Ivan's POV
I impatiently stared at my watch, I was getting anxious for my meeting with my lawyer and this long meeting with my sales board didn't help at all.
"That's how we will increase sales this month Mr. Xander"
I immediately pulled out from my trance after hearing Garrett speak, I hadn't really been listening for a while. As much as I want to pretend to agree with him, I can't because I didn't follow and I can't afford any risk to my company due to hasty decisions.
" Am sorry but I still don't understand the whole process", I said as politely as possible. "Could you explain the details better later?".
Upon saying this, I smiled and stood up from my sit.
" Thank you all for your contributon, this meeting is dismissed".
I looked at Garrett with a sorry expression and immediately walked out of the room.
I sighed in relief as I walked into my personal elevator, it was the only place at work, where I could breathe a clean non shared air.
As soon as the elevator had opened, I quickly put on my sunglasses and strode out of the building to my car to avoid anyone talking to me even if it was a greeting.
****
"Sorry I am late", I said with a quick handshake to my lawyer.
"It's okay, I needed a few minutes to myself", he replied with a polite smile.
I offered back his smile as quick as possible.
"So what have you got that will help", I quickly spoke up to focus on our main discussion.
He didn't reply for a moment until I gave him a really you have to talk look.
"There is only one way to gain custody over your sister at the moment"
" I would do anything for my sister Cyrus".
He sighed and handed out a document to me. "You have to get married Ivan, its the only way"
I shook my head, I didn't want to get married and I never intended to. Marriage was disastrous, it destroyed my mother. She had married my father and he cheated on her and she killed herself in front of me. It destroyed a part of me, but worse it destroyed my family, a family where my sister had both a father and mother. And now I was been asked to pick up the same instrument of destruction.
" I know its hard Ivan, but its the only way the court will allow you to gain custody over Cassie and not your uncle".
I sighed, he was right, I couldn't let my uncle take custody of my sister. He was too much of a snake to take care of a bird like my sister.
Before I could go on with my never ending thoughts, Cyrus interrupted.
"It doesn't have to be a life long marriage, it could be a short term contract marriage with anyone willing to do it especially for the money", Cyrus spoke out pushing the document he handed over to me earlier closer. "Take a look at it".
I didn't reply him, he did have a great plan. I took a look at the document and read the details. My eyes immediately settled at the amount, it wasn't much but I felt a bit guilty wasting my money for this but I quickly reminded myself I was doing all of this for Cassie.
"I will do it", I finally replied with a deep breath. " But how will I find someone as absurd that will be willing to do this?".
"You are Ivan Xander, it would be easy to find someone", he replied with a sly smile.
****
I stared hard at the marriage contract as I sat down on a the bench in my favorite spot, it was close to a fountain I had come everyday to clear my head ever since well I lost my parents. I tried to think of someone that could help with this. No one was on my mind right now, as a matter of fact, no woman had ever been on my mind.
I stood up and begin to pace around, trying to recall all the women I had met in my life. In the process walked further away from one fountain with the contract held in a firm grip.
It was already 8pm and I hadn't thought of anyone yet. I sighed and was about to sit back when I heard a woman's voice.
I wanted to quickly walk away but I realized the woman was alone and she was crying. I wanted to excuse myself but it seemed she didn't know anyone was around and she seemed to be in the moment of pouring her heart out and I didn't want to spoil that moment.
I patiently stood still and waited for her trying my best not to listen to her vent out her emotions. But I failed in doing that, I heard everything she said and I realized she was facing a lot. And as sick and selfish as this was, it was an advantage to me because she had helped me find my business partner for my marriage contract she was going to be the one. Besides I could not only help her by this contract, I was going to prevent her from taking her life if she agreed to be my partner for my contract.
As soon as she turned around and begin to leave, I quickly called out to her.
"Hey, Miss!!"
She quickly turned a round in suprise mostly because she just realized someone which was be was there with her and probably heard everything she said.
I confirmed this for her when I said, "I have a proposal for you that could help us both".
She laughed lightly and turned around probably thinking was a psyho or something
I didn't give up, I still spoke out, " I heard everything you said, am sorry it was wrong of me but I have a way we could put both get want we want out of our messed up situation".
I knew what I said worked because she turned around with a curiosity spread across her red puffy face.
"And how do you intend to do that?"
I took a deep breath as I prepared to say the most absurd thing that I have ever said in my life.