The Girl In His Heart

Chapter 4

Casper looked quizzically at Ava as if he couldn't believe what his ears heard. Maybe he was hallucinating. Loads of work and insomnia had really taken a toll on his health.

He delivered a quick glance at his assistant and to his surprise, she looked equally baffled.

That only meant one thing - he was not hallucinating.

Ava Williams was a peculiar existence in his life. She was stubborn and could go to any lengths to get what she wanted. She had become a serious headache for him and his company security since last week.  Wherever he would go, she would surely pop up, be it day or night.

Her recent declaration should not surprise him; given her nature, but god he was indeed left surprised. He could associate Ava with sudden impulsiveness but this was not what he meant when talking about her.

Casper 's eyes held a myriad of emotions; changing every second while scrutinizing Ava. It was as if he would notice even a single flicker of emotion change on her face.

But to his surprise again, Ava did not show even a bit of reluctance or hesitation. Her brown eyes were determined and she looked prepared for the consequences of her words.

To Ava, Casper was unusually quiet. By now he would have rebuked her and scolded her harshly but that did not look like the case now. His grey eyes were dark with an unknown emotion and a violent storm was brewing in those orbs. His brows were furrowed and lips were thinned in an unusual occurrence. Did he look in ..... pain?

There was a moment of stillness. It looked like there were only two people in the noisy lounge, both competing in an unknown staring competition. 

As if looked, contemplated, and observed enough, Casper regained his calm and composure. His business tone was back and there was no sign of earlier weakness.

This was the Casper Ava knew. Composed and Indifferent.

"Right. Very Good." Casper muttered under his breath.

His piercing gaze was directed at Ava when he spoke the next heavy words.

"But on my terms."

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The big day finally arrived and two documents bound them together in marriage.

There were no flowers, flower girls or guests at the wedding. Concerned 'parties' accompanied by respective lawyers signed the marriage certificate and began their married life in Casper's office room.

True to his word, Casper had set his terms before Ava and she had unhesitantly accepted them.

The three conditions were very cruel. It was as if Casper had designed them specifically for Ava to back off and suffer. He had made the whole marriage a cruel but profiting business deal.

But it was not his fault too.

For his defense, it was Ava who had come first negotiating. So there was no harm in him laying down the ground rules. It was only Ava that would suffer, for carrying the weight of love in a contractual deal was never a wise decision.

The rules were quite simple and could be summarised in a few points or a line.

"Ava was Casper's wife only in papers and for six months. 

Their personal lives would never intersect nor would the world or families get to know about their marriage."

The marriage itself is a precious institution for those who love each other. They vow to love and protect each other and two families become one in the process.