Just Between Us

CHAPTER SEVEN

JUST BETWEEN US

   David watched his friend silently. Something has changed in him. He has seen this before. A light glittered from the depth of his eyes. He shivered at the sheer determination of it.  It is the look when he is about to take over a business. The anticipation of a conquest shone in his eyes. Chris Duvier became a billionaire for nothing. He was ruthless at times. His ways are unorthodox that sometimes it takes those companies by surprise. He was a merciless shark when he sheaths those fangs. 

  "So that’s Agnes Walden." He queried curiously. Wanting to know more about the woman who stood defiantly at his friend. Right then, he admired her. David thought she was an avenger then. She was also beautiful. Whoever made a report about her being plain was a lazy inspector. He made a note to himself to fire that unfortunate man. Chris looked at him silently, smiling. " Ahh, I see..."

   "What? What did you see?" He asked confused about his friend's question. Chris’s mind was still dwelling on their meeting. Whoever said that Agnes Walden is plain and simple should be shot. She was beyond that. He can see himself enjoying her very well for a year--after that, he can dump her. Toying that girl would be fun. Life can sometimes give you a golden opportunity to further his cause and his pleasure.

    "What if she won't agree?" David asked again. Trying to decipher the man who was driving the mustang with breakneck speed.

  "She will or I will make her," he said simply. 

   "Chris, are you sure what you’re up to? I mean this revenge of yours to that girl was a bit too much."

  "Too much David? I’m exacting my revenge with interest and damages. I also need her, especially her. She was the first reason why I lost the woman I love."

   David worriedly looks at his friend. Madness and hate glittered of the depth of his eyes. He was worried for her, not of his friend. How can a mere girl battle a man like Chris?

  For two days, Agnes re-read and re-read the contract. Every time the marriage word pops up on that piece of paper she shuddered with dread. She cannot and will not allow that the marriage would be consummated. She almost recoiled with the word. She has read lots of books and the idea of doing it for real with a man, especially someone like Duvier, set off her panic button. If Lea and Chris would be reunited again, it would be painful for her and Lea. Chris Duvier might not think too much about it but her ways are still traditional. Her world is the castle and she never tried to venture anywhere else. Her experience with men was limited to Smith and her father who died when she turns twenty. She cannot ask her mother since she died when she was very young. It would be hilarious, to ask Aunt Liz about it. She would surely flip out.

    Tomorrow, Duvier will be coming back to her home, Winshord Castle. She cannot sign that damn document even if it means giving up the chance to help her sister Lea. If only she can run away before the ceremony. Ceremony? Agnes laughed suddenly. The answer is facing her on the face. She got to act fast before her aunt will suspect what she is up to. 

***

     "Why did you come?”, he asked warily. Agnes wearing tattered jeans, a white shirt, and old canvas shoes stood outside the door of the cottage he rented. He was unprepared for his guest today. She averted her eyes when she saw him also in jeans and his top open, exposing his very firm and wide chest. 

    "I'm sorry, I come unannounced," she said in a conciliatory manner. "I just need to see you. I have a very important proposal for you."

   "You missed me already? Darling..." his voice dripping now with honey. "...our wedding date is not yet set; do you want to scandalize the town?" 

    Her green eyes when he looked at him flared, but her voice remains calm. She needs her support on this one. She gritted her teeth to refrain from saying something that will antagonize Duvier.

    "I have the perfect solution to our problem," she said while stepping inside the room. She cannot let the gossipmonger see her visiting him. The town was too small that any worthy bits of gossip could reach her aunt.  

    Documents are still scattered on the bed. Duvier continued to work even if he is staying temporarily in their town. Inside, she chooses a chair near a small writing table. Carefully put down a piece of paper on the table and produced a pink pen from her back pocket. He watched her every move. Amazed at the confidence she displayed for his benefit.

     "Tell me, what’s you’re cooking now?" he asked amusedly.

     "You can have a castle and you don't have to stay with me for a year. This will save us time and you can go on with your life and choose the bride you love. Not someone force on you." she declared excitedly. Gone was coolness she posturing. Now, the real Agnes Walden emerged. 

    "The lawyer said that automatically I will have the ownership once I signed the marriage contract, correct?” He nods hiding his amusement behind a cool façade. She excitedly continued, “I plan that we just signed the papers after the marriage ceremony. After that, I will own the castle. So, I can just hand you the ownership without the legal repercussion. You don't have to keep the end of the bargain since I own the castle automatically once were married. After the wedding, I will divorce you right away. However, my servants should remain with you. Give them the security of tenure. That part, I insist. They were old and no one would hire them at their age."

    Agnes looked at him, trying to read his mind. "It could work right, I mean what do you think," she said uncertainly. 

     He lazily smiled. "Yes, it could work. I could make anything work with the back of my lawyers."

     " So, we will make our agreement, ok?” Her eyes pleaded with him to agree with her. “Here, I have a pen. I have already written everything on this piece of paper, if you wish you can review everything before you append your signature. Please feel free to correct it." she said generously.

     " If you wish...here." He scribbled his bold signature at the side of Agnes' signature. "You will sign the agreement I prepared with your aunt. Including my demands?”, he asked her.

     "Of course. Now you can get a castle and you don't have to stay with me for a year. I will divorce you right after the ceremony. We will not see each other anymore.’ The prospect of not seeing him suddenly made her heartache. She will forget him. She consoled herself.

   Agnes stood up and offer her hand to him. They shook hands while their eyes met. She smiled at him sadly and said, "If ever we will meet again, I want us to be friends." She was thinking of him marrying Lea. No matter what, he is family when her sister and Chris tied the knot. They will have their happily ever after.

    Agnes walked towards the door hurriedly trying to hold back the tears. The image of Lea and Chris twisted her heart. She opens the door and steps out.

    "Wait!", he called her. she stopped looked at Duvier standing there, in the same calmness that she always admires. 

    "Yes?" she asked.

   "How would I know you keep your end of the bargain?"

   "Do you think I will not divorce you? Don't worry I will honor our contract." She steps back and gives him their secret contract. "Here, you keep it. I don't go back to the agreement I committed Mr. Duvier."

    He smiled, "So do I." Agnes’ heart jolted. Something in his demeanor made the back of her hair stand up. But before she could analyze Chris’s action, the door close on her face. She was left outside staring at the hotel number. Inside, she can hear him whistling.