will be if Edward uses that voice in court. Definitely, even the judge will be forced to offer more attention to his vindication.In a professional tone, Edward added. "The legal document is ready. You could skim through it and if the is any question, feel free to ask for clarification" The document was well explanatory offering no room for questioning. It was legally documented. ***The noise from her stiletto had him raising his head from the document, heads turned as she majestically walked in with her shoulder high. An air of authority lurked behind her. Her curves, boldly pronounced on a red straight gown which stopped on her knees. Her beautiful straight legs didn't escaped his notice. "I sincerely apologize for being late. The traffic was terrible" Patricia exaggerated in a soft, pitched voice that made Daniel wondered how she will sound when moaning under intense pleasure.Ashamed of his train of thought, Daniel sighed, inwardly hoping it will go as planned. "Apology accepted." Dylan said, stiffly breaking the silence. "Have a seat"His cold tone when speaking with Patricia baffled him. Dylan, always cheerful had never being nice to Patricia which had Daniel speculating what was wrong. Never the lest, it wasn't his headache as such couldn't afford to take panadol over it. "Thanks" Patricia pulled out a chair opposite Dylan. She had choosen that spot to create some distance with her cranky boss. Edward watched silently as both men exchanged contact - more like some interactive signals. He was amazed by their strong bond though he couldn't comprehend what message were exchanged. But it was encrypted."Ms Patricia, my name is Daniel. A friend of Dylan, your boss. I have got some business deal for you" Interesting. Patricia thought. What sort of business could a mogul like Daniel have for an ordinary person like her. It was intriguing and yet she could feel the curiosity building up. With a neutrality, Patricia signalled him to continue.Patricia's neutrality un-nerved him. Her face was devoid of any emotions that could give him a clue of what was going through her head."I want you to pose as my wife for two years. Your job with Dylan will be terminated during those years. You will be required to give me an heir. I can assure you of weekly allowances and you will be my wife only in paper" He spoke the last word coldly as though she didn't deserve to be called his wife.. Her face didn't change a bit for a while untill much later when comprehension of his proposal set in. The emotions moved from amusement to surprise to anger to neutrality. Her body language tensed. "Is that all I need to know about the contracted marriage?""You will be mandated to keep this a secret from people and the public."Patricia gave an unladylike snort. "In addition to that, you are not allowed to be in a relationship with anyone during the two years of your supposed marriage to Daniel. Failure to adhere will warrant a castigation of any form" Dylan butted in arrogantly as though bearing a grudge against Patricia. Bullshit! Patricia smirked. The heaven must be smiling down at her. This was an opportunity to execute her mission. An opportunity she has been craving for. With an inward smile, Patricia's eyes glittered for a second before she masked it with a feign fury.Chapter 5Her rage was almost running out of check. What in pete sake did Dylan took her for? A slut? Biting down on her lower lip, Patricia refused to speak up for a while. "Anything to say?" Dylan prodded. "What's my pay?" A gold digger, definitely that was Patricia's identity. Daniel couldn't help but loath her and her beauty. What was he expecting? A saint? Damn it! He could imagine how suffocated he will feel, living in the same house with a lunatic. Mentally, he vowed to lock his bedroom to avoid losing his valuables."Five hundred thousand dollars monthly plus weekly allowance and additional privileges." Something which you obviously lack. Daniel added mentally. The last word was meant to be an insult. Glad to have accomplished his aim. Daniel sat back watching greed mixed with anger rolling in her eyes."One million dollar!" Patricia called out. They all presumed she was a bitchy gold digger. It didn't pull out any hair from her skin, hence she wasn't bothered. Alarmed, D
Chapter 6 "Yeah. You've got an option here. Be Mr Daniel's contracted wife on papers or remain jobless!" He articulated with an air of finality."That's so unfair! This is nothing more than a blackmail of some sort!" Hesitatingly, Patricia glanced at the document. Angrily, she pulled out a pen, signed furiously on the document. His troubles were over all thanks to the manipulative boss, Dylan. Daniel thought with an inward smiles. "Mr Daniel, you will need to sign on this other page, then Dylan will need to sign as a witness." Mutely, Daniel signed then watched Dylan scribbled his signature. "That's all for the day. I will send a copy to your mail today. Congratulation!" Congratulation for what? Patricia inwardly enquired with an unladylike snort while watching as the trio rose on their feet, each men exchanging handshakes with Daniel smiling in gratitude."Thanks Gee! I appreciate"Done exchanging pleasantries, Edward exited. With a clue, Dylan excused himself, offering Daniel a
Chapter 7His heart ceased to function for a second as his world came to an abrupt end. Shit! This wasn't supposed to happen. What happened to all his hard work, and time invested in his Company? Will he watch silently as everything slipped to Mark's hand when he did not deserve it?This was worst than a nightmare. His optimistic self crumbled. He turned in despair to cast one last forlorn look at the door. A figure walked in with an astonishing, beautiful smile, dressed on a white flowing gown, behind her were unfamiliar faces.Her heart palpitated wildly with each steps she took. She was certain every one could hear her heart accelerating yet she couldn't halt it. So she put up a smile seeing a panick Daniel on the altar sweating profusely. Such a jerky bastard! Must be scared out of his wit, thinking he had been ditched. Patricia smiled. The thought of ditching him had never crossed her mind, but she was glad that he thought so. Approaching him, she could see his eyes widened fro
Chapter 8Bastard! Embarrassed, Daniel excused himself from Patricia's presence, leaving her to accept congratulatory messages from her friends and well wishers. "I hope you are happy now!" "Congratulation son. You had a woman all this well but refused to settle down!" Graham reprehended. He still didn't believe Daniel, but he had no choice than to accept it. Besides, they were now married which meant, a grandchild sooner than he anticipated. After the passionate kiss he witnessed, Graham was sure of being a grandfather. A light smile crept on his face. Surprised, Daniel stared at him, speculating what changed his mind, feeding him with such absurd idea."Why did you say so?""I am not blind young man!" He snarled.Not like I said you were blind. Daniel mentally retorted with a scoff. Hands folded, Graham furrowed his brow and said prosaically, "I observed the intense passion you both shared during that kiss. You both had your heart in mouth." Daniel smiled. They must have acte
Chapter 9What the heck! Was he insane? Who the hell was this bastard speaking trash behind the phone. Furious, Mark took the phone away from his ears for a moment. Glancing at it, he sighed. Probably a wrong identity. Submerging his fury, Mark spoke in a soft voice. "Look, I don't know you. So I believe, this is a wrong identity. Please kindly recheck the number you just dialed. Thanks Gee!"There was a pregnant silent at the other end. A silent that made Mark presumed the anonymous caller was gone but then his voice broke the silence."I know what I am saying because, unfortunately, you are my biologically son. All your life, you grew up believing Graham to be your father, but in truth, Graham isn't your father. Melissa isn't your mother either.""And that makes me what? A bastard?" Mark snarled, sitting upright. This was the worst news he had ever received. "No, that makes you a parasite, feeding on other people's charity. I am ready to welcome you back home where you truly belon
Chapter 10Gosh! What sort of a fucking temptation was this? Daniel's gaze met with Patricia who gave him a 'you're dead' kinda look. Shit! The clock ticked, silently announcing each passing seconds. "I am still waiting to see my grandchild receive a kiss from his dad." Graham reminded, sitting on the couch across them. Patricia's eyes darted to everywhere except at Daniel. The glint in her eyes was suspicious as she stared at Graham for a moment. Holding her waist, Patricia shrieked. "My waist! Oh gosh! Somebody help me!" Worried, Graham rushed towards her. He placed his hands to support her waist while Daniel stared at the melo drama. What was Patricia up to? "Can you get your ass here! Stop standing like a monument!" Graham bellowed while casting a malicious glared at Daniel. Grudgingly, Daniel supported Patricia to the couch. She secretly smiled at him when Graham was not watching. "My stomach hurt so badly." She whined, groaning in pains. "Why are you not helping her in a
Chapter 11Sitting in his office with loads of document waiting patiently for his attention. Daniel's stomach growled, a reminded of a missed breakfast. Glancing at the wall clock, he sighed. It was already two in the afternoon. Yet he had no solid food in his stomach. He couldn't blamed his stomach for throwing an hissing fit. It had been patient enough, all thanks to Patricia. How in hell did he get such a lady for a contracted marriage. Dylan. Dylan insinuated it, mapped it out but he was the one facing its repercussion. As if on cue, the door creak and opened, revealing the presence of his least expected person. Dylan - speak of the devil. He had a huge grin on as though he just won a jack pot or trophy. "What's up with this forlorn hope?" Dylan enquired, depositing his ass on the swivel chair opposite Daniel. "You are a married man and yet you are already looking like someone who lost his wife." He teased with a smile. "Gee, Patricia is fire! I swear man, I have no peace o
Chapter 12His eyes quickly scanned the drive to ensured no one was in sight. Satisfied, he tiptoed to the black porsche car, parked some feet away from the entrance. With his master keys, he unlocked the car door, bugged it with the driver's phone before slamming the car door shut. He took few steps away from the car, keenly looking around for any prying eyes. Satisfied, he rubbed his hands on his shirt with a grinned. "Mission Accomplished!" ***The only available flight back to Arizona was the 0800 flight which she dreaded taking. It was either that or wait for another three days. Something she couldn't afford to do. Grudgingly, Janie dragged her suitcase with her to the check point. "Five minute to go!" The flight attendant announced. She was on nothing other than a Black khaki short and a tan crop top which didn't match with her environment,making her the odd one out. The constant glanced she received from passerby didn't in any way succeeded in faltering her steps or making