08. Please!

Elena's POV

"Elena." There was no way I was imagining his deep, smooth voice calling my name. I turned around to find his tall frame towering over mine, hands thrusted inside his pockets while he looked square into my eyes but his were not the only eyes on me. Numerous curious stares were thrown our way.

"What are you doing here?" Not disagreeing that my voice sounded hostile.

"Why? Can't I come to meet my fiance?" The look in his eyes was daring me to challenge him. Murmurs broke out at the exciting piece of information. This told me that most people had an idea of who Rylan Parker was.

"Of course you can but it's the working hours, baby." I added a little endearment considering the fact that we had an audience.

"I am sure your boss wouldn't mind if I steal you for a little while." His eyes looked somewhere behind me. Before I could turn, another familiar voice rang out.

"Of course not, Mr. Parker." My boss spoke with a sickeningly sweet smile and such a submissive posture like he could kiss Rylan's ass if given a chance.

Rylan stiffly nodded at him before returning his gaze back at me. I wanted to roll my eyes at him but once again the number of eyes on us convinced me otherwise. Managing a fake smile, I excused myself out, him following behind.

"What is so important that it can't wait? You can't just come when I'm working. What do you want now?" My tone didn't hide the obvious irritation.

"That's what I want to ask you. What game are you playing?"

"What do you mean? Listen if you are here to accuse me then let me make it clear, I haven't told anyone about the stupid contract." He took one step closer to me.

"What did you think when you let Ava call you Mom?" His voice was calm and cold, not letting anything out.

"What would I have done?" I had toned down my voice, a part of me feeling guilty of the matter.

"You should have told her no. How can you allow her to believe that you are going to be the mother figure in her life even after knowing what is to happen in future? Do you even know how much it is going to hurt her when you leave?" I knew I wasn't right but he wasn't in the place to accuse me when he was the one to put us in this situation. He should have thought of the possibility that his supposed wife may grow on his daughter.

"You should have thought of that before you came up with this contract." I retorted.

"So is it what that is? A revenge?" My lips parted in disbelief. Allow him and he can frame you as the most heartless person in a few minutes.

"I'm not so cheap that I will take my anger or frustration out by hurting an innocent child." His slight head tilt told me that he didn't believe my words.

"She saw my childhood pic with Mom. She thinks that her mother isn't here with her because she doesn't love her. She was crying and I didn't know what exactly to say because you refused to tell me about her mother. So I'm sorry that her tears made me conflicted. I'm sorry that I couldn't refuse her and break her heart." I pressed my lips together at the end of the speech, refusing to explain myself further.

When seconds passed and I didn't hear from him, I looked back at him. His eyes were now focussed on the ground instead of me. Finally he looked up and glanced at my face once before taking off without sparing another word. I kept staring as his car zoomed out of the parking lot.

…………………

"Mom, I am leaving." I said while checking my phone.

"Where are you headed to?" Dad strolled into the hall with the newspaper in his hand.

"Rylan's grandmother wants to meet me. His driver is coming to pick me up." He nodded before passing a smile.

Coming out, I could at once recognise his car but what was unexpected was the person standing in front. His text didn't tell me to expect him standing at my doorstep.

'My Grandmother wants to meet you. My driver will pick you up tomorrow by ten.'

-Rylan.

I had read it over twice which had pissed me off more than before. Firstly he arranged for me to meet with his grandmother without my consent. Then he didn't even bother to ask me when I was free. Every single thing about this man screamed arrogant.

Standing exactly in front of him, I raised a brow in question. Instead of saying anything, he opened the passenger door for me.

"Get in." I was so done with his orders.

"Please." He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"What?"

"Add a please to your statement." I stated with a smile.

"Or what?" He looked at me with a bored expression.

"I'm not getting in." I folded my arms against my chest. He gave me an incredulous look.

"Are we seriously doing this?" I shrugged in response.

"You kind of just ordered me to be ready for a meeting that wasn't arranged with my consent. The least you can do is add a small please to-" He cut me off.

"Can you get in, please?" He gritted out the last part while I inwardly grinned at my small victory.

"Sure." He shut the door after me before getting in the driver's seat.

"I thought your driver was coming to pick me up." I put the seatbelt on before I looked at him for an answer.

"That was the plan." He responded while keeping his eyes on the road.

"I believe your extreme desire to pick me up yourself isn't why you're here." My words made him roll his eyes before he took a turn.

"My grandmother forced me to come pick you up." I couldn't help the corner of my lips from curving up.

"So the bossy and arrogant Mr. I-Get-It-All just got ordered. Glad to know that there's someone who can keep your ass on line." I chuckled.

"Excuse me?" I grinned, enjoying the offended tone of his words.

"Excused." He exhaled, somewhat exasperated but what did I care?"

"We need a story." He decided to break the peaceful silence prevailing in the car.

"For?" I kept looking outside.

"For people. Grams will be wanting to know how we met and…." He trailed off.

" Fell in love? I will manage it. I have spent my last day in the office telling tales about it after you decided to drop the news of our engagement." He nodded while tapping on the steering.

" Well then." We were soon in front of the Parker mansion. As I entered through the main gate, I realised that I hadn't been to my supposed fiance's house. My mind took it upon itself to imagine what his house would look like. Before I could complete the picture in my mind I heard someone's voice.

"You're here." It wasn't hard to guess that she was Rylan's grandmother. With her grey hair and wrinkly skin, she looked to be somewhat in her  seventies.

"Grams, meet Elena, my fiance." The old lady shook her head at him in slight disappointment. I wasn't sure of whether I was going to like her.

"You speak like I'm meeting your teacher. I swear you are always serious." Rylan gave her an unimpressed look but she wasn't least bothered by it. I chuckled, causing her to look at me. For a second I was nervous under her gaze before a smile broke out on her face.

"Elena, I am so happy to meet you." She touched my arm with a certain warmth in her honey brown orbs.

"It's very nice to meet you too, Mrs. Parker." I smiled politely.

"Call me Rose or better yet call me Grams." Guess I couldn't resent anyone in this family except for the arrogant asshole.

"Let's sit down and talk. I have all day to speak to you."