Chapter Four

Amelia's POV

I pulled away from him, "We will continue that if you listen to what I have to say right now. I need to explain how this company would use your resources, and what the dividends you would get on a quarterly basis."

"I'll always listen to you, my love." He slid his hand on my thigh, and rubbed circles under my skirt.

I shut my eyes for a moment, allowing my body to relax under his touch.

I spent the next thirty minutes explaining to him the basic information he needed to know.

"My lawyer will get back to you once the contract is ready. That would be all for now. Any other information would be sent to your assistant," I said.

I dropped the file I was holding and stood up, he pulled me back, his hands caged me on the couch.

"Where are you going? You promised that we'd continue from where we dropped off." He towered over me, and captured my lips in a rough kiss.

I tugged his suit, bringing him much closer to me. Then suddenly he pulled away.

"Marry me, Amelia," He said softly.

I laughed, because he just said something hilarious. When I calmed down, I noticed the serious look on his face. He wasn't joking.

"Why should I marry you? Just because of sex? I can't marry a stranger because of that," I shrugged.

"Amelia Brooks, the second daughter of Mr and Mrs Brooks. You are from England, and you love puppies. You inherited this holding company from your grandmother five years ago, and have relentlessly built it to what it is now. You were supposed to be engaged to my nephew, Damian, yesterday, but he bailed on you and engaged your sister instead. You are fiercely dedicated and quietly compassionate, and you're not a stranger to me," he said in a breath.

"You know about Damian? Then you should know how awkward it would be if I suddenly got married to his uncle." My smile flattered.

"You didn't get engaged to that prick, you just dated for some time."

"Look at me, my love," he knelt down in front of me, "It's just going to be a marriage of convenience, and we will get divorced in under three years. I need to get married because of an international billion dollar contract. They like my work, but they don't trust me because I'm not married, and I can't afford to lose the contract. That's exactly why I came back from the States. I also know that your grandma wants you to get married before the company is fully handed over to you."

"Have you been spying on me for my whole life?" I stood up abruptly.

He stood up, "You've been living rent-free in my head ever since I set my eyes on you. When you left this morning without telling me your name, I knew I had to find you. I did some little digging because I wanted to know more, and I happened to find out that my nephew was a total prick for letting you go. So let's get married." He held my hands gently.

"I'm not sure about this. You know everything about me, but the only thing I know about you is your name."

"And the fact that I can give you good sex that'll make you beg for more." He spanked my butt.

I blushed. "I agree, but you understand what I mean," I tried detaching my hands from his, but he didn't budge.

"My name is Asher Sinclair, I'm 32. CEO and founder of Home. I built my career from the ground up. I like what you like, and I don't like what you don't like. So now you know everything about me, are you satisfied?" He smiled.

I laughed. He was being cheesy, and I liked it.

Images of last night flashed through my mind. My ex-boyfriend is on one knee with a ring out. Smiling at my younger sister.

Ivy in my dress, her hands shaking like she didn't plan it. I thought that was it. The humiliation.

Then this morning, the update hit.

They didn't just get engaged.

They set the date.

I used to want a love story. Now I want a war story. And if I agree to this, it'll be my first battle plan.

Did I want to get even? No.

I'm going to burn their whole world down.

"I'll tell my lawyer to write the marriage contract, terms and conditions applied. But the rules are simple. We'll act like we're hopelessly in love when anyone is around, but no strings attached. We'll attend functions together, and act all the lovey-dovey around them. Get divorced after three years. Do you have any rules you might want to add?" I maintained eye contact.

"No. I don't think so. Try not to fall in love with me darling," he pulled me closer to him by my waist. Our faces were so close that our breaths mingled.

Darcy opened my office door, "Ms Amy, your next meeting with— Oh."

She had a sly smirk on her face.

I tried to squirm out of his grip, but he didn't move. He looked at Darcy, and smiled.

"I'll have to go, my love, you have to get back to work. I'll see you soon." Asher kissed my cheek, and turned to leave.

When he got to the door, he stopped and turned, "I love you babe." He winked.

My eyes widened in shock.

I was beyond mortified.

Darcy closed the door behind him.

"Your new boyfriend is so handsome, Ms Amy," Darcy shrieked.

"Yeah. He is. So back to business, what's next?" I asked.

She listed out a couple of meetings I had to attend.

I sat through the meetings. Emails piled up, and we're cleared. My coffee went cold twice. My pen moved when it needed to, and my head nodded on cue. By the time I looked up, the sky was already that weird late-afternoon color.

I grabbed my bag, and my keys, and left the office building.

I heard my ringtone, and took out my phone to answer it without checking the caller ID.

"Hello."

"Amelia. Was there a reason why you acted foolishly yesterday?" My father's voice came through.

I stopped on my tracks.

Even if I wanted to give him any reason, there was no need because he would always disregard it.

"No sir. I have no excuse."

His voice started low, almost trembling with fury, "That was such despicable behavior," he said, each word sharp and clipped, as if he were biting down on glass.

"You always brought shame to the family, and I don't expect much from you—truly, I don't— but must you disgrace us every single time?" He let out a bitter, exhausted sign.

"I'm sick and tired. I wonder why my mother gave you her company when you obviously didn't deserve it. You couldn't even support your sister on her big day." He paused for a long, cold moment.

"We have a family dinner next Saturday. Be there by 8pm. And for once, Amelia, be on time." Then he hung up without waiting for a reply.

I lowered the phone, and realized my hand wasn't even shaking anymore. It has gone completely still. That's what happens when you freeze from the inside out.