03

ORCHARD’s POV.

“It didn’t go well.” I could recall telling my father for what felt like the millionth time.

I adjusted my tie as I ran my fingers through my hair, pondering on how awful of a day I had. I was frustrated, to say the least. Everything about my life was passing me off and nothing seemed to be going right. Not right now, at least.

I was trying my best to remain positive as I hoped it would all come to an end, but it just seemed to get worse as time passed.

At first, I thought that if I attended just a few blind dates and they didn’t work out, my father would let me be, but I was wrong. Attending the first blind date just gave him more leverage on me and I was forced to attend more till I could no longer take it.

I had just gotten back from yet another failed blind date. She wasn’t worth it. None of the ladies were. They all seemed to be the same. Rich spoilt brats that knew nothing but how to spend “daddy’s money.” While I didn’t have a problem with spending on my woman if I got one, such ladies didn’t interest me. They only felt like leeches.

“I’m tired of this, Orchard. I’m frustrated with how you think you’re the best and no one matches your standards. You annoy me.”

“It’s not my fault I haven’t found the right one. If—”

“Your project is an ambitious one with elaborate designs, Orchard. You have to make my money worth it. Have a wife, and kids. Something immaterial but isn’t money or hotels, a home. Then we can talk better about it,”

As his words replayed in my head, I banged hard on the seat as I raised my head to the driver. “Down to Iris.”

I ran my fingers through my hair, a mixture of anger, frustration, disappointment, and frustration washing through me.

.

“Here you go, sir.” One of the waiters said as he handed me a glass of alcohol. Just what I needed at this moment.

I gulped it immediately as I walked into the bar, running my fingers through my hair as I sighed, the loud music starting to annoy me alongside the seductive glares I was getting from the ladies, even those with partners.

This was one of the things that annoyed me with women. I clicked my tongue as I handed the empty glass to the next waiter that passed.

I took in a deep breath as I headed to the bar, to get another glass, but, as I approached the inner bar, at the outer bar, I couldn’t help but be drawn by a lady who seemed to be in her early twenties drowning herself in alcohol.

I watched as she added another empty bottle of whiskey to the one beside her before placing her head on the table, holding on to her hair and I didn’t need anyone to tell me she was in pain.

I walked till I was behind her, and seeing her stare at her phone, devastated before she gulped more alcohol caused my heart to ache.

She was on the fourth bottle now and it bothered me. I turned to the bartender, signaling it was too much for her and he nodded as he made to stop her, but, seeing that she wasn’t interested in stopping at any moment, I stepped in.

The moment she turned to me, seeing her cheeks all flushed, her lips pouted, I couldn’t help but clench my fists as I gulped. Beauty. No, damsel. Goodness gracious, she was an Angel.

“Really sure you can handle me?” She smirked. I was caught off guard and before I could say anything, she grabbed me as she slammed her lips against mine.

I didn’t know what came over me and next thing I knew, I started making out with her.

I took her home, finding myself the most turned on as our hands roamed each other’s body. Next I knew, I found us in my room. As I placed her on the bed, making to take my shirt off, she suddenly collapsed on the bed, unconscious.

“Don’t leave me, please.” She muttered, and, taking a closer look at her face, I could see a teardrop.

A failed relationship, huh? Works either way.

Taking off her shoes as I tucked her in, I sighed as I went to my cupboard, taking out the file in it as I smiled to myself. This would be the best time for this.

.

“Oh, my goodness!” Her screams caused me to get off the bed in the morning as she covered her mouth, getting off the floor where she had fallen. “What am I doing here? I….”

I rolled my eyes as I got off the bed. “Do you really not remember what happened last night? Not even how you charged at me with your lips?”

“No, no… I remember that part, but how did I get to your house? How….”

I sighed before extending my hand for a shake. “I’m Orchard and, don’t worry, I know you’re Iris. I’ll cut it short. I need you, and, from the look of things, you need me, too.” I told her before taking the file out even though I knew her eyes held nothing but confusion.

I handed it over to her and for some reason, it felt like seeing the file had done something bad to her. I cleared my throat. “I’m not charging you for the session, it was enjoyable.” I winked at her and seeing her smile slightly made my heart flutter.

“What’s this about?” She asked me and I took a deep breath.

“I’ve edited your name into that document. It’s a contract marriage. I need a wife, but I don’t want someone who my father has chosen for me.” I explained the whole thing to her, making sure she understood it fully before raising her head to me after scanning through it.

“I really need your help, Iris. I could see last night that you’re devastated and broken. I didn’t mean to be a stalker, but, I kind of realized that you have no one else to turn to and….”

“How long?”

“It’s indefinite. It doesn’t stop till one of us gets tired of it and wants out. At least four years, though. By then, everything with my dad will be settled.” I told her and she nodded as she ran her fingers through her hair.

“Two conditions, though.” She took in a deep inhale and as she did, I finally noticed how red her eyes were.

“You’re right. I am devastated and broken, to say the least. Everything in my life went wrong in less than twenty four hours and I can’t even start. I can’t let it all slide like that. You have to prove my innocence. My image has been tarnished. You have to help me clear it. Secondly, I’ve read this. I’m not interested in any of your wealth. I just want you to promise me that even though this is all fake, you won’t disrespect the fake marriage…..”

“I….” She raised her head, shooting me a death glare.

“You won’t bring any mistresses back or put me to shame. I also don’t want a flashy wedding. Just get me to sign the documents and that’s all. I’m not interested in any ceremonies. Not anymore.” She said before getting off the floor as she extended her hand to me.

“If you agree, shall I call you my husband, then?”

I was left in awe as she forced a smile, leaving me with no other option than to grab her extended hand as I shook her, nodding.

“It’s a deal, wife.”

.

We flew to my parent’s the following week after a lot of practice. My father, of course, wanting to prove he was always right, tried to test Iris and I had to admit, I was scared, but she showed me I had no reason to be. She answered every single question, leaving all of us in awe, even causing him to give an instant approval to the marriage.

I was in awe. Everything about her left me in awe. How kind, sweet, cheerful, smart, beautiful, and simple she could be was something I couldn’t find in another.

The fact that she didn’t even want a single thing from me but for me to clear her name causes me to be even more surprised.

With my father’s support, like she had wanted, we tied the knot in a simple ceremony.

I didn’t know why, but, for some reason, I looked forward to a future with her.