Chapter 4

The next morning, Katarina paced up and down her new room. If the situation were different, she'd be in love with this house. 

Last night, he left her hanging after making that ridiculous statement. Now, she was torn. Should she leave or stay and marry a man she knew nothing about, not even his name?

The door creaked open, and Orion, her savior's assistant, entered the room. "Hi," Katarina muttered, her gaze drifting from his face to the file in his hand.

He was just like his boss - cold and distant. 

Orion stretched out the file, and Katarina's eyes widened as she took it. A lump formed in her throat.

"Mr. Rossi wants your decision now," Orion said, his voice firm. She swallowed hard, feeling sweat trickle down her spine. What was she to do? Return home and watch her sister marry the man she loved, or stay and marry this stranger?

Orion's voice cut through her thoughts. "One..." He paused, his eyes locked on hers. "Two..." Katarina's eyes widened in alarm. What was he doing?

"What are you doing?" she asked, perplexed.

"You have five seconds to make the right decision," Orion replied, his voice firm. Katarina felt a surge of panic. Five seconds?

"Three..." Orion continued, his voice steady. . Her eyes widened as he said, "four", and she let out a loud scream.

"I'll do it!" she cried, her heart pounding against her chest. "I'll marry him."

Orion nodded, his expression unreadable. "You should review the contract. If you're satisfied, he's waiting for you in the living room." With that, he left the room without waiting for her response. 

Katarina stared at the file in her trembling hands. Never had she imagined herself in such a situation, but she needed to survive and make those who betrayed her pay. If marrying him was the price, so be it.

******

"She said yes," Orion informed Viktor who was stood before the spotlessly window-walls, flexing his wrist to stir the amber liquid in the wine glass he held.

Viktor nodded. "Great. What's her name?"

Orion gestured to the guard standing nearby, who stepped forward and handed Viktor a file. "Everything you need to know about her is in there," the guard said.

"Katarina Reed," the guard said aloud as Viktor scanned the papers. "She's 24 years old," he added.

"Hmm, fair enough," Viktor muttered, nodding his head in approval. 

"Your Gulfstream jet is ready, sir," Orion informed. "It's time to return to Italy. Your father is waiting for you." 

Viktor let out a menacing growl, sending a shiver down the guard's spine. Orion, however, remained unfazed. He was used to such side of him.

"I bet he's eager to hand over the shares to his beloved son," Viktor gritted out, his words laced with venom. Born into an influential Italian family, Viktor is the eldest son of Giancarlo and Francesca Rossi.

His father, Giancarlo Rossi, had always favored Alessio Giancarlo Rossi, the youngest Rossi son, even naming him after himself.

"I'm ready," a soft, weak voice was heard. 

Viktor turned to face her, a smirk spreading across his face as he took in the sight of her crumpling the contract in her hands. He would use her to silence his father, nothing more. 

"Have you reviewed the contract?" he asked, his gaze drifting back to the window.

Katarina stammered, "Y-yes." 

"But I have a condition," she added, her voice firm. Viktor swiveled around, arching an eyebrow as he gestured for her to continue.

"We're strangers, but it's clear you need a wife urgently," she said, pausing for his reaction. When he remained silent, she took it as a cue to proceed. "Since we'll be living together for two years, I think you should know a few things about me. I have a home, a family... but a situation that makes me never want to go back."

Viktor glanced at the file in his hand, cutting her off mid-sentence. "You want to get back at your ex-boyfriend?" Katarina's eyes widened in surprise. How did he know?

"I have everything I need to know about you right here," he smirked, raising the file. "Don't be surprised."

Katarina's voice trembled. "Isn't this unfair? You know everything about me, but I don't even know your name."

"My name is Viktor," he replied, watching her intently. "And you'll learn more about me when we get to Italy."

"Do you have anything else to say?" He asked. Katarina slowly shook her head. She was dumbfounded. Firstly, he gave her five seconds to make a decision? Like, who the hell does that? 

Secondly, he made a research on her? Like, the hell! It's unfair! 

"Good. We're leaving for Italy in ten minutes," 

He announced and her eyes widened a bit. They're leaving for Italy? He had mentioned about it before, but she didn't paid much attention to it. But Italy of all cities? 

"That's where Mr. Rossi resides. He only came to New York City for business," Orion explained when he sensed her confusion. 

"Oh," she mouthed, still feeling confused than ever. What was this man's true identity? She couldn't wait to find out.

"Remember," Viktor said, turning to the window. "You're my wife in front of everyone. Play your role correctly." 

Katarina nodded. And that was how she sealed her fate to him. At least for the next two years as it was stated in the contract. 

******

Katarina wandered around the huge house wondering how the hell she would ever learn to treat this place like a home. 

They had arrived in Italy thirty minutes ago, and a Limousine was already waiting for them when they arrived at the airport. 

If Katarina was amazed at the Gulfstream jet her husband-to-be owned, then she needn't have been. This house was heaven.

It was certainly beautiful, there was no doubt about that. Beautifully manicured, sprawling garden full of brightly colored flowers, and a huge pool at its center. 

Inside was just as dazzling. Tastefully decorated in palettes of cream, grey and gold. A huge sweeping marble staircase dominated the entrance hallway leading up to ten bedrooms and nine bathrooms. It also boasted a games room, a gym, and the biggest kitchen she had ever seen in her life. 

But this villa was so quiet - soulless even. There was staff in the house, Guilia, the housekeeper and cook, and some maids dressed in uniforms, and Hugo, the man who operated the gate, not to mention, dozens of armed guards. But they all seemed to live in the shadows. And every time she walked by, they avoided her gaze or slipped into another room. 

Without anyone to ask where she was supposed to sleep, Katarina chose one of the spare bedrooms overlooking the pool. It was empty, with just a massive bed and a giant wardrobe, with a reading table by a corner. 

As she laid on the bed, Katarina couldn't help feeling like she was on a vacation rather than starting a whole new life. 

She had always dreamed about the day she'd get married, or the day she'd move into a new place with her boyfriend, Mason. In her head they had been exciting and happy occasions, and nothing like today. All she felt was a deep sadness and a crushing sense of loneliness. 

An hour later, Katarina was sprawled on the bed, her eyes wide open as she stared at the ceiling when the door bursted open and Viktor stormed into the room. 

"What the hell do you think you're doing in here?" He shouted. 

She looked up at him, blinking in shock. Oh, crap! Did this room belonged to someone else? 

"I'm sorry. I didn't know the room belonged to someone else," she muttered, hastily getting off the bed. 

Viktor stared at her for a short while before releasing deep, heavy breaths. "This room belongs to no one. And you should be in our bedroom, not here," he said. 

"Bedroom?" Katarina blinked, moving her leg backwards while stylishly covering her chest with her arms. "According to the contract, no intimacy allowed," she reminded, heat creeping onto her cheeks. 

"Yeah, no intimacy," he repeated, his tone amused which irritated her. He took one step towards her with a smirk on his face. She swallowed, refusing to back away, and he laughed at her discomfort. "Relax. I'm not going to jump on you." 

That relived her somewhat, until he added, "Not until you ask me to anyway."