The Arrangement

Chapter 11

Hello, hello, for those of you who inquired, thank you and yes, I am doing better. I appreciate your concern :) now without further adieu I give you the next chapter, and a special treat, for the first time, you will get a glimpse into Trent's mind. How excited are we??? You can show your excitement in the form of votes and comments <3 Enjoy my lovlies!

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Chapter 11

"What does that mean?"

"Mikaela, you know what I'm asking."

"Trent, I need you to understand, I don't date."

"Why not?"

"It's a long story."

"We have a lot of time."

I sighed. "Trent, I don't talk to people."

"But you like your funding, don't you."

I glared at him. This was going to be a long year if that kept being brought up. My work was my baby. This project I'd already put so much time, energy, and effort into it. I couldn't let it go without a fight. "I'm going to be bad at it."

"What makes you think that?"

"Because I ruin every relationship, romantic or otherwise, sooner or later. Usually sooner."

"This requires a story."

"That is none of your business." I snapped. This conversation was so over.

"What was his name?"

"Excuse me?"

"What was his name? The guy who broke your heart."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Liar. You know damn well what I'm talking about. No one gets as closed off as you are without being hurt."

"If you're so smart, figure it out yourself."

"I could." Trent nodded as he took another bite and took his time chewing and swallowing. "But I'd rather hear it from you."

"What does that mean?"

"If I really wanted to, I could hire a PI and find out everything about you. Call me old fashioned, but I'd like to get you know you. I'd like you to share you secrets with me, not me have to pry them from you. I want you. There's no denying that. But I want you willingly. If I were to take your secrets from you by force, it would be as distasteful as rape. I'm sure I could, but I won't. You prize your secrets very highly. I won't take that treasure by force."

I stared at him. He looked so strange to me all of a sudden. He reached his hand and his fingertips barely touched my chin. He lifted it until I was looking in his eyes. Those grayish-green orbs seemed to be searching my face for something.

"Eventually, you have to let someone in. Why not me?"

"You're just going to be gone in a year."

Trent shrugged. "If you want."

"What does that mean?"

"It means, that we can reevaluate this in a year. If something is working, it doesn't have to be over."

"Trent, you can't go and say things like that."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't believe you're telling the truth."

Trent leaned forward. I was suddenly aware how close we were. His face was barely an inch from mine. "I assure you, I am telling the truth."

I pulled my head from his hand and shook my head. "Trent you don't even know me."