Chapter 4 My ex

After days of trying to reach him he'd finally showed up at my door to save me.

"Are you hurt?" His rich voice cleared my thoughts as I stared at him, totally transfixed. I could muster up any words yet so I simply shook my head.

"Come. These men will be taken care of" o didn't protest as he carried me in his arms and took me to his car. He set me down in the passenger seat and fixed my seat belt.

I was still in shock. Still processing.

The man drove for about a half hour and stopped in front of a grand mansion. He helped me out of the car and led me inside. I kept looking around. I'd thought Harry was rich but this man redefined the word.

A small flicker of hope sparked within me. Maybe, just maybe I still had a chance to pay for mums surgery.

The man took me to the living room and dropped me on the couch. A maid came soon after and offered me a glass of water. My throat was a but parched from all the yelling, so I took the water gratefully.

All the while, the man observed me silently. For the first time, I got a good look at him. He wad absolutely stunning, no doubt but I realised he looked about a decade older than me. He was probably in his mid to late thirties.

The silence stretched out so I spoke first.

"How did you know?"

"I have my ways"

"Thank you," I said "For saving me" Even though none of it made sense. He couldn't have just happened to be in the area and known exactly where I lived and that I was in trouble.

"You're welcome. You can stay her for the night. Those men won't be bothering you anymore" He rose to leave "The maid will show you to your room"

"I called you, several times. You never answered. I was staring to thinking you were just a joke"

"I had to do a background check to make sire you were fit for the job"

What did that mean?

"You were spying on me?"

"I've paid for your mother's surgery. She'll have it tomorrow as planned"

I didn't know whether to be happy or angry but I was definitely offended. He'd known everything I was going through yet he waited till the last minute to do something. Was my life just a comedy for him? Something to pass time because he was tired of being a rich billionaire?

"You knew" I said quietly. He didn't answer. He only looked at me, His eyebrows slightly knitting together.

I got up, feeling a sudden charge. "You knew everything. Everything I was going through but you didn't care because it was all just some game to you. I almost lost my mother!"

"I apologise. But I wasn't going to go ahead with the contract unless I was sure you were a perfect fit"

"What contract?"

"I need to be married so I can secure my position as CEO, or the business goes to my nephew and he is completely incapable of managing a multi billion dollar business"

"So you want me to be your wife so you can get the business"

"Precisely"

"Shouldn't your nephew be like a minor or something?" I ask, noting his very youthful looks.

"He's a full grown man. My parents had me later than my siblings" He explains simply then he turns around.

"Get some sleep, were going to the courthouse tomorrow"

With that, he left me. The realisation that I was about to sign myself over to him didn't sit well with me especially when I knew nothing about him.

I didn't even know his name yet. But surely he knew everything about me if he'd been investigating me.

The maid returned with some food for me. I couldn't each much so she took me to my room upstairs.

That night I didn't sleep a wink and when the early morning sun pierced through the blindfolds, it felt like it had only been a few minutes.

I got out of bed and was surprised to see the wardrobe fully stocked with clothes and shoes and bags, everything I could possibly need. Even the bathroom was fully equipped.

I took a shower and rummaged through the closet for something wedding appropriate. I ended up with a short formal dress in white. I pulled my hair into a pony tail and slapped on some lip gloss.

I got downstairs to find the dining table already set. The maid told me to sit downn and eat and that the master would be down shortly.

I wished she'd used his name instead. I would have to wait till we reached the courthouse to find out what his name was.

He came down soon, looking as dashing as ever in a black suit.

"Good morning. I trust you had a good night"

"Yeah, sure"

He wasted no time in finishing his breakfast and soon we were on our way. The drive was silent. We both sat in the back while his driver navigated through the busy city streets.

We got audience with the registrar immediately and the formalities began.

"Do you, Anita Matthews, take Nathan Grant as your lawfully wedded husband?"

So that was his name. Nathan Grant.

I gulped. My palms felt sweaty. I reminded myself that this was only a marriage of convenience.

"I do" I said and Nathan slipped a diamond ring onto my finger. The ring felt cold and heavy on my finger. It was just a stone without sentiment. A symbol of our contract.

Nathan signed the document and I followed suit, affirming our union.

"The marriage is now legally binding. With the power vested in me by the state, I now pronounce you husband and wife" The officiant spoke. His words were like a sentence being given to me.

"Congratulations Mr and Mrs Grant"

We wasted no time in leaving. During the drive back, Nathan explained my duties.

"You're now my wife and you'll act like my wife whenever we are out together in public. Even when you are alone, remember your name is now tied to mine. I hope you understand Mrs. Grant"

"I understand" I replied simply as my thoughts drifted to my mother, she would be on the surgery table already but I couldn't see her until after.

"There's no need to keep up the pretense when we are alone" He said as he shifted his focus to his phone.

I looked out the window and I noticed we were heading in a completely different direction.

"Where are we going?"

"My family is having a function. We're going there. It's time they meet my wife"

I felt more disturbed, realising the whole ordeal was not yet over. I wondered what his family would be like, and the kind of reception that awaited me.

"Did they know you were getting married?"

"No, they do not. I like to keep them on their toes" He said simply. I stared at him dumbfounded.

Who was this man?

In less than an hour, we arrived at a lovely mansion surrounded by nature.

"This is our family home. It's where we host most of our events"

"What are they like? Your family?" I ask as I grow increasingly nervous. I could be walking right into the wolf's den without knowing it.

"You'll be fine, as long as you're with me."

We stepped out of the car and walked round back of the mansion. There was a large open area with people. Like some kind of outdoor party. Some people were busy playing games like golf while others were engaged in conversation.

We passed by a buffet of snacks, food and pastries.

As we passed, several people turned to look at us, or rather at Nathan.

We reached a woman who seemed to be in her mid fifties. The woman smiled as she saw Nathan.

"Well, well, look who made it" I was totally certain that the exchange between them was genuine.

"And might I ask who this lovely young lady is? Perhaps an employee?"

Before Nathan could introduce me, someone walked up to us. I was focused on the grass below my feet so I didn't notice until the person spoke.

"Hello, uncle"

The voice was disturbingly familiar. I looked up and my face twisted in complete horror as I saw who it was.

Harry, my ex boyfriend.