Chapter Two

Chapter two

Rosaline's POV:

The next morning, I'm seated in his private office. He sits across from me, the contract laid out in front of us, accompanied by light snacks and drinks.

"Don't you need an heir?" I ask the one thing that's been on my mind all night.

Mr Sylvester chokes on his expensive wine. I hand him a hanky and stand back as he recollects himself.

"An heir?!" He echoes, his eyes red rimmed from the coughing fit.

When I see his okay, I return to my seat. "Yes. You're Alaric Sylvester. Surely you want more out of this marriage than...I don't know, the title of a married man?"

He straightens his back, works his tie and clears his throat. "Do not jump into rash conclusions. I have no need of heirs ..and not from you."

I shrug. "I don't mind, honestly. A kid would sell this whole marriage thing faster. And we can share custody."

His eyes narrow and he leans forward, "if I didn't know better, Miss Carter, I'd say you were trying to get into my bed."

I blink. Then again. Then a giggle bubbles out of my throat. "Mr Sylvester, I bet you sleep on a glacier. And I do not do well with the cold. Your bed? Ha."

His eyes narrow even more to icy slits. He scans me from top to bottom, his eyes lingering just half a second on my chest...or the lack thereof.

"Good. That is settled then. There will be no bedroom activities during our contract."

"Are you sure you can handle it?" I sip on my water. Ugh, it's sparkling water. I had forgotten that. "I mean—"

"I said what I said, Miss Carter."

"So we're going to find other partners?"

"I beg your finest pardon?"

"Oh right. You're an eunuch. How did I forget"

He stares at me like it's his first time seeing me and I just stepped on his shoes. "Where is all this coming from?"

"I'm trying to be thorough, Mr Sylvester. You taught that to me."

A look of pride crosses his eyes and he reclines into his seat. "Are there any other concerns?"

"I get to live with you, right?"

"Yes."

"Sweet! I'm gonna save so much on groceries and bills. You will cover them, right?"

"Yes." He says, inhaling deeply. "I will take care of my wife as required,"

I stare blankly at him. "I can't believe the day finally came. This must be celebrated."

He doesn't look pleased. I quickly wipe my smile away and apologize.

"Here," He slides an envelope over to me. "We're having dinner with my parents tonight. Get yourself something good to wear, and please, no sensible shoes. You must look good by my side."

Inside the envelope is a black card. My eyes widen and I look up at him. "This isn't from my compensation pay, right?"

"No."

"Or my salary?"

"No "

"You're giving me this from the...the goodness of your heart" it's too good to be true!

"As I said, I will take care of my wife as needed."

"We aren't even married yet" I say, observing the card closely in my hands. "Will I return this after today?"

"Oh for heavens sake, Miss Carter! No!"

Sheesh. His short fuse is so annoying.

I stash the card into my purse. "I'm sorry for annoying you, Mr Sylvester. Thank you, for your generous offer."

He stares at me with furrowed eyebrows, gets up and leaves. A smile spreads across my lips and I bring the card to my glasses and flick at it.

Damn!

At 8, he's in front of my house staring at it with a wrinkled nose. I watch as he takes me in, from the black gown to the black heels.

I see him take in my form, from the black dress to the black heels.

I open the car door and get in.

"Remember what you need to do." He says when the door clocks shut.

"I know." I reply and snap the seatbelt in place. From the corner of my eye, I see him glare at me.

We get to his parents place and my jaw drops.

"Wow." I stare at the sky high gold and white building. "Your parents live here? You grew up here?"

This was fucking bigger than twenty of my house put together.

"Yes." I saw and felt the annoyance in his voice. "And could you stop embarrassing me?"

I clear my throat and apologize. He makes to step forward and I hold his hand.

His eye widens at me and I offer a sweet smile. "We're engaged remember?"

He exhales and balances my hand on his.

The maids at the door now to us, he doesn't as much as spare them a glance. I smile at them.

The outside dropped my jaw but the inside drops my entire life. I turn to take in the view, Mr Alaric moves without a stop.

He didn't even let me see the house well. Sheesh!

I adjust myself on the uncomfortable seat and pick up my fork. His father clears his throat, and I put down my fork.

The man was all frowns and wrinkles.

"You want to settle down." He says to Alaric. His voice is deep. It sends shivers round the dinning room.

Perhaps that icyness must run in the male gene.

"Yes father. I think it is finally time."

The man undresses me with his eyes. Maybe the Sylvester men also have a knack for that.

"What happened to the other one?"

Silence.

"The blond haired one."

His ex?

"We broke up."

"And how long have you known Miss..."

Great! He had missed my name.

"Carter." I replied. "Rosaline Carter."

"Miss Carter?"

"A few months."

Good at lying eh?

"Miss Carter..."

I smile. "Are you aware the wedding is the day after tomorrow?"

Day after tomorrow? He hadn't told me that.

"Yes." I reply. "I am aware." I turn to Alaric whose eyes widen a bit but the weird expression disappears in a blink.

Mr Sylvester groans and adjusts his glasses. Mrs Sylvester smiles at me.

She hugged me when we came in.

I smile back at her. She must be very happy to see her son getting married. What joy that is.

"It's going to be a simple wedding. Among friends and family. What do you think Ric?" She asks in a high pitched voice.

I turn to Alaric who smiles at his mother. I blink over and over again. He can smile?!

"I say it's perfect."

"Good!" She exclaims. "That's settled. Let's eat."

I exhale. Finally!

It's 9pm. Time to go home and crash into my bed... Or rather, a bed that wouldn't be mine in the next two days.

I excuse myself to use to the restroom. One of the numerous maids guide me there and my eyes pop the same time I open the door.

It was thrice my entire apartment.

I let my hands glide down the tiled restroom. "Wow."

How nice it must feel to be rich.

After my business, I see no maid in sight so I begin to walk down to wherever. Everywhere looks the same and I don't know if I am lost in this maze of a house.

"You've done the first part Ric. We just have to deal it in."

"Do not get your hopes too high mother."

Alaric and his mother. Hmmm.

"This way, you get to inherit it all before Chrollo does."

I pause. Who is Chrollo?

Wait... he's marrying me for inheritance?!