2. A contract

Benjamin POV

I was extremely frustrated with this marriage. But I have to do it, for the sake of my family business. I already have my business empire, but I need my Grandpa's wealth as well. I am not greedy, but that wealth got an emotional attachment to me. That business was flourished by my Dad. He spent his sweat and blood for the company. But when he suddenly passed away Uncle Tom started taking care of it, as I was still studying at that time. When I started to get into the business, I realized that Uncle Tom couldn't run the business properly and the company was already struggling. I know Grandpa will give it to me once I prove how consistent and trustworthy I am. For that, I started a small business, on which I had spent my youth to develop into a multinational business firm. And when I went to Grandpa regarding the Golden Age company, he asked me to get married. What!! I was shocked by his demand. And if I don't get married, Grandpa threatened me that he will transfer the wealth to Amanda, my cousin sister. She is just like Uncle Tom and Aunt Amelia, who likes to spend money and don't have any brain to do business. Uncle Tom was happy and started looking for an alliance for Amanda with the best businessman to impress Grandpa more. 

I haven't taken Grandpa's threat well, but last night Mom called and informed me that Uncle Tom is planning Amanda's marriage, which will affect me indirectly. So she asked me to get married soon and go back home if I still needed my ancestral properties.

So I had no choice and here I am waiting for the girl for contract marriage. I trusted my assistant Melvin on this, he knew exactly what I wanted and money was not an issue. And she agreed to all my conditions. So that I will be free once I get my properties. 

I hate to wait, but we are here for almost ten minutes. I was starting to get frustrated. Then I saw a girl in an off white gown. Once I looked at her, I was impressed. I mean, it's not like I haven't seen beauty. But this girl, she is somehow different. She looked tense and then I saw her approaching, Melvin and I saw him helping her. But soon she fainted, and without second thoughts I also stepped out of the car and helped her to get to the chair. Melvin was looking at me surprised, but I did not keep any emotions on my face. Even I was heck surprised by my gesture. He precisely guessed and told me her story, right then he got informed that the girl whom we were waiting for had an accident. Melvin's face went pale with the news. 

Damn it, I promised mom that I will get there by night with my newly wedded wife. I know she must have informed Grandpa as well. I started to get frustrated and get inside the car while Melvin was helping the girl. Then he stopped me and asked if this fainted girl is willing for the role, would I accept her or not... I thought for a second and again at a glance at the girl laying on the bench. She is beautiful, with a classy appearance. And her movements are also graceful and I know she could impress Grandpa with her nature. Maybe I should agree, I went back to the car without giving a proper reply to Melvin. As I know, Melvin will understand my silent reply.

He was waking her up. Then I saw them talking, all the while I was looking at her. She took a glance at the car, and somehow my heart skipped a beat as if I was caught off guard. But I know she can't see me as my car windows are tinted.

I saw disappointment on Melvin's face and guessed her answer. But soon he was stopped by her. Then after a brief conversation, Melvin came and informed me that she agreed. I kept a straight face as if it doesn't matter. But I was relieved that she agreed. Otherwise, I will be doomed in front of Grandpa. Melvin was checking the documents, while he said I can sit inside the office to quickly do the procedures. I agreed as I have already wasted enough precious time for today. When I stepped out unknowingly my eyes took a glimpse of her again. our eyes got locked, but as she could not bear my intimidating stare she looked down. And a small smirk appeared on my face as if I won the game. I quickly strode inside. Later Melvin informed me that he has talked with her and told me about her suggestions on this contract as well. Which was okay for me, except for her background. But it doesn't matter, as she is only my fake wife. So I agreed and he took it to get it signed by her. After a few minutes, he was back, whereas she was following him with a nervous face.

I saw her being nervous and even did not dare to meet my eyes. She was hiding behind Melvin like a cute bunny. When the registrar told us to sign the papers, I took them and forwarded them to her first. Because I wanted to assure you that she will sign it. And at that moment, for a brief second, she looked up at me and in those eyes, I could read confusion and nervousness. Which was eventually replaced by determination. The next second she signed the papers and moved away from there. I read her name before signing, it was Daisy Donovan. 

Daisy!! She got the name of my favourite flower...which symbolises innocence and purity... By the way, she looks exactly like a white soft daisy flower, but her eyes can lie. 

After signing on the papers, I moved towards the car, whereas Melvin and Daisy were following me. I did not give a second glance at her, but I could feel her reluctance when Melvin told her to sit next to me. What is her actual problem?? Did she forget already that we are legally married now, and she must act accordingly in public?

After a few more seconds, I was losing my patience, 

"Are you going to step in or stay there forever..."

She flinched at my harsh tone and get in while muttering sorry to me. 

I feel pity for her, as I know this day was already really bad for her and now I am making it worse. But it's for the best, I will keep her away and show her place so that she will never even think about anything more with me.

After that, there was utter silence until we reached the airport. As decided my private jet was waiting for us. Inside the jet, I instructed Melvin to make her sot comfortably away from me, and I got busy with my business files during that journey.

When it was almost time to reach our destination, Melvin came to me.

"Boss, Can I talk to my friend??" he asked.

Yes, he has been my friend since childhood. He is my Dad's friend, Manuel Uncle's son. They were middle-class people, but that doesn't come in between friendship. When I wanted to appoint a trustworthy assistant, a companion, I didn't have to think twice. He is my best choice. He knows me like a book. He has seen my struggles, how I sacrificed my youth for my business. He knows everything about me, that is why he accepted this job, instead of going abroad or trying better managerial positions.

"Yes Melvin, tell me..."

"Ben, I know your tension and current situation. and I know very well that you don't know how to treat a lady, except your mom. No offence, but these last few years, you never even get close contact with any girl. You never had a girlfriend...and..."

I started to get frustrated by his no ending storytelling, 

"What's your point...??"

" That girl, Daisy.. even though I don't know her much, but I think she is a good one and had suffered something tragic today. So, I want you to treat her better. Give her some space to get relaxed. You need her to act as your wife, not to get frightened of you in front of others right...!! Then you must treat her better."

I know he is telling the truth, but I am paying her for the role right. so she should do her job in whatever situation.

"Okay I will try... have you given her the file of the family members... I need her to memorize everything and act as if we were in a relationship for months at least."

"That won't be a problem, because she had already read the document and told me that she could grasp things easily. So no worries. But what I am worried about now is, you should buy her an expensive ring before going to the house. Or else they will suspect things.."

"Okay, then I will have to spend a fortune on it, because Aunt Amelia is an expert in finding the price of jewels, and if she came to know that I did not spend a fortune on my wedding ring, we will get suspicious. Also, when we reach the airport, call Jax and inform him to pick the best designer clothes for her on all kinds of occasions. it should be there before we purchase the ring.."

"That can be done... I think we are going to land in a minute."

And when I quickly took a glance at Daisy, she was looking out through the window, like a lost soul. As we landed, I went to pick a ring for her. it should be perfect for her, so I took her with me while Melvin was going after the designer clothing.

As we were at the entrance of the jewellery shop, I stopped and looked at her.

" Daisy, from this moment onwards you will act as my noble wife in front of the public. So cheer up and don't make others feel like I am not treating you right. I hope you will do your job well.." Then I extended my hand and she looked at it for a brief second and took it.

My icy hands were met with her warm soft palm... And she comes with me elegantly. I saw that she had plastered a small smile, I know it was not her real smile. Even if it was not, she looked more beautiful while smiling.

The manager came to greet us and lead us inside the VIP lounge.

"I came to pick a ring for my wife, I need the most expensive ring you have..." I announced and the manager's face was flushed with excitement and he nodded immediately and moved away from us.

"I...don't know, what to address you in public and private, Sir..." I heard her whisky voice. I guess she must have cried while in the jet. Hm.

" You can call me Ben in public, by the way, I am Benjamin Harrison. In private, ... you can call me Sir.."

She nodded at me for a response.

" And Daisy, what I hate the most is gestures like this... I mean you have a tongue to answer me right, I can't take these gestures unless it is busy..."

Oh jeez, I could feel her hands get numb for a second and she looked up at me with questioning eyes... Damn.. why did I say that...

I indeed hate this kind of gesture, but I meant while eating food it must be busy right... oh, I can't argue, my dirty mind got slipped for a second.

"Sir please check these out..." I heard the manager's voice. Thank God, the awkward situation got avoided.

I looked at the rings and was observing them. I am not planning to ask her opinion as it is the money I am spending on and she is not my real wife. But for a fraction of a second, I looked at her and saw that her eyes were locked with the one on the right end. It was beautiful, a sea blue colour precious stone was sparkling on it.

"What is its name.." I pointed at it.

"It is called ' the love of the sea', it is one of the rarest stones and it is the most expensive one here."

"Okay, enough.. we will take this..."

Both the manager and Daisy were looking at me spellbound as I was not even asking the price of it. Fake or not, if she is going to be Mrs Harrison, she will be treated like a queen.