Million Dollar Bride

3: Contract

     -Xavier above-
-----------------------------------------------------
I instantly took in the cold atmosphere. They men weren't speaking but instead seemed to be holding a staring match. They were sitting on opposite sides of my coffee table located on the office entry floor, they had conveniently left the middle seat for me. Neither turned when I open the door but both of them snapped their heads towards me when the door slammed shut behind me. Instantly Mr.Harris smiled while his son kept an impassive look on his face. I straightened my back walking around and behind Mr. Harris to reach the chair in the middle all while Xavier kept his eyes trained on me. I sat down placing the folder I was holding on the table , silently praying that Natalia would quickly bring the drinks. I notice the brown envelope in front of Xavier but continued to act nonchalant . ''What can I do for you both?'', I began rolling my thumbs around in small circles hoping that this would all end quickly. Xavier reached for the envelope as Mr. Harris talked to me. ''We were able to write the contract much faster than we anticipated and well we decided not to wait any longer,'' I nodded unsure of how I felt about such a quick advancement. Natalia entered with the drinks as Xavier placed the thick contract in front of me. I tried not to show how  astonished and overwhelmed I felt at simply seeing the size of the contract. As soon as she finished placing down the drinks she gave me a small smile before leaving. I looked at the packet in front of me and realized it was more than ten pages long. ''You could have just emailed me the contract'', I picked up the packet and began flipping through it. Benefits Check, Contact time two years , live in same home, attend charity/public events together, ect. Every thing seemed in order and fair until I reached the personal life section on page 6. ''Open relationships'', My voice seemed to echo in my own office.  I turned towards Xavier who  looked at me but didn't say anything. ''Explain,'' I said simply. He turned towards his father who got up and began walking towards the doors. '' I let you two figure section 6 on your own.'' After the door shut Xavier adjusted himself on the chair turning to face me. '' I'm going to be honest and blunt right now,'' why was his voice so deep, his father's was lighter,'' I want to continue sleeping with whomever I want.'' I didn't responded. I knew the moment his father suggested the marriage that his son wouldn't change and become the picture perfect husband for the public it would be hard to get him to stop sleeping around.

 ''Alright ,'' my response was fallowed by a complete look of shock on his face. As soon as the shock came it left leaving behind expressionless Xavier. ''Will you sleep round as well?,'' His tone was cold. I snorted ,what did he expect me to simply be a perfect wife while he fucked around. ''Even if I wanted to I wouldn't have the time to, you seem to be forgetting  that this marriage is to help your company .I'm not sure if you would find the time to have sex with random women but if you can squeeze in time than by all means go to town.'' He cocked his head to the side almost as if he couldn't believe what I was saying. ''I don't want you to bring any of them to the home we will share for the next two years , and if at any moment the press finds out about said ''affairs'' than the contact will be terminated by me if I so please and I will still receive my benefits.'' He nodded still staring at me. I reached for a pen and quickly wrote what I said down. ''Have you ever slept with a man?,'' I was on the last section by the time he spoke up again.''No,'' I answered with no hesitation or hint of embarrassment. It wasn't something that I was embarrassed of or proud of. '' So your waiting for the ''one''?''. There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice. ''No,'' I had reached the end of the contract and signed it. ''Why haven't you had sex than?,''Now he sounded curious. I stood up moving towards the copy machine. I began copying the pages again. '' I just haven't met a man who I want to have sex with, I haven't met someone who I just feel attracted to enough to take to bed with me '' The new pages came out and I quickly stapled them before moving back to the seats. I placed both the copy and original in front of him with a pen to sign. I finally met his gaze again . I tried not to slap him for looking at me so intensely , what the hell was this a staring match. I waved the pen in his face which seemed to break his dazed state. He signed both the original and copy after reviewing my changes and additions. I pushed the copy closer to him on top of the envelope he brought. I place the original in my folder. I snapped my fingers in front of his face when I noticed him staring  again. ''I believe we're done here , or is there anything else you need?,'' I felt suddenly tired. I checked the time on my watch only to see that we had been together for more than an hour. ''No that would be all, actually we have something important to discuss.'' I gestured for him to continue.''The wedding date.'' Of course they over looked the  most important thing. ''I added that to the contract, we'll be married in three months time.Earlier after your father left I tried to find your latest scandal ,which took place about seven months ago since then you haven't been linked to any woman so using that to our advantage we'll go on a ''vacation'' together and let the press blow up with news of us getting engaged. When asked we'll simply say that we've been seeing each other for the last six months ,'' I was content with my plan knowing that the press wouldn't have trouble making our relationship into a fairy tale romance. Xavier looked at me like I had just told him stock secrets. 

''You're really something else ,'' I shrugged my plan  wasn't that amazing.''All you have to do is just start dropping hints that you're seeing someone around your friends but don't just act like you would when speaking of a fling you're having ,but try to seem affectionate , almost embarrassed and happy.Then just mention that we'll be traveling out of the country together,'' He looked confused. '' Why would I mention it to my friends?,'' I waited expecting him to tell me he was kidding. He only looked confused. He really doesn't know the type of people who surround him I thought. ''Just mention it to them ,I'd rather you see what happens than explain it to you.'' He nodded still unsure of what I was talking about. '' I think we've cover everything then. I'll contact you when I have the place and date of our departure figured out.'' I motioned towards the doors. Without another word he walked out closing the door behind him. I reached for my tea and down it like it was alcohol. I got up moving towards my desk. Sitting down I turned on the computer ready to find a place that would fit the romantic fantasy I was trying to sell. Europe was to predictable, plus he probably took half of his week long girlfriends there. I stretched my fingers knowing that I would spend the rest of the day trying to find some place in the world where he had not taken a fling.