Chapter 4. Negotiations

Now that the media already knows about the mystery girl, it means I would have to dress up well and look decent. Luckily, I went shopping with Jenny to buy a few good dresses.

After changing into a white skater dress and heels, I check out my reflection in the mirror. The dress was simple yet classy. Styling my hair in a neat bun and doing minimal makeup, I hail a cab for his office.

Within half an hour or so, I reach his office and look around for any suspicious-looking car, but the streets are empty. It is almost after dinner hours. Why is he still in his office?

The reception office is empty, which is good because I am not in the mood to deal with that rude lady. He really needs to deal with his staff and teach them some manners, but this is Phoenix Farrington we’re talking about.

Without caring to knock, I stumble inside his office room only to find that the lights are really dim, and he is asleep on his chair.

Oh.

Quietly, I close the door behind me, making my way toward him. Keeping my purse on the table, I make my way toward his chair. His eyebrows are furrowed, and he is sweating profusely even though the air conditioner is on. Is he having a nightmare? He looks so restless.

I gently touch his shoulders and try to wake him up but in vain. Leaning closer, I keep my other hand on his shoulder and shake him- he suddenly opens his eyes, looking terrified, and then his eyes meet mine, as he visibly seems to relax when he realizes it’s just me and he is in his office.

“What are you doing here?” He asks with a tight smile. Someone is not happy to see me here.

I quickly retract my hands to myself and ignore my flushed cheeks, “I texted you that I will be visiting to make some changes in the contract.”

He scowls and then takes out his phone, scrolling through something while I make my way back to the opposite chair and take a seat.

“Yes, you did.” He says and then keeps his phone aside. “So? What changes do you want?”

I take out the contract and put it in front of him as he goes through it, frowning the entire time while reading the pencil-written changes. Hard to please, isn’t he?

“The bedroom one- don’t worry about it. My bedroom has another small room which used to be my storage room. Now it has a bed and a wardrobe. All you need to do is to make sure to lock it when you get out. That way, no one will have doubts.” He explains, and I nod my head, understanding.

He may be a bit annoying, but he has thoroughly planned everything out. It’s impressive.

“But.”

He interrupts my thought and lays the file on the table, pointing to the clause of the dating phrase. “What do you mean by extending it?”

“No one falls for a person within a few weeks of knowing them- it’s not going to convince anyone.” I explain with a sigh. “Extend it till four to five weeks and then only I will agree for the marriage.”

“Ever heard of love at first sight? Plus, you’re my cousin’s best friend. It means I have known you practically all my life.” He says, “So I think it makes perfect sense.”

Rolling my eyes, I get up, “Good luck finding someone else then, Mr Farrington. After all the after effects won’t do anything to your reputation, it’s going to be me who would be called a gold digger, seductress or something like that.” And my poor grandmother will have to listen to all this, and I don’t want her to go through more pain because of me.

I walk to the door very slowly, on purpose, hoping for him to stop me, and when I am at the door, he stops me, “I am ready to accept the changes.”

“Okay.” I say, walking back to the chair and taking my seat.

After what seemed like an hour, he had prepared a new contract with the changes that I had made. I go through it once more and sign it, passing it back to him. He signs too, and then puts it in his drawer, making sure to lock it.

“Let me give you a lift back.” He suggests.

“Sure.” I say and look outside the window. It is drizzling lightly.

“So from tomorrow onwards, I will come to pick you up,” Phoenix mutters as he locks his office door, and we make our way to the lift in the quiet lobby.

I let out a shuddering sigh, imagining the attention that I would be loaded with tomorrow, and just simply nod in reply.

“Can I ask you something?” I say as we step inside the lift.

“Yeah, shoot.” He says, leaning against the side of the lift, his steely grey eyes holding a warning sign.

Looking away, when the lift starts to move, I ask the question that I have been curious about since reading the contract’s first clause. “How many girls ended up falling for you, that you had to add the warning as the first clause?”

He smiles at my question, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Many. I can be quite charming when I get down to it, Miss Page.”

Arrogant prick.

“I see,” I mumble as the lift halts and the door opens.

He calls someone, probably his driver, as both of us silently watch the rain falling while waiting for the car. I extend my hand feeling the raindrops on my hand as a small smile makes its way to my lips.

Feeling his eyes on me, I turn my head to see he was looking at me with a silly smile on his face, and I roll my eyes at him before pulling my hand back. The car pulls up in front of us, and Phoenix motions for me to get in first.

After settling down in the car, it is a quiet ride back. Is this how we’re going to be till we go our separate ways? Turning my head, I see him watching the rain with a distant look on his face, lost in his own world. Watching him like this somehow makes me feel like I was prying into something that is forbidden- something that is far too exclusive and sacred for someone like me.

It makes me look away, and before I realize we are already in front of my house. Wishing him goodnight, I am about to get off, but he stops me by holding onto my wrist. His warm hand around my wrist makes me jump. He then pulls back and opens the door, opens the umbrella, and walks to my side of the door.

Oh.

He opens the door for me as I step out. We walk together till we are standing on the porch, and he looks like he has something to say, but he is measuring his options as I patiently wait in anticipation. He looks around a bit as if checking something, and then he inches so close that I can feel his breath on my face. Gently placing his free hand on the back of my neck, he places his lips on the tip of my forehead- as a thousand fireworks burst inside of me.

That is unexpected as he pulls back really quickly, as if my touch burns him or something. He doesn’t meet my eyes as he wishes me goodnight and quickly s off without looking back. What just happened? I stroll inside after watching his car leave.

After having a long shower and light dinner, I walk over to my bed and lie down, hoping for sleep to come, but the anticipation of tomorrow’s events leaves me turning and tossing along with drifting in and out of sleep.