03. What's Funny?

Elena's POV

"Mom!"

"In here." I made it to our living room before wrapping my arms tightly around Mom.

"What is it? What made you so happy?" She asked, turning around as I loosened my hold around her.

"I got the job at the Knight's." Her face broke in a grin once the news settled in.

"You got the job. That's such good news, honey." Dad said from behind. I walked up to him and sat beside him.

"Yes, Dad. Now I will be able to support you guys. You don't need to stress your head over your medical bills." Circling my arms around his, I put my head on his shoulder and sighed in relief. Dad placed his hand on mine and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"You were already supporting us, sweetie. You make me proud, Ella." I stared up to see the adoration and pride in his eyes and nothing was better than knowing that I was the cause behind it.

"I love you, Dad." I kissed his cheek.

………………

"Yes Sir, I'll bring you the reports." I picked up the file from my desk.

"Thank you Ms. Smith." I smiled politely and nodded before leaving the cabin. It was just then that I heard my phone ring and it was an unknown number.

"Hello ?" I waited for the person to speak.

"Ms. Smith." The voice seemed familiar but I couldn't pin it.

"Speaking. Who is it?" I heard some shuffling on the other side.

"Rylan Parker." I inhaled hearing that name. After that day at the diner, I searched him up on Google. He was one of the richest businessmen in the world. His good looks added to his success had made him quite a favourite to the media.

"Mr. Parker. How may I help you?" I was confused as to why would a man like him call me whom he met only once and that two about two months ago.

"I have something to discuss with you. Can I see you at my office tomorrow?" My curiosity perked up at his words.

"What is it that needs to be discussed?" I heard him sign at the other end.

"I'm afraid that it can't be discussed over a phone call." I hate this. I hate when people do this, say that they have something to tell you but then refuse to say it. Why don't they understand this causes a strange curiosity and unrest in people!

"I would have met you at the diner but I learnt that you have left your job there. I could have visited you at your house but I'm afraid that you wouldn't like to have the discussion there in front of your parents." Why was I having the feeling that it wasn't something good?

"You're scaring me. What is the matter ?" I asked once more hoping he would give it out but...

"I'll tell you that once we meet." I sighed in annoyance and tapped my right foot on the floor.

"So will I see you at my office?"

"Yes, but not tomorrow. Today itself." I needed to sleep at night and my curiosity had reached a level where it wouldn't allow me to. I needed to know the matter at the earliest.

"I don't mind. I'll send you my car-" I cut him off.

"No, just send me the address. I'll take a cab." I wasn't going to get in the car of a stranger.

"As you wish. When should I be expecting you ?" I looked at my watch.

"At around four."

"Well, see you then." I hummed before hanging up . Looking back at the file I pressed my lips together, thinking of the shit ton of work I had to complete if I had to leave early and meet Rylan Parker.

…………..

Coming out of the cab, I walked straight into the Parker Enterprises.

"Excuse me. I want to meet Rylan Parker." I spoke to the receptionist.

"Do you have an appointment?" She wasn't the expected bitchy receptionist.

"Uhm , no. He just asked to come to his office." She nodded .

"Can I get your name?"

"Elena Smith." She spoke over the phone before hastily keeping it down.

"Mr. Parker is expecting you." Thanking her, I took the elevator and went to the required floor. I knocked on the door to the CEO's cabin and heard a gruff come in. On entering, I saw him typing off on the laptop, his eyes trained on the screen. Honestly, he looked so hot that I could go for hours by just looking at him but that wasn't why I was here in the first place.

"Mr. Parker." He looked up at me and checked me out from head to toe before acknowledging me.

"Ms. Smith." He nodded curtly and gestured to take a seat. His unfaltering gaze on me was making me a little nervous. I consciously took a seat and pushed the hair behind my shoulders.

"You had something to say ?" I asked once I realised that he wasn't speaking.

"Yes and it's quite important." I nodded . He picked up a file from his desk and slid it towards me.

"Read it." He said once I raised my brows in a questioning manner. Taking the file in my hand I read through the pages and to stay I was appalled was an understatement. A fucking marriage contract with my name in it!

"What's this?" I slammed the file on the desk.

"Marriage contract?" His stupid words was further fuelling my irritation.

"I know that. What does this mean ? " I gritted through my teeth.

"This means that we are going to be married for a year and-" I cut him off.

"I can read. I am asking what is this nonsense? Is this some kind of joke? Why in the world will I marry you?" I looked at him incredulously.

"Because I want you to." He spoke those arrogant words with utmost coldness .

"That's bold of you to assume that I will do as you say." I glared at him. Of course I wasn't going to agree to this stupid thing but then I was a curious person by nature. I couldn't help but ask the reason.

"Where is Ava's mother?"

"She isn't in the picture." Well honestly, I wanted him to elaborate on the same but judging by his cold and clipped answer, I could assume that he wasn't going to. So I moved on to my next question.

"If you don't want to stay in this marriage, then why marry at all?" Really? Why did I even need to know why ? Me and my curiosity!

"My grandfather's will." This further messed up my mind.

"Huh? Your grandfather asked you to marry me?" I was so damn confused. I couldn't make out anything of the situation and his cold indifferent attitude wasn't helping.

"No. He didn't know you but he mentioned in his will that I need to marry and settle down in order to get his chain of hotels."

"And you chose me ? Not that it matters but I would still like to know why in the fucking world? For all I know you can easily get yourself a model or an actress because you're rich , you're famous." He nodded.

"And being famous comes with a price. Marrying a model or an actress is going to attract more media attention which is undesired. Besides I would want someone with a clean reputation who wouldn't tarnish my image publicly and you have got the cleanest record I might say." I blinked multiple times as the information settled in.

"Cleanest record? You run a background check on me?" To say I was angry was an understatement. What kind of a man is he?

"This is so cheap! You're so cheap!" My words visibly didn't bother him as he leaned back in his seat , the same stoic expression on his face.

"I need to know everything about the person before I involve my name with her's."

"The agreement is for a year after which we will get a divorce. We will tell everyone that we couldn't adjust and have a mutual divorce." He shrugged like it was the most simple thing on Earth. I couldn't help but chuckle at that.

"What's funny?" His fist under his chin supported his head while he looked at me.

"You! This whole stupid contract thing!" I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"Well I have heard enough of your bullshit. I'm sorry for asking so many questions, blame my curiosity but now I would see myself out." With this declaration, I stood up to leave.

"It's funny that you think you have a choice."