Chapter 4 The Rules Of The Game

Cathan's P.O.V

Cathan stood at the side of the dining table, drumming his fingers against the glass table, as he watched the house staff arrange settings for two.

Everything about this marriage was meant to be strategic, a carefully calculated transaction.

So why the hell was he feeling so nervous?

He had ordered her favorite dishes quietly, through a private call with her uncle. Nothing extravagant, just the type of meal that would make her feel at home.

He kept reminding himself that it was just him being strategic, to keep her calm and cooperative.

But was that the truth?

He wanted her to stop looking at him with that look of hatred.

He saw the way Reinell had looked at her on the rooftop. It had taken every bit of him to control himself from not reacting, or punching him in the face. He had not meant to eavesdrop on their conversation but he still did midway. And it had felt rather unpleasant.

"I will still give it to you anyway."

Reinell's words kept echoing in his head like a challenge.

Cathan tightened his jaw.

He shouldn't care. He shouldn't.

And yet, here he was planning a homely dinner just to be close to her again.

Vanessa's P.O.V

She entered the dining room cautiously, expecting to see people or some kind of event, but it was just Cathan, standing alone and waiting.

"I didn't know you were a fan of casual meals," she said flatly, as she eyed the table.

He gave a small shrug. "Don't get used to it."

They both sat in silence at first, eating.

The food was perfect, comforting, and familiar, which annoyed her.

"Did you ask my uncle what I like," she said.

" Yes, I did."

"Why?"

Cathan leaned forward, his eyes fixed on her. "Because you are my wife now, so if I have to see you every day, then I prefer you not look like you are plotting my murder."

She narrowed her eyes. "I only plot in the mornings."

He almost smiled, but he cautioned himself.

"Why did you agree to do this?" she suddenly asked, her voice softer.

He drank some water before replying to her.

"Because I had to. And because I knew you wouldn't."

She blinked. " And what's that supposed to mean?"

" Vanessa, you're the kind of woman who only agrees to something if it tears her apart inside and that's why you piqued my interest."

Silence ensued between them.

"You know nothing about me," she said, rising to her feet.

He stood too, slowly, but deliberately. "Maybe not. But I want to."

She flinched. That was not part of the terms of the contract.

He stepped closer. Not touching, just close enough to feel her breath on his face.

"I would like to set some ground rules," he said.

She stuttered. "What kind..d of rules?"

"The first one is that I won't pretend to be something that I'm not."

"Alright," she said, her voice trembling. "So will I."

"The second is; No lying to ourselves."

"Good."

"And the third," he said, lowering his voice, "if you will be having night rooftop talks with men who want to get married to you, I would really appreciate a heads-up."

Her eyes widened with surprise.

"Did you follow me?"

"I didn't have to," he said, as he brushed past her. "You are louder than you think."

"Good night."

Cathan's P.O.V

He couldn't turn back to look at her because if he did, he might say something he would end up regretting, like the fact that he hated how easily she smiled with another man.

And hated even more the fact that she didn't know she had already started breaking his rules.

Vanessa's P.O.V

She stood fixated on a spot, the air around her feeling heavy.

He had gotten under her skin, and she let him.

And now, for the first time, she wondered, "What is this man thinking?"

The Next Morning, a new headline was all over the tabloids;

"TORN BETWEEN TWO BILLIONAIRES: WHO WILL OWN VANESSA'S HEART."

And Cathan?

He was not surprised.