Sydney

"OK, seriously, how are things between Aiden and you?" Leah asked me as soon as we sat down for lunch in a cafe.

I chewed my lower lip, unsure of what to say.

"So far, he's been pleasant, and I believe I could live with him for a year. His family, though, is a different matter."

"Did his stoned brother bother you once more?" Mike enragedly inquired.

"No,but I got a crash course on how to be a gold digger from his stepmom."

Leah snickered. "Right from the expert's mouth."

I couldn't help smiling.

"How's your TV role?" I asked and hastily covered my mouth with my hands.

I looked at both of them and said, "Sorry, I had to keep it a secret from Leah."

"It's all right. When you were on your honeymoon, he told me." I breathed a sigh of relief when Leah said it.

Mike described his job and how he would be moving to Los Angeles for a few months.

"When are you moving?" I inquired.

"Not sure about the date. Let's see... Have you thought about what you are going to do after the contract is up?" asked Mike.

" Get back to my work, I suppose. I haven't planned anything yet. I won't be able to stay in this city anymore. I will have to move. Maybe I could follow you to LA?" I added mischievously.

"So, what about Aiden ? Isn't it likely to make news once more?" Mike inquired.

I just shrugged my shoulders.

"I don't think he even cares. When he offered me this contract he was very well aware of the scandal it would cause a year later. So, it hardly matters." I explained.

What was going on in Aiden's head was a mystery to me. He was extremely clear in his desire for my body. I even craved his touch in some part of my heart. No matter how hard I tried to deny it. But this 'lust' wasn't going to hold for long. Eventually, he would get tired of me. Maybe he was already having his eyes on some other woman. I didn't like that thought and shrugged to dispel that thought.

It was one of the best lunches I ever had. The food was the same as usual but I loved talking and laughing with Mike and Leah just like in the old times. I had ignored several calls from Aiden and I knew he was going to be furious. I wasn't bothered. It would serve him right.

*************

When I entered the mansion tentatively, it was almost supper time. I'd been out for almost the entire day when I was suddenly overcome with terror. Aiden was not in my room when I arrived. Perhaps he's still at work. I instantly changed into a more comfortable outfit and began pondering my options. When a knock came at the door, it had to be Martha.

As she entered the room, Martha remarked, "Mr Reiner is in the study if you'd like to join him..."

"Study?" I faintly remembered Martha pointing out a room as a study earlier in the trip.

"I'll go to him," I said.

I found him lounging lazily in his armchair, wineglass in hand. He was currently clothed in only a loose-fitting tee and dark pants; his shirt was light enough to light over the toned muscles underneath. I looked away, back to his face, hoping he hadn't caught me staring.
He took a casual sip, his blue eyes never leaving mine.

"I see you are back," he said, with an amused quirk of his lips, "what were my instructions, Sydney?"

I took a sharp intake of breath.

"To have lunch with you," I said softly.

He kept away his glass and walked towards me.

"But you not only defied me. You couldn't wait to get away and meet your 'friends'. Why?"

"I left a message for you..." I stumbled and took a step back, hitting the wall.

"Right! the message, " He placed his hand on either side of my head, trapping me.

"Tell me who's the wife you are?"

"Yours," I mumbled....unfortunately.

"Then who should you be obeying?"

I looked straight into his eyes, "no one, Aiden, I don't know what you are implying but I refuse to become your puppet!"

He narrowed his eyes, " what do you mean?"

"Mr Reiner, I am your wife, not your slave, as per our contract." I put my palms on his chest, not to push him away, but to maintain a safe space. "I'm going to see my friends, and live my life. There's nothing in the contract that says I have to eat lunch or supper with you. I did let you know that I was heading out. As a result, I'm baffled as to why you're so angry."

I may have said facts. However, I knew I had crossed the line when I saw his furious look. He was scarcely able to hide his rage. But he let go of his grip, and I was free once more. My joy, however, was short-lived. As my body clashed with his, he grabbed my arm and pulled me in.


"I told you Sydney. I'm a fair man. But I have already made it clear, you are mine. You will do what I say," he whispered.

"For how long?" I asked.

"For as long as I wish! You know how things can be pleasurable between us," he ran a finger down my throat, stopping just above my breast.

"And what is to become of me when you tire of me? When you've exhausted all of your lust?" I asked.

My question caught him off-guard because he froze and blinked and I finally caught him at a weak moment.

"Your interest in me is flattering, but like with other things, this....this infatuation is fleeting. You're not the type to be satisfied with just one woman. Isn't that why you signed a one-year contract to deceive your grandfather?"

I could tell he was angry because his pulse on the temple throbbed.

"I'll always look after you, Sydney," he promised.

He was telling the truth.

" OK and what will my life be like? What do you expect me to do here?" I asked, looking up at him. Aiden looked bemused momentarily.

"I thought I made that obvious," he replied teasingly, slightly rubbing himself against me.

"So I am to sit in that lavish suite, day after day, waiting for you to come to me and fuck me ?" I asked.

I wondered whether I had spoken too much when I heard him inhale sharply. His grasp on my arm became even stronger, and his face took on a hard, icy expression. My blood ran frigid.

"Like a convenient whore ?" I added.

His face had darkened.

"You will not use such terms.....do you understand? You are my wife !"

"For just a year, Mr Reiner. I admit that I knew what I was getting myself into when I signed the contract. But I didn't have much of a choice. However, it looks like I entered another prison. If I have to live as per your whims, then how is this life better than a prison ?"

"Am I not kind to you, Sydney? I've told you before, I care about you." He said suddenly.

I was anxious not to offend him, so I chose my words carefully.

I said, "Surely, but I cannot spend my days doing this...constantly."

He laughed.

"To be honest, I can't think of a more enjoyable way to spend my days than ravishing you every hour," he remarked, laughing even louder. "But I see where you're coming from. That type of virility is beyond me."

He let go of my arm and began pacing, his fingers raking through his hair. Aiden finally spoke up after what felt like an eternity.
 "Sydney, I like you…a lot. Perhaps I was too fast. I would like us to start afresh on the right footing. To get to know each other. If, by the end of our contract, you still don't have a better impression of me, I would still stick to my part of our bargain. You will be free to leave. No string attached. I promise that during your stay with me, I will not coerce or manipulate you to do things you don't want......against your will."

My head was in a tangle, so I didn't respond. I wasn't expecting him to be so…..pleasant.

Finally, I took a deep breath and said, "I just want to ask you this again and please be honest with me…" I paused for a moment before continuing, "Did you set me up with the cocaine?"

"No," said Aiden.

He didn't say anything else. There was no hesitancy, no pause, just a firm No.

He was speaking the truth to me.
"I have faith in you," I said gently. "Thank you," I said, turning away from him.

He said, "You are welcome." The room was deafeningly quiet. For a few minutes, we were riveted to our location.

"I'm guessing you're hungry by now; would you still like to join me for dinner?" Aiden said, his old charm returning. He tilted his head to give me a quirky smile.

"I'm a little hungry," I said with a smile.