6 Asher p.o.v

‘’And what?’’ I ask.

She gives me a look. ‘’I can go to prison. You might as well, but a pretty boy like you won’t last long.’’

‘’Excuse me?’’

“I don’t know, but you have money and can get out of this if Vincent should ever find out about this.’’

“Stop talking,’’ I know that my tone is harsh, but it made her shut up pretty quickly.

‘’Why do you think Vincent will find out about this?’’

‘’I don’t know, but even so, I think I will only be trouble for you.’’

“You’ll make trouble for me.’’ I laugh. ‘’What kind of trouble are we talking about?’’

When she couldn’t provide an answer, I just laugh.

‘’Mary, you have nothing to worry about.’’

She gives me a look. ‘’What did you just call me?’’

‘’Mary, that’s your name.’’

‘’Millie, my name is Millie.’’ She sits down on the sofa and holds her head. ‘’I know that this won’t work.’’

I pinch the bridge of my nose, and these are the type of people you don't commit illegal activities with.

''Millie, I don't think you understand the laws of this country. But there is nowhere that it states that you will be locked up if you get married for your citizenship. The crime here is you trying to seek employment with fake papers.''

I gaze at her heart-shaped face to see her bow lips quavering with fear and for the first time noticing how beautiful she is. At first glance, you would think she is a model with her tall, slim body structure. Her black hair is chopped at her shoulder, causing her gray eyes to pop.

''Notice how Vincent reacted when we went to him with the news. He didn't ask questions because all this is fine.''

''Ok, but what will the media and your fans think when they find out that you marry an immigrant?''

''I'm sure that I won't be the first.''

“We are going to continue on with this marriage business deal or whatever it is.’’

‘’But why? Why not just quit this deal and marry someone else with less trouble, or even someone you know and love?’’

I look at her with a laugh. ‘’I don’t know how to love.’’

“What? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.’’

I laugh again. “There was a time I believed in love, but after seeing what my father’s second wife did to him… I don’t it anymore,’’ I tell her, making sure to not get into my own experience.

“But you feel the same way as well. You don’t want to marry.’’

‘’Actually, I do. I believe in that old-school love. But never been in much of a relationship in fear of the entire immigrant thing, but I always thought I would marry someone who loves me, not for a few papers and dollars.’’

I shake my head because this woman is confusing.

‘’I'm sorry, I never wanted to be a burden to you,’’ she says in a small voice.

My phone rings, and I am glad for the interruption.

‘’No, it’s fine. Please excuse me, I have to take this call.’’

She nods her head, and I leave to go to my study.

Moments later, I emerge.

‘’Hey Millie, I’m going to meet a friend for a drink. I think you’ll be alright here by yourself for a few hours or so.’’

She gives me a look, with her beautiful eyes narrowing at me.

‘’You're leaving me alone?’’

‘’Yes, it's not like I have ghosts.’’

‘’Fine, just go. I’ll be here,’’ she tells me and for a minute I can hear her thick accent coming out.

‘’Ok, well later.’’

I am definitely not used to having a female in my space like this.

I make my way to the car and start the ignition. I don’t know why, but I look back at the door and there she is standing there staring at me.

‘Why do I suddenly feel guilty?’

I shake my head to get rid of the feeling, then drive off.

When I get to the bar, I easily spot my friend over at the counter flirting with the bartender.

‘’Is this man bothering you, ma’am?’’ I ask after making my way over to him.

Jaire turns to look at me. ‘’Sure, be a cock block, would you?’’

I frown at him. ‘’Come on, man, she is not your type and you are just messing around with her mind.’’

I turn to the below-average-looking girl, who is slowly turning red. ‘’Bourbon on the rocks.’’

“Damn, is it because of the speech for the stupid graduation, or are you just an asshole?’’

‘’Both,’’ I tell Jaire before taking a seat beside him. ‘’Besides, I’m just saving you from another one. Don’t forget the last bartender who lied on your name.’’

Jaire nods, as if he is thinking back to that night. ‘’You are right, wouldn’t want a real rape charge to my name.’’

‘’So, what brings you out today? As of late, you have been hard to track down.’’ Jaire says before sipping his drink.

‘’I got married yesterday.’’

He snorts a laugh, but after seeing the look on my face he gets serious.

‘’No shit.’’

I nod.

‘’To who?’’

‘’Nobody you know,’’ I tell him.

“Of course.’’ Jaire shakes his head. “Is she at least attractive?” he asks.

“She had to be,” I reply.

“Is she a supermodel?”

‘’What does that have to do with anything?’’

Jaire laughs before replying. ‘’As far as I know, you don’t go around marrying just anyone. Hell, you don’t even date the same woman twice. So, what makes you just decide to get married?’’ 

“I am trying to change my ways. The lifestyle can’t go on forever.’’ I tell him.

Jaire laughs. ‘’You, stop? I’m sure that even with a gun to your head, you would still be fucking two bitches at the same time.’’

He gives me a look. ‘’Is she pregnant?’’

“No.’’

“What is it then?”

‘’Just someone… I fell in love with her.’’

‘’You, fall in love. I think I should quit drinking because it must be the alcohol.’’

‘’I know she might not be the woman I would usually date, but she is the one for me.’’ Not even I believe those words.

“How long have the two of you been together?’’

‘’A while, I was keeping things under wraps. Trying to keep her away from the rush of things… if you know what I mean.’’

‘’I do, and the media is going to have a field day when they find out that the playboy billionaire has settled down and got married.”

‘’I’m not worried about them.’’

‘’Well, I didn’t know you would make such a drastic change. Didn’t know someone like you would get married either.’’

 ‘’Well, I changed.’’

‘’Overnight?’’ Jaire scoffs.

I bust out a laugh and Jaire does so too because he knows me so well.

‘’I only got married to the chick so I could become a family man to get the company and so she can get her papers.''

‘’No shit?’’ Jaire asks.

‘’No shit. But it’s just for a year, or at least long enough to convince the old man to just retire.''

‘’I knew it was too good to be true, because men like us don’t fall in love or get married.’’

‘’But how does getting married help you take over from your father?’’

''I really don't know what goes on in my father's head.''

Jaire raises his glass towards me. ‘’All the best, my friend.''

‘’Thanks.’’

‘’So, is it anyone I know?’’

‘’No, I don’t even know her.’’

‘’What?’’

‘’The old man’s idea and he wants me to get her pregnant too,’’ I state casually.

Jaire turns to stare at me.  ‘’I’m not even going to comment on that.’’

‘’Good, because I don’t even know how to begin to explain.’’

‘’And this chick agreed to it all just for her citizenship?’’

‘’I had to throw in a few million.’’

‘’But how will this go over with the press?’’

‘’My father says he has it under control.’’

I can see Jaire giving me a look, but whatever he has to say, he holds it in.

My phone rings. I look at the caller ID to see that it is my father.

‘’And speak of the old fart,’’ I say before getting up to take the call.

''I have to go,'' I tell Jaire before gulping down the rest of my drink.