Chapter 4: Agreed Mr Stranger

Vivienne's POV

“What?” I exclaimed.

“You heard me right. Don't make me repeat myself,” he said, maintaining a straight face.

“Marriage? Of all things to ask for? How desperate are you? Can't you see I'm too young? Or are you just being wicked?”

He raised his head and fixed his gaze on me, remaining silent as I continued.

“Of all things to think of? How did you even think of this? Wait, are you joking?" I asked, but he only responded with a soft laugh.

“Do I look like I'm joking? Like you, I don’t have time to waste. We would both benefit from this arrangement, and most importantly, you need this. Take your time to think it over,” he replied calmly, yet his tone irked me.

“You mean a contract marriage?” I asked, trying to understand his angle.

“If that's what you want to call it, then yes,” he said, standing up from the chair.

“Can't I just owe you instead?” I asked impatiently.

“Owe me? No, this is a business deal. Let me know when you're ready. Have a lovely day,” he said, pausing as he turned towards me. “The alternative is working for two years without pay.”

With that, he walked out of the meeting room.

Left alone, I pondered his proposal. Marriage seemed like a drastic step, especially to someone I barely knew beyond his name. I believed in the sanctity of marriage, not rushed decisions. My plan was to marry someone I've known and most importantly love wholeheartedly. Yet, what choice did I have?

I stood up, still clutching his business card, and walked through the company. The idea of working here for free for two years was unthinkable. I will blame myself if I dare do that. “I would rather marry him than choose that,” I said aloud as I walked through the gate.

Deep down, I knew his offer was my last resort. But, no matter how I thought about it, it made no sense to me. Marriage? Who does he think he is to order me around? Trying to control my life with this whole marriage idea? It's like he's playing the boss, and I'm just supposed to follow his orders? Because he is rich?

I know I deserve better than that. I deserve a partnership based on love and respect, I glanced at my sister lying on the bed, frail and weak. If marrying him for 108 days could save her, I would do it.

Four hours later, I dialed his number from the business card. It rang twice before he picked up and remained silent.

“Hello, am I speaking to Alexander?” My voice shook, betraying my anxiety.

“And who is this?” His response came, harsh and impersonal.

“ Sorry, Sorry…." I said and ended the call.

“Vivienne, you fool, you should have just accepted his offer when he proposed to help,” I scolded myself. I've always had issues asking for help, especially with things like this; that's why I worked tirelessly. “Should I just call him back? I really have to unless I want my sister to suffer with this illness,” I thought.

As I was about to pick up my phone again from the bed, it rang loudly. It was his number calling back. I picked up immediately.

“Jessy, I told you to stop calling my number. What happened between us was just a mistake. Do you think I want anything to do with you? We are both adults. You better end this behavior before I report you for stalking and harassment,” he said over the phone.

At first, I was confused, but I quickly realized he had mistaken me for someone else.

“Really? Is that how you threaten everyone with the police?” I retorted.

“And Who is this?” I could hear the confusion in his voice.

“Oh, sorry, this is Vivienne, the one from the hospital. Do you remember, or do you want me to sue you for forced marriage and misuse of power too?” I responded.

“Oh…” His voice trailed off at first.

“You can try, but make sure your statements about trying to kill me are in order too,” he replied after a pause.

“God! I can't stand him,” I thought as I clenched my jaw.

“So?” he asked impatiently.

“I… I will agree to the marriage,” I finally said.

“Okay, good girl.”

“But please fulfill your part of the deal,” I begged.

“Which is?” he asked.

“My sister's hospital bills,” I answered.

“Oh, that's settled, my wife,” he said, laughing before he ended the call.

His casual use of 'my wife' made me cringe. But, I don't have a choice for the next 108 days.

I was about to place my phone on the bedside table when a text came in from an unknown number. I opened the message immediately, and to my surprise, it contained photos of Alexander and me in the VIP room the other night, focusing mainly on the parts where he lay lifeless on the floor.

Another video came in again. I could see myself trying to make the scene look like an accident. This alone was enough to send me to jail. I looked around the room, everything was looking normal.

My phone beeped again, and this time, it wasn’t a picture or video. It was a text which said, “As long as you cooperate, Don't worry, your secrets are safe with me.”

My hands began to shake. “Who could this be?” Immediately, my mind went to Alexander. Was this all a setup? With the marriage offer, I couldn't think the opposite. Did he really have to go this far to make me agree to the marriage? Is this a threat for me not to change my mind?

********

Angrily, I went to the company the next morning. As usual, I met the receptionist.

“Good morning, I'm here to see Alexander,” I said loudly, and she looked at me in a way I didn't understand.

“You heard me right, direct me to him,” I demanded impatiently.

“I'm sorry, I can't…” She wasn’t finished speaking when I spotted Alexander and headed straight for him, ignoring the receptionist's attempt to stop me.

Bursting through the door, I began, “How dare you—”

But the words died in my mouth as I realized my mistake, my face burning with embarrassment.