Chapter Five: The conditions

He raised a perfectly arched brow. “If I'm not mistaken, Miss Davidson, it is your sister, your sister I am to marry”.

“ I know that, but she is not in the right state of mind to marry”. His face was blank, not an ounce of expression revealing what he was thinking. This was going to be harder than I thought.

Clearing my throat. “ I think that getting married is the better option. Not only am I in a perfect state of mind, we still get to fulfill the marriage agreement.” I thought my explanation was good enough.

“ Miss Davidson, are you aware I'm a business man?”

“ Yes”.

“You know I don't make deals that won't benefit me?” I nodded my head, not really sure where this conversation is going.

“ This marriage was built on the fact that both families ought to gain from this alliance”.

“I…”

“ Then why would you think I would agree to marry you and not your sister, who is set to inherit your family's company”. His voice is void of any emotion.

“I–I”. He stood up and walked towards me, coming to stand in front of me. Sitting on the couch made me look so small next to him. He rests both hands on the arm of the chair I'm sitting, caging me. Bringing his face down towards mine, making stare straight into those blue irises.

“ What can you give me that I would want?”. His eyes searched my face and finally stopped at my lips. And I took a deep breath.

“ I would do anything you want”. My voice trembled. “ just save my family's company”.

His eyes went wide a little and a look of confusion crossed his face, but he quickly schooled it. He stood up straight and went to his seat.

He studied me in silence for a few seconds. “You're willing to sacrifice everything for them?”

“Yes”.

“Interesting”. He leaned back into his seat. “Perhaps we do have something to discuss”.

“Okay. I will marry you”. My head snapped up to look at him, unsure if I heard well. “But it's going to be based on the conditions I give you”. He continues

“What are they? I would do anything”. I eagerly said.

“ Be careful Miss Davidson, you don't know what I might ask of you”. His gaze shamelessly gave me a once over, leaving a burning trail in its wake.

I felt my cheeks turn red, as my body heats up at his scrutiny. Snap out of it Iris. I scolded myself, I have never felt like this even with Ryan.

“The conditions are; We must be a perfect couple in public. Meaning the public must think we love each other so much.

Second, You must not cheat on me. Any relationship prior to this must be concluded and ended. You will belong to me and only to me

“Finally” he looks me straight in the eyes. “ You must share my bed with me at least twice a week”. My eyes widen in shock. But he just looked at me in a neutral expression and continued.

“What do you say Miss Davidson do you still accept?” He asked coldly.

I took a deep breath. If I agree to this marriage I'm practically signing away my life and Ryan. He's going to feel so betrayed when I tell him this. The future and everything we planned for ourselves would be gone if I accept . But if I don't agree, mom, dad and Julia would be homeless. I can't let that happen, even if I'm never going to be happy in the end.

I looked up at him and said “ I accept your proposal”. I need to tell him about Ryan. “But I have to end things with my fiancé first”.

Something flashed in his eyes. “ You have three days to finish your business. After that I won't be hearing any excuses.” He went over to his main desk overlooking the city. He must have done something because, not long after Clara came in.

“ Clara, show Miss Davidson out”. I stood up and started to follow Clara out.

“ And Miss Davidson” I stopped and turned to look at him. “ I don't like to share.” I cut my gaze from him and proceeded to follow Clara. But I felt his gaze bore into my back as I made my way out.

I got to the cafe I told Ryan to meet me at. The thought of telling Ryan I'm engaged, made my hands so sweaty .

“ Iris”. Snapping my head up I see Ryan smiling down at me, his hair caught in the sunlight making it lighter than its original golden colour. My heart squeezed at the thought of not being able to run my hand through those tresses again.

He kissed me on the cheeks and sat at the chair facing me.

“ Have you ordered anything yet?” He looked at the empty table. I shook my head.

“ Wait–” I stopped him before he could call, I don't think we would be eating after I told him what I'm about to.

“That won't be necessary”. I stated.

“Okay”. Looking at me in confusion and shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

“ I'm ending things with you”. I blurted out. A look of shock sat on his face, like he couldn't believe I'm saying this. I know this is so unlike me.

He snapped out of it, his face twisting into that of anger. “ Is it about last night?”

It was my turn now to be surprised. “ I don't understand”. He clenches his jaw tightly.

“ I already texted you sorry, I didn't come. That wasn't enough for you, now you're breaking up with me?” His raised his voice a little.

“Ryan is not like that, I'm sor..”. He raised his hand in my face to stop me. And brought his face close to mine.

“ You don't need to say sorry. I'm just sorry to myself that I wasted my time with you”.

Something broke in me and I looked at Ryan hurt. “ You don't mean that”.

He bent his head to the side looking at me. “ Why are you so shocked? You have nothing to offer me, but I stood with you bitch!” Tears were already rolling down my cheeks.

Shaking my head in denial then went on to grab his hand. “ Ryan, you don't understand. It's not like that”

“ Let go of me you slut!” He slaps my hand pushing me to the floor and the cafe staff rushes to separate us. One of the staff crouched beside me.

“Is everything okay? Do you need us to call the police?”. I looked at Ryan with my tear stained eyes. But he just glared down at me in return.

“ Everything is alright. No need to involve the police”. I let go of the staff's hand and stood up.

“ Sir, we are going to ask you to leave.” They say to Ryan pointing him towards the cafe door.

He scuffed at them and looked at me with disgust. “Don't bother I was on my way out” he stomps at the cafe slamming at the door. I flinched at the sound.

I thought about what happened at the cafe all the way home. I wouldn't blame Ryan though, I was the one who decided to end things unjustly with him. Feeling the tears starting to gather in my eyes again, I quickly stopped it, already tired of crying.

It was late by the time I reached home, making the horrible decision of walking to my house. My legs were killing me.

Letting out a sigh of relief I pushed the door open.

But I froze at the sight in front of me.

The living room was packed full with people. They were laughing and drinking champagne.

All the furniture that was taken this morning, was back to its original place. Like they never left.

I couldn't wrap my head around what was happening.

“ What's going on here?”