Chapter 8

We had a civil wedding the week after we talked. It was just the two of us and his bodyguards who also stood as witnesses. I guessed they even signed a waiver not to tell others about this. They were all quiet just like usual, they also helped me pick up some of my things from my house since Mr. Esqueza told me that I didn't need to bring all of my things.

The car stopped infront of a huge house. My mouth hang opened with the nice design on the outside. It was a black coated mansion. His bodyguard opened the car door.

"Here we are, Ma'am Iris. Welcome to your new home," the driver said to me with a smile.

I got out of the car, still looking in front of the house. "This is where Mr. Esqueza lives?"

"Yes ma'am."

He accompanied me on entering the house. It was really huge and white, I knew he was minimalist since there was very little furniture here, some corner were empty.

Mr. Esqueza was wearing a black short and a gray t-shirt when he welcomed me to his home.

"Shall we?" he said and we went up to the second floor.

There were wooden doors and lots of room. It seemed to be expensive. I almost couldn't keep my mouth shut in amazement at his house.

"This will be your room, Iris," he opened the door and looked up at me with a large bed.

Fully equipped room, everything you needed in a room was here. He opened a large cabinet, startling me with so many clothes. Office, formal, pants, skirts, shirts and all with different colors.

"How did you know my size?"

"I hired someone to check what size are you," he quietly said while watching me being amazed with the tons of clothes.

"You can ask me," I said to him. "You don't have to waste money."

"I work hard for it and better spend it, don't you think?"

I turned to her while holding a dress. "I won't bite if you ask me simple questions. What if the size you bought is wrong?"

"Trust me, we can return it all or donate it."

I stared at him. "Okay, Mr. Super-rich-guy." I'd my own bathroom too, if this was all a dream, I didn't want to wake up at all. "Why do you have so many rooms, you only live here?"

"It's the most convenient way to avoid my family when they're having vacation here."

"Convenient," I repeated. "Me and my sister even shared the same room."

He laughed as if I was joking. "My room is one room away from yours. If you need me, please knock on my door first and ask for permission."

I sat on the very soft bed in the middle. "Yes, Mr. Esqueza," I tease. "I know you're busy and I won't disturb you. But we're not going to sleep, are we?"

He closed the cabinet's door one by one. "We won't unless we need to."

"It's just sleep, isn't it?" I asked to double check.

"Are you referring to sex?" He leaned against the wall as if he wasn't saying a big deal. I just nodded even though I was a little embarrassed. "We have to mutually agreed to it before doing such thing."

It was as if my throat was dry at what he said. So it was really included? What the hell? By the way, we are married. But he did not mention it in the conversation. I'm not a babysitter, I know I have to agree before we can do something. But imagining it? My knees were shaking immediately.

"We need to discuss it further, I'll give you a contract to sign. Let me know if you're ready. Take a rest for now, Iris," he said before leaving.

I fell asleep after I got dressed. I feel like I slept for a few days because when I opened my eyes it was already dark. It's a good thing I slept with the light on. You know how you feel when you wake up to the fact that you're already married?

I was just barely retrieving myself from being useless. I was a happy-go-lucky kinda person back then. I have no other thoughts but myself because my family has always supported me. I never thought that I'd reach this point where I had to accept my boss's offer to be his fake wife.

Why would I decline it? I'm indebted to him and in exchange of my freedom I needed this arranged marriage. So here I am now in my boss/husband's room. To discuss the things that cannot be done during this arrangement.

"You are not allowed to enter any relationship within the period of this marriage," he said seriously.

My eyes widened. "As in even flings? Nothing?"

He looked at me solemnly. "I am a very possessive man, Iris. I don't like sharing."

My hairs at the back of my neck stood up slightly. I did find it sexy... Shit. Right at this moment I knew, I would be fuck up if this end.

"I understand," I agree with him.

"Don't be clingy in public or even in private. You have to ask for permission before doing so."

I almost rolled my eyes. I never thought he was this bad. He was making me feel like he was way above me and all I needed to do was to submit to him.

"You have to follow everything I say without complaining."

"I'm only your fake wife," I reminded him. "Why does every move I make need your approval?"

"Because I am your boss too, Ms. Villafuente," he said like a businessman trying to persuade his point.

I can hear it but I can't seem to handle it. I'm used to get what I wanted all the time. I'm not used to just being submissive. I wanted to storm out already but suddenly I thought about my family. Yes, I need to do this for them. My life has also been good since birth. Having said that, there is always substitute for all that; a payback.

"Okay, Mr. Esqueza," I replied weakly.

He smirked. This man! Sometimes he's so naughty but most of the time he's so serious that you don't want to mess up with. If he wasn't this charming, I'd never agree to this!

"But you still have every right to stop this arrangement."

"Even if I signed something? Can I stop when I don't want to?"

"Why can't you? This arrangement should be mutual. I don't like forcing things, Iris. You tell me to stop, I'll end it. It's simple as that."

He slowly approached my place until my eyes were focused on his perfect damn face. I sniffed. He smelled so damn good. He was really too expensive for me.

"How will it be paid then?" I asked, voice hoarse.

"I'll talk to your Dad and the risk you'll be putting your family." He brushed the hair on my face then tucked it behind my ears.

"You are such a manipulative person, Zach ..." I whispered without taking my eyes off his eyes.

His lips twitched. "What did you call me?"

"Zach ..." I repeated, my mind wasn't thinking straight.

"I am the boss and you're calling me what?"

Oh, he was never backing down. I rolled my eyes. "Sir ..."

"You can call me Sir or Mr. Esqueza all the time unless I tell you so to call me by my name."

"What if I forgot?"

His eyes darkened. "Then you have to face the consequence of that action."

"Consequence?" I asked confused.

"Like a punishment, Iris."

Consequence? Punishment? This was funny, I felt like a child. What he would do then? Spank me like my Mom used to do with me whenever I made mistakes back then?

I suddenly laughed at what I thought.

His face went serious. He took a step back. "Is there anything funny, Iris?" he asked while fixing the paper infront of him.

I was swallowed. "Nothing, Sir ..."

"One of these days you'll know about it. But for now, read and sign this. You can leave it on your room's desk once you're done. Now, go to your room," he dismissed like a boss that he was .

He handed me the paper. "Thank you, Sir," I told him again, exaggerating the word 'sir'.

But he turned around and didn't answer me. Very moody. It's been a while since I'd felt like this and now, I'd been treating like a slave to follow every rules he had.

I crossed my arms. "I'm coming out, Mr. Esqueza," I repeated so that he would give me a little attention.

He never looked at me again. Even a single answers, nothing. What an asshole. I stumbled out of his room. As soon as I'm out, my heart was a bit heavy. My thoughts consuming me. I don't know if it's the right thing to do. It was like forgetting who I am for the sake of money.

I leaned against the door. I hope this would be all worth it in the end. I'm not sure but hopefully there would be a good outcome. I also don't know why he chose me. He was a billionaire and also CEO of Esqueza's Corporation, why would he had to do this arranged marriage with me? There were lots of women better than me so why me?

I breathe heavily, feeling overwhelmed all at once. Shooing my thoughts away.

"Goodnight, Mr. Esqueza ..." I whispered one more time, hoping he could hear it.

When I gathered my strength and returned my senses I made my way to my room. It looked like it's going to be a long night of overthinking again. I'm going to wake up again. When I lied down, I kept asking myself if this was really the solution to my problem.Arranged marriage to my boss? For real?

Before I could go to sleep, I read the contract he gave me. I'm not shocked at all because somehow, I already know what he wanted. This arranged marriage would be about me, submitting myself completely to him.

This is an Arrangement of occurrence a proof that Irisian Marie Villafuente is agreeing to undertake herself to Zachary Levi Esqueza within 36 weeks validity of this agreement.

She shall not have any romantic relationship in men, nor do what she wants without any consent of Zachary Levi Esqueza.

She must perform the habitual activity of a normal housewife to her husband-boss when Zachary Levi Esqueza requested for it.

She must oblige, not argue and submit herself unless there are unsafe circumstances.

If she violates any of this agreement the contract will be void automatically. Hence, she fully performs her duty within 36 weeks her family's debt will be paid fully.

AGREED BY

Zachary Levi Esqueza

Irisian Marie Villafuente

December 2, 2011