The Contract

Jade's POV 

A wave of nausea swept through me as I eased my Jaguar Jeep into the parking lot of the courthouse. The car was the latest gift from my Dad, given two weeks ago on my birthday.

Two weeks ago, Dad cut my twenty-fifth birthday cake with me, arranged a grand party that took the whole of Sicily by storm and gave the blogs something to write about, and presented this car to me.

Two weeks after, the same blogs that carried the news of my birthday, ran wild with the news of Dad's mysterious death. And I am here, not unboxing birthday gifts or making videos, but finding ways to keep my inheritance without losing my sanity, or my life.

The whole adrenaline from yesterday had evaporated, and I couldn't help asking myself if I was sure about this.

Tony blatantly refused to marry me yesterday. He reasoned that he just met me, and he was not ready for any issue with Mom, or Luca De Santo. 

Every man has his price, and I named Tony’s own when I promised him ten million dollars if he agreed to sign the papers.

And that was all it took.

Now, I felt stupid. Did I really know this man?What if Bernard is a more better option than him? Would it not make more sense to return back home, and get married to Bernard, the way Dad arranged it? 

Would this impulsive decision not cost me everything? 

I started my car engine, ready to go home, as I spotted a yellow cab easing into the other side of the parking lot. 

The door opened, and Tony stepped out, looking dark, dangerous and powerful in a form-fitted suit. 

My palms got sweaty as I stared at him from my car window. He gave off this aura of a powerful billionaire who ruled the world. He didn't fit into the profile of a taxi driver. 

I stepped out of my car to meet him, my worries crushed under the soles of my Louboutin heels. Tony gave me a sweet smile as I approached him.

“If I never agreed to this deal, just one look at you would be all it would take to convince me," Tony said, slowly running his eyes over me.

I turned away to hide my blush. “Good morning to you too, Tony," I greeted.

“Ouch!" He gasped, clutching his chest dramatically, “I forgot my manners while drinking in your beauty. Good morning, Princess." 

I laughed heartily as I took his hand. This wasn't a wrong choice.

The click of my heels echoed through the courtroom as we made our way to the magistrate office, each echo ringing loud in my nervous brain.

The magistrate was ready for us, and we listened quietly as he went through all the legal process, repeating vows that meant nothing.

Then, I remembered I didn't buy rings.

My heart flew into my mouth, and my eyes widened in shock. How on earth could I forget that?

Tony gave me a knowing smile and pulled out a velvet box from his suit jacket. 

I exhaled in relief.

He slid a diamond ring onto my ring finger, and I did same to him.

The magistrate presented us with the certificate.

I picked up the pen, my palms sweaty and shaking, and signed my name on the certificate.

Tony did same, the smile on his face a far cry from the chaos in my mind.

And just like that, it was official. We were married.

“If you don't mind, I will take the certificate, to keep it safe,” Tony said as we walked out of the magistrate office.

“That is okay," I replied with a soft smile.

“So how did you manage to get a ring that fit so perfectly? And a diamond ring?" I asked as we walked back to our cars.

The diamond caught sun rays and shine brightly, almost blinding me.

“It was my Mother's wedding ring. She kept it in our family safe and wore it on special occasions," Tony replied, taking my hand in his.

My fingers slid easily between his, like that was where they were meant to be.

"If you don't mind, can I treat you to french fries and sparkling water?” Tony asked, leaning against his cab. 

"How do you mean?” I replied, confused.

"This whole thing,” Tony said, gesturing with his hands, "deserves a big ceremony, but it's an emergency. Maybe we can celebrate between ourselves, even though it is fake.”

"You really know how to crack me up,” I said between bouts of laughter. "Of course, let's go share French fries and sparkling water." 

******

The Italian restaurant wasn't the kind of restaurant I frequented. It wasn't too classless either.

Tony ordered their finest wine and white truffle pasta for us. 

“I thought it was supposed to be french fries and sparkling water?" I asked playfully when the waiter left us.

“I have an ego to boost and protect," Tony replied, and brought a forkful of pasta to my lips.

I gave him an amused glance.

"Let me feed you, wife,” he said in a sexy, deep voice that made excitement build up from the pit of my stomach.

I opened my mouth and took it, licking the fork clean while holding his gaze.

"So how long would this arrangement be for, and what do you expect me to do?” Tony asked, towards me.

"A year,” I replied, taking a sip of my wine. " It's just for appearances. I would need your name on my company's document, so it would seem that you inherited the company after marrying me.”

Tony gave me an understanding nod.

“That way, Luca De Santo cannot get his hands on it anymore. And on my supposed wedding day, you are to appear with me while I introduce you to my mother as my husband, and the supposed owner of the company. It's that simple." 

“Why don't you want to marry the man your father chose for you?" Tony asked, staring at me through the rim of his wine glass.

“He is my ex-boyfriend," I replied, my eyes averted. “For four years, Bernard Veritas abused me emotionally in unimaginable ways since I was eighteen. He tried to rape me, tearing my clothes. I managed to escape, but the trauma lives with me every single day.”

“Did you tell your parents about this?" Tony asked, his eyes red, clutching the stem of his glass so hard it almost broke off.

“Bernard told me they wouldn't believe me. My father thought highly of him, and never believed me. My mom waved it aside as a tantrum. Even my best friend, Ruby, said she couldn't imagine him doing that. He hid it so well," I said, blinking back my tears.

“How did you manage to break free?" Tony’s voice was mixed with concern and anger.

“I lured him to my house, promised him sex, and stabbed him repeatedly. He didn't need further warning after getting a second chance to live." 

A mischievous smile curled Tony's lips. “You are fire," he said, clinking glasses with me. 

"Where can I meet this Bernard Veritas for a brief introduction?” He asked with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"You would meet him at the altar,” I replied, and took another forkful of pasta from him.

"And I will show him that anyone who hurts my wife will scorch under my fury.”

I smiled inwardly.

He called me his wife.

Even though it was fake, I got myself an ally. That is all I ever asked for.