Chapter 6 - Ethan Vance 2

Ethan's POV

I am seated behind my desk, with my shirt rolled up to my elbow as I worked on a file, a project that I am currently trying to get, appending my signature where necessary and cross-checking for any errors when the VoIP desk phone rang beside me. I picked the call.

“Sir, a Miss Elara Vale is here to see you” my receptionist said.

“Let her in” I replied, hung up the call and continued working on the file in front of me.

A knock came from the door, distracting me slightly from my rail of thoughts. That must be the Elara vale that I was informed about.

“Come in” I replied without raising my head. The office door opened and someone walked in then stopped probably looking at me.

I looked up and I saw her, Elara vale. She has warm honey brown eyes, naturally curved eyebrows, pointed nose, heart shaped full lips, and an oval face framed with strands of brown hair. She has a defined slim and curvy figure.

I recognized her instantly, Lianne. The woman I have been trailing. She had disappeared some months ago and now she suddenly appeared and with a new identity. What could she be up to? Those were my thoughts as I scrutinized her.

She walked in wearing a fitted coral business suit which further highlights her figure, carrying a burgundy business bag.

“Do have a seat Miss Elara” I said in my deep baritone voice. She blinked then walked towards me, sitting down on the chair and placing her bag on her laps.

A pleasant fragrance wafted off her towards me. It smells like lavender. I drew in a breath inhaling more of it.

“I'm here to give you a business proposal Mr Vance” She said in a sharp, professional voice going straight to the point.

Then she takes out a file from her bag which she was on her lap and places the file on the table, in front of me. I looked at the file for a moment before drawing it closer to me but not opening it.

She's unlike the other women I've met who would always beat around the bush, who always come to me with an ulterior motive. I looked at her as she continued, suspending what I was working on before she came in.

“I know you have been trying several methods to bring down Adrian's corporate firm. I have evidence that can help you to bring them down in an instant”

She's different. She has always been. “What makes you think I'll accept your proposal Miss Elara” I replied to her with a slightly raised brow.

“Because I know that you don't want to lose this ongoing project to Adrian” She said and continued “I can also make sure that you win the current project.”

She has surely done her homework well, I marvelled at her intelligence. This is interesting, I nodded all the while maintaining eye contact with her.

And what do you get in exchange, “In exchange you will give me every resource and connection I need to execute my plans”.

Plans. People with plans are quite dangerous and will do anything to achieve their planned goals I have learned, and they plan either because of a personal grudge or business related.

“What plans if I may ask” I asked while leaning forward slightly this time and staring at her intensely with an unwavering gaze, my eyes slightly narrowed.

She leaned forward too, staring at me in the eye matching my stare with the same intensity and then said

“I will like to keep my plans personal Mr. Vance” she replied with a tone of finality that doesn't give room for any further probing.

I chuckled, leaned back on my chair and swerved it right and left with my head tilted slightly considering her proposal. I can feel her eyes on me, following my every move.

This sounds pretty good. Even though she says she would like to keep her plans personal, it seems pretty obvious to me. Judging from the way she talks about Adrian's corporate firm, and from her body language I can tell she has a grudge against Adrian and his firm.

This works perfectly okay for me as I have been looking for ways to bring down Adrian, but Lianne, now that I finally have a chance to have you I'm not letting you go. Never.

“I'll agree” I said and I saw her release a breath slightly, lowering her head briefly. I smirked and looked at her “But on one condition” I continued “you'll be my wife on paper for the entire duration of our contract, you will belong to me in public and in private”.

And without giving her a chance to negotiate, I drew the contract closer, opened it, picked up a pen and signed the contract without even bothering to read through it.

Her eyes snapped up to mine, wide with shock at the unexpected condition “ your wife” she repeated and I nodded.

“And this of course includes fulfilling every duties pertaining to a wife” I replied her, placing emphasis on the word wife and allowed my eyes to roam freely but quickly the outline of her body.

She tilted her head to the side, her brows drawn together in deep concentration as she chewed her inner cheek. She is still the same person I used to know, all her little gestures and attitude are still present.

I continued to look at her, her emotions visible in her eyes which changed from consideration, to doubt, and then finally to agreement.

Then she picked up the pen, drew the contract file closer to herself and is about to append her signature when I spoke up,

“Know this Miss Elara, once you sign that contract there's no going back”

She looked at me, her emotions no longer conflicted. Her eyes showed only two things now, resolve and determination.