Chapter 2 Meet Nicholas

Blue's POV

I don't know what to do.

I'm sitting across from Nick Sanford while staring at the piece of paper in front of me. It was the contract that will completely change my life.

If I sign this, then I'll have to marry Nicholas Sanford and make him fall in love with me within 100 days.

I swallowed hard. I only saw him once in a picture and his eyes were dark and scary. He's handsome, but he's a rebel and a womanizer. He never takes women seriously and he's ruthless just like his father.

"Remember your sister, Miss Rivers. She needs you. She needs treatment," Nick Sanford's consigliere continued reminding me about my sister's situation.

He's attacking me to my most critical and softest part. He knew that I can't risk my sister.

I looked at Nick Sanford but I immediately looked down. "I-I don't think he will fall in love with me."

Nick Sanford laughed as if he's amused.

"I didn't pick you to play this game if I knew I wouldn't win. Young lady, you have 100 days and I'm betting everything on you. You have to melt my son's heart and make him obedient to me."

I wanted to laugh in combined anger and sarcasm. So, he's doing this because he can't control his son?

Swallowing hard, I forced myself to speak again. "A-And if I fail to make him fall in love?"

"Then, you're free."

My jaw almost dropped. That's it? Will he really free me and my sister if I fail to do the deal? That's totally absurd! How can he set someone free so easily?

He chuckled, making me glanced at him. He was grinning and eyebrow was shot up. "You don't seem to believe me, young lady? I bet you knew me."

I chewed my bottom lip and refused to answer. I just know he's a cunning and ruthless man who won't think twice to kill whenever he feels like to.

"Alright!" He clapped his hands once and spoke again. "Tell her, Atticus, that I'm a man of my word."

Nick Sanford's consigliere looked at me. "You can trust Mr. Sanford's words, Miss Rivers. Don't worry about your sister, she will get the best treatment and you'll be able to be with her again even if you fail to do your part."

That's… the only assurance I wanted to hear. I don't trust people like them but I have no choice now. I need to take the risk and this risk could either save me or kill me. It's fine.

As long as my sister is safe.

"I-If ever you decide to kill me after this…" I said and paused. "…can you promise to spare my sister?"

Nick Sanford stared at me blankly. I want to look away because I feel like my pounding heart is about to leave my body but I swallowed the fear. Just another assurance.

Just one last assurance.

Nick Sanford grinned and slowly nodded. "Just as expected, you are unbelievably brave."

I pressed my lips together and kept my head straight. I need to make sure that he won't hurt my sister. Tears pooled at the corner of my eyes. I know desperation can be seen on my face.

Nick Sanford nodded and smiled devilishly. "Alright. Nothing will happen to your sister."

I don't trust the look on his face, but his words somehow convinced me.

I sniffed and quickly wiped my tears. I slowly grabbed the sign pen and signed on the powerful piece of paper.

The man named Atticus took the paper after I signed it. I lifted my chin to look at Nick Sanford. "Can I see my sister?"

"No, no!"

My breathing hitched. "What? I just wanna see her."

He smirked devilishly. "You know you can't force what you want. You will stay here 'cause you'll be meeting my son today."

I balled my fists under the table as I looked down. This evil man!

"You can see her later, but you can't take her. You already signed our agreement, young lady and you can't do anything about it now," Nick Sanford added with a cold voice.

The room fell into a deafening silence after that. The coldness of the air conditioner is making me feel chilly. I pressed my lips together while patiently waiting for Nicholas Sanford.

Oh, please! I don't wanna marry him so I'm praying he will turn his father down.

I'm praying he won't find me interesting.

It has been almost two hours and I jumped in shock when Nick Sanford slammed the table and threw the bottle of liquor on the floor. My heart was pounding so hard as I looked at his angry face. His face was red and his eyes were deadly.

"WHERE THE HELL IS NICHOLAS, ATTICUS?"

I jumped in fear again. I swallowed hard and looked at the man named Atticus, he was looking down, obviously scared.

"S-Sir, I was told that he's already coming—"

"YOU'VE SAID THAT TWICE ALREADY. ARE YOU FOOLING ME?"

I sucked my breath and squeezed my eyes closed. I'm having trouble calming myself down. Nick Sanford is really scary and deadly.

"You're so funny, Nicholas."

"I really like your playful side, babe."

My forehead creased as I slowly turned to the door. A drunk man together with two flirty ladies entered the office. The women are giggling while the man is grinning arrogantly.

My lips parted after I recognized the drunk man who entered. Nicholas Sanford!

His sharp jaws, tanned complexion and undeniably gorgeous face made me still. He's such a godlike. His wet and grinning lips are so sensual and when his brown eyes met mine, I felt something electrifying flickered inside me. It tickled my body and hit something that made me feel hot.

My mind is now blank. My breathing has become entangled. Nicholas. This man… I never knew he's this gorgeous in person.

I swallowed hard and looked away, avoiding his intense gaze. Nicholas Sanford is affecting me in a way I never expected. And why did he stare?

"NICHOLAS!" Nick Sanford's voice roared like thunder. I almost fell on the floor but Nicholas didn't even flinch. Oh, God! Is a war about to ignite?

I saw the two women step back, both pale. This family is really scary.

Just as I thought Nicholas would roar back in anger, he laughed sarcastically. His drunk eyes flickered with sarcasm as he looked at his father. "Oh! I thought it's my room. Hi, dad."

"Atticus!" Nick Sanford's cold voice filled my ear again.

I saw Atticus moved and three men entered to drag the two ladies away. My lips parted as I watched how they dragged the women out. I'm scared for them.

"Hmm!" Nicholas Sanford moaned as he lay on the sofa. My lips parted as I stared at him. He put his arm on his forehead and he seemed ready to sleep.

Nick Sanford pulled himself up and walked towards Nicholas who's lying on the sofa, unbothered. "Sit down, Nicholas. You useless bastard doesn't really know what manner is."

I wet my lips and watched them. Nicholas opened his eyes and grinned at his father. "I'm your son. What do you expect?"

I don't know where Nick Sanford got the gun he's holding. All I know is I trembled in fear, covering my ears when Nick Sanford fired the gun to the nearest vase.

My heart was beating so loud and fast as silence filled the cold atmosphere. I sucked my breath and looked at them again. Nicholas is now sitting on the couch while looking up at his ruthless father. Fury is visible in his eyes as his jaws clenched continuously.

My breathing hitched after Nick Sanford pointed at me. "You're gonna marry the woman I chose for you, Nicholas."

Nicholas laughed sarcastically. "I will never marry anyone who isn't Laura."

"You ungrateful bastard—"

"Sir."

I silently thanked Atticus after he called Nick Sanford because he didn't succeed in punching his son. He's scary. He's ruthless. Heartless. How could he do that to his own son?

I stared at Nicholas Sanford. He lay on the sofa again, completely unbothered. I didn't even see a glimpse of fear in his eyes. What kind of family is this?

Atticus whispered something to Nick Sanford and after that, they left without a word. My jaw dropped as I realized that I was left alone with Nicholas who I supposed, now asleep on the sofa.

Now what? Should I escape now that I have a chance?