Chapter 4 COBH

Shelia's Pov

"A contract relationship or a contract marriage?"

"A contract marriage. Be my wife, I'll give you everything you want."

"Are you kidding me right now?" I questioned Xander with wide eyes.

"Is that the payback you want for freeing me from the false allegations or for bringing me back to my parents' house?"

"Both," he responded bluntly.

"You really can't be serious. I'm just coming out of something toxic and I need time to heal, I'm not even ready for marriage as we speak. So, stop pulling my legs." I glared at him, willing him to tell me that what he had just said was nothing but a joke.

However, from the look in his eyes, I knew he wasn't joking. Xander hardly ever joked, the only thing that came from his lips were truths. Truths that hurt, that stung every inch of your body, and that reminded me of another reason why I broke up with him. He was honest to a fault and I never liked it.

"Why? You can't comprehend that I would want to continue a relationship with you, even though it's purely contractual?" He emphasized the 'purely'.

"Or is it that you are still in love with me so you don't want to take your chances." Xander took two steps towards me, his height towered over my body. He was so much taller than me that I had to raise my head to meet his. And upon doing that, I realized that we were standing closer than I would have liked, so I wanted to step back.

Xander didn't let me, he held my wrists and pulled me closer, then turned me around so my back was leaning on his car and he was in front of me. He was so close that I could feel his warm breath on my face.

His proximity was intoxicating and despite every rational thought of mine telling him to push me away, I was frozen in place. The warmth of his breath, his deep voice-everything took me back to years ago when we were still together. I had sworn back then never to let him have this power over me again.

"You're wrong." I said firmly and pushed him away, "I'm not in love with you, Xander. It's been such a long time, don't be hung over the past."

A flicker of something crossed his eyes but it went as quickly as it appeared and was replaced by a cold calculating look.

"Good. Because this has nothing to do with love." He replied, his voice was low.

"Then why? What's the reason for you suggesting a contract marriage?" I questioned, I wanted to know what his goal was.

"Well for one, my parents are urging me to get married..." He began.

"And I don't see why it's my business..." I raised an eyebrow but he glared at me for interrupting him, I gulped down saliva and bit my lips to stop myself from speaking.

"My parents are urging me to get married and your parents have signed an agreement with me concerning their company. They want me to be your husband, and help them with an issue concerning the company which you'll get to find out soon. They plan to make you the heir to that company. I do not need marriage now and could have easily declined, but..."

"But what? Did you come up with this crazy plan? You knew my parents have always loved you, so you took advantage of..."

"Enough! They accepted you back thinking you would agree to this, but it seems we're not on the same page, maybe you should tell them your stand, and hear from them. This will benefit you, especially in your pregnant state, true or false?" He glanced down at my stomach.

"I'm doing you and your family a favor. If I were you, I would use this chance to get revenge on that man who tricked you. What's worse to a man's ego than seeing someone he controlled getting with another man who's much richer and bigger than he is? He'll be bound to come running back to you, and that woman... Your best friend, is it? She'll be so angry that she might jump off a bridge and die." Xander said without blinking an eye, I couldn't help but laugh at his description.

"You're always so gory. But getting revenge on Allen is something I can do without your help. I'm sorry, Xander but you're alone on this one. You have to find something else for me to repay you with." I wanted to leave but his next words stopped me.

"Your parents' company is falling. In a few months, they'll crumble and be buried under dust." He dropped the bomb and I froze. If you agree to my terms, they'll make you heir to that company. Do you understand what I just said or I should take my leave?

"W... what do you mean? My parent's company is going to..." I shook my head, "You're joking. This must be some kind of hoax for you to force me to do what you want. I won't... I won't..." I was cut off by a familiar voice.

I turned around to see my mother standing with her fists clenched. Inside, she looked like the strong mother I knew, but now, she seemed so frail that she would fall over with the breeze.

"Mom, what he's saying, it's not true right? Tell me it's not... true." Tears started dripping from her dark eyes and her shoulders started shaking.

"Oh..." I mumbled. So, it is true, "How did it happen?"

"Your dad was framed for something he had no idea ofthe government. Even though it's a private company, they seized everything inside, including mine. We had been trying to keep the news from reaching the tabloids, but a few days ago, reporters got hold of it. Our stocks are falling too." Elizabeth explained everything to me.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see my dad looking away and my brother's head was downcast. The weight of my mother's words hit me like a ton of bricks. Thecompanies that they built over the years were crumbling, right in front of them, just because of the greed of others!

"Why didn't you..." I wanted to ask why they didn't tell me anything, but had I been a part of this family for a long time?

"You were living your life, we didn't want to worry you."

"And yet, here we are." Xander's voice cut through the silence. I glanced at him, he was using my family as leverage but he was right, as much as I hated to admit it.

I sighed and rubbed my head, if I didn't do this, everything would be destroyed. But, who was so powerful to make my family become like this? Apart from Xander, they were the richest in the country, I didn't understand. But there was one thing I knew, I couldn't let this go on any longer.

I raised my head and stared at Xander whose dark eyes were on me, waiting for my answer.

"Alright, I agree to your demands, but in return, you'll get my parents' company back in shape, and then we won't owe ourselves anything again." I crossed my armsand watched a smile blossom on his lips.

"As you wish," Xander said and walked closer to me, he leaned forward and whispered into my ears, "Looking forward to our relationship getting started immediately,Sheila."