Chapter 6: The Haunting Past

Liam Harrison POV

I had been pondering ways to overcome the predicament my grandfather had created, but then the universe offered a solution. I knew asking Miss Moore to be my wife was unconventional, but when she requested an advance on her salary, my mind couldn't help but suggest the proposal. 

Now that she has agreed to be my wife, I would gain control of company when we get married and my grandfather transfers the ownership to me, finally freeing me from his grasp.

Miss Moore may think I'm being unreasonable, but this is a mutual arrangement that would benefit the both of us. I gain control of the company while she receives financial support for her father's medical bills. It's simply a business transaction. Initially, I was already considering paying for her father's medical bills anonymously if she still refused my proposal, and I was prepared to find someone else to pose as my wife. But it seems fate had other plans, creating a situation where she had no choice but to accept my offer.

I knew I was being cruel, but I needed someone who was desperately in need of money to agree, so it would be easier to control them and get them to act along. Besides, she would also profit from this; being Mrs. Harrison for a year was an opportunity many women would kill for. But I needed someone who wouldn't end up having feelings along the way. Working with Miss Moore for three months, I could tell that she was different from the other secretaries who tried to seduce me to get noticed. That was why, when she asked for an advance on her salary due to her father's treatment, I decided to use it to my advantage.

After I made sure she understood that this marriage was just a contract between us that there was no room for feelings and unnecessary emotions. I returned to my desk and resumed working.

I was skeptical about her refusing the settlement for the contract. The money was more than enough for her to spend for a lifetime. I don't know what she was thinking in refusing the money, but I knew better to be careful. She might be one of those women who tried to act like they don't really care about money, but in the end they demanded more than what they were offered. 

I lost track of time as the hours passed by. And when I glanced at my wristwatch, I saw it was already 7 p.m. Deciding it was time to call it a day, I organized my desk, gathering the files I needed to review at home, and made my way out the office.

I rode the elevator down to the basement level of the company. I was walking towards my black Rolls-Royce Phantom when I heard my phone ring. I took it out to see Xander's name flashing on the screen. 

I nod to my chauffeur, who held the back door open, acknowledging his greeting. And I answered the call as I settled in the seat.

"Liam!" Xander's exclaimed, I had to move the phone slightly away from my ear because of how loud his voice was.

"Where are you?" he slurs, from the sound of his voice, I could tell that he was probably somewhere drinking the night out.

"I'm on my way home." I answered. 

"Come have fun with me," he invites. I knew I should decline since I have an early meeting tomorrow morning, but with the recent events happening in my life, I think a drink is what I need right now. 

"Yes, sure," I agreed. 

A drink or two won't hurt. 

"Great, I'm at our usual," he says excitedly before ending the call. 

I blow a sigh, gently rubbing the side of my temple as I told my driver to change course to the Diamond Club. 

As usual, the roads were jammed with traffic. The club was an hour away from the office, but it took me nearly two hours.

I used the back entrance while my chauffeur went to park the car in the private parking space. Tonight, especially since the club will be full, it would be easy to use the back entrance. 

I greeted the night shitguard, and I took the elevator, leading me upstairs to the VIP section. 

I immediately spot Xander in the far corner with two blonde girls sitting at his side, both clinging to him. His attention was on the blondes that he didn't even notice me walking towards him. I took my seat on the couch in front of them, pouring myself a glass of Bourbon that was already laid out on the table. 

I took a long sip from the glass, the whiskey burning my throat. 

"Oh, hey, you're finally here,” Xander rasps, finally noticing my presence. 

I nod, filling up my glass, and I chug down the content. 

“Whoa, it looks like someone had a rough day,” he slurred while I was about to pour myself another glass. 

More like rough life. 

“You have no idea,” I huff, downing the drink before placing the glass back on the table. 

My eyes roamed around, the place was packed with people drinking and dancing to the beat of the music without a care in the world. The music wasn't that loud from here, but you could still make out its sound. 

He whispered something to the girls, and they giggled at him, stood up, and walked away. 

After watching the girls walk away with a mischievous smirk on his face, he turned to me giving me his full attention. 

He poured himself a glass of Scotch. “Okay, what's going on?" he asked, leaning forward. Concern flickered in his eyes. 

I slouch back on the couch blowing a sigh. “I'm getting married,” I whispered my voice till audible, earning a guffaw in return.

Xander laughs loudly, rolling to his side. 

“That…..was.. hilarious,” he chortled, wiping a tear from the corner of his eyes. 

I gave him a pointed look, and he stared at me, his laughter slowing seizing as he noticed my expression. 

He sat up straight. “Shit, you weren't joking.” 

“What happened to not getting married because of a certain someone?“ he asked, narrowing his brow. 

My body tensed, and a pang of sadness crossed my face. 

I always felt this way whenever she was mentioned. As the memories flooded back, I pushed the emotions aside and regained my composure. 

“Grandfather happened; he won't transfer the company to me unless I get married. The old man thinks getting married will magically make me a better CEO. Something about having a wife will suddenly make me more stable, more responsible, and some other bullshit like that.”

  

“Wow, that's.. unexpected.” He took a sip from his glass. 

I nodded, taking a large gulp of the drink. 

“So who are you getting married to?“

“My secretary,” I replied, and Xander almost choked on his drink. 

“Roselyn?“ He raised an eyebrow. 

I frowned. Since when were they on a first name basic? 

“Yeah”

“Whoa. But why her? Do you have any feelings for her?“ He asked, staring at me with intensity. 

I shoke my head. “No, it's just a mutual transaction between us. She needs money to pay for her father's bills, and I need a wife,” I explained. 

His expression changed. “Liam, Rose is a decent girl; she's different from the girls that throw themselves at you, don't mess up her life by dragging her into this.”

My gaze darkened. 

“She already signed a NDA, there's nothing I can do about it.” I said in a grim tone. 

He looked at me in disbelief. 

I stood up abruptly, signaling the end of the conversation, and I walked out of the club, heading home. 

I stepped into my penthouse, walking towards my bedroom, heading straight for the bathroom to soak in a hot bath, needing the warmth to relax my tense muscles. After I was done taking a bath, I stepped out of the bathroom with my towel wrapped securely around my lower body. 

I wore my pajamas and lay on my king-size bed. I closed my eyes to sleep, but I kept tossing around, finding it hard to fall asleep. I sighed, got up, and walked towards my walk-in closet, and changed into a black shirt and a black denim trouser.

I walked out of the penthouse, taking the elevator down to the garage. I retrieved the car key from the cabinet and headed towards my sleek white Lamborghini Huracan Performante. 

I got into the car, revved the engine, and sped through the roads, ignoring the red traffic lights. As I drove, the cityscape blurred together, my mind consumed by the memories of our time together, my emotions swirling inside me, and I couldn't help but punch the steering wheel. Eventually, I made a stop at Manhattan Beach, where memories of our time together flooded my mind.

I ran my hand through my hair, the ocean breeze carrying the whispers of our laughter, our tears, and our promises. I turned my gaze toward the familiar shores, and I let out a sigh, and the same haunting question echoed in my thoughts, 'What went wrong?' and I felt a lone tear roll down my face.