“Crystal Dante.” He repeated as he sank into the leather seat, no wonder he felt he like knew her. she looked so much like her damned sister and it got him wondering. “So, you are Crystal? Cassandra's sister?” he nods hauntingly.
“Yes I am.” Crystal answers a little bit mortified, she felt ashamed on her sister’s behalf and Kayden looked like a good man, he didn’t know her, yet he gave her audience. “I’ve come here to apologize on her behalf, we are very sorry. She told me everything, that she planned to defraud you, but I believe it was because of her dire condition.”
“What could be so dire that I should suffer for?” his steel eyes were now locked on her innocent ones. “Her ideas are inexcusable but our mother is very sick and since we are poor, we cannot afford the hospital bills. I promise you; she didn't do it on purpose.” She answered quietly.
“I’m sorry to hear that, but it wasn’t my fault. Why should I suffer for something that I didn’t cause?” He queried but now Crystal had fallen silent. “Perhaps, she is my girlfriend, she could have told me, I was more than ready to do anything for her. But I’m afraid that’s not her only excuse, was it? The thing is Cassandra covet my properties, she wanted even my life.” She let out a sigh, he wasn’t ready to bargain.
His eyes said it all, he meant every single thing, and he does not seem like the type to easily compromise.
“I'm sorry but your sister has to pay for what she did to me,” the thought of her alone made him irked. “She will have to go to prison and learn some lessons.”
“My mother will finally die of a heart attack.” she breathe out, it seemed more like a forced sigh. “I beg you Mr. Smith, I would do anything.”
“There is nothing I can do miss Crystal, now it is either you leave my office or I’ll have to call security.” Her lips quivered as she stared into his silver eyes hopelessly.
“Please, I would do anything; I was told I cannot pay a bail because you-" A sharp ring from the intercom interrupted her, Kayden picked up the phone running his hands in his hair, following a frustrated pattern. “Yes, I know, thanks for informing me, Laurie.” his frown deepen.
“Thank you.” he dropped the phone and turned back to Crystal, an idea came whizzing in his mind, and it had better work.
“You want to save your sister so bad?” she nodded.
“Yes please...”
“You will do anything?” he repeated and she nodded. “Yes, please.”
“Get up from your knees.” He watched her get up slowly, adjusting her dress, a bruise already forming from where she knelt. He then decided he needed to see what kind of dress she was wearing and the hoodie is making her look like a beggar.
The dirty piece of material.
“Take of your hoodie.” He ordered, it was so sudden, she didn’t have time to prepare herself. She looked at him unbelievably at the command, she did not understand nor did she complain, she was wrong, he was like the rest of them.
She took off her hoodie revealing a thin strapped white gown, the bodice of the gown hung to her body tightly. The dress looked pretty on her; but just like the hoodie, it was slightly stained and that didn’t sit well with him at all.
Her next move surprised him; she flung her arm backward to undo her zipper. “Stop... no.... Jeez.” he stuttered, his eyes widening astonished. “I didn't ask you to strip, lady.”
“Oh! I thought you wanted that other thing.” he scoffed disgusted at her thoughts. “I must look like some sort of sex crazed pervert, right?” he asked, his voice slightly bothersome. “I’m not down that bad.” Crystal’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment as they silently stared at each other.
He cleared his throat, breaking the silence between them. “Come sit here,” He ordered motioning for her to sit on one of the small chairs that laid opposite his desk; she stumbled towards him and sat just like he had ordered.
“How old are you?”
“I'm twenty-two years old.” As soon as he heard that his lips curved in a satisfied smirk; he was scared she was going to turn out a teenager as her sister was only twenty-five.
“As you must know, I’m very rich and powerful. I can make your sister rot in jail for the rest of her life.” Her eyes narrowed painfully at his words.
“But she didn’t do anything yet, you can’t possibly do that.” She argued.
“Yeah, you want to feed me on some human rights bullshit, don’t you?” He snickered. “In this world, the law sides money and I have that money. No matter how huge the pothole is, dropping a few thousands and they will come up with something themselves.”
Crystal’s heart quickened in her chest; she knew he was right but will he, do it?
“You can’t do that.” Tears gathered in her eyes, for her mother Cassandra is everything, learning Cassandra went to jail will surely kill her for real this time.
“I can, but you can change that?” Was it hope, but something glimmered from the darkness of her eyes.
“How? I said I will do anything.”
“Yes, I know, and that is why I will be fair to you, Crystal.” He pushed himself closer to the table. “Your mother is sick right? And you can’t afford the bills?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t care what she has got or how expensive it is, I’ll pay.” Her eyes widen in shock, she shook her head, she probably didn’t hear it right.
“W-What?”
“Listen closely, I’ll drop whatever charges I had laid on your sister and I will provide funds for your mother’s medical treatment but only on one condition.” she froze waiting for the condition, hoping it is something she could give, something she could sacrifice. She would do anything or even everything for her family.
“Marry me, Crystal.” it first came like a bullet whizzing past her ears.
“What?” Of all the things that lingered on her mind, this was not it. She hadn’t expected it, especially from someone who was once her sister’s lover…But that doesn’t matter now, does it?
“Your mother's bills will be settled, whatever hospital intensive care unit is needed she will get the best doctors and even your sister has the opportunity of not being an ex-convict...only if you agree to marry me.” something stir up in Crystal's stomach, it was fear.
“Why?” she asked in a small and unsure voice and then he burst into laughter, a mocking type of laugh that made her sick to the stomach.
“Of course, not because I love you or anything, but because I don’t have a choice and as desperate as you are but of course look at the benefits.” He paused slightly, studying her doubtful form. “We will be married for two years and we will discuss also our terms and conditions.”
She was confused but she knew one thing.
This was a lifetime opportunity to settle her mother's health conflicts, she might never get this chance ever again. It doesn’t matter if this was the right thing to do or not, she has to do it and then again, it’s just two years.
Kayden is truly being fair to her.
She wiped a stray tear and looked at him confidently.
“Okay, but you have to put our agreement in black and white.” she was demanding, it was a turn off, especially since he knew she had no right to even ask for anything but maybe this could be a better way to get revenge from Cassandra.
“You shall have it with a lawyer to sign our agreement.” The intercom rang again and he picked it up. “Ok Laurie, just hold them for a while.”
Kayden stepped out of his seat and moved closer to Crystal, he had gone over the past five minutes explaining to her about how important this marriage is, to him and to his company. “Are you ready, Crystal?” he asked and she nodded wiping her tears with her hands, he brought out a handkerchief from his pockets and handed it to her.“Now you have to fill in Cassandra’s place and address the press together with me,” she nods quietly, blowing into the handkerchief, he made a disgusted face which she chose to ignore.“Everything we talked about depends on this, right?” she asked.“Yeah” he declared gravely, and she doesn't have much of a choice.“Just remember everything I have told you and be creative and we will play along nice. Remember, there can be no mistakes.” She nods at his instructions. “Oh, I forgot something.” He strolled around his desk once more and brought out a small ring box.“Put that on, I forgot to take back my ring from Cassandra, but that should be good enough.”
Crystal walked out of the building, a lot of negative emotions consumed her, she had walked in here feeling a bit nervous and unsure of what she would do but now, she was angry. Even though a bit relived that she was able to set her sister free from the clutches of such a powerful and controlling man, there was some sort of anger building up in her chest. Her phone rang; and she fumbled through her purse to take it out. “Hey,” she answered and winced slightly when Cassandra’s panicked voice reverberated inside her ears“Crystal, what the hell did you do?” She asked curiously. “I just got released.” “He kept his promise, that’s good.” Crystal whispered, her voice in a near tears state, she was just so glad Cassandra is finally out. “Promise? Crystal, what did you do?” she enquired again, but this time, her tone was slightly dark and harsh, she feared the worst. Truly, Kayden was a sweet and kind man towards her, but she didn’t know what lengths he was willing to take his rev
The shrill sound of Cassandra’s alarm woke her up from her restless slumber; she had fallen asleep late the previous night. She had been anticipating Kayden’s reply and she wasn’t as fortunate to get one before she fell asleep. She glanced over her shoulder and there Crystal was, she had fallen asleep on the study table, she bought from her first salary. She had a pencil in her left hand, she must have tried to continue the art for the comic page she was to submit yesterday but she had fallen on the sheets. Cassandra got up from the bed and strolled over to the table, she tapped on Crystal lightly. “Hey, wake up.” She called as she tapped her lightly, Crystal murmured incoherently in her sleep. “You’re going to be late for work.” Lazily, Crystal dragged herself up, and in a semi drowsy state she continued to draw. “Harris will kill me if I don’t finish this.” She muttered as she continued, Cassandra shook her head, feeling a very huge sense of pity for her sister she had
“So, no one is going to talk about the boss and his fiancée?” Lola announced as she pulled back her chair slightly; the rest of the girls gathered. Work was done for the day anyways, and it was either they talked about the latest gist or they go home. “Is it me? Or I think something strange is going on between the couple.” Dora said as she laid some files that were due for submission on the table, she stretched and yawned widely.“Why?” Laurie asked joining them. “We were both there, didn't you see the boss, his reaction?” Laurie then paused seeming lost in her thoughts as she tried to remember the events clearly.“How did he react?” Deborah asked, she had stopped typing and was fully interested in the gossip.“He acted like he didn't even know her,” Dora whispered and there was a surprised ohh among them. “Yeah, now that you talk about it, why was she even crying?” Laurie added“It was rather dramatic and romantic,” Dora said dryly.“But she drop-dead gorgeous!” Deborah the red-ha
Harris's eyes narrowed as he read through the letter Crystal submitted, he threw the letter back at her and frowned. “What’s this supposed to mean?” He asked curiously, she closed her eyes when it paper flew towards her face and she sighed softly, she hated his shitty entitlement. Just because he owned a block in the city, he feels like he could rule her life, but she never had the balls to complain. “Just as the letter implied, I want to take a month’s leave…and of course without my payment.” She read trying her best to not lose her cool, now was probably not the best time to lose her job. Even if she were to marry Kayden, she would like to still be employed and she enjoyed painting so she didn’t want to risk it. “You haven’t been punctual to work, you are always giving excuses and now you want a leave? Why?” he queried, the irritation very evident in his grey eyes. “I’m entitled to have at least two leaves in a year and I have been working here for four years and I haven’t taken
The shop owner and her assistants were taking Crystal’s measurements, her eyes flickered back to Kayden, who was just casually seated and tapping on his phone, he looked so deviously handsome it was almost surreal. It was as though his face was sculpted by the gods themselves during their free time and they decided to make something like no other.She could hardly believe she was getting married to a man as perfect as that, even though it is based on a mutual contract, he would have been a milestone she would never reach. It was as though, Kayden felt her watchful eyes on him, and his silvered orbs anchored back at her and she looked away from him quickly, blushing furiously.“We are all done, your dress will be ready in two days,” Marine said pulling the tape rule over her head, and she handed the jotter over to her assistant. “Are there any other accessories you would like to add?” Crystal glanced at Kayden and shrugged. “Just tell her anything you want, sweetheart.” And again,
Crystal can’t help but notice something was wrong with her sister; she didn’t know what but she could feel it. Cassandra would rarely speak or eat at home and she was spending more time in the hospital, it was almost as if she wanted to ignore her. Crystal groaned as she brushed her teeth, Cassandra was the only person she had. Their mother had been sick from the beginning of time, and their father got tired of spending all his money on medication and hospital bills. Crystal was just nine when he picked up his bags and left, he didn’t even look back and he hadn’t even called once ever since.After all, they were both girls, and he would always say what value do female children bring? It was then crystal clear, he would have left anyways their mother’s sickness was just an excuse.She gargle some water and spat it into the ceramic bowl and then wiped her mouth; Crystal was just so sick and tired of being in a society where women are seen just as playthings for men. Harris, that
Crystal had all the time in the world, yet it wasn’t enough to prepare herself to marry Kayden. She had dreams and pictured scenarios about how it would go and how she would act, but when the day came it was pretty much overwhelming. That was not all, it wasn’t the stress or the dress, or the heavy makeup she was wearing; it was her sister, Cassandra had refused to attend the wedding as well. “Crystal, I have to go now.” She said wiping her tear-stained face with the back of her hand, they had been arguing for more than ten minutes now. “No, you can’t go.” She grabs Cassandra's hands before she could leave again. “Is this because you once dated Kayden?” “No, that’s not it. Please, Crystal, listen to me, Kayden shouldn't see me here.” She muttered softly, looking at the door, as if she was anticipating someone. “And why not? You’re my sister. You are the only family I have now, you should at least be here for me.” Crystal complained, her eyebrows furrowed together, she was bot