C5 Settling In

DESTINY

This man! “Why would you want to fake marry me?” Gosh, maybe he was touched in the head. Or he could have escaped from some asylum, and I brought him to my home. Good going, Destiny. I always attract weirdos.

“Like I said, Destiny… You owed me, have you any idea how much damage your rust bucket caused? That motorbike cost more than this entire property.”

“Well, now you’re exaggerating.” I shook my head at him, does he think I’m stupid or something.

“Okay, but still. My father and grandfather have threatened to disown me if I don’t get married and settle down. And I really like my lifestyle.” He explained, sitting down beside me on the sofa. I shifted up, not trusting to be so near to him.

“Are you rich or something?” I frowned at him; I was not going to be some rich boy’s plaything.

“No, nothing like the sort. I work for my father. I’m the only child.” He smirked at me. “Would you want to be married to a rich man?”

“I’m no gold digger!” I have always managed well enough on my own. “Are you gay? Not that I’m judging, but I mean you don’t even have a girlfriend, obviously.”

He burst out laughing. There were tears in his eyes. “Oh, God, no, I’m not. I have several girlfriends, but they’re not marriage material.” He wiped his face with his fingers, leaving marks on his face, making him look like a racoon.

It made me smile.

“Why are you grinning like an idiot?” he asked, glowering at me.

“Why are you so mean?” I threw back at him. “Okay, so if you aren’t rich then what’s in it for me?” I can’t believe I’m actually thinking it over.

He looked excited, moving closer and I moved back.

“Hey, I don’t bite. Not unless you want me to?” he jiggled his stupid eyebrows at me.

I clicked my tongue at him. “Get to the point.”

“Right. So, I’ll get us a contract drawn up. It will be just between us, nobody else will know about it. Do you have family?”

He was changing the subject again.

“No, my parents are dead. I don’t have siblings.” It wasn’t completely untrue I had no idea where either of them was. But, shit, I should have made up a better story. He could kill me, and no one would know or care. “Umm… I could have an aunt or uncle.” I didn’t know any of my relatives or if I had any at all.

He sighed. “Destiny, really, I’m not going to hurt you, I promise. Scout’s honor.” He gave some sort of hand signal which I didn’t know what it was for. “I just wanted to meet your family. I mean, it’s got to look like authentic, you understand?”

“Oh.” I said, unconvinced. “The real deal you say. Do I have to sleep with you?” that scared the bejeezus out of me. I was still a virgin. The thought of being intimate with anyone made me uncomfortable.

“Not unless you want to.” He laughed and his blue eyes twinkled.

“I do not.” I said with emphasis.

“Fine. I’ll put that into the contract. But in the public eye we’ll have to act like a married couple. Like holding hands, kiss now and then and so on. Okay?” he asked.

I shrugged. I guess I could stand to kiss him. “And where will I live? Seeing as you have me out of my job.”

“At my house of course. You wouldn’t have to work if you don’t want to. Or I could ask my father to give you a job at his firm. But we’ll get to that later.” He tapped his chin with one finger, thinking.

“Yeah? And after three years?” I needed to know what my options were before I went and did something foolish.

“We could get a divorce, and I’ll make sure you get a nice settlement, and we can go our separate ways.” He made it sound so simple.

“Okay.” I said.

“Yeah?” he beamed.

“That’s what I said.”

“Awesome. Pack your things.” He clapped his hands together, scanning the place.

“Why?”

“Oh, my God!” he slapped his hands to his head. “I have to go home, and you have to take me, not so.”

“I guess. But I can come back.” I had no intention of going home with him right now.

“Nope. There’s no way you’re going to stay here. Do you have to give notice? Give me their number, I’ll do it.” He took out his cell phone.

“You’re very bossy, you know.” I took out a paper wedged in between two books and gave it to him. The landlord’s number was written on it.

He took it. “Pack.” He went outside to phone.

The nerve of him ordering me around! I didn’t have a suitcase and most of my stuff was in Susy. I needed to go to the laundromat to do the washing. Taking out what was left of my clothes in the small closet, I stuffed it into grocery bags.

Standing in the door I listened to him speaking to the proprietor.

“Yeah, Destiny’s leaving. She’s getting married.” He listened. “Inspection?” he laughed, “Listen, buddy, this place isn’t worth the rent you made her pay. She’ll leave the keys for you inside, yeah? Goodbye then.” He ended the call. “Are you ready?”

As ready as I would ever be.

***

“What about your family? Do you have many relatives?” I asked while driving Susy down the gravel road. She seems to have taken the accident in her stride, although she was veering to the right side a bit. Seeing as he wanted to marry me, he would have to fix my Susy.

“No, not really. There are some uncles and aunts, nephews, and nieces, not much left. I will take you to meet my father and grandfather soon. But we first have to discuss a few things.” He sound-ed cryptic. It made me nervous.

“You know, you actually owe me a thousand pounds.” I told him.

I saw his face in the rearview mirror. He gaped at me. He’d forgotten about our bet.

“Yeah, you said you’d give me a thousand pounds if I got Susy driving.” I smiled at him.

“Seriously?”

“I’m willing to forget about our bet, if you fixed my Susy.” I said, smiling sweetly.

“Ugh! Whatever. Yes, alright. I’ll arrange it.” He didn’t look pleased.

We drove all the way in silence until we reached Lake View. Then he gave directions and we drove through some expensive looking neighborhoods. I turned Suzy into a dead end where at the bend sat an impressive house. This couldn’t be it?

The gate opened.

“Drive through.” he instructed, waving his hand at me.

“Is this your father’s place?” I asked fearfully, I didn’t want to meet his dad looking like I was a homeless person which I technically was.

“Destiny, just drive before the gate closes.” he raved.

I pushed hard on the gas pedal and Susy lurched through the gate. It closed right after us. The house was beautiful. I have never seen such a place. It was a double-story house with large windows and a huge front door with a knocker on it. The knocker was in the shape of a lion’s head. Goodness!

“Does this thing leak oil?” he asked.

“What?” I didn’t hear him because I was amazed looking at the house. I couldn’t believe he lived there.

“The rust…Susy – does she leak oil?” he asked, closing his eyes as he spoke. Gosh, what an impatient man.

“I don’t know.” I really didn’t. There were two garages attached to the house. Why couldn’t my Susy be housed there? Huh!

“Park on the grass.” He instructed.

I did as he asked and parked Susy under a big old tree, so she had some shade.

I grabbed my two shopping bags with clothes and things and helped him to get out. He didn’t even say thank you. I ducked back into the car to retrieve my brush, cell phone and charger.

“What the hell are you doing now?” he asked, impatiently tapping his foot.

“Getting my stuff.” Was he looking at my butt? I swear I could feel his eyes on it. I wiggled my way out, and wouldn’t you know, he was right behind me. I bumped into him. Why did he stand so close to me anyway?

“Sorry!” I said, looking anywhere but at him.

“Okay then. Come.” He turned on his heel, leaving me with my bags standing, watching him like a lost puppy.

“Are you challenged? Come on!” he shouted at me over his shoulder.

I shook my head. He needs a lesson in manners this man.