Chapter Eight

Daniela’s POV

Fleur stood up slowly, looking between Alexander and me, as if he couldn’t believe it. It was understandable. I couldn’t believe Alexander could pull this on me with no heads up, either, but with the tightness of his hold on my waist, I knew it was no excuse to flop this. So, I smiled wider to ease the tension in the room, even though I had no certainty that I could pull this off.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you sir.” I offered my hand to him and glanced at Alexander, who still had that down-to-earth smile on his face. It was almost ridiculous. “I didn’t know I was going to meet you today. Otherwise, I would’ve have brought a gift or something.”

The elderly man’s gaze finally settled on me, and he took my hand. “Oh, it’s no bother. Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, dear. I’m just still in a bit of shock. How…”

His gaze shifted to Alexander and his hand slipped away.

“We’ve been keeping our union a secret for a while, for a number of reasons, and that’s why I’ve not been able to give you a valid explanation. I can’t marry Delphine, because I’m in love with and married to someone else.”

“Damn it, Alex,” Fleur sighed and his face began turning red. “I feel so embarrassed now.”

“You shouldn’t. The fault is all mine. But we’re not hiding anymore, and I thought it was necessary you found out from me and not the press.”

Fleur only exhaled loudly and looked at me with what was clearly sadness and disappointment. Hopefully not directed at me. I just kept smiling. “It really does make sense now. I would’ve loved to have a conversation with you, but I have to excuse myself right now. It’s been a pleasure meeting you. I hope to have a better meeting with you some other time.”

I nodded once. “Of course.”

“I’ll be leaving now, son.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

He dropped his hand and stepped away from me, taking Fleur to the door. Sudden coolness settled over me and I shut my eyes tightly in relief and frustration. Had I been getting comfortable in his proximity?

The door shut and Alexander waltzed back into the room, going round to his desk and plopping on the chair. “Sit.”

I nearly rolled my eyes. I sat down anyway, but went straight with what was on my mind. “And you couldn’t even tell me that I was going to meet him as soon as I got here. You didn’t even give me a name. What if he wasn’t so flustered and decided to ask questions? And how is introducing me as your wife to a business contact who has been wanting to pair you up with his daughter, a good idea?”

He sat back in his chair and lifted his eyes to me. The smile was gone, as was everything friendly he had put up seconds before. Now his eyes were cold, hard and annoyed as he glared at me. “What makes you think you can question me?”

I opened my mouth to retort, but thought against it. I was indeed getting ahead of myself. First, I throw the husband word around, forgetting there’s nothing sweet about this arrangement, and now this.

I lowered my head. “I’m sorry.”

Without another word, or look in my direction, he pulled open a drawer from his side and then pushed a small black box to me. I gave it one look and then looked back at him confused.

He was already staring at something else on his monitor. “Open it and wear them.”

My brows shot up. It couldn’t be what I was thinking. I lowered my eyes back to the box and did as told.

Rings.

One simple gold band, and the engagement ring was the direct opposite. There was nothing simple about the intricate patterns and arrangement of diamonds on the second gold band. They could be worn individually, but together, they were a statement, they were beautiful.

My heavenly shackles.

A sob lodged itself in my throat. “Is there really no other way to resolve this?”

His narrowed eyes met mine again. “Are you intentionally trying to enrage me?”

I swallowed. Forget this. There’s no way out of this, Ela. “No.” I shook my head and squeezed the two precious ornaments in my fist. “But if we’re doing this, there’s still so much I have to know.”

“You will be informed about what I choose, when I choose. All you have to do, is not be stupid, and do as I instruct. Now wear the damned rings.”

My eyes zoned in on a gold band on his own finger. That’s when I realised how welled up my eyes were. I tried focusing on not blinking, so the tears didn’t fall. “And you’re sure you don’t want to know anything about me?”

“I know everything I need to, and some. If I feel like there are any holes, I’ll fill them myself.”

I sniffed. This was his entire plan. To take my will, and make me useless at the same time. “Can I know if I’ll have to sign anything?” And perhaps find a loophole that can make things easier for me.

“Of course. When you move in to my place tomorrow.”

My free hand gripped the arm of the chair. “Tomorrow?”

The door suddenly opening shifted his attention from me, and I also turned to see who had caused the interruption.

It was the same guy from the interview. The younger one who asked if I really wanted that job. Right now, the way he looked between Alexander and me, the way he glared at me, I almost didn’t believe he was the same person I spoke to yesterday.

He took one look at the open black box on the table and shook his head. “You can’t actually be for real, Alex.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you’re here, Jace. Meet my wife,” Alexander chuckled and I turned back to him. He was laughing? I looked back at the man. He wasn’t the least bit pleased. From what I could tell, they were friends, since Alexander wasn’t bothered by how he entered and walked in on our not so couple-looking moment. Also, said friend clearly wasn’t in agreement with what he was doing to me. So why was he looking at me that way?

“Excuse us,” Jace, or if I remember correctly. Jason, threw at me harshly. I decided I didn’t like him either.

“Wait out in my secretary’s office,” Alexander told me. “And wear the rings before you leave.”