"How would you feel if I say I love you ..."

SIX: AGREEMENT AND CONDITIONS.

MS. LUNA HEMSWORTH, the receptionist of Raymond Corporation, directed me, just like the other day, to get to the twenty-fourth floor.

I straightened my well-ironed clothes in the mirror of the elevator, which consisted of turtle neck white full sleeve top, a pair of dark ankle length skinny jeans and my white flats.

I didn't need to wear heels that often because I was 5'6 and heels were torture, to be honest. My hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, as my tresses cascaded like pines. My pale ivory face contained little makeup and maroon matte lipstick.

I entered the office room after knocking twice. He was seated in his chair, typing on his iOS laptop with his matriculate long fingers. He stood from his seat at my sight and nodded welcoming me. "Miss Hargrave," He greeted extending his hand.

Confidence and style were screaming through his appearance. A navy blue tuxedo set, a crisp white shirt underneath, and matching a blue tie.

And I don't know if the clothes were nice or when he wore them they became nice or  both.

I slipped my hand into his callous ones, the one which promised experience and victory in wars. His fingers wrapped around mine and my hand looked so fragile in his. A warm feeling surfaced my body and he gave a single firm shake as we maintained our eye contact. Nodding, I retraced my hands and the renting of goosebumps was an aftermath occurrence.

"Mr. Raymond," I took a seat as he motioned me to, as he settled after that, normally yet it demanded my attention, so I granted.

He was quiet for a few moments, looking at his reflection through the spotless glass placed above the wooden table. His fingers entwined in front of him and his gaze carried seriousness and wisdom. His dark eyes lifted, meeting mine intensely and I involuntarily furrowed my eyebrows, indicating question marks with a pinch of worry.

"Firstly, let me put the entire situation in front of us. Do you need anything? Coffee or tea?" He asked getting up.

"Um... Water please, " I replied, knowing very well how things end up when I am with him.

He strolled to a mini-refrigerator, at the far corner of the massive room which might have slipped from my eyesight that day, and pulled out a plastic bottle with a blue wrapper on its neck.

My eyes attended to his every move whether it was his graceful walk or the way his hand wrapped around the bottle, everything. Placing the bottle on the top of the refrigerator, he poured a cup of coffee from the espresso machine filter that was placed adjacent to the refrigerator. The air was instantly filled with the divine scent of caffeine.

The bottle was placed in front of me as he settled soundlessly on his seat. Taking a sip he said, "As you already know what's happening. You are in need of money for your NGO. And I am ready to grant money without expecting repayment of it in the future."

It felt like a brick was lifted off my chest and I exhaled. But how much I am aware of this man and his techniques, it isn't as simple as it sounds.

"But," He took a breath, "I want to marry you in return."

A heartbeat passed and another too.

Furrowed brows straightened and I blinked a few times to ensure I wasn't in a reverie. His eyes never left mine, calculating my every bit of reaction and expression.

He said it as if the earth wasn't shattering and the air wasn't ceasing into nothingness. Okay, I know it's not that serious but still. It's not even the way he's putting it like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"Sorry?" Come again, I added in my mind.

"You are overreacting-"

"Ohh, I am overreacting? Firstly you claim your girlfriend officially in front of the media. You know what consequences it had on my life. My social media sites are blowing up with a filthy comment from your ex's or your admirers. That day even a bunch of cameramen and reporters tracked me till my house. And above that, you say that I am overreacting!"

He took a long breath then looked sideways where I was huffing like a madwoman. "Okay, I understand that. But I cannot change anything even if I want to now."

There was silence after that. His coffee was long forgotten and there was a pool of cold water droplets surrounding the water bottle. We were both lost in different worlds and my brain felt crowded with so many questions.

"Why do you want to marry me?" I finally said. His eyes darted towards mine and he straightened himself after a second.

"I had no desire to marry someone like you, to be honest. I rather choose a girl who will be falling at my feet to marry her. But then again, you seem challenging," He let the words settle in the air between us. I was astonished, then angry, then blank.

"If I was in any other circumstances, I would have chosen just any random girl. Who in fact would be unfazed by marrying me but that day I  declared you as my girlfriend officially so I cannot back off now. It will tarnish and bring down my image and that will prove to be hazardous to my business. And people will chase you as well."

The air suddenly felt thick and unlike I had been expecting that he would force me to come to a conclusion on the spot, but that's not the case. He was being extremely patient and making me understand the whole situation.

"Can I say something?" I asked, looking him in the eyes. His eyes held mine before he blinked a 'yes'.

"I am confused. I don't know where this will lead. What happens next? I -"

"Please, calm down. I know that you don't even know me, let's not talk about being comfortable and trusting each other. But, even I don't want this-"

"Then why are you doing it? You are filthy rich. You can turn the world with the swap of your finger then what's stopping you here?" My voice was urgent and exasperated and needy.

"Family-pressure." And that single word made me rethink what I said.

"Okay," I took a wholesome breath. "So, what happens now?"

"We have to marry-"

"Yes, I got the part. After that?" I asked trying to get to the end of the line and cut the confusion.

"Does that mean you are agreeing to marry me?" He said, totally amused. He smiled.

"Yes," I mean why not. It's not that I would have even married a guy for the rest of my life. And if getting wedded to him brings me profit then I should seize it. And marriage was just a piece of paper. It means nothing to me, not today, not any day.

"I'll have conditions. Obviously." I said seriously, folding my hands on the table, in front of me.

"I know. And if you get a chance to object and keep your opinions, then even I should get a chance to keep mine. It should be fair. And that's how things are going to work out for next year."

One year.

"Okay. Number one, you have to clear the bills of the hospital. You know what I am talking-" I was fidgeting with my fingers the whole time and he seems to pick up the clue. I just am not so comfortable with speaking at such topics.

"Done," He said in a heartbeat, promisingly.

"I don't want you to continue with your racing games. Mrs. Raymond cannot indulge in such low, degraded activities. However, you are free to continue your noble work at the NGO."

As if I even need your permission.

I wanted to object but later decided to ignore it.

"Okay. You can also not indulge in any kind of physical activity with other women, until the end of the contract. I don't want people to question me being a wife." I smirked at his surprised face.

"Well I shouldn't have been surprised after you asking me to fuck you, but..." He gave a knowing look and chucked delightfully, and the memories of that day flooded my mind, feeling ashamed instantly.

His face never left mine, his eyes were drinking my every blink of an eye to my uncomfortable shifting on the leather chair, which suddenly felt sticky due to my sweat.

"You get one million dollars at the end of one year. The payment of the hospital bills will be deducted. And if you want you can get 50% after six months and another half at the end. Your call."

My one eyebrow raised at his offer. "But I don't want your free money. So, no thanks."

"As you wish, well if I have been you I wouldn't have kicked such an opportunity." He said grazing his fingers across his jaw, tentatively slowly. His words made me rethink and then reconsider my answer.

"Can I change my words?"

His lips formed an arrogant lopsided smile and his face radiated that he already knew I would change my mind. What a bastard!

"Sure."

"Now, let me make myself clear so you won't get wrong signals. Not that I could even stop, if you get... I cannot continue with racing during this period as you requested," I smirked and he too smirked with a nod.

His smirk made mine fade.

"And I go to the NGO only if there are anomalies and that's very rare. I cannot stay at your mansion and dream all day, now can I? So I want to work here, in your office. Thereby, I will be productive also and also will not be a gold digger."

He thought over my suggestion or rather an opinion, deeply. His eyes captured mine, as if unraveling my foul motives behind it but I kept my face neutral, not yet ready to let him unravel me.

I don't know how long we started but in the meantime, I discovered that I liked his eyes, more than I should.

They were not really dark blue, like I thought before. It was a rare combination of dark blue and grey as if his eyes were a deep ocean linden by grey stormy clouds. They drew me in and I was struggling to hold myself back.

"Okay. Tell me how you are working in the finance department." I was slightly taken back that he would let me work with him but composed quickly.

"I haven't worked before but I have studied business so we will see how it goes," I uttered truthfully and he acknowledged it with a curt nod.

"When is the wedding?" I said a little too loudly. I regretted it immediately.

He smirked and said, "In two weeks. And if I haven't known you well I would have thought that you were waiting for me to sweep you off your feet." His laughter was light as a feather and I could feel that on my arms and back causing a tingling sensation.

"Good to know that you know the truth. But I want the wedding to be planned before the week ends. The hospital won't wait for our wedding to start the procedures." I stated the obvious.

"You don't need to worry about the bills now. You just sign the contract and the payment is cleared that second itself." He promised.

"Any more conditions/objections?" He enquired.

"Yeah. I think a few more." His eyes lit up with amusement at the word 'few'.

"I don't want this extremely rich wedding and all. Just a court marriage would suffice."

"No, I cannot agree with this one. I am the most eligible bachelor of NYC and I have so many connections all over the world. They have to attend this wedding. It's mandatory. And the media... "

I shook my head. "Think of something else. But I don't want to do all those dramatic things- walking down the aisle, swearing the vows and stuff."

His lips lopped up at my confession and I shot him an angry glare." I don't see any alternative. If you have one then forward it to me."

"Um...ummm....like we can sign this matrimonial agreement and then throw a reception party or something." He looked like he'll deny it this instant so I say, "Now this can be done so there is no scope of the argument."

"You are bossy. Don't forget that I am going to be your boss and not the other way round." his voice rose with sudden anger. Warning.

"I'll take that my words have been kept." I smiled tauntingly.

"And I think that's it. Apart from a few normal things like I'll have my own room, my privacy will be respected, I won't we questioned where I go or not-"

"I'll cut you here. You have to attend the events I tell you about because they are important. And I don't want any kind of second thoughts there. I hope I made myself clear. Continue." He moves with his hands for me to go on. I don't have that big list.

"Okay, noted. You won't try to force me to come into a physical relationship with you. And that's it." His face held hurt, to my surprise, and also disappointment.

"Well, I don't need to force women and secondly, a few deeds like kissing and stuff need to be carried out in front of the audience. There is no option here. We might need to put up a show for the media."

I thought over it and realized that he's not wrong if not correct also. "Okay, but things will be limited. Holding hands and kissing on the cheek is fine to me. Nothing else should happen. And don't you dare try to cross the red line." I said strongly with a stern eye.

"Agreed."

I thought again if I wanted to add more and just as if he was reading me he said, "You can add more points if you want. Just email me." He slid his business card towards me.

"The agreement will be ready by tomorrow and let me know when you want to start the work."

"Okay. And after our marriage. Right now, I am needed at the NGO. Yeah, and add to the contract that I won't work on weekends."

He smiled a rare one and nodded. I got up and moved a hand through my dress.

"It's already ten. Come I'll walk you to your car."

I wanted to deny it but rather I said, "Sure, you going to work this late at night?"

"Yeah, a bit of work is left." He sounded so tired and wasted and I pitied him. He opened the door and headed out as I followed behind, casting a quick glance at the office room to ensure the lights and air conditioner were switched off.

We entered the elevator and to say it was uncomfortable will be wrong. It was somewhere between comfortable and uncomfortable.

Though he was surprisingly well behaved and gentlemen like. He stood adjacent to me, looking straight at the elevator's silver metal doors as I let my eyes roam everywhere. His hear radiated to reach me. It felt good.

We walked in silence through the corridor and till the main gates. There was not a single being here apart from the security guards. He asked the guard to get my car from the parking lot. He was totally contained and comfortable as if he owned the situation.

"Can I have your number so I can contact you when the contract is ready?" He asked carefully but confidently. This was rare.

"Sure." He slid his iPhone and I didn't know which model it was, not that I even cared even. I saved my number efficiently and handed him back with a nod.

My car was nearing us so I said, "Night, Mr. Raymond," with a sincere smile.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Hargrave, as always."

Likewise. I thought internally and cringed. I slid inside my car and with a last look at him I took off, with him standing there at the entrance of the building, staring at me.

***