Chapter 8 A DATE WITH THE BILLIONAIRE

Ayla sat alone at the reserved spot, patiently waiting for her date- Deniz. For more than twenty-four minutes, he was nowhere around the vicinity. He is the man, the one who was supposed to be there before, her, but he is the arrogant King who does as he pleases. He rules his empire, and no one dares interfere.

Ayla buried her mind in thought, thinking of what to say and how to react when she finally met Deniz.

Suddenly, she saw Deniz approaching, like an imperial majesty, His perfectly sculptured elbows tilted up, his hazel eyes charming, his outfit sophisticating, his deep black hair, his height and look oppressing. His aura unmatched, his confident slide demure, his presence domineering.

Behind him were four hefty uniformed bodyguards, beside him was his PA- Mehmet, who was saying something to him as they approached.

The four bodyguards mount themselves at the door, two inside, two outside, while Mehmet- his PA, walks into the table with him.

When they got close to the table, Mehmet pulled out a chair for him and he sat. Yet Mehmet wouldn't stop talking; he was still telling Deniz about a serious ongoing project, disregarding his date, Ayla, as if she were nothing.

Fear gripped her soul, she started sweating though the weather was cool. Then she remembers her mission, she remembers she has no excuse to fail, the threats from the Dogans hung on her throat unable to digest. She no longer has control over her own life, therefore she must never fail. She swallowed hard, buckled up and the drama started unfolding from the first chapter.

"You are late..." she said to Deniz, who still paid rapt attention to his PA.

"And that was intentional", he cut sharply, staring unapologetically into her eyes.

"Oh, my bad, so sorry," Mehmet realized his bad conduct and moved a bit farther. He did so because he had been with Deniz for a long time, and he knows how coldly he treats his chasers, making him- Mehmet also pay less attention to any lady approaching his boss.

She watched him closely as he gulped down a glass of water which a waitress served at his order. She watched as his Adams apple rolled up and down in his throat, then she realized why he was a hunk, why every lady in the city wants to be with him....he was damn handsome, dripping with sexiness. Regardless, that wasn't her concern; her job was to marry him so he could give the dowry and seal the partnership, which has been giving Dogans insomnia.

She battled in her mind the next action to do, she thought of what Defne could have done if it were really to be her.

By the time she decided to start up a conversation, knowing fully well that it was Defne who had always pushed to make the relationship a success.

"The wedding......

"Let's make it snappy...Deniz interrupted. "I will come to your house during the weekend, I will give the bride price. It's clear your family needs me, likewise I, so no public wedding, we can go to the civil Registry office after that to get our marriage certificates.

Most importantly, you can file for a divorce anytime you want".

"Why...why divorce?" she managed to ask, she knows her friend, she knows she was never gonna ask for a divorce after getting a chance to live with her long term crush.

Deniz stood up, held her jaws with his right hand, and titled her face a little such that their eyes met, "Because no one finds it funny staying with me for long", he released her, adjusting his shirt, he stretched a hand for his PA to hand over a file to him which he in turn dropped for Ayla on the table.

"These are the conditions applied before we can get married. Review and sign it," he said and sat back.

Without giving it a second thought or caring to peep into the first page of the contract, Ayla slipped the file to her side and put down her signature.

"You're really that desperate to be with me", he said in disbelief.

"Whatever".

Just then his PA came closer, handed him a phone to answer an incoming call.

Hello.... Deniz Yilmaz", the voice over the phone called, but Deniz didn't respond; he sat like a king waiting to know what the caller had to say.

The voice kept quiet for a while before it went again, "Oh, I see you don't want to speak to me, but you will soon. Hahaha...".Yet Deniz didn't respond, his confidence was sure.

"I have your brother- Burak under my custody....you have just two hours to meet me or...

"Well kill him", Deniz interrupted cruelly without allowing the caller to finish his threats.

That singular action taught Ayla the kind of merciless person she would live under the same roof with. She has to brace herself for the worst.

Deniz handed the phone over to his PA and stood up to leave, but he stopped after two steps- beside Ayla. Again, he held her jaw, made her look up, his eyes wandering all her face.

"What happened to your face?" he asked, noticing the reddish marks on her face left by Mrs Dogans palm.

Her heart sank into her belly. She tried to cook up something instantly, but words failed her.

"I...I...actually I..", she stammered.

"It's not like I care, I just don't like my wife ugly. Also, don't forget to get your documents ready", he reminded, dropped her face, and started walking gracefully towards the exit. All eyes turning at his exuberant aura.

____

Inside his Limousine, Deniz gave Mehmet instructions to arrange some gifts for Dogans and his bride-to-be. He told him to get the finest and most expensive jewelry and outfits for his bride.

"Boss since you are not ready for this marriage, why force yourself to marry her?" Mehmet asked, showing concern.

Deniz didn't respond immediately, he took a puff of his cigarette before he spoke. "Getting married to her-Da...what's her name again?"

"Defne", Mehmet reminded.

"D.E.F.N.E," he spelled it out as if trying to memorize the name. "Is the only way to persuade the old man into handing over the company over to me", his cruel grin surfaced.

"Boss, the person is still calling", Mehmet announced, referring to the kidnapper who had called earlier.

"Blacklist him", he ordered before the car zoomed off

********

Ayla got home after the weird date, she met Mr/Mrs Dogans restlessly pacing up and down the sitting room.

Upon her entrance, they rushed over to her, held her hands, and made her sit on a cushion in between them.

"How did it go?" Mrs Dogans went first, her greedy eyes sparkling with anxiety.

"It went well", she replied, a little satisfied that her first approach wasn't messed up.

"What did he say?" Mr Dogans asked.

"He said he doesn't need a public wedding...

"What!" Mrs Dogans shouted in disbelief.

"But..." Ayla snapped, "He said he is coming during the weekend to give the bride price, then we can go get our marriage certificates after that".

"Defne's.. Defne's marriage certificate", Mrs Dogans corrected.

"Defne's wedding certificate", she repeated after her.

"That's not a bad idea. Public wedding or no public wedding, I'm most pleased so far he does what we agreed upon", Mr Dogans roared his signatory husky laughter.

"You can go back to your room, I will go get the documents ready", Mrs Dogans ordered.

Lying on her bed, Ayla wondered the worth of the bride price which had been giving the Dogans insomnia. Of course, it must be something huge that had gotten them so agitated.

Her mind flashed back to the previous scene, how ruthlessly Deniz ended the kidnapper's call. She wondered what might have attracted Defne to such a merciless man.

"Doesn't he have compassion even for his blood sibling? How on earth can I survive a day under this man's roof?" she asked herself over and over again.