Chapter 4

It was a Thursday, two weeks after the 'accident'. My father had been laid to rest and I had mourned him even though I held some grudges towards him.

"Mason, what are you thinking about? You must not seem absent-minded when I introduce you to my family, and embarrass me. That is one thing I won't accept." 

"Yes miss," I said without hesitation.

I was walking right by the side of Racheal, the woman that saved me, as well as my future 'wife' 

To fulfill the contract after begging her to save me, I had to do this. Anyway, this is one of them, and I had to convince myself that it wasn't that big of a deal. 

I was wearing a fancy suit and expensive, polished shoes that seemed too heavy for my feet to carry. But I did not have a stance to speak. I choosed this. And it was necessary if I wanted to seem worthy of her.

"Here," she pushed her expensive purse into my chest and I was quick to grab it before it fell.

"Carry it," She said as she strutted over the entrance of the wide-angle mansion which looked like an exorbitant hotel rather than a house. But things like these rarely got to me because I didn't care about riches and extravagant living that much.

I caught up to Racheal who was talking to the house butler, I assumed.

He offered to take Racheal's purse from me but she refused.

"Oh, let him carry it. It's his job." She faked a smile and pinched my arm before pulling me into the house with her.

Despite the gorgeous vintage interior of the house, it lacked a homey vibe and seemed like a district for acting.

"Hey," Racheal pushed me to the corner of the hallway, causing me to increase my grip on her purse so I didn't drop it. "In front of my family, you're allowed to call me by my name or pet names but don't go over the board. Remember, I can ruin you anytime because of the contract we signed so if you know what's best for you… you'd cooperate with me."

"I understand, Miss Racheal."

She linked hands with mine and gave me a final firm look before leading me to a room down the hallway which I assumed was the living room.

As she pushed the black door to the room open, I was met with a manly figure that was standing near a mini wine table in the corner and a woman in a nice pair of jacket and skirt was pouring him a drink which he seemed to be intensely focused on.

However, as Racheal forcefully slammed the door close and cleared her throat, their attention was directed towards her… and me.

"Racheal!" With his fitted suit tailored well to his slim body, the man easily walked across the room and grabbed Racheal's hands.

"My dear you look effortlessly stunning. God! This is why I enjoy you coming here, your presence makes things feel lovely and homely."

The woman that was at the table with the eccentric man stepped forward and said, "Welcome back, Racheal. We've missed you… I mean, your brother always wondered when you'd leave Australia. He says he's bored here without you."

Racheal chuckled to herself before saying, "Well, doesn't that mean you're doing a bad job at entertaining him, Victoria?"

I saw pain flash over the woman's eyes and I knew it was safe to assume that the man holding Racheal was her brother and this woman was his wife.

"Don't mind her, come," Racheal was walked to one of the fancy sofas across the room where the two exchanged words and laughed.

At that moment, I vaguely glanced at Victoria only for me to read in her expression that she was sad. I couldn't tell why but Just now, Racheal was rude to Victoria, and not only did her brother ignore it, he didn't look like he cared. This made me wonder if Victoria was bound to him with a contract like I was bound to Racheal.

"Oh, by the way, brother. I almost forgot to tell you something important."

"And what is that?" 

"I'm getting married!"

"Haha, you're joking. Who would want to marry you with that huge temper of yours?"

"Don't underestimate me, brother." Racheal scoffed and leaned back before pointing in my direction. "Him, he'll be my husband."

Racheal brother's gaze traveled to mine before he stood up from the arm of the sofa he was relaxing on.

He walked over, accessing me from head to toe like I was a monkey in his human territory but 

Still, I struggled to keep my chin up as Racheal had taught.

"Good day sir, my name is Mason Landon, it's a pleasure to meet you." I stretched my hand forward for a handshake but I was simply stared at before he turned away to think.

"Why the hell does the last name sound familiar? His face seems familiar too." After a moment to himself, he rushed to grab me by the shoulders.

"You," he said, while giving me a dirty look as we made eye contact. "I remember you. You're that murderer's son, what was his name again? Thomas Landon." He said the last part after a while.

The next thing I knew, he had his hands tied around my neck.

"Brother, stop!"

"Racheal you've been tricked! Do you have any idea who this man is? I'm sure he approached you with ulterior motives!"

I didn't let go of the purse I was holding even though I was choked up.

"Brother—"

"—Do you even know who he is, Racheal? He's a murderer's son!"

My stomach dropped upon hearing that statement. But it wasn't one I could deny. It was way beyond me.

"Let go of him!" Racheal forcefully removed her brother's grip from around my neck and grabbed her purse from my hand while I struggled to catch my breath.

"The hell, Racheal? You have no idea what you're getting into. Does Dad know?"

The door opened, and I was met with a familiar pair of dark brown eyes that peered into my soul.