Ava Moreno.
I sat with my back straight and legs crossed as I skimmed through the pages of contract laid before me.
A week had passed since Ethan returned to New York and there had been pressure on us to get everything done, the marriage and other necessities in three weeks.
Ethan and I had agreed to meet at this restaurant today, to tender each of our contracts which states the regulations we would be abiding by in the marriage facade.
I took a quick glance at my phone and it was past 10am. I sighed. He had kept me waiting for more than thirty minutes.
"Well maybe this is a good excuse for this whole marriage stuff to not even work out", I said to myself, grabbing my purse and the contract, ready to get out of the restaurant.
I raised my head up to see Ethan standing by the window, his hands deep in the pockets of his tailored suits, his profile lit by the morning sun.
I rolled my eyes as he winked and walked to where I was sitting. He didn't say a word. He shrugged off his coat and tossed it carelessly over the back of the chair.
"You're late", I announced like he wasn't already aware of it.
"Well I was deciding whether this was worth showing up for", He shrugged.
I scoffed. "And do you think I also want to be here? I don't think you've noticed, gentleman, but you're not the only one being forced into this"
Ethan moved his chair closer, resting both of his elbows on the table slowly and deliberately. "Forced?", His voice low but echoed. "You think I want to marry my brother's leftover?"
I clenched my jaw and my fist tightly. "I told you I'm not a property", I said through my teeth.
"Oh okay, princess", he smirked.
How did he even know that? Leo and I never went public with our relationship.
"Are you doing a background check on me?", I crossed my arms.
"It's a universal knowledge. You think you're worth my time?", He stared.
I ignored his question and continued, " I don't want your charm, Ethan. I want honesty"
"You're on the right track", He replied.
I looked away, clearly uninterested in whatever he was doing or saying at that moment. I looked around, searching for where he had hidden his contract.
"Hello, what are you scrutinizing me for?", He suddenly asked.
"I can't seem to find your own contract", I replied.
He laughed. "As I previously mentioned, You're not worth the time. Plus, my contract terms is all simple"
"What is it?", I asked.
He turned fully now, his eyes locked on mine. "We play the role, you know the whole marriage thingy in public. Behind closed doors? Total strangers", He clasped his hands silently.
I giggled. "We're getting married, Mr Theodore. Of course, there would be expectations."
He leaned in again, slightly but enough for me to smell his dark and smoky cologne.
"You aren't my type, princess. Don't flatter yourself", He said with a smirk.
My jaw tensed but I refused to react. "The feeling is mutual, darling. You don't even look like my worst mistake"
"Good. We understand each other", He said and attempted to stand up.
"Uhm excuse me, Mister.", I said and swiped my contract across the table to him.
"What is this?", He frowned.
"You aren't the only who gets to make the rules around here", I scoffed and crossed my arms. He tightened his lips as he flipped through the pages of the contract, his eyes dancing over the words.
"I think my simple terms already covered everything on here",he passed the contract back to me.
"Selfish, are we? No touching, no pokenosing into each other's business", I glared at him, flipping through the last pages of the contract.
Ethan chuckled without a mirth, the sound low and obviously mocking. "No poking into business. Cute"
I raised my head up look at him. "I'm serious"
"Ava, do I have to say it again that I'm not that interested in you. This is just business. A transaction. Let's not make things complicated for each other, okay?"
"Exactly", I shrugged.
"Oh and since its like that. "No late night conversations or confessions, no unexplainable and unexpected jealousy games. You live your life and I live mine", He said without a care.
I pushed the contract back to him, flipping the pen his way. "Sign it"
He did, with a single stroke and no hesitation. I took the pen next and added my signature, sealing a future that neither of us wanted.
A marriage not of love, but of power, secrets and storm waiting to erupt.
"So Ethan, about the wedding...", I began.
He laughed loudly and everyone turned their attention to us. I rolled my eyes at him. Why is he so uncouth?
"What's funny?", I asked.
"You seem so excited to marry me, Ms Moreno. Aren't you betraying my brother?", He whispered before standing up.
He continued. "I don't care about any of this. Let's just do this and get it over with, princess", He replied and walked away.
I hate him.
Before I returned to the office, I decided to check in on Leo in the hospital.
"I heard my brother is back to marry you", Leo said weakly as I entered his ward.
"Nice to see you too, Leo", I rolled my eyes at him.
I sat beside him, holding his hand.
"How do you feel?", I asked.
"How do you want me to feel, Ava?"
"Better"
"Sounds like a curse", He laughed
"Leo..."
"So how is Ethan?", He asked randomly
"Why are you bringing him up?", I frowned.
"Because he's your soon to be husband and he..."
"It's a transaction", I crossed my arms
"Oh so what are you gaining from it and what is he gaining?"
I didn't want to tell Leo I was marrying his brother because I wanted to find answers about my parents death.
"Leo, do you even know your father put us up to this?"
"Of course, he's so ready to dispose me off"
"Leo..."
"Ava, be careful of Ethan. He's not who he appears to be. Don't be carried away by his charm. As soon as I'm lucky enough to get out of this bed or if not, let's get married", He said and I was taken aback. That was the first time he talked to me about getting married.
"Why should I be careful?"
"Ethan is not who you think he is"
"I never even though of him as anything", I said silently.
"The Theodores are full of schemes", I thought to myself.
"Funny how Ethan always shows up when things go south", He said again, this time serious.
I didn't reply. I just sat, my eyes scanning the whole ward. Then I noticed. I saw it. It was right behind the flower vase placed on the floor. I stood up and picked it up.
I raised it up, turning it to Leo. He raised his brows as an half smile escaped his lips.
It was a photo of me. Candid recent and not from the time we were together. I didn't say a word. I just wanted an immediate answer without asking questions.
With aloofness, he said, "You're not as careful as you think, Ava"
"Are you keeping tabs on me, Leo?", I crossed my arms.
"Why would you say it like that? That makes it feel like I'm commiting a crime. I'm just being careful"
"Careful with what?", I said, almost yelling.
"I'm protecting you from Ethan"
"How is that so?", I asked immediately.
Without a reply, he closed his eyes, slowly drifting to sleep.
I sighed. This was weird. Why would he have a picture of me in this room? I pulled the duvet up his body, kissed his forehead and walked out quietly.
I decided to go to Bellshurst to go cool my head off. I needed a break from the Theodores.
I wasn't expecting to see him there. Not in Bellshurst, a hidden members only clubhouse nestled behind a closed old gallery. I came here to wind off, and to breathe. I didn't expect to see my future husband nursing a whisky in the dark corner of a black booth.
But there he was, Ethan Theodore.
I almost turned back. Almost. But then his gaze lifted deliberately and heavy and our eyes met as if they had planned it behind our backs.
So I walked in. He didn't rise, he just tilted his glass towards the chair opposite his.
"Can't seem to get enough of me, can you?", He said, his voice low and indifferent.
"You flatter yourself, fiance", I said sarcastically before sitting down.
"Didn't take you for a Bellshurst girl", he said again.
"Shouldn't you be picking suits for the wedding to make your grandeur entrance?", I expressed, spreading my fingers like I was opening a door.
His lips curved sharply, "I don't make entrances, I make exits."
I didn't flinch. "Is that how it was with Leo? Exited before it got messy?"
He didn't say a word. The silence thickened. I leaned in and continued. "You know when I visited him earlier, he seemed amused. Or maybe he was just hiding something from me. Like he knows something about you that I don't"
"You shouldn't know anything about me? I don't know you", He replied coldly.
I ignored him and continued, "I think he's entertained I'm playing wife to his older brother", I leaned back, resting my back on the booth as if I'd won with my words.
Then his glass hit the table with a soft but deliberate thud.
"Don't talk to me about Leo"
"Did that strike a nerve?", I smirked.
"This is violation of our contract, don't you think? No late night conversations ", He crossed his arms.
"We aren't married yet, Mr fiance. The contract is valid as of officiation of marriage", I replied curtly.
"Stop calling me fiance. We aren't engaged"
He shook his head and sipped a little from the whisky before standing up and walking away.