Chapter Six — Argument, not love.

JAMES'S POV

"Shall we retire to our quarters wife?" I asked, calmly.

I watched as her expression changed as she yanked her hand off my grip.

"Our!? What makes you think I'll sleep in the same room as you?" She scowled.

"Page sixteen, sub-section four. You agreed to sleep in the same place and your approval of your intimacy was given." I started, noticing the unawareness in her eyes. "Don't tell me you didn't read that contact; because...." I started, motioning closer to where she sat.

"How else am I going to ease my stress after a long day?" I said, whispering into her left ear as her eyes glittered.

"Get of me..." she said, pushing me aggressively.

I abruptly reach for her neck. Holding it firmly, I pulled her closer to me. "You don't get to disobey me. You have no idea what I can do to harm you." I said, tightening my grip on her neck.

"You're not the first to tell me that also, you're too late, I don't care." She replied, in a series of gasp.

"James, we have a—"

My gaze remained fixed on Ava's. Noticing she turned her head to see who spoke, I abruptly turned my head to see who had the guts to enter my main apartment. I abruptly disregarded the thought after seeing mother rested along the door frame.

For a moment, she simply stood there, a chance she was there long enough to listen to my conversation with Ava.

"How's your evening going, Mrs Valquez? I hope you're not stressed out from the—" Ava started.

"Who asked you to speak! I—" I blurted out, realizing my grip was a bit loose.

"Release her this instant!" Mum declared, with a dead tone. A nasty scowl displayed across my face. My gaze intensity to Ava, hardened with each second. A jaunt smile appeared on my lips, as I suddenly allowed to breathe.

"Let's talk in the conference room. Now!" Mum subtlety said, storming out of our presence after her request.

"You'll be punished for your words. I'll make your stay, hell." I called out a warning to her unfazed eyes.

I walked out into the corridors to meet my furious mom. Nobody disobeys me. She would learn the hard way. As I walked towards the room, I couldn't shake of the thought but to wonder how she could be so daring, to the point of refusing my commanding request. Maybe she was different. Not the girl I thought she was. But she's under me. I resolved to make her stay chaotic and toxic.

I reasoned slightly against her actions. Remembering the background check i did on her, I subtly remembered that she was profiled as a understanding and loyal person. Referencing on her defiance, I maintained my resolve solemnly.

I briskly entered the room I was called in. "Explain everything. Now." Mom started.

I looked at her blankly, devoir of all emotions.

"There's nothing to explain." I simply stated, staring into her concerned eyes.

"Barely two weeks, you wanted to meet up with me to talk about your contingency plan in your new product, only to be called by your butler four days ago, sending me an invite to your wedding? Tell me James, am i a joke to you?" she spoke.

"No, you're not. I just needed a wife, mother. I'm not getting any younger you know?" I replied.

"Still, you insulted me. Where's she from? Who are her parents? From which family and which social network or status?" Mum quizzed.

"You don't like my new wife? I thought I saw you two bonded earlier this morning."

"The press were there. People are looking for any opportunity to mock the Valquez Family." She replied.

"There's nothing going on mother. You also once urged me to marry. I could never forget the wedding "meet-and-greet" you organized for me a while back. You once wanted me bringing kids to your arms, mother."

"I still want to get married. But you doing what I onced forced you to do, abruptly and suddenly only occur to me that you're scheming something up. You've been acting on impulse ever to since your father passed—"

"The matter at hand has nothing to do with father. I'm the one responsible for my actions, not him. I'm going to bed. Excuse me." I said, causally strolling out of the room.

"Come back here! I'm not done talking!"

"It's my home mother. I should be able to move freely in it. Sleep well mother." I said, leaving her in the room as I sensed her stare behind me from the piano seat, she sat.

Walking into the hallway, I met a prying partner. She turned her head swiftly, guilty of evesdropping.

"I have no time to torment or disturb you this night, if you follow what I'm about to say. If she asks you anything about our marriage, tell her we're readily married out of love, and we've known ourself for the longest time."

"I thought it was me you hated. But now lying to your mother? That's the peak of hated. Also I'm not doing that. I signed the contract for my personal reasons, this not being part of it."

"And to think I was going to make your life less miserable during this two years." I said, before storming off her presence into my bedroom.

*****

Washing my face inside the sink, my phone rang profusely from across the bed. Strolling back into the bedroom, I picked up the phone from the table stand, connecting the call briskly.

"Talk to me."

My eyes abruptly rolled with excitement, hearing what Jamal lamented about.

Series of thoughts filled my head as a brisk smile plastered itself onto my face.

"Tell him she's not available today. Invite him over tomorrow."

I abruptly ended the call. Tomorrow's going to be filled with disagreement.

**************************

"So Mr James, I think we've reach an agreement right here."

I smirked in conclusion.

"I'm telling you, Reece. I won't budge on this." I growled, my voice low and dry. "I want 85% control of your company, and I want it now!"

He hesitated, his eyes darting towards the door as if searching for an escape.

"Mr James, I understand your concerns, but that's unacceptable. We agreed on a 60/40 spit."

My face twisted with annoyance.

"You do remember who you're dealing with, Reece. I've built empires and destroyed men like you without breaking a sweat. You think you have a choice?"

His eyes widened as my voice dropped to a meanacing whisper.

"I'll ruin you Reece. I'll destroy your reputation, your business and your family's influence. You'll be begging for scraps on the streets if you don't agree to my terms.”

"What about the post workers? Won't they come to cause chaos due to their refused payment?"

"Catch." I said, throwing a heavy weapon towards his reach.

"We would put them to sleep forcefully, depending on the occasion." I spoke, watching an alarmed business man grab the weapon with sudden fright and care.

"So, what do you say? Deal or no deal?" I asked.

I watched him swallowed hard, studying the gun I gave him, with absolute shock and focus.

Smiling, knowing he couldn't refuse, I removed the bulging stress pills from my coat pocket into my mouth.

"Deal. But only for the first five years. The Return on investment you would receive from the progression of the business within the first five years won't be substantial for a high profile individual like you."

Staring into his eyes with no words attracted, I monitored his every facial movement before responding to his post negotiations. "Do you want the 15% share to go to your family for inheritance? The choice is yours."

He remained quiet, signifying his vulnerability.

"I thought so. Forward the agreement to my secretary office in China."

"China?"

"Are you shocked, poor or not aware that I have an office in China city? Thought it was only you?"

I read annoyance and desperation in his eyes as I paused.

"It's my business now. I have offices in every country in the world. Some are temporarily inactive, but my new found car assembly line would thrive in China under my guidance since you couldn't make use of the advantage all this years."

"Sorry, your assembly line?" He asked in confusion.

"By the shares rates, it's safe to say you're just stakeholder. Watch me thrive." I said strategically, concluding my dialogue.

I won't deprive my son a good life after my demise.