Bought Husband

Chapter 4

You Won't Have to Pay Back the Money

SEBASTIAN

I was in the meeting room with Anna having a somewhat private conversation. It felt strange, especially when I saw myself caressing her cheek to wipe her tears. I don't know where that came from, and I felt uncomfortable. I don't know what the hell I'm doing. All I saw was loneliness in her eyes, and I suspect that's the reason why she bought a husband. I need to leave before this gets more uncomfortable.

Luckily, we heard her phone ring. She got up, apologized, and went back to her office.

She didn't come back again while I stayed longer to review other documents. I took a deep breath, left everything in order, and picked up my briefcase. I put on my coat and left, not seeing the need to say goodbye. I walked down the halls, feeling eyes on me as I went down to the basement. I opened my car and drove, thinking that I wouldn't allow her and her grandfather to control my life as they pleased. On our wedding anniversary, we will sign the divorce. I sped up, pressing and hitting the steering wheel, feeling upset.

When I arrived at my office, Christine, my assistant, was there.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Thompson."

"Good afternoon, Cristine. I need you to call Josh," I asked her, mentioning the lawyer of the company and the family. "I need him here immediately, and please don't interrupt us."

"Understood, sir." She picked up her phone to do what I asked her to do, and I entered my office. I sat down, leaning my head back with my eyes closed. I breathed out slowly, and there was a knock on the door, knowing it was Josh.

"Come in."

"Sebastian, it's nice to see you," he said, walking to the chair in front of my desk. I looked at him expectantly, waiting for answers. "I've already reviewed the prenuptial agreement. Everything is in order, but in the fidelity clauses, there are a couple of unusual clauses."

"I'm listening," I told Josh for him to continue.

"All right. If both parties decide to continue with the marriage after a year, you won't have to return the money. I think it favors you, Sebastian."

"No," I shook my head. "I don't want this to last longer than we agreed. I will return every dollar if I have to, Josh."

"I understand." He took a deep breath and continued. "The other one is if, during the time of this contract, you have a baby and decide to be a family, the clause I mentioned will be fulfilled, plus they will make you a partner in Williams Corp. If you decide that you will not continue with the marriage, the mother will have the custody, and you need to take responsibility for your role as the father."

I shut my eyes tight. "Of course, I will! I won't disown my own child even if he was born into this world because of a fake marriage."

"And finally, if you back out of this contract earlier than needed, you have to return the money, but you must double it within ten days after filing for divorce."

I laughed and shook my head. "They really prepared to hold me by the neck in this. Is there anything else?"

"No, that's all," Josh answered, placing the document in front of me. "Please sign here, here, and here," he instructed, pointing at the places where I needed to sign and I unhappily did. "Once everything is ready, I will directly send the documents to Mr. Williams. The wedding will be civil at the Williams mansion next Saturday. Do you know who the best man is?"

"Yes, Alexander Black."

"Perfect. Tell him to come by my office this week. I'm leaving." He took the documents, stood up, and walked out of the door.

I got up from my chair to look at the city through the large window of my office and got lost in my thoughts.

ANNA

I arrived at my office, and I saw that Sebastian was no longer in the meeting room. It's strange to me that he left without even saying goodbye after the moment we had. I just don't understand.

Dany came in and saw the same thing I did. "Did he leave?"

"Yes, without even saying a word."

"But how? Didn't he say goodbye to you?"

"No, he didn't say anything at all."

"Oh, I'm sure he had something important to do."

"Yes, maybe." I agree, not really convinced.

The days went by with Sebastian coming and us talking a little. He is friendly, and I got to know him a little better. He intrigues me, but he is still not interested in me at all. I tried to get along with him by giving him my attention, but he did not reciprocate it. I want this to work because I feel attracted to him. I want to break the wall he put between us, and I know it's stupid of me.

SEBASTIAN

I tried to be casual with Anna, but she seemed to be interested in getting closer to me. It is something that doesn't really interest me. I just want time to pass by quickly and marry Danielle, the only woman who matters to me.

"Hey, wake up!" Alexander who entered my office said, and I didn't notice him.

I looked up at Alex, who had his eyebrow raised and looked at me in amusement.

"Where the hell were you?"

"Hey buddy, nice to see you. I missed you too," he answered sarcastically.

"Shut up and sit down. I have something important to tell you."

He gave me a strange look. "You're grumpier than usual. What's happening to you must be serious," he told me, unbuttoning his suit jacket and sitting in front of me.

"I'm getting married." I broke the news while looking at him.

"I already know that buddy, but why are you so upset? You love Danielle, and you're going to marry her, even though none of us who knew you like the girl."

"I'm not going to marry Danielle."

He made a gesture of not understanding anything. "What the hell are you saying?"

"I'm gonna be married to Anna Williams in a week, and I need you to be my best man."

"Wait, what? Who?"

"She's the granddaughter of Robert Williams, the owner of Williams Corp."

"He had a granddaughter?" he asked and frowned. "I didn't know that. He's always alone at events and meetings."

I nodded my head. "Apparently, he does."

"Well, explain what the hell is going on," he demanded, running his hand through his hair, looking at me confused. "I was gone for two weeks, and you've already changed girlfriends and arranged another wedding. Don't tell me you got her pregnant."

I ignored his comment and breathed heavily. "You already know we need millions for capital."

He nodded his head.

"Well, my father asked Robert for a loan, and he agreed, but with the condition that I will marry his granddaughter."

"Are you kidding me?" He bursts out laughing.

I'm glad he found the situation funny. "Are you done yet?" I asked him in obvious irritation at his response.

"You were being serious?" he asked in surprise; the amusement in his face was gone.

"I am, Alex. I must be married to her for a year and play the role of a good husband."

He remained silent, processing everything I just said. "I know what you and your father went through trying to get that money, and I know you can't refuse this. How about Danielle?"

"I already talked to her. I couldn't give her the details like I just did with you. As soon as the contract is done, I'll marry her. She understands me and says she'll wait."

"Wow. I didn't expect her to be so understanding," he said, raising his eyebrows.

"She is, my friend, and that's why I think she's the right woman for me," I said proudly, getting up from my seat and walking to the window of my office.

"Will you keep seeing her?"

"No, we can only go back to being a couple once the contract is fulfilled, but I refuse to stop seeing her."

"What will your fiancée think about that?"

"She doesn't need to know," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "I'll make it clear to her that I'm not interested in her."

"Man, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes, my friend."

"I know."

"Well, how is Williams' granddaughter? Surely you already met her, right?"

"I've already had the chance, and she's not attractive at all," I said, forgetting the fact that I see her face without glasses and she doesn't look bad.

"I see. Maybe that's the reason she bought you."

"Stop making fun of her. Are you going to be my best man or not?"

"Of course, man. I wouldn't leave you alone. How about we go to a bar to have a drink? You need to get rid of that bitter face."

ANNA

It's Saturday morning. I dressed myself in a loose beige dress that reached my knee and short sleeves. My hair is in a braid, and it reaches my waist. On my feet were a pair of beige flat shoes and my glasses. I left after a few minutes and went to the foundation. I greeted everyone once there, and they told me that I had to visit the orphanage for our upcoming event so that families who support us could see the new facilities. I get back into my car, a white Range Rover Evoque, laughing when I remember what Dany always tells me—that it's the only one I have that has style.

I arrived at the orphanage half an hour later and saw some children playing in the garden close to them. Some of our volunteers with Violet Black have always been attentive in helping with social work, and I was surprised to see Monica, Sebastian's mother, with them. I stopped the car and walked to meet them.

"Good morning." I greeted them with a smile.

"Oh! Anna, my dear! It's nice to see you." Violet approached me, giving me a warm hug that I reciprocated. I have known her since I started working with the foundations. She always helped us, so I have a lot of affection for her and for me.

"Good morning. Violet invited me to come with her today. She told me that you were in charge of the foundation, so I decided to come and help however I could. I am having fun with the children." Monica intervened, approaching me and hugging me, and I hugged her back.

"It is always nice to find more people willing to help us," I told her with a smile.

At that moment, some children came to greet me. I crouched to match their height so I could hug them. Nicolas, my sweet six-year-old friend, arrived after a few minutes.

"Princess!"

He hugged me, and I wrapped his little body in my arms. "How are you, my prince?"

"I'm fine! I missed you! I have a lot of things to tell you."

I got up and took his little hand in mine. "Then come with me and tell me everything."

"Dear, don't forget there is a dinner to talk about the new project," Violet reminded me.

"Of course. Please excuse me." I told the ladies and walked with my little companion to check how the renovations were going. They are not working on them today, so it is safe to go with Nico.

Nicolas told me every detail of what happened this week with a smile. About his games and his little friends.

I spent the day with him and went home, feeling alone now that Grandpa left and he will only come back on the wedding day and he will leave again.

I had dinner, went to bed, watched a movie, and went to sleep, but suddenly, an image of Sebastian entered my mind. I found him intriguing, interesting, and attractive. I wonder how it will feel to be in his strong arms and to kiss his lips. I shook my head trying to get those thoughts away and slept.