Chapter 4. Agreement

Elizalde

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Okay, let's start the real deal.

I composed myself, and Donatello opened the door for me. He winked, and I swallowed hard. I've heard all their conversation. This room was built to have a secret room for hearing conversations on the other side. This is where most of my business deals happen whenever I want to do a background check before signing them into our business.

When our eyes met, I immediately felt an electrifying feeling inside me.

Dammit. Why do I feel this every time I see her? I want to get it out of my system.

Our eyes locked. Her deep brown eyes met my blue ones. My jaw tightened as I stepped inside, and she blinked in astonishment when I stopped a meter in front of her.

Donatello cleared his throat and introduced me to her. She didn't say a word. Not even a single smile on her face. She remains the same.

When I sat down, she turned on her back and took a deep breath. I can feel her tense, which gives me a silver lining of hope. I smiled, but it was quick. I bite my lower lip the moment she turns towards me. She smiled and then sat down.

"I'll get you a cold drink, Sir," Donatello offered, and I nodded. He then left us.

I knew it. When Donatello closed the door, she wasted no time saying her piece.

"You? How could you do this?" she calmly started.

I smirked and leaned back against my seat. "Is there a particular law that tells me not to bid into your father's company? Or perhaps you forgot that you put your company into this?"

Her eyes grew more extensive, like she aimed a dagger towards me. How lovely. For some reason, I miss this type of conversation. It's better than not showing any attention at all.

"What do you want?" she asked, dead serious.

"Isn't it obvious?" I put my arms on the table and leaned closer to her, "You rejected me three times, love. How far do you want to go?" I smiled, offering it nicely to her.

Our eyes locked, and she lifted her chin a little. "And my answer is still the same. No! Over my cat's dead body."

I chuckled and bit my lower lip. If only she were in a good mood, I'd have a good laugh by now.

"Well, too bad your cat is dead," I jokingly said. But, of course, there's no way Mimi is dead. Our cat is still fat and alive.

She swallowed hard. "That's my final answer, Elizalde, and I can't take it nor accept it. Get over it! That was ten years ago! Everyone has moved on. What else do you want from me? How desperate are you to do this and to my father's company? Aren't you happy that my life is going down as you wanted? Aren't you satisfied? You heartless jerk!" she said, looking at me angrily.

I gritted my teeth while looking into her angry eyes. She's still the same. Short-tempered, funny, and clumsy at times. Indeed beautiful and even prettier now than ever. She had light make-up on, but her hair was a little messy because she had no aircon in her car, and probably the wind twirled her hair while driving to come here. But that never affected her beauty. Her pointy cute nose, hearty shape, kissable lips, and everything on her turns me on—a damn gorgeous.

No. Get a hold of yourself, Elizalde. Appearances are deceiving. She's a witch.

"Then I have no choice but to back out and get all the rights from your father's company. Make up your mind now, Lizzie or your family's fortune will all go down the drain. Do you think I like this?" I smirked.

"I'm just like you. I have no choice but to make my mother's last request. Do you think I'm still in love with you? Huh, come on, get over. I'm not that person anymore. Let me tell you straight. I despise you the way you despise me. The feeling is mutual." I seriously said and held my breath. It felt like my heart would soon explode at any moment. My jaw tightened.

She didn't say a word. Her hand fisted. I see that. And for the record, I'm not a heartless jerk! It was the opposite. She should be thankful for this.

"Be my bride. Let's get married legally. That's my offer," I started. She chuckled and perked up.

"It's an agreement, of course, with conditions that I want. Come to think of it. I'm your knight in shining armor whether you like it or not, Elizabeth—simple set-up and display. Let's play we're in love in front of my parents, especially my mother. I will provide everything you want that entitles you as my wife. Of course, I don't expect you to sleep in the same room as me, but I'm easy if you want," I smiled mischievously, "Let's do this for two years, and then let's divorce," I suggested.

Her mouth came partly open. This is fun. She's getting pissed off by the look on her face.

"Over my dead body! You're the last man I've ever wanted to sleep with."

"Correction, I was the first," I proudly interrupted. I chuckled and leaned back, watching her.

"You are an absolute jerk!" she uttered, fuming with anger now.

"At least I'm not a bastard like your ex-boyfriend who slept with your step-sister."

Now she's looking at me with her murderous eyes. "Damn you, Elizalde!" she said bitingly, emphasizing my name.

Her lips pressed together, "You are still the same. You're the worst man that a woman could ever have!"

"Really? Then good luck to you. You ask for this. So be it. You have three days to make a decision, Lizzie. After all, it's your choice, love," I said and stood up. I could no longer help myself, so I better get out before everything turned nasty.

"I hate you, Elizalde!"

I turned and walked away from her. I just raised my right hand as a sign of my agreement. 

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c.m. louden