Chapter four

“Do we really have to do this?” I asked once more as we started driving off to God knows where.

“Just stay calm and if it helps in any way, then you should know I don’t plan on keeping you as a wife forever.”

“Huh?” I asked, feeling even more rejected

That seems to happen a bit too often now, whenever this jerk chooses to open his mouth to speak

I should be glad to hear that honestly, but this is hurting my ego big time... Am I not desirable as a woman?

Knowing my hands were tied in this quest, I still tried my best to talk him out of it. I don’t think I should be signing any papers with this man.

“Here’s the deal and make sure you understand every single bit of it.” He warned.

“I’m only in need of a wife because my Grandfather refused to undergo surgery unless I get married….’’ he took a little pause and then continued.

‘‘At first I thought it was a joke and now he is down to his last seven days to live and he’s still making jest of it refusing to undergo the surgery.”

‘glad to see the sense of humor runs in the family’

“well.. that’s very serious, why don’t you get the doctors to talk him out of it or your parents?” I suggested a little bit concerned for his grandfather's health.

He's eyes darken in a flash “Now I didn't give you that peice of information so you can sit there and give me advise young lady, I do the suggesting and yours is to adhere to it.” He replied curtly like I struck a nerve.

Ignoring his remark, “what’s really wrong with him?” I questioned feeling like I'm owed some sort of explanation and I'm a bit bothered about the old man.

“Avoid prying into family matters, I think you should take your own advice too.” He shot fired.

“Fine! Suit yourself.” I gave up turning to face my side of the glass feeling a little heated after the little back and forth we just had.

I couldn't even take in the wonderful scenery

“I didn’t say I was done talking!” He growled at me

What a controlling jerk

“And I don't remember mentioning to you that I have a hearing problem,” I shot back at him now pissed.

“Look, I just need you till he’s out of harms way, it's only for a year… one year and you can go back to your life and forget about all of this.”

“I still don’t get why it has to be me,” I blurted.

“You seem like my grandpa’s type and besides I’m a businessman. I had to have something in return after lending you helping hand.”

“And before you go on about this being too much of a favor to return for the help I offered, hear me out.” He said as I sat there so calm, a little too calmly if I dare say.

His words echoing back at me, ‘you seem like my grandpa’s type.’

It’s already bad that I can’t get out of this but hearing those words, that was a slap on the face… my cheek hurts

I absentmindedly raised my hands to my cheek a little too comically.

He should have just told me directly that I wasn’t his type.

“If you agree to sign the papers and be my wife, then I’ll pay off all your debts and fulfil one of your wishes… and on top of that you're entitled to all the privileges that come with being Egon's wife, free shopping trips, vacations, you name it,” He proposed, in an attempt to convince and confuse me.

I didn't really care for all those things honestly, but going back now would bring me back to a situation I was desperately running away from and it would mean I still had unpaid debts to get rid of.

I can't throw away my dreams of being a hot shot Lawyer or something big to say the least.

This might just be my only chance to make something of myself and fight for my dad’s company… those thugs ruthlessly snatched it away from him, leading to his demise.

This one for you Papa, for us…

“Make it six months.” I stated with a new found determination, as long as he keeps to his end of the bargain, I'm game.

“Done! But There’s one more thing,” he replied, a little hesitant towards the end

“And what’s that?”

“Mr Hatt has a lot of trust issues, especially towards me, so he wants his lawyer to personally handle the marriage papers.”he sighed a bit embarrassed.

“You don’t say! I can’t see any reason why he shouldn’t trust you.” I added mockingly, with my voice drenched in sarcasm.

He chose to ignore my taunting comment ‘Smart choice honestly’

He kick off with an introduction. “I’m Egon Hatt, 27 years old, CEO of Firm foundations and almost every building and corporation in California.” He stated, exuding so much confidence in his achievements.

and then a moment of silence

I turned towards Egon, shocked to find this man’s eyes were off the road staring me down, bewildered.

“Wait… why are you looking at me like that? Were you expecting an applause or something?” I asked completely amused by the ego on this man, I nearly laughed at the priceless look on his face.

“Well I was expecting a bit of a reaction since you just found out that I’m the HATT.”

“Of course I’ve heard of the Hatt, your family owns almost half the country but why should I react wildly after meeting just another human, when it’s not a newborn.” I responded snarkily

‘Please tell me I didn’t get myself a fiesty one,’he muttered to himself as he bowed his head in annoyance.

“We need to get to know each other… Mr Hatt’s lawyer can be a bit annoying and might tell my grandpa that he’s being played.” He mentioned, cutting to the chase.

“Ohh… okay.” Taking in a big gulp I began my own introduction.

“I’m Ava king, 20 years old, I have a younger sister who’s 18 and a mother, but I'm sure you already knew that.” I stated a bit self conscious as I started to talk about my family.

“which is why I’ll need more information, it has to seem real.” he replied indifferent about the whole situation

“They are all there is to my life, the only people in my life. Aside from working in a coffee shop, I also wrote an entrance exams but I haven’t gotten any feedback, that’s all I’ve got.” I said leaving Jason out of this sticky situation.

“Okay I can make do with that but I know Mr Hatt and he’ll want some time to speak with you to know if you are being forced or kidnapped.” he responded so nonchalantly

“Well I think I’m being forced…” I mumbled under my breath, but loud enough for him to hear, avoiding eye contact.

“He’s going to ask how we met, just tell him we met at the coffee shop. He will buy it since I drink coffee a lot, tell him you fell for my charms and only agreed to be with me if we tied the knot.” he drafted egotistically.

“Wait?!… Why am I the one falling for you? It’s my story so you definitely fell for me at first sight.” I retorted.

‘The idea of him falling for me doesn't seem so bad to be honest’ the thought brought a light smirk to my face for a moment, till I was smack back to reality.

“Do whatever you want, just don’t mess this up for both of us,” He muttered, focusing on the road ahead of him.

“If it’s your grandfather's’s lawyer handling the papers, how am I sure you wouldn’t play me and go against your own promises?!” I asked smartly, skeptically observing him.

“woah!...calm down tiger, I have our personal contract on my phone. Dave sent it in this morning, we’ll print them out then you can go through it before you sign them, I'll keep a copy and you'll keep yours, fair enough?” he asked

‘‘I guess so’’ I replied a bit at ease.

“We'll need some ground rules though.” I added and noticed his confused expression.

“Like what?” He asked briefly looking at me before returning his eyes to the road.

“Nothing much… just sleeping arrangements, how to act when we're out in public and when we're in private…

… I'll definitely need my space to do my own thing and let's just try to not bother each other in general.” I pointed out.

Ha ha ha, he bursted out a hearty laugh that was so rich in the ear

“My feisty tiger is now also a clown.” He remarked through his chuckles.

“It’s not funny Egon, I'm serious. I don’t think I can or even want to share a room with you, alone.”

“Why?!” he asked amused

“Scared, I'm gonna pop your cherry?” He asked as the car came to a halt and he came inches away from my face

I think I just forgot how to breathe

He leaned in even closer, his lips only centimetres away from mine

I think I'm about to pass out any second now.

In a swift move he released my seatbelt and got back in his seat to open his door “calm down tiger, I’m getting married to you, not putting a total stranger in my house.” He muttered with a tiny satisfied smirk plastered on his face as he shut the door.

‘What a tease’

“But..” I struggled, flustered and trying to make sense of what just happened.

“We can argue about sharing rooms and doing your own thing later.” he supplied as he opened the door and stretched his hand to assist me out of the car.

“Come on! Lets sign those papers and make you my wife.” he said with a full blown genuine smile.

And Ava could swear she'd never seen any man with such an astonishing beauty in her entire life.

He was a jerk but a very handsome one to be precise…