Terms and Conditions

“What?! That’s preposterous!” I exclaimed stepping away from Victor; you’d think he was the one who just asked me to marry him. “Why? I don’t know his son. I don’t even know him!”

“Aria…”

“No” I said shaking my head. “Marriage is a big deal for me. I can’t marry someone I don’t love; I refuse to do that Victor.”

Victor looked like he wanted to be everywhere but here. I mean, he’s the one telling me to marry someone I’ve never met!

“Aria, listen, you are the CEO now. You have to make sacrifices; the marriage doesn’t have to last forever.

We can draft up a contract; it will only last for two years, and then you can go ahead and divorce him. The company should have fully stabilized by then.”

I didn’t say anything; hell, I couldn’t say anything.

What am I supposed to say to that?

Victor held my hand, “Aria, I know this is hard for you, but think about it. Micah is a good guy; I’ve run a background check on him and he is a walking unicorn.” He said softly.

I sighed and nodded, too exhausted to form any words. I was walking down the stairs with Victor, when I saw a figure lurking around my Dad’s door. I said goodbye to Victor and wobbled to the door, where the figure was staying, only to find out it was none other than my ex-boyfriend, Finn.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” I whispered-yelled at him, trying not to draw attention to us. I pulled him from the door to a more secluded place.

“You have the nerve to show up here. What are you

even thinking Finn? What do you want?” My patience was running thin right now.

“I only came to see how he is doing.” Finn’s head was down. Now that I really looked at him, he looked like shit and that made me feel a little better about the whole situation.

What? I never claimed to be a saint.

“Go away, Finn. I really do not have time for your crap today or any day. I never want to see you again.” I said dismissing him.

I was about to turn back to my Dad’s room when he spoke again.

“We tried to fight it, you know. Hell, I knew it was wrong but I couldn’t stop myself. I…I love him, Aria and I’m sorry for what I did to you. I really am.” His voice cracked a little bit at the end like he was trying to contain his emotions but I don’t really care about his feelings; neither do I give two bulls about his apology. He had several chances to come clean to me about his sexuality but he chose to hide it from me.

I turned back to look at him, “Fuck you, Finn. Stay the fuck away from my Dad and me.”

I didn’t wait for his response as I made my way back to my Dad. I got to his room and walked to his side, reaching out for his hand. His hand was warm, proof that he still had life flowing inside him. I don’t know how to hate my Dad; even after everything he has done, he is my father after all; the only family I have. I looked at my Dad again and pondered over what I’d discussed earlier with Victor. I don’t know if I’m ready to give up modeling or even take over as the CEO; I knew that day was going to come; I just didn’t think it would be this soon.

Later that day, I picked up my phone and called Victor.

“Set up a meeting with him tomorrow. If I’m going to marry him, it would be on my terms.”

Victor couldn’t be more ecstatic; he called me ten minutes later and told me the time and the place I’d be meeting my future husband. Yay, I guess.

I resumed at the office the next day and called for a meeting with the shareholders; rumors about our partnership with the Blackwoods have circulated the market and the stock has stopped plummeting. I was in the office when Stella walked in to remind

me of my date with Micah Blackwood; trust me, don't

waste time correcting her that it was more of a

meeting than a date. She giggled sashaying back to her desk. I soon arrived at the location Victor had chosen and rolled my eyes. Typical Victor to pick the most romantic restaurant in the city. Soft violin music floated through the air while couples sat around candlelit tables looking disgustingly happy.

A hostess led me towards a private section of the

restaurant. “Mr. Blackwood is waiting for you.”

The moment I entered the private room, I stopped dead in my tracks. Wow! Micah Blackwood is one fine man! He was tall, way taller than I am and I am not a short woman. Dark hair, sharp jawline, and piercing grey eyes that immediately settled on me.

He looked familiar but I can’t figure exactly where I knew him from.

“Aria Valen?” He asked as he stood.

“Micah Blackwood, I assume.”

He smiled and offered his hand. “Good. I was quite surprised when Victor called to set up this date. I didn’t think you’d agree to marry me.”

I shrugged at him, “It’s not like I have much of a choice anyway.”

“There’s always a choice, Aria.” He is looking at me now, his grey eyes piercing through my soul. “If it will make you feel better, I have no interest in forcing this arrangement on you.”

That caught me off guard. “What?”

“The marriage proposal was my father’s idea.”

“So we are both corporate scapegoats.”

He lets out a throaty laugh. “That, we are.” He said, trying to contain his laughter, “You are a funny one. I think we’ll get along just fine.” He is staring at me with a look I don’t quite recognize.

Micah Blackwood wasn’t what I thought he would be like. I was expecting a stuck-up, rude Daddy’s boy, definitely not a charming handsome man, and for the first time all day, I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders.

“Speaking of getting along,” I paused, gauging his reaction, “If we are going through with this, we are doing it properly; I have terms.”

“Interesting. Do indulge me, Miss Valen.” He smirked at me. Rolling my eyes, I brought out a stack of papers and handed it to him, “This is a contract stating that our marriage will only last for two years. I don’t want a loud wedding; we can go and register our marriage at the town hall. Although we will be staying together, this marriage is only on paper, and I understand that you may have needs; you can get that from whomever you want but it shouldn’t make headlines. And most importantly, no kids. Let me know what you’d like me to add.” I said, stealing a peek at him, expecting some sort of reaction but his smirk only got wider, as if he was amused by what he was reading and what I just said.

“You are one interesting lady, Aria.” He finally said “Very well then. Try not to fall in love with me.”

“You wish.” I told him rolling my eyes, “When should we get married? I would suggest as soon as we can but I want to hear your thoughts about it.”

He chuckled at this, “Whenever you want. You call the shots, Aria.”

The rest of the dinner went really well and I found myself agreeing with Victor that Micah Blackwood is not so bad after all.