The three people sat at the round table that stood at the middle of the room, where the shallow bulb was. The atmosphere was livid, tensed and serious.
Steve had come in, in a rush pleading with Alex over his lateness. Another act that got Emily thinking. Her father would never apologize to anyone!
Alex cleared his throat and sat up in his seat which was directly opposite Steve's and Emily by the left hand side.
" Well, now that you're here we should get started. I don't have any more time to waste."
Alex said, pushing some papers that had been sitting in the table toward Steve. He brought out a pen from his shirt pocket and placed it on his on pile of papers.
Steve smiled coyly, getting hold of his own papers.
" Of course."
Alex relaxed in his chair and waved his fingers through his hair.
" Go on."
He ordered.
" Ah , yes! "
Steve exclaimed almost jumping up in his seat.
" Em, I know there are a lot of questions you'd want to ask and a couple of things you'd like to say as well. But, this setting doesn't give you the chance to do so. You only listen, accept it and do what you are told. "
Steve paused and looked toward Emily then to Alex. Both gave off faces with no precise emotion at all. Steve cleared his throat and carried on .
" Your marriage to Mr Black here, is a part of a business deal I have with him. He will sponsor and fund the business in the mean time and you were given as a collateral. "
Steve stopped to take in some air. The death glare Emily was giving him was enough to choke him to saturation. I drank some water from the water that was placed in front of him.
Alex sat up and placed his hands on the table. He picked up his pen and turbes to look at Emily.
" I am aware that you were supposed to marry Giovanni. Meaning that this business would have been a deal with Giovanni if he hadn't run off. Luckily for you, Steve reached out to me on time.
Major aspects of my life is business. Our marriage inclusive and in these papers are the contract necessities that have to be signed before the end of this meeting. "
Alex looked at Emily intently, like he was expecting her to say something. And she did.
". So I understand that I am being used as a 'collateral' so long you fund and sponsor my father's new business. What I don't understand is what you stand to gain? "
Alex took a breath and looked into the papers in his hands. He gave Emily no attention.
" I've told you that questions irritate me and I see you won't learn but like I said, major aspect of my life is business and i have no intentions of discussing anything of the sort with you. I believe Steve didn't mention that the contract is to last for a year or did you Steve? "
Alex said, turning to Steve with one brow raised.
Steve shifted uneasily in his seat.
" Er… yes Em. The contract is to last for a year and after that you can return home. Hopefully the business flourishes."
A tear trailed down Emily's cheek. She nodded quietly and sniffled.
". And if it doesn't? "
She asked.
" It most definitely will , my dear. "
Steve replied her. Bringing out two pens and giving one and few sheets of the paper to Emily.
" You should read through it thoroughly. If you have any objections or proposals, let me know in five minutes."
Alex interrupted, signing through his own papers and passing them to Steve while Steve did reverse.
Emily read through the papers and signed with shaky hands. It was over. Her life was over. This new change would be it. The end.
". Done."
She said standing up from the chair whilst tugging her sleeves. Her eyes were puffed out. She was very weary and just wanted to take a long nap.
The two men shake hands and each takes his share of the documents.
" Spare me few minutes with my daughter Mr Black."
Steve's voice echoed through the room.
Alex looked at him , then at Emily.
" Make it fast "
He said.
" I'll be in the car. "
… … .
Back home, all through the evening Emily could not make sense out of anything her Father had told her. He was a very cunning man but she thought he was of shallow intelligence. He disgusted her. Now she was stuck with an annoying and domineering man for the next twelve months. She swirled and turned in her bed. Her stomach was in knots. She was hungry but wouldn't eat. She didn't know who she was punishing. Her health or her father's ego?
Martha got tired of pleading with her to eat and dropped a bowl of fruits on the bedside table instead. She walked hesitantly to the door and turned back to look at Emily.
" When Alex says it's business, it's business. You can't do anything about it so you had better eat up and stop punishing yourself. Crying as well won't let you out of the situation. Get used to your new life Emily. I'll always be here for when you need me."
Emily shot her head toward the older woman.
" Has he always been like that?"
" Well, he's headed here now so you can ask him yourself."
Martha said sharply and exited the room.
" Welcome Alex! "
Emily heard Martha greet through the corridor. She couldn't stand him tonight. She sank her back deeper into the bed and placed a pillow over her face.
" If you're trying to kill yourself I'd advice we do it a hotter way don't you think?"
Alex's voice boomed through Emily's room. He dragged a chair that was around the corner and sat on it.
Emily lifted the pillow and looked at Alex. The damn man was on no shirt and a gym short. His scent suddenly filled the room. He reeked of alcohol and sweat. Emily sat up with crossed arms over her chest.
" I do not appreciate you walking in here without excuse Alex"
" first time you call me by my name. I'll give you that leverage."
Alex replied , standing up and walking toward the bed. He inhaled rather too harshly and trailed his fingers down Emily's shoulder. The red sleeveless night wear she wore was sexy, leaving her subtle soft skin out. Her eyes widened at Alex's touch.
" you know you shouldn't wear a dress like this Emily "
Emily's voice hitched.
" It's.. it's a night wear. I should be comfortable in .. in bed "
Alex chuckled.
" In bed hmnn? "
" Alex, the contract stated no children! "
Emily let out. Pulling the blanket to cover her more. Alex's hands wouldn't stop touching her as it was now on her thighs. She wondered if it was the alcohol or if he was an abusive man asides being domineering.
Alex cocked his head to the side.
" Yes. No children. It didn't state no sex did it?"