Chapter Four
Natasha's eyes were wide, surprise evident in her face as she looked at the stranger offering her something weird and ridiculous.
"Married?" she voiced out her thoughts, her face now hosting a frown.
"Yes, married" he confirms with a nod.
"What why? I don't even know you" the frown deepened.
"I know" he takes in deep breath and let it out slowly. "I know this sounds ridiculous and-"
"Yes, it is" she interrupts him but he continued.
"-you might be wondering what's wrong with this man" she nods in agreement. "This is the best plan we can muster to get back at them for what they did to u-you" he nearly slipped.
She can't know his real reason.
"Why?" she asked the obvious question.
"Because you deserve better"
"How does getting married connects with that? Again, I barely know you" she states.
"I know, but it will be a fake marriage. To the world, a world class billionaire is marrying a beautiful woman who he loves so much but between us, it's all fake. A ruse to get back at our enemies" he smiled.
"You're a billionaire?" she inquired in surprise.
"That's not what is important. What is important is you getting revenge on them" he tried to convince her.
Natasha stays quiet for the most time and sighs as she thinks of what to say.
"How will getting married help with the revenge ploy?"
"You just got shamed and rejected by your boyfriend of so many years right in the eyes of so many people. I can imagine the shame, humiliation you got from that" as he spoke, his teeth grind hard against each other like he was remembering a certain event that almost cost him all that he had.
"Why do you want to help me?" she asked, uncertain of his intentions.
They just met, he could have a bad motive towards this. She didn't want to be caught in the midst of something that will bite her in the butt later.
Philp paused to think of what believable thing he could tell her that will make her want to go ahead with his plans. He had masterminded all these for a long time, but was just waiting for a window of opportunity to open up, so he could strike.
"I said it earlier, you deserve bett-"
"That's not the reason, why do you want to help me?"
He sighs and said the only thing that came to mind.
"I… there's this business deal that should come to me but I need to be married first to get it" it was a partial truth "I didn't want just any woman because majority just want my money or carry my baby so they can have a share in my properties. I didn't want a greedy woman, then I saw you and how you were treated, I couldn't stand it and also thought we both could earn from this deal" he explains to her and she begins to reason with him.
"We just have to get married and no form of intimacy?"
"Just on paper and we will do our business while going ahead with our plans for revenge"
Natasha nods her head, satisfied with his response.
"We have a deal then" she put her hand forward for a handshake.
"I will have the papers ready to sign by this evening and we can plan when to announce our engagement" he smiled and she reciprocate it.
Natasha nods her head and frowns when something crossed her mind.
"You kept saying our enemies and our revenge, do you have any vendetta against any of them?" she asked a question that brought chills down his spine.
…The next day…
Natasha comes back to her home to gather her stuffs ready to start a new stage in her life. Her family were quite shocked by her demeanor. The once heartbroken and sad girl who ran out of the hall looked lively, happy and cheerily greet them as she passed by.
"Natasha dear" her mother called her attention. She stopped abruptly and walked closer to her mum, still maintaining the smile on her lips.
"Do you need me for something mum?"
"I know you are still heartbroken about what happened yes-"
"No mum" she interrupts her. Maintaining her smile. "I am over it. I am over Tony, he's not worth my time or tears" she shook her head.
"This is denial and it's nor-"
"I am not in denial mum. I have accepted what happened and decided to move on." She shrugged and tried to sound as believable as she could "He was right anyways, I should have seen all the signs and not let whatever feelings I have for him overtake me. I am done with him and I have moved on"
"That's good to hear honey. Finally, you can see that he's not good for you and you deserve better" her dad encouraged and stands on his feet to give her a hug. "We are here for you always" he holds her firmly in his arms.
"Awwn, I think I deserve a hug too" Tony's voice sounded from the door, a bright smile on his lips.
Anger flashing in Mr. Allen's eyes as he charges at him. "How dare you come into my house after all you did to my daughter?"
"Oh please, Mr. Allen, don't try to be all goody-good in her eyes. We both know the truth about our breakup and all that's happening"
Natasha's fathers body went rigid at the words of Tony. He turns to look at his daughter and wife, guilt written on his face.
"What is he talking about dad?" I asked, curious to know what all these is all about.
"Baby girl, I am sorry. It shouldn't have to be this way" he apologized, feeling very remorseful.
"Awwn, since daddy didn't tell you, let me enlighten you" he smiled sarcastically and handed Natasha a sealed document. Her dad tried to snatch it but she walked away from him and opened it with shaking hands.
She read through the file and couldn't believe what she just read. The place suddenly got hot and she found it hard to breathe properly.
Looking up at her dad, she asked with tearful eyes. "Is it true? What's written here, is it true?" the tears fell slowly down her cheeks.
"It was for your own good darling, believe me"
"Paying a man to date your daughter and dump her in the worst possible way is for my own good? Wow" she laughs sarcastically and threw the document on the floor. "I am just a pawn in your stupid games" she cried and ran out
of the house with tears streaming down her cheeks.