Fighting back

Ciara doesn't know the reason behind it, but she finds herself laughing out loud at his sudden command. Wait, what was he taking her for? His maid he could just order around to do things as his will?

Well, if that is what his thinking is —then he is mistaken, she won't do things because he wanted her to or allow him boss her around like he owns her.

“What's funny…?” She heard him almost thundering, cutting her off her sudden laughter. Ciara did not notice the hard glare on his face that was being fixated on her, he was red with anger. “Why are you laughing? You find what I just said to you amusing, isn't it?”

Her face was blank like she was not laughing a few moments before, as she stared down at the ball pen in her hand instead of replying to him or saying anything.

 She pressed some few buttons on her system and shut it close like she was exiting his sight, leaving his question hanging.

Her attitude did hit a hard spot on Ryan as he finds her offensive, did she not hear him? Why is she not saying anything? The more he thought about it, the more his annoyance grow.

“You don't keep quiet when I ask you a question, woman…!” This time, he was thundering, the glaciers in his eyes seemed too noticeable like they were blinding his own sight.

His anger would make anyone around him cower back into their shell, but definitely not Ciara, she only stares at him like nothing did happened.

Maybe it was because she's been used to his anger or perhaps not —either which way, she could only blink her lashes continuously at him.

“Stop testing my patience, I won't be good on you this time…" He told her in a deep and rough voice, it was vibrating too. “...if this is what you are trying to do.”

“Well, I don't know what you are talking about.” She muttered under inaudibly with a slight shoulder shrug.

“Yeah, you do know what I'm talking about.” He muffled out, heaving out a deep sigh, a heavy silence taking over the atmosphere.

Ciara had thought he was playing a prank on her and maybe since it did not work on her, he decided to let go —if only she knew he was serious with her.

“How do I say this to your understanding, woman?” Ryan hissed with frustration, still glaring at the woman before him as he breaks the thick silence yet again.

“There is nothing to say, Ryan —there isn't…" She muttered in reply, returning the same vibe as his. “I can't accept whatever thing you are saying nor what is written on the papers, okay?”

He let out a forced chuckle, but the glaciers in his eyes didn't seem like it would melt —not any time soon. “Of course, you will. You will do as I have ordered, you can't go against my words, not a bit of it.”

“Why?” She asked, her brows raised as she stared questioningly at him. “Why can't I go against your words?”

He rubbed his temple continuously, his patience running out. He felt like if he didn't end their conversation soon, he might end up with a serious headache.

“You can't because you have no choice to it.” He replied to her, his voice far from friendly. “I suggested this in the first place and I want it to end now, what is there that's too hard for you to understand?”

“You want it to end because you suggested this at first…" It wasn't a question, she was repeating his own words back to him. “Ahh —I think I get you now.”

Ryan knows she was mocking him, but even as threatened, he could only do next to nothing to her —maybe that was why she was getting on his nerve. He wondered with in himself.

How best would he talk things out with her to make her do as he had requested? He wanted their marriage to end as soon as it can, but she was not ready to oblige to it. 

They never loved themselves from the start, he made a contract with her because he had no choice to it and now that he felt the coast was clear, he wants to end what he started with her.

Why is she finding it too hard to do, as said, eh?

“Why are you prolonging this talk and making it seems like it's a hard task?” He muttered in complaint.

“Because it is…" She stated plainly in reply. “What's stopping you from waiting until the rest of the few months roll away? Why try to breach the contract midway for no reason?”

“Why does it matter to you whether I breach the contract or not?” He asked back in reply. “—and who told you I have no reason for doing this? And yes, don't ask my reasons for it.”

Ciara stared blankly at him, unsure of how best to answer him. How does she reply to such question anyway?

“Just sign this already…" He uttered, breaking into her train of thoughts. “I have no much time to waste with you, woman, I have better things to do than this.”

“It's better you go for the better things you have to do instead —” She told him nonchalantly, throwing the document at him. “—because I'm not ready to sign any paper…"