Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

ZAYN

The moment the words left my mouth, Peyton stared at me as though I had just suggested something completely absurd.

“Get married?”

“Yes,”I nodded.

“You met me yesterday.”

“Technically, I met you yesterday morning and again tonight.”

“I think you’ve lost your mind.” She shook her head and looked away.

“I’m trying to solve a problem,”

“I can’t marry you. I was almost married yesterday and today, you’re proposing something so ridiculous to a stranger?” She scoffed.

 Just as I was about to reply, her phone began to ring. I watched silently as she answered the call and listened to what the receiver said.

“What!” She suddenly jumped out of the chair. 

My eyes widened with interest as I watched her expression change to horror.

“I’m on my way,” she hung up the call. She was about to run off when I grabbed her arm.

“What!” She glanced at me with a look of irritation on her face.

“What happened? You look so upset,”

“It’s my cousin. She passed out and is currently at the hospital. I need to see her,” she began to cry.

“Let me take you there,” I offered. She hesitated for a bit and followed behind me.

A few minutes later, we were at the hospital. I followed silently as Peyton ran through the corridor and all the way towards the emergency doors. I could see an older woman with her and I stepped aside to give them some space.

My eyes narrowed as Peyton held onto a nurse passing by as she bombarded her with questions. Her hands were shaking violently.

Suddenly, my phone began to ring and I picked it up.

“Sir, you have a meeting with the board,”

“Cancel it,” I commanded.

“Sir, the governor’s representative is here,”

“Shit! I’m on my way,” I said and ended the call. I quickly walked up to Peyton.

“I’m sorry, but I have to leave now. Work emergency,”

“It’s fine, thank you so much,” her eyes were red from dried tears.

“I’m really sorry about your cousin,” I brought out my card from my pocket. “I hope we can stay in touch.

She hesitated, looking at it for a few seconds before collecting it from me.

~THE NEXT DAY~

I couldn’t get Peyton out of my head.

It was ridiculous. I’d known this woman for less than a day, yet somehow, she had managed to occupy more of my thoughts.

 I remembered Peyton sitting alone in that hospital waiting room, still wearing her wedding dress, her makeup ruined by tears.

There had been something about her. Something I couldn’t explain so I went to her.

The moment I saw her face, my eyes widened in shock but I quickly composed myself before she would notice.

She reminded me of someone from my past, someone I had spent years trying not to remember.

But Peyton wasn’t that woman.

I sat behind my desk, staring at the text my grandmother had sent me earlier that morning.

Marriage.

That was the condition she’d given me if I wanted access to the shares she’d promised me. Normally, I would have laughed at the idea. Marriage wasn’t something I wanted. Not anymore.

My phone began to ring and Peyton's name flashed on my screen.I answered immediately.

“Hello?”

There was silence. Then I heard her shaky breathing.

“Zayn?”

“Peyton. What’s wrong?”

“I-I’m ready to be your wife. What do I do next?

***

Without wasting time, I invited her to my mansion. I hadn’t expected her to call so soon. Part of me had assumed she would need days to consider the proposal.

I guess her cousin must be really important to her.

I put a call through to my lawyer and he arrived shortly after with the document held firmly in his hands. He placed it on the table before her.

“I didn’t think you’ll agree this soon,”

“It’s only because I don’t have a choice. After she collapsed yesterday, the doctor said she needs surgery in the next two days or she won’t make it,”

 “Then we don’t have time to waste.” I said.

“What are the terms for this marriage?”

“For this to work, I have a few rules. First, We must live together as a couple,”

“I guess that’s inevitable. What’s next?”

“Second, we have to act like a real couple whenever anyone is watching.”

“Including your staff?”

“Especially my staff because word can get out. Thirdly, you must never open the orange door. It’s the only door with that color in this house,”

“Why?” She looked at me suspiciously.

“It contains personal stuff. Properties of my mum and other family. I don’t want to say further than that,”

“Why orange though?”

“Peyton! It’s a family matter that doesn’t affect you. Just focus on our agreement,”

“Fine. You said it’s only for two years right?” She frowned.

“Exactly,” I nodded. “And one more thing. Nobody can know this marriage is contractual.”

“Not even your family?”Peyton frowned.

“Especially not my family.”

“ Fine,” she heaved a sigh. “What do I do next?”

“All you have to do is sign here,” I pointed at a spot in the lower part of the document.

Peyton held onto the pen, staring at the document blankly. I could see the fear in her form. Getting married to a stranger was no joke and I couldn’t blame her for being hesitant.

She took a deep breath and with renewed strength, she signed the papers.

I transferred the money into her account as promised. She was about to dash off when I called after her.

“Peyton,wait,”

 “What?”I  need to sort out Faith’s paperwork,” She turned to face me , her eyes blinking impatiently.

“From this moment on, we’re bound by the contract. Whatever happens, we have to make this marriage convincing.”

She stared at me for a second, before bolting out of the house. 

I heaved a sigh and sat back on my seat, dismissing the lawyer with the wave of a finger.

I brought out my phone from my pocket and dialed a number. The receiver picked up at the second ring.

“Get a wedding planner. We have an engagement party to plan,”

“Yes sir!”

I cut the call and was about to leave when my chief home keeper, aunt Magret rushed up to meet me. She has been my nanny since I was young and pretty much the oldest staff I’ve ever had. She reminds in different ways of my mother, and that is why we have an emotional attachment till date.

“Who is that lady? Is that—“

“No!” I interrupted sharply. “Don’t ask me about the past tonight. All the other workers that  know what happened have been sacked. You’re here up until now because you’re like a mother to me and I trust you,”

She nodded. “Of course, I understand. What about the orange door?

I took a deep breath. I really didn’t like talking about it.

“It stays locked as usual. Nobody has to know anything,”

“I hope so,” she sighed, shaking her head

“Get ready,” I stood up, adjusting the tie on my neck. “She’ll be moving in soon,”

“What!” Her eyes bulged out in shock but I had  urgent matters to attend to be bothered about explaining anything right now.

 “We’ll talk later,” I gave her a light pat on the shoulder and walked out of the house.