CHAPTER 10: You have been mortgaged to me!

" You sure took your precious time coming, princess." Asher said from the dining, almost done with his plate. One could clearly hear the bouts of sarcasm from his tone. Sarcasm and poorly hidden distaste.

" I had to do a few things. " Emma managed to say, trying her best not to run for the heels. This man managed to be intimidating even while doing the most basic things!

" If you say so. Come over, I don't have much time."

Asher dropped his plate, already tired of the meal and ready to finally begin with the business of the day. He originally planned to have breakfast with her to find out where her headspace was at but due to her unnecessarily late appearance, that script was out the window.

He didn't have time to play house with her or even try making her comfortable. He was going to rip the band-aid off and see where their exchange led.

Asher wasn't stupid. He had long realized the fact that she was persuaded by Mrs Adams. From her unsure posture and steps, it was certain the fact that she was persuaded by something. Or in her case, someone.

Emma was stupefied the more she drew nearer. Her eyes widened at the feast of assorted meals placed on the dining table. Naturally, her stomach growled, having perceived the wonderful delicacies and mouth watering dishes before her.

It was in thst moment she realized just how hungry she was. She needed to eat. A fact that was totally useless to her seconds ago while she descended the stairs.

Emma stood by the extreme of the large dinning room with her eyes trained on the assorted meals readied on the table. She didn't even remember there was a person seated and waiting for her. For her to come into her senses!

Her mouth was slightly opened and gave a view of her cute rabbit-like front tooth. A trait she could proudly announce came from her mother. Who, bless her soul, was also one of the terrific cooks she was privileged to meet in her lifetime.

" Do you make an habit of Spacing out or are you just doing this to annoy me?" Asher's confused voice rang out. he had been waiting for her to finally acknowledge him and hopefully move on to the next agenda but it seemed like she was hell bent on frustrating him.

Both literally and figuratively.

She stared at the food like she was seconds away from devouring it. Like that was her main reason for showing up and Asher suddenly felt like he'd been sidelined. Kicked to the curb by the meal he prepared to serve them both.

Weirdly, he felt the need of clearing out the place. He wanted attention. Every single attention she had to offer. There was a serious matter on hand and she needed to focus on him.

Not the table. Not the food. Him! This line of thoughts birthed his next words.

" Stop moping around, airhead! You can have the damned meal at a later time. I don't have all day." He barked with furrowed eyes and almost smiled when he saw her fumble on her steps and drew closer to him.

Emma was stunned at his raised voice but stumbled none the less towards him deciding it was best to get it over with. The fact that he had so loosely insulted her wasn't lost on her but she choose not to dwell on it.

She was leaving anyway and it was partly her fault for salivating over the oh so delectable meal presented before her. She figured she might as well hold on to her cravings and get the needed information before hopefully heading out.

" G-good morning. I apologize for the time but I have a couple questions that needs answers." She said bravely, not giving attention to the aroma of the meals that wafted up her mouth and nostrils as she spoke.

After seeing him up close, Emma was stupefied and wondered just how someone could be so beautiful. It was unfair! How in the world does a man have such fair skin and unique coloured eyes. It was the finger of God!

" You may seat. If you had questions, maybe you should have come a tad bit earlier." Asher said begrudgingly and watched her take a seat chairs away from him. At this point, Asher was losing the last shred of patience he had towards her.

" Come closer." He added, almost feeling like he was talking to an unreasonable child.

Emma dutifully stood up and drew closer to him, this time around, one chair away. With the look on her face, Asher knew she was at her wits end. There was no way she was moving any further than that.

He willed himself to accept it and immediately began.

" I am Mr. Braxton. I believe you have an idea why and how you were brought here?" He started out, wanting to know exactly how much she knew about the whole fiasco. With all his discoverings about her, he wouldn't have been surprised if she knew nothing of why she was here but he wanted to hear directly from her.

Gather his own data so as to be sure of what approach was best to table his proposal.

" I am Emma Steele. Why am I here?" She replied, returning the gesture and immediately pushing for more sensitive matters. Asher noticed her eagerness to waive the foreplay and immediately got in sync with her.

" You were brought in by your people. You are the promised bride of the Braxton's family and this is to fulfill that promise." He spoke in riddles, trying to see if she was honestly as innocent as she seemed.

Emma was confused. Surely they had the wrong person. There was no way on earth she was going to become bride of someone she didn't know.

" You must be mistaken, mister." She said with rapt attention and total conviction. She didn't even belong with the Steeles anymore. They had pretty much made that clear to her all through her years growing up.

They had done worse and so she didn't expect to be sent to such a beautiful place to be a promised bride. Neither did she think Talia was in the question as she was already taken.

Emma didn't expect the pain she felt at the admission that Talia was taken. Then again, she remembered the person that did the taking and she just wasn't surprised anymore. Would she ever get used to the discomfort in her heart over the events of the previous day? Did she need to?

" You are Emma Steele. Daughter of the late Mr Steele and supposed heir of the Steele Shoes. Am I wrong?" Asher read out like a mantra ingrained in his head. After which, he raised an eyebrow as though daring her to refute his claims.

" What are you? " Emma asked, now feeling scared. No one knew her real identity. She was aware of the fact that tons of money had been paid to hide her existence so for someone to clearly know her was frightening.

Was she being kidnapped for money?

Emma quickly discharged the thought when she remembered she was in fact sent here by her step mother. Surely that meant she wasn't being kidnapped.

Does it mean she was actually supposed to marry him? Was that why she was brought here?

" I drew up a contract. One that would be beneficial to both of us." Asher said, pushing the envelope towards her direction. " This is a golden opportunity for you. All you need to do is sign the documents and leave the rest to me."

Emma watched with a bewildered look on her face. She didn't understand what was going on. What was he getting at? She was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

" I'm sorry, Mr Braxton. But I do not know what you are saying. I really need to get going now so if you'll excuse–"

Emma made to get up but was cut off by a loud warning.

" Don't move an inch and don't test my patience. " Asher said with a high octave voice and immediately threw back a cup of water. " See it this way. You have been mortgaged to me by your family and because I don't care to keep you for too long or unnecessarily waste each of our time, I decided to make things easier."

Asher pointed at the closed envelope before continuing. " Enclosed within is a marriage agreement for two years. After which you get a substantial sum of twenty million dollars for your time. More detailed clauses you can find inside." He stated without a blink.

Emma was shocked. Twenty million d-dollars? Was this some kind of prank? How then could she explain his serious countenance and outlook?

" You are kidding. Right? " She said, desperate to get a clear picture.

" I am a very busy man, Emma Steele."

" I think you have the wrong person! I'm sorry but I have to go." She said and immediately rushed out of his sight, determined to leave the huge and complex house.