Chapter Two
It has been like century since his conversation with Graham but in actual truth, it was barely a week since Graham ordered him to get married. A week where he constantly sent annoying messages as a reminder of his threat. Daniel was no longer settled. Deeply disturbed and unstable, he leaned forward a bit, his forehead rested on the steering wheel with his eyes closed. Thought of how to maneuver his way out of this mess kept eluding him. The was only one thing to do which was - meeting Dylan. Dylan, a twenty seven year old guy was a bachelor like him. A mult billionaire and CEO of a "Beauty clash", one of the most famous fashion house in New York city. He was a dark guy with body that constantly left ladies in awe. Dylan had always been acknowledged as the only matured man who knew how to critically analyse an issue, think of a solution and execute it. Determined, Daniel glanced up from his melancholy position. Eyes quickly scanning the white mansion before him. Earlier when he woke up, the planned had been - head to work, attend meetings with stakeholders and returned home. At the last minute, he had changed his mind. Driving to Dylan's place, the possibility of Dylan absence at home perturbed him. Uncertainty of how Dylan will take the news but hopefully, the was bound to be a solution. He dragged his tired body out of the car, strolling lazily towards the front door. He rang the bell, inwardly praying Dylan to be at home on a working day like this. The door opened with a loud, jovial voice of Dylan. At that juncture, his problems vanished into thin air. He couldn't stop the smile tugging at the corner of his lips from exploding into a wide grin. "Men! What a wonderful surprise! What the heck? You didn't say you will be bringing your fucking self to my humble abode"His American accent resonated loudly even outside as he pulled him in for a hug. "Sorry man. I didn't mean to drop in like an uninvited visitor. Something consequential popped up" Daniel apologized. Something about his tone must have given Dylan an insight to how vital the situation seemed to be. Getting dis- entangled from the hug, both stared directly at each other, holding gaze as though searching the dept of one's soul. Dylan's face filled with concern for him. "You don't necessarily have to apologize for coming without calling. My home is also yours. So what's wrong? Your tone fretted me earlier." Dylan managed to say without a smile before frowning. "Damn my moronic brain. I am supposed to offer you something, not bombarding you with questions!"Dylan smiled as he led him fully inside, shutting the door behind him.Unconsciously, Daniel reclined on the couch with his legs on the sofa arms. Feeling comfortable, he looked around, noting the difference and changes which had taken place since his last visit. One thing was obviously obvious, Dylan had great taste. "Get me a glass of water!" Daniel called after Dylan who went to the wine cellar which was situated closed to the dinning. "This is your second home, Daniel. You know every crook and crannies of this place. Besides, you're not a visitor, so get your ass off that couch to the kitchen for a glass of water. If not you're going to die of thirst!"Men! This was something he missed in Dylan so much. He missed this moment of them bantering, exchanging words like kids. Sitting upright, Daniel stared at Dylan who stood in the dinning room with a bottle and glass of wine, "Shit! I thought you've changed!" Dylan only shrugged as a replied. Out of the corner of his eyes, Daniel saw Dylan pressed a bell on the centre of the dinning table. Immediately, a beautiful young lady walked in from the kitchen. "Get my friend a glass of water" Dylan ordered icily, not sparing a single glance at the lady. "Who is she?" Daniel asked quietly as Dylan drew closer, offering him a glass of wine with a sneer."That's Patricia, my chef"Chef? The word rang falsely to his ears. Why the hell did Dylan employed the services of a chef when he could cook. "Why?" He asked the question niggling at the back of his mind. Moving to seat opposite Daniel on the gold coach, Dylan smiled as comprehension of Daniel's thought set in. "Why what? Why a chef? Come on, I've got absolutely no time to prepare my meal and I am tired of eating junk food"The lady walked in at the moment, forcing Daniel to swallow back his words. Her bluish eyes gazed up at him. "Your water, Sir" Cool, soft tone humbled him as her eyes unconsciously checked Patricia out. Her curves were really pronounced behind the blue jeans she wore. Her skin looked soft and smooth as silk. Her lips were reddish and tempting. How in hell did Dylan resist such a temptress. "Thank.. You" Daniel stammered incoherently. Without another word, she walked out. Dylan burst into a boisterous laughter forcing Daniel's eyes to deviate from Patricia's receding figure to him. "Dude, that lady is such a temptress. You should have seen your look as you checked her out." He laughed. "It's not what you think Dylan. Do me a fucking favour and get your mind out of the gutter!""Yeah, it's out from the gutter" Dylan mocked still amused by Daniel's action."The is no harm in admiring God's creation. Is there?" Daniel enquired innocently, trying to conceal his defensive tone. "No dear," with a sigh, Dylan quickly changed the topic. His knee crossed over each other with his upper body leaning back. "You had an issue, what was wrong?"Daniel sighed, recalling the mess Graham got him into. His mood must have sobered because, Dylan sat up with keen interest. "I have only Seven days to get married or lose my inheritance to Mark"Dylan snarled. "Hell! Marriage? Losing of inheritance? What fucking shitty talk was that?"Calmly, he explained the situation to Dylan, watching as his expression changed from calm to pain to fury. "What the heck? This is consequential. What do you intend doing?""I've got no idea" Daniel confessed with an atom of sincerity. He didn't even have a woman in his life. How was he supposed to be married in seven days time. The frustration was inevictable. "You can marry Patricia!"Chapter ThreeDylan's word replayed for the umpteen time in his head. How in heaven sake could Dylan say such trash? Daniel glanced at Dylan, uncertain if he just quipped."What has come over you, Dylan? For candy's sake, checking Patricia out was an involuntary action" He clarified patiently as Dylan stared at him in amusement"Why are you suddenly being defensive?" Without giving him a chance to reply, Dylan continued. The amusement completely wiped from his face. His body relaxed as though being interview for a brand opening. "Patricia won't be your real wife. It will be a contracted marriage. Probably after six month, you guys can seek a divorce. You could come up with a plausible lie for the divorce" "It won't work Dylan." Daniel placed the empty glass on the dinning table after gulping down it content. Pessimism clouded his mind. Restlessly, he began pacing. "Graham wants a grandchild!" "That shouldn't be an issue," Dylan commented drily. "You could always adopt. Do a private
Chapter FourSmells of coffee and omelette filled the air as he walked into the cafeteria for a personal business. Dylan had suggested inviting Patricia over for the deal, hence the rationale behind giving her a day off. It's been two days after the incident, leaving him giddy with nervousness. Questions like - will Patricia agrees to it? What if she doesn't agree - kept invading his mind making him nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of locker. Sitting at the extreme of the cafeteria, Daniel glanced at the menu before him, uninterested in it. His stomach growled noisily, mortified, he wistfully glanced around, glad that no one was paying him any attention. Earlier, he had insisted on a mask to avoid unnecessary fans popping out of the blue sea. Just as he placed an order for a diet coke and an omelette, two figures approached him, dressed in black suit with their black curly hair styled giving them a sexy, model look. His tensed muscles relaxed instantly as his brain recog
Chapter 5Her rage was almost running out of check. What in pete sake did Dylan took her for? A slut? Biting down on her lower lip, Patricia refused to speak up for a while. "Anything to say?" Dylan prodded. "What's my pay?" A gold digger, definitely that was Patricia's identity. Daniel couldn't help but loath her and her beauty. What was he expecting? A saint? Damn it! He could imagine how suffocated he will feel, living in the same house with a lunatic. Mentally, he vowed to lock his bedroom to avoid losing his valuables."Five hundred thousand dollars monthly plus weekly allowance and additional privileges." Something which you obviously lack. Daniel added mentally. The last word was meant to be an insult. Glad to have accomplished his aim. Daniel sat back watching greed mixed with anger rolling in her eyes."One million dollar!" Patricia called out. They all presumed she was a bitchy gold digger. It didn't pull out any hair from her skin, hence she wasn't bothered. Alarmed, D
Chapter 6 "Yeah. You've got an option here. Be Mr Daniel's contracted wife on papers or remain jobless!" He articulated with an air of finality."That's so unfair! This is nothing more than a blackmail of some sort!" Hesitatingly, Patricia glanced at the document. Angrily, she pulled out a pen, signed furiously on the document. His troubles were over all thanks to the manipulative boss, Dylan. Daniel thought with an inward smiles. "Mr Daniel, you will need to sign on this other page, then Dylan will need to sign as a witness." Mutely, Daniel signed then watched Dylan scribbled his signature. "That's all for the day. I will send a copy to your mail today. Congratulation!" Congratulation for what? Patricia inwardly enquired with an unladylike snort while watching as the trio rose on their feet, each men exchanging handshakes with Daniel smiling in gratitude."Thanks Gee! I appreciate"Done exchanging pleasantries, Edward exited. With a clue, Dylan excused himself, offering Daniel a
Chapter 7His heart ceased to function for a second as his world came to an abrupt end. Shit! This wasn't supposed to happen. What happened to all his hard work, and time invested in his Company? Will he watch silently as everything slipped to Mark's hand when he did not deserve it?This was worst than a nightmare. His optimistic self crumbled. He turned in despair to cast one last forlorn look at the door. A figure walked in with an astonishing, beautiful smile, dressed on a white flowing gown, behind her were unfamiliar faces.Her heart palpitated wildly with each steps she took. She was certain every one could hear her heart accelerating yet she couldn't halt it. So she put up a smile seeing a panick Daniel on the altar sweating profusely. Such a jerky bastard! Must be scared out of his wit, thinking he had been ditched. Patricia smiled. The thought of ditching him had never crossed her mind, but she was glad that he thought so. Approaching him, she could see his eyes widened fro
Chapter 8Bastard! Embarrassed, Daniel excused himself from Patricia's presence, leaving her to accept congratulatory messages from her friends and well wishers. "I hope you are happy now!" "Congratulation son. You had a woman all this well but refused to settle down!" Graham reprehended. He still didn't believe Daniel, but he had no choice than to accept it. Besides, they were now married which meant, a grandchild sooner than he anticipated. After the passionate kiss he witnessed, Graham was sure of being a grandfather. A light smile crept on his face. Surprised, Daniel stared at him, speculating what changed his mind, feeding him with such absurd idea."Why did you say so?""I am not blind young man!" He snarled.Not like I said you were blind. Daniel mentally retorted with a scoff. Hands folded, Graham furrowed his brow and said prosaically, "I observed the intense passion you both shared during that kiss. You both had your heart in mouth." Daniel smiled. They must have acte
Chapter 9What the heck! Was he insane? Who the hell was this bastard speaking trash behind the phone. Furious, Mark took the phone away from his ears for a moment. Glancing at it, he sighed. Probably a wrong identity. Submerging his fury, Mark spoke in a soft voice. "Look, I don't know you. So I believe, this is a wrong identity. Please kindly recheck the number you just dialed. Thanks Gee!"There was a pregnant silent at the other end. A silent that made Mark presumed the anonymous caller was gone but then his voice broke the silence."I know what I am saying because, unfortunately, you are my biologically son. All your life, you grew up believing Graham to be your father, but in truth, Graham isn't your father. Melissa isn't your mother either.""And that makes me what? A bastard?" Mark snarled, sitting upright. This was the worst news he had ever received. "No, that makes you a parasite, feeding on other people's charity. I am ready to welcome you back home where you truly belon
Chapter 10Gosh! What sort of a fucking temptation was this? Daniel's gaze met with Patricia who gave him a 'you're dead' kinda look. Shit! The clock ticked, silently announcing each passing seconds. "I am still waiting to see my grandchild receive a kiss from his dad." Graham reminded, sitting on the couch across them. Patricia's eyes darted to everywhere except at Daniel. The glint in her eyes was suspicious as she stared at Graham for a moment. Holding her waist, Patricia shrieked. "My waist! Oh gosh! Somebody help me!" Worried, Graham rushed towards her. He placed his hands to support her waist while Daniel stared at the melo drama. What was Patricia up to? "Can you get your ass here! Stop standing like a monument!" Graham bellowed while casting a malicious glared at Daniel. Grudgingly, Daniel supported Patricia to the couch. She secretly smiled at him when Graham was not watching. "My stomach hurt so badly." She whined, groaning in pains. "Why are you not helping her in a