Dexter
Dexter
My brows furrowed at the thought of her bringing up new rules. Were they what she thought to be important right now?
Though I wasn’t happy with her request, I couldn’t help but indulge her knowing that she could be stubborn if she set her mind on something. “What are the rules?” I asked with a bored tone, even though I was actually interested in her rules.
She sighed, approaching me slowly. “I don’t want anyone to know that we are married, after all, it’s a contract marriage. The knowledge should remain between the both of us.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I blasted her, but she kept my gaze, looking unfazed. “What’s the use of getting married if no one gets to know about it?”
She shrugged and folded her arms, her stance obstinate and annoying. Sadly, I’d have to put up with this for two years if we didn’t end up killing each other.
“You’ve succeeded in making me do what I don’t want, so there should be some compromise at your end, don’t you think?” She asked noncommittally.
I raked my fingers through my hair and hissed. This wasn’t funny at all. She’d still be in danger if people thought that she was still single, but seeing the stubborn tick on her jaw, I knew that it would be pointless to argue. “I agree.” I replied with a low displeased tone.
She took another stride towards me. “We won’t be sleeping on the same bed, you might have to get another bed for yourself or I’ll make myself comfortable in any of the free rooms you have.”
My eyes turned red as she made her second rule. “You can’t be serious about that. I’m the one who asked for the marriage so how dare you think that you can make the rules?”
She rolled her eyes like her words bore no weight. The aim of our marriage was nothing short of having children, how could I get that done when we wouldn’t even have sex?
“Stop making these rules.” I ordered when I saw the deadpan look on her face.
Her formerly nonchalant expression turned into a scowl. “You think I really want to be here as your wife? You came all the way to disrupt my life just because of some debt I know nothing about, yet, I’m expected to be happy?” She hollered, fuming in rage.
Somehow her anger got to me as I quickly snaked my arm around her waist and pulled her closer to me. Her eyes gleamed with surprise as she locked her soulful grey orbs with mine.
“You won’t understand why we have to get married until later,” I spoke slowly and gently, hoping that she would understand but she didn’t, and even if she did, I couldn’t tell.
My grip became uncomfortable for her as she struggled out of my hold. “The last rule,” Her voice was breathy from her effort in trying to get away from me. “I’ve always wanted to be a model and your company can help me with that. I don’t trust you one bit which means I’m not interested in your money. I know that going elsewhere to work wouldn’t be feasible since you won’t allow it, but if I’m to be your wife, I have to make a decent living by doing what I like.”
Seeing that she really wanted this, I nodded in agreement while wondering how she was able to make me agree to her rules even when they weren’t convenient for me.
“I’m going to make my own rules now.” I began, but she didn’t allow me to finish as she took advantage of the looseness of my grip and trotted away.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Flipping her beautiful chestnut hair that suited her attractive nose to the side, I began to wonder if I made the right choice by allowing her to model in my agency. She had a banging body and an enchanting face that could keep one hooked even on my face.
Several men would be interested in her and if they didn’t know that she was married, they wouldn’t stop coming close. “I’ll sign the papers right away, and you’ll take me to your agency. I need to get to work.”
*******
A few hours later, I found myself driving towards the Hemming Agency. It was one of our business lines that dealt with modeling and a very lucrative one too.
Since we had a fashion line, it was only normal that I added modelling. to it instead of always searching for models.
“Here we are.” I killed the engine and relaxed for a bit.
She darted her gaze around the place in a strange kind of awe that made me satisfied. I wasn’t surprised that she felt this way because I was literally the business muscle of Hemming industries, and I made sure that everything concerning our business was excellent.
From the customer care to the sales and marketing team, even the high towering buildings which had intricate and beautiful interior designs spoke of how hard I’d been working through the years after my father died.
But why did I suddenly feel so good that she appreciated my efforts?
I quickly snapped out of the euphoric feeling and tapped her thigh gently. “We don’t slack here, so you’d better stop ogling and get your ass out of the car.” I spat and she nodded, doing as I said.
She followed me quietly, trying to be brave, but I could see through the corner of my eyes that she wasn’t making a good effort at that as her body trembled visibly.
Where did her previous boldness disappear to?
As we passed through the revolving door with me at the front, everywhere became chaotic as my staff began to run helter-skelter. They weren’t expecting me today obviously and maybe they had been slacking off.
Mind you, I employed a set of workers who made working the bane of their existence but we had just rounded off the first runway show for the year so they were taking things easy.
Emilia, who was our top model, rushed towards me as soon as she sighted me and quickly plunged a kiss on my cheeks. “It’s good to see you, boss, you didn’t tell me that you were coming.” She slurred, fiddling with the collar of my suit.
I nearly snorted at her attempt to get cozy with me. She had tried to get back with me severally after we broke up, but I wasn’t just interested anymore because I disliked cheats. The only reason she still worked with me was because of her influence in the industry and how good she was.
“I don’t have to tell you everything, Emilia.” I waved her off and led Lorraine to Stefan who was in charge of training the models.
He was engrossed in a conversation with one of our models but that didn’t stop him from ending it the moment I came over. “Good afternoon, sir.”
“Good afternoon. This is Lorraine Hills,” I nearly bit my tongue while regarding her with her surname. She was supposed to bear my name. “She’s going to be our new model so do your best with her.”
A loud scoff got to my hearing and it irritated me when I realised that it was from Emilia. “A new model? What do you need her for?”
I fixed a very serious stare at her. “That’s none of your business, I hope you know that? Make sure you don’t give her any hard time while she’s here or I wouldn’t hesitate to cancel my contract with you.” I warned, surprised at how scary my tone became because of Lorraine while she held my hand and quietly shushed me.
Her touch quickly eased off the tension that was already beginning to pile, but I still had to make myself clear, knowing the kind of person Emilia was.
“Do you understand?”
She nodded, her eyes blazing with embarrassment, “Yes, Dexter.” She flashed a threatening glare at Lorraine, picked her bag from one of the sofas then stalked off.