5. Who's laughing now?

Lucy’s POV

I laughed at him and asked, "Are you crazy? Do you want me to marry you? What? What are you all talking about? I'm going crazy because of you."

"Do you really think I'm just kidding?"

I laughed so hard that I had tears in my eyes and shook my head. "No, you're not. If there is a lawyer asking me to sign, I will believe you. But it won't happen, I'm not going to marry you over my dead body." 

It looked like he was really upset, and then he got a call. He answered it with a darkened expression. "Yes?"

Then he looked at me, finished the call, and made a serious face. "I need to leave now. But don't be so happy right now. You're going to be mine soon, you’ll be one of my properties. So don't laugh at me like that."

I pressed my lips together and gazed toward him. Because every word he spoke seemed so sure-sounding that I was at a loss for words.

Then he left me speechless. 

**************************

The Next Day, 

I got up at the crack of dawn in preparation to face the ruthless man today. Last night, I couldn't stop thinking about him, especially the first time we met at the club. I almost gave in, but thank God, nothing disastrous happened between us. 

I waited in the lobby for his secretary to give me a call. At that moment, I noticed that his secretary was waving for me to come in. A smile spread across my face as I got to my feet and entered. She whispered, "Good luck, the boss is not in the mood today." 

Then I closed the door behind me.

That's when I saw Arman. He was busy looking over some heavy files on his desk. He looked at me with a wrinkled face and commanded, "Sit." 

"Good morning, sir." I spoke and sat down in the chair.

He let out a sigh and smiled as he gave me the blue folder. "Could you please read that and let me know what you think?"

I asked nervously but with a smile on my face, “Uhm, is this about our agreement?” 

“Yes.” 

I looked down at the piece of paper and read every word until my forehead wrinkled and my face turned red with anger. I bit my lower lip and asked him, "What is this about?" 

He said coolly, "Our agreement, Miss Hansley."

“No—” 

“I’m dead serious. I want you to be mine. I can't wait to call you my slave.” He winked at me playfully but his face shifted into serious expression immediately.

“No, I’m not going to marry you.” 

"You have to marry me, whether you want to or not. Under our rules, you are the only woman I can marry. If you marry me, you can pay off all of your dad's debts in a year. Sounds good, right?" 

I gasped in astonishment and asked, "What is this? You expect me to follow your orders?" 

"That is the most important rule. I'm in charge of everything. You're unfortunate to have inherited your father's billion dollar debt. I'm sorry, Lucy. Take it or not, you belong to me now."  He smiled proudly and was enjoying seeing my reaction.

“You’re evil.” 

“Am I evil? I don’t think so.” 

Then he leaned in and said, “So who’s laughing now?” 

I stared at him furiously, my mouth contorting into a scowl. It made me want to punch him and kill him in front of me, but I guess getting married to him is better than going to jail. I got up and sighed. "I don't understand how you can feel good when you see other people suffer." 

"Lucy, I'm loving every minute of it." He grinned. 

Though my hands shook as I took his pen, I signed our deal with tears running down my cheeks. He smiled happily as he saw my signature and said, "Perfect. I'll send you a copy next week. This paper will be legalized by my lawyer. That means you can't get away from me."

“Do you really think that I’ll run away from you?” 

He stood up and fixed his suit. "Well, maybe you'll escape with your lover."

"My boyfriend left me with my cousin," I said with a sour face and a bitter laugh.

Then continued, "Our agreement will only be a year of pain, so maybe I can handle it." 

I turned around and was about to open the door when he grabbed the back of my arm and locked the door so easily. He leaned me against the door, and his hot breath was on my neck, "I want to try something." 

“What?” 

“Rule number 1, you have to obey me.” 

"Does the agreement take effect today?"

He smirked and pulled me closer to him. "Yes, and I'd like to kiss you again."

“H—HUH?!”