The Contract

Chapter 7 - The Date

I checked out myself in the mirror. For tonight, I wore a little black satin dress with strapless hands and an open back, I topped it off with black heels.

The time read 7:20 pm, yeah I was late to the appointment I scheduled with Travis but I did that on purpose. It was all to his detriment, he needed me, so he had to pay the price for it.

My hair was in a ponytail with few strands on my face. Grabbing my bag, I headed out. My car had been returned back from been towed but surprise surprise, I got a bursted tyre.

It's like the universe didn't even want me to meet up with him.

In the ride, I got a call from Kourtney. "Are you at the bar?" She asked. "Of course not. Do you have anything important to say 'cause I'm busy?"

"What are you doing? There's a hot stud searching for you and you aren't even worried about it" she said and I rolled my eyes, glancing out the window.

"Bye" I ended the call because she had nothing else to say.

Shoving my phone back in my bag, I focused on my meeting with Travis. I had to be very calculative with everything I say, he could be a very cunning human being.

The ride ended and I looked up at the building. Pushing open the door, I stepped out and headed into the building. "Welcome miss Vega, this way" The lady standing by the entrance led me in.

We went up the stairs to the top floor. This place had less people, just 5 table filled with individuals but at a more excluded area was that asshole.

"Thanks" I appreciated before walking towards the table. He looked up at me.

"You're late" he said, placing down the glass of whiskey. "I'm the one needed, not the one in need" I replied, taking the seat opposite him, from here we had an exclusive view of the city.

Dinner got served, I glanced down at it. "You showed up late, might as well order" he said, picking up his cutleries. I glared and grabbed mine too.

I chewed slowly and took a sip of the wine. "We should get down to business, I don't have time to waste" I spoke up. "Got another date?" He asked and I rolled my eyes.

"I have my terms and conditions mapped out"

"And price?" He asked and I stared straight at him. "20 million with interest and another 5 million for damages you caused to my business" I stated.

"That was subtle of you" he said smugly and I shot him a narrowed look. "One of us got less greedy"

"If we do this, there are conditions" I started, taking another sip of the wine. "I won't be residing anywhere aside LA, I won't be fulfilling any marital duties. I'll have my freedom, I don't want to be restricted for whatever reason. I will not be forced to do whatever shit I won't feel comfortable doing and definitely, no silly nicknames"

"Agreed"

"No unnecessary PDA too"

"But we have to make everyone believe"

"I'm not gonna suck your face every chance you get" I retorted in disgust and he smirked. "You used to love that"

"Don't flatter yourself. After the 6 months..." I continued. "Whatever scandal we'd have to come up with as a reason for the divorce shouldn't be directed towards me in anyway, it shouldn't detrimental to me. I'm thinking a cheating scandal would be perfect, it will be more believable, the press wouldn't be surprise Travis Ferrari cheated on his beloved wife" I airquoted.

"What then happens to you?"

"I give an saddened speech on how broken I am and then go about my regular life" I shrugged in response and returned back to my meal.

"In that case, I also got my terms and conditions too." My gaze shot up to him, "You have to make my family approve of you"

I scoffed. "You know Raquel isn't my biggest fan"

"You wouldn't see her much, she's married. You gotta focus on getting-"

"-Mrs Ferrari's blessings" I completed. "She's never liked me, Travis."

"You should change that. One word from her could end this whole thing. So that means..." he leaned on the table to me. "You should tone it down on the sass and glary eyes"

I fake gasped. "I can't be fake for 5 seconds, Trav" I mocked and he shook his head, taking another gulp from his glass.

"Be loveable at best, if you hold up your side of the deal, I'll hold up mine. And of course, your presence will be needed at certain events"

I rolled my eyes. "Of course, billionaire wife's responsibilities" I sang.

"Are you really doing this?" He asked to be sure.

There was silence for a while. "You're right about one thing. I need the money. No strings attached, that's the motto, remember?" I reminded, eating a piece of the steak.

He signaled one of his men and they placed a file on the table. "We must put it on paper, you know" he then shot me that sly smile and I was handed a pen, scoffing, I read through the document before signing.

I went back to my meal after that. "This was easier than I thought" Travis admitted, loosening his tie.

"You weren't expecting me to yield easily?" I questioned, staring at him with a mischievous smile on my lips. "Yes and one more thing..."

"What else do you want, Travis?" I drawled

"You are to end any relationship you have with any other person"

I looked up at him, shooting him a narrowed look. "We don't want to get into the mouth of reporters for the wrong reasons. So, you'll have to stay faithful to me. It shouldn't be that difficult for you, right?"

I smirked, "I'm not allowed to get with... anyone?" I asked. "I mean, I'll be your -"

"What about Trent?" I interrupted to step on his toes, I knew how much he hated hearing that name.

I watched as his gaze slowly darkened, "He's family too and I wouldn't mind getting with him again" I continued, leaning back on my seat.

He slammed the table and my eyes shot up to him. "What the fuck?!"

"You'll stay away from him" he stated, hands tightening on his glass. "Why? Isn't he family?" I asked, I wanted that reaction from him. He had gone to extents to make me accept this stupid deal, so why not pay back in some way?

"He isn't important. Just focus on getting the others approval and I'll deal with him"

I dropped that topic and asked something else that was important. "How do we get the news out there? The engagement?" I asked, sipping from my glass.

"The proposal, we have to show up at important events together, we have to go out for dinners. That will get their attention and then I propose to you in a grand way, that will definitely get the news out there" he explained, he had it all planned out, didn't he?

"This is gonna suck" I muttered and he nodded in agreement. "By then the news would have reached Italy and we wouldn't have much explaining to do"

"You could choose the location for the wedding" he added like that could appease me.

"Like I give a shit but where ever it turns out to be. I'm definitely gonna return back to LA after it happens" I made it known and he sighed.

"I guess, this is it" he said with a satisfactory smirk on his lips. "I'm definitely gonna regret this" I replied.