Chapter 3

Ivan smiled.

"Have a seat."

She sat down quietly. She was sure this wasn't the right decision but she was optionless. This was the lesser evil and the only way to save her father. 

Ivan finished what ever it was he was typing and shut down the laptop. He faced Nelly squarely and stared at her closely, making her uncomfortable. She showed her discomfort by shifting on her seat. 

He smiled. This was exactly how he had felt all those years when he was her employee. 

He opened a file on the table and took out two five paged documents. He took a pen from the table and signed both documents. He handed it over to Nelly.  

The contract duration was two years. Within those two years, she wasn't to do anything that would jeopardize his image. She was expected to do his bidding and the list went on and on. 

As she read it, she stole occasional glances at Ivan whose gaze was focused on her all along.  

Then, he would on his own part pay her father's hospital bill and save her dad's company from going bankrupt. 

"The conditions aren't outrageous," she thought. She took the pen from his hand and signed it as well. 

Ivan took one back and Nelly had one. 

"Let's go," he said standing from his seat. 

"Where to?"

"To get our marriage signed," he replied curtly and left before she could ask another question.  

"To the civil affairs bureau," Ivan instructed the driver. 

"Yes sir."

Ivan gave Nelly a discreet glance and smiled in his heart. His possessions were finally secured. 

His grandfather, Easton Landers, asked him to get married in order to have full legal rights in the family. He wanted to hand over his wealth to him. Ivan's father, Fredrick Landers was the last child of Easton. His brothers were more powerful than he was and didn't let him get anything from their father. When he died, they came and took away the little he had from his immediate family. Easton couldn't do anything but he still loved his grandson, Ivan. 

About a month ago, he had summoned Ivan to his house. 

"I am old and my days are numbered. You have been through a lot in the past. I will like to hand my wealth over to you but you know the tradition in this family."

"You have to get married, Ivan and have full legal rights in this house. Only then can you inherit my possession. I can't let you sit still and lose it too. Your late father failed to secure his possession, I won't want you to fail as well. The earlier to do so, the better. Your uncles haven't changed. Once I die, they will take up everything."

Not long after that, Stratford group got distressed.

Ivan began looking for a wife to accept the proposal. He didn't have to look too far before he found Nelly. 

Nelly sat in her room, thinking about what happened that day. Earlier that morning, she was single but now, she was married. She shook her head sadly and blinked several times to hold back her tears. 

All her life, she had always hoped for a perfect marriage, a perfect man and an elaborate wedding. She had always envisioned herself with a man with exactly all the qualities she wanted in a man. She wanted a handsome, dark skinned, caring, kind and romantic young gentleman. But now, she was stuck in the hands of a cold and proud man. 

"It's only for two years," she consoled herself.

By evening, Nelly packed up her things and got ready to move into her new house. She was almost near her car when she noticed a figure staring at her from the open windows of another car parked close to hers. 

His cold gaze didn't leave her face for a second till she got to the car.

"Good evening," she greeted acting composed. 

"Tsk… Were you waiting for me to remind you that you shouldn't be here?"

"I'm sorry. I was…"

"Enough. Get into the car let's go."

"I have my own car."

"The driver will take care of that."

The driver took a hint and went over. 

"The keys, madam."

She gave him the keys and entered the car. Ivan joined her in the passengers seat. It was then she realized he had come with two drivers.

He smirked knowingly and tilted his head towards her. 

"I will fulfil my own part of the contract as long as you fulfil yours faithfully."

His gaze shifted from her eyes to her full luscious lips and lingered for a moment. Then his gaze rested on her small firm breasts making her shudder.

"What's wrong with him? I'm certain he wants to punish me but he's taking it slowly. Hidden beneath his smirk are horrible vengeance plans. And why is he staring at me like that?" she thought within.

Ivan withdrew his gaze and acted like she was invisible till the end of the ride.

"Good evening, Master," the servants greeted in unison as he entered the house. He ignored their greetings as usual and went upstairs. 

"Good evening, Miss," they greeted again when they noticed her. 

"Good evening," she responded good naturedly with a smile. Her eyes followed Ivan up the stairs. After sometime she followed suit. 

The door was slightly open. She knocked and entered. He was lying on the bed facing upwards. The room was tastefully furnished. The furniture screamed expensive yet simple. She was marvelled at the simplicity. The bed was well dressed with beautiful and colourful bed sheets. At the left side was a bookshelf filled with neatly arranged books. The wardrobe as well as his bedside table drawers were closed. Nothing was out of place in the room. There was a door at the end of the room. She thought it would probably be his study.

From the look of things, Ivan was a very decent and organised young man. 

"Everything you may need is in the second wardrobe," he said without shifting from his position. 

Almost as a reflex action, she went straight to the wardrobe and opened it. Sure enough, everything she needed was in there. Clothes, shoes, bags, toiletries and underwear. She stole a puzzled look at him. 

"How did he get everything ready in a record time?" she wondered. 

Then it occurred to her that they would most likely be sharing a room. 

"Am I going to share a room with you?"

"Do you have a problem with that?"

She felt a lump in her throat.

"N...No. Not at all."

He stood up from the bed and stretched himself lazily. He walked towards the door at the end of the room. It was his study. He stopped at the door and said,

"You can go downstairs for dinner if you want to."

"No, thank you." 

But he had already entered the room. She had dinner at home before leaving. 

She grabbed a towel and went into the bathroom. There were new stuffs, well arranged and clearly for her use as well. She smiled unconsciously. She already loved his organization. 

She finished in there, put in her pyjamas and made herself comfortable on the luxurious bed in the room. 

Some minutes later, the door of the study opened and Ivan walked out majestically with an aloof cold air of nobility around him. She turned towards the door and his cold eyes met hers.