But just as the guards were about to attack, a voice echoed through the hallway, stopping them in their tracks.
"Enough." The guards froze, their eyes darting towards the speaker. Catarina's eyes followed their gaze, and she saw a tall, imposing figure standing at the top of the stairs. He was dressed in a tailored suit, his eyes gleaming with intensity.
"I think we've had enough excitement for one day," he said, his voice firm and authoritative.
"Bring her to my office." The guards nodded, and instead of attacking Catarina, they turned to escort her to the mysterious figure's office. Lucy's face fell, her eyes widening in shock and disappointment.
"No...this can't be happening," she muttered, her eyes fixed on Catarina's back as she was led away.
As Catarina was led to the office, she couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. She had asserted her dominance and proven that she wasn't someone to be trifled with. The guards escorted her to a large, ornate door, which they opened with a bow. Catarina stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim lighting. The office was lavishly decorated, with expensive-looking artwork and furniture. Behind the massive desk sat the man who had interrupted the guards. He was even more imposing up close, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into Catarina's soul.
"Welcome, Catarina," he said, his voice low and smooth.
"I am Zoren El'goroth. And you are...?" Catarina smiled, her eyes flashing with amusement.
"I'm here for the Aerwn herb," she said, her voice firm.
"And I'm not leaving until I get it." Zoren's eyes narrowed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"I think we can come to some sort of arrangement," he said.
"But first, tell me...what makes you think you can just waltz in here and demand something from me?"
Zoren smiled this woman was hard to find after three days not seeing her that night Zoren found himself always looking at well designed hairpin Tommy and Jonna were able to find her and keep him updated at all time.
"Mr. El'goroth I need to the Aerwn Herb," Catarina said and Zoren just smiled at Catarina.
"Countless of people have offered me 20 billion credit union Krugers what about you." Catarina dropped her mouth she isn't that rich!
"Sir please I need this herb what do you need from me?" Catarina asked. Zoren stood up and walked straight toward Catarina he leaned forward.
"Be my wife."
Huh!?
Catarina's eyes widened in shock, her mouth hanging open in stunned silence.
"What...?" she stammered, her mind reeling from the unexpected proposal. She took a step back, her eyes locked on Zoren's, trying to process what he was asking of her.
"You want me to...marry you?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Zoren's eyes seemed to gleam with amusement, his smile growing wider.
"Yes, that's right," he said, his voice low and smooth.
"I want you to be my wife, Catarina. In exchange, I'll give you the Aerwn Herb. And everything else you could possibly want." He paused, his eyes locked on hers, his gaze intense.
"But I'm not just looking for a business arrangement. I want a real marriage, with all the... privileges that come with it." Catarina's face felt like it was on fire, her mind racing with the implications of Zoren's proposal. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Marry him? Was he crazy?
Catarina had never meant this man at all!
"I refuse can you ask something else?" Catarina asked. Zoren turned around and he sat down in his office chair he looked like an emperor.
"No the door is behind you," Zoren said. Catarina clenched her fists together she clenched her teeth together she took a deep breath and she thought for a long moment.
"I…I…I…agree but I am a single mother of two kids they are twins,"Catarina said hoping this will make him change his mind.
"How funny I have a son how old are your kids?"
"Four." "So is my son how about? Anything else?" Zoren asked.
"No no I agree."
Zoren's eyes seemed to gleam with satisfaction, his smile growing wider.
"Excellent," he said, his voice dripping with triumph.
"I'll have my lawyers draw up the papers. We'll get married as soon as possible." He pressed a button on his desk, and a holographic display flickered to life, displaying a calendar.
"Let's see... how about next Saturday?" Catarina's eyes widened in horror, her mind reeling with the thought of getting married to a man she had just met. But she had agreed, and now she felt trapped. She tried to think of a way to get out of it, but her mind was a blank. She could only nod, feeling like she was making a huge mistake.
"Yes... next Saturday is fine," she stammered. Zoren's smile grew even wider, and he leaned back in his chair, looking like the cat who had swallowed the canary.
"I'll make sure to send a car for you and your children. We'll have a small ceremony, just family and close friends." Catarina felt like she was in a nightmare, but she couldn't wake up. She was trapped, and she didn't know how to escape.
"No! Sorry I don't want anyone to know about this marriage please respect my four conditions number one this marriage must be kept a secret, second please please be a good stepfather for my kids I will do the same for your son, third don't go and prey in my past, and the last thing I promise to be a good mother and wife," Catarina said the last thing she wants is people know about this she held her hands together she can't believe she is this nervous she is an assassin!
Zoren's smile faltered for a moment, and he regarded Catarina with a serious expression.
"I agree to your conditions," he said, his voice low and measured.
"But I have one condition of my own: you must trust me, and not try to leave me." He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers.
"Can I trust you, Catarina?"
Catarina's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with the implications of Zoren's condition. She was an assassin, a woman who didn't take orders from anyone. But she had agreed to this marriage, and now she had to play by Zoren's rules. She took a deep breath, and nodded her head.
"I'll trust you," she said, her voice firm. Zoren's face relaxed, and he leaned back in his chair.
"Good," he said.
"I'll make sure to respect your conditions. But I must warn you, Catarina. I'm a man who gets what I want, no matter the cost. And what I want is you." Catarina's heart skipped a beat at the intensity in Zoren's eyes. She felt a shiver run down her spine, and she knew that she was in trouble. She was an assassin, a woman who didn't feel emotions. But Zoren was stirring something in her, something she couldn't quite explain.
Catarina's mind was racing with the thought of juggling her multiple identities, now with the added burden of being a wife. She felt a sense of unease, wondering how she would manage to keep her secrets hidden. She looked at Zoren, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Let's just get this over with," she said, her voice firm.
"Oh and my dear please don't get to close to other males," Zoren said.
Catarina's eyes flashed with annoyance, her mind racing with the possessiveness in Zoren's tone.
"I'm not a child, I can take care of myself," she said, her voice cold.
"But I suppose that's a two-way street, isn't it? I expect the same from you. No other women." She raised an eyebrow, her gaze piercing.
"Can I trust that you'll keep your... extracurricular activities to a minimum?"
Zoren's smile was slow and deliberate, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"I can assure you, Catarina, I have no interest in other women," he said, his voice low and husky.
"You will be my sole focus, my wife." He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers, his gaze intense.
"And I expect the same from you. No other men, no other... distractions." Catarina felt a shiver run down her spine at the possessiveness in Zoren's tone, but she refused to back down. She raised an eyebrow, her gaze never wavering.
"I think we understand each other, husband," she said, her voice cool.