Chapter 6

After drying my hair and dressing up, I lay on the soft mattress while playing with the exquisite black card carved with gold words. Russel Hendricks names enough to cause my heart fluttering in different ways. After thinking the pros and contrast of my decision, I took the smartphone and dialed the number on the card.

Unfortunately the call was unanswered. So, I gave up and sent a short message. As expected the number on the card was the strict only for business hour. No wonder he didn't take it after office hour ended.

I tossed the phone onto the mattress and went to the kitchen. With Alesia help and persuaded, brother actually lets me stay outside. I don't want to be a third wheel in their relationship at home and the sight of their happiness only bring sadness in me. The main reason why I am rather continuing staying alone. I had burdened them so much during my illness period.

I bring a plate of sandwiches and a glass of orange juice to my bedroom. Once entered the bedroom, the sound of calling ringtone greeting me. I put the glass and a plate on the bedside table and answer the call. My breath hitched when hearing another side greeting me.

"Is this, Eric Maxwell? Hello, are you there?" A hoarse yet sexy voice asked me.

I clear my throat before answering the called, "Yes, I am. Sorry for disturbing you, sir." I try to be polite as I can be.

"Why are you calling me?" He immediately asked me.

"I wanted to discuss about the special term." A heating wave flash across my cheeks.

"Special term, hmm. How about we meet face to face?" The man suggest it. Shit! I haven't prepared myself to meet him yet. Moreover, to discussing this fucking stupid issue.

"Hmm, yeah. Give me a location, date and time." I calmed my nerve and speak like I was in normal situation.

"Madeliese Heaven, tomorrow at three p.m." This man really like going to straight point.

"Okay." The call disconnected after that. He also seems not fond to speak any meaningless word. I stare at the phone with thousand emotions, then tossed it on the soft mattress again.

I think I am going crazy, doing a stupid thing like agreeing to step in a sham marriage. I can predict what my family will do once they discovered it, mainly my brother as he only the one who know about this ridiculous deal. Since I am more attracted to a man, agreeing into this marry only a small matter rather seeing my father's company goes bankrupt and destroying many workers main income sources.

Let treat this just a small payment I can do for all my family sadness and suffered during my illness. And the time when I got harassed by relative once I announced my sexuality. They were my 'lawyer', defended me like other normal family shall acted. I can do this. Eric you can do it. I brave myself to avoid from being coward at the last minute.

The minutes passed like a slow as a turtle. The decision killed my hungry stomach, letting the sandwiches go waste. I just drink the juice. My mind is wandering a thousand miles as I think about tomorrow meeting. Brother, please forgive this selfish little brother. I faced the family portrait hung on the wall. I won't let my family turn poor. I won't disappoint my workers.

Because, I slept so late last night with messed thought, I forgot to tell my brother, I would take a day off today. Quickly, I sent a short notice via WhatsApp, using an excuse to meet a doctor. For the first time in my life, I had lied to my brother.

Brother approved my leave and order me to get an enough rest. Lazily, I get up, taking the towel and going into the bathroom. I spotted my eyes had a dark circle and slight bagging for staying late last night. After dressing up, I cook a simple breakfast. The morning puts me in anxiety.

I wear a semi casual attires as the place is considered a high tier restaurant. A good place for who have a load of money. I drive my car in slow paces as I am organizing my thought and calming myself. After thirty minutes, I arrived at the restaurant.

A waiter greets me and inquired if I had booked the table. I told him, we have a booking under Russel Hendricks's name. The waiter gave a business smile and led me to further corner. I spotted the man busy tapping something on his smartphone. He looks a lot gorgeous in dark coal semi casual clothes. A color his wore added more mystery charm on him causing my heartbeat becoming crazier.

"Hi sir, sorry for a little late." I greet him.

"Don't worry, you aren't late or rather early because the appointed time in another half an hour." Russel put down his smartphone on the table as his eyes swept on my figure.

"Hmm, would you like to discuss now or after eating?" Actually, I sound like a stupid. Being around him cause me lose a topic to talk.

"Either way is fine with me." He said while press the small bell on the table. Immediately, a waitress come around with a seducing manner. I wanted to barf watching the waitress faked services.

Everyone knew his face, the most man hunt in every woman's dream. A perfect man from head to toe. And this man soon or later will be my husband. Yay! I intake a sharp breath when the thought appears in my mind. Damn, my wilder mind. I am just his collateral property.

"Are you okay?" A warm finger tapped on my right hand. The touches send an electric shock across my body.

"I am fine." I bet my face is bright red right now. I used the menu book to cover the shame. I didn't know what I had ordered because the moment I back to reality the waitress already gone.

The table has turned silently bringing up an awkward air. I pretended to be busy with my phone when I just read across some tabloid. However, the main highlighted topic only brings me an annoyed feeling. Frank finally announced his secret marriage to the world. The reason for the secret only to respect her late grandmother mourning period.

As someone with a great strategic mind, each excuses and aggravation love stories from when he had fallen in love to their marriage was described in most touching words. What a big fat liar? As someone often shared a bed and pillow with this faked man, I knew his level of lies now.

Quickly, I changed to another news and found about the man in front me also never lack of beauties around him. Look like I should stop from daydreaming. In simple word, I am taking another risk, welcoming another same type of person into my life. Argh, whatever, it doesn't like we are really a couple. This sham marriage only to prevent my family from cheating on him in the future.

We are eating in silence as both sink in our own world. The purpose of this meeting immediately discussed after we had eaten. He shows me the document related the financial he can help us and tell the amount not finalize yet but won't go below the stated amount.

"If the money not enough, I can add in whatever amount your company need. At the same time, you can use my name to get the trust again." I closed the black files, staring into it with a complicated emotion.

"How long the marriage will last?" I said at last without meeting his eyes.

"Until all debts settled." He responded, "During the period you can choose to keep the marriage as a secret or announced to the world."

"Do you not scared to tarnish your reputation by announcing the marriage?" My eyes meet his gray icily orbs, waiting the confirmation.

"No, my life is my right to spend how I feel fit. People's opinion can go to hell." Damn, this man is the real gentleman compared to my ex-cowardice boyfriend. The man I rudely scream in Hungary.

"Better to keep it as a secret since the marriage is only the collateral contract." I don't know how I can mutter these words. Maybe I haven't fallen to him, that's why I treat this marry as nothing.

"Fine. During we hold the title as marriage couple, I had a few rules, and you need to follow." My heart startled by his word.

"What is it?" My heart is drumming with nervousness.

"Don't smear a shit on my face and we will start living together as a married couple should do." His word shattered my free zone.

"Meaning I need to move into your place?" He nodded sinking my heart further. "And... and" My palm is sweating as the word clogs in my throat.

"What?"

"Do I need to perform... bed service too?" My face heated as the word passed my throat. "We are both male."

"And, do you think I simply mean an empty marry? The answer is yes." His straight forward answer causes me speechless for a moment. "I am a bisexual." His next word almost makes me face palm.

I have met two influential men with different personalities. One was a coward and another is a super nonchalant man. The only similarity they shared is treated love as an insignificant life element. Both a super prideful... maybe a fool too.

"Is that so, then deal..." I had locked myself in self-destructive. Be patient Eric, you did this to ensure the family business didn't fall down.

"I would transfer the fund once we registered the marriage." He used the napkin, wiping his lips. Bravo Eric you had sold yourself to heartless demon for money. Poor me.

"When? I mean the marriage date." I clear my mind and waiting his reply.

"You can decide it. I will clear my schedule on that day." He sipped the drink as he looks at me.

"How about five days from now." I blurted out and my face brightened. My answer is like desperate horny man.

He checked the phone, maybe the schedule on that day and think for a while before responding, "Alright. How you want to celebrate the marriage?"

"How? It's enough if we just registered it. No need to celebrate as we knew the marriage won't last long." I said. "And, may I make some request?"

"What's it?"

"Can you meet my family first before we proceed with the registration process? I don't want they had a suspicious about this marriage although my brother may suspect it." I hope he would agree.

"Okay, when I need to meet your family?" Damn, this man really a gentleman.

"How about tomorrow dinner?" This is the last minute plan I could think. At least, I need to let him meet my family once before we officially become a married couple.

"Coincidentally, I have free time tomorrow night." He finished the drink.

"Then, we can set it for tomorrow dinner, around 08:00 p.m." He nodded. After that, we just closed the discussion with small trivial likely the question my parents will ask us tomorrow. We exchange the possibility answers.

After the discussion ended, I drive back home. Luckily, Amelia also here with his husband. I think my parents seem like notice my strange behaviour but haven't said anything yet since I busy myself playing with Jack. In a meantime, I think a few ideas how to break the news to the family.

After a family dinner, my parent impatiently interrogated me. They were worried about today medical check-up result. I ensure them the result is positive. In heart, I am continuing apologize for being a liar.

"Mom, dad, I have something to tell you." I studied their faces. Amelia, his husband, Caleb as well Mike and Alesia glance over me.

"What is it, son?" Dad asks me.

"Hmm, I wanted to introduce someone to you on tomorrow dinner." I finally said.

"Who? Your boyfriend?" Mike chuckled as Amelia asks me.

"Yes, we planned to get married this weekend but only by registering it." I lower my face as the heat spread across it.

"What?" Their shocked question causes Jack startled and cried. I cooed the baby as calming the nervousness in me too.

"Eric Maxwell, don't play with this issue." Mom scolded me.

"I swear we really planned to get married but I had decided I didn't want to hold any celebration after that. It is enough with your blessing." I give an apologize nods.

"No, you're our last child so it's a normal is we wanted to celebrate it." Mom sits near me. Her eyes somewhat moist by the news.

"But mom we already made an agreement to not hold it. It's enough is I get blessing from you guys. I scared to face the scorn face like in the past." I lower my face, faking the shy. The truth is over the year I had numb against these brainless people.

"Can we just do a small family gathering? Please." Mom is a general in the house. So nobody dared to oppose when she eagerly plans something.

"I will discuss it again with him." I finally surrender. After that, they bombard me with thousand curious questions. Fortunately, we have prepared the answer so I can smoothly answer them. Mike, however look at me with suspicious eyes.

The next day, I got a lot reminder from my mom, asking when my man will arrive. Like last night, Mike still give a silent treatment until now. When the office hour over, I rushed to my apartment, taking a bath and changing my clothes. I got almost twenty miscalled from mom when I haven't arrived there. I rolled my eyes each time my phone ringing.

I spotted my dad stand at the window as I parked the car. I lazily open the car's door and at the same time my phone ring again. I answered it and Russel's voice melodious entered my ear. A best soothing voice to wash away the anxiety in me.

In five minutes, a black Audi parked behind my car. Russel gets out of the car wearing a black turtleneck shirt and blue denim pants. He looks super gorgeous. I stopped my mind salivating this cold delicious man.

"Am I late?" He asks me.

"No, we have fifteen minutes before the dinner." My heart is beating like crazy when Russel grabbed me into his embrace. He places a kiss on my forehead.

"Your family is watching us." Damn, this shameless family of mine.

"Sorry...." I only can mutter the word as his sandalwood scent entered my nose. Russel gets back to his car and bring out a bouquet of flowers. The roses with mixing colors and chocolates.

"Thank you." I told him while taking the bouquet of roses. The rose fragrance hit me.

"Glad, you like it." We walked side by side as we entered the house. His hand encircled my waist. Mom and Amelia's eyes widened as they spotted Russel. For women, young or old, they would never miss this popular face.

"Damn, you really caught the golden big fish." Amelia chirped. "My name is Amelia, Eric's sister."

I clear my throat as Amelia seems had forgotten about his husband. "Russel, this is my mother Elisa, dad, Marlon and brother Mike. You have met him before. And, this is my little hero, Jack, Caleb is Amelia's husband and Alesia is my sister in law. Everyone, this is my special person, Russel." I introduced them.

Mike slightly hardened as they exchange handshaking. "Sorry, for dropping here with short notice." Russel offered the business like smile.

"Don't worry, son. Shall we eat now?" Mom excitedly led us to the dining hall. The food wafted into my nose causing my stomach ring aloud. All the eyes on me. I detect a flash a smirk on Russel's face.

"Did you really eat today, babe?" A pet name cause I am frozen a second before I recovered and gave an apologetic smile.

"Nope yet... seem like forgetting." I tell the truth. The nervousness, nerve wrecking and anxiety had taken my appetite whole day.

"Then, you should eat now." We sit side by side. Although, I am really hungry but Mike's face had stopped the hunger in me. Alesia also notices the strange in here.

The dinner passed with a hint of interrogation. I glad every answer given by Russel matched with my own. Russel kept apologizing for the late greeting them and this sudden marry planned. With his politeness and obedient like child attitude, he had won my parents trust and they didn't place any suspicious either.

They gave their blessed with some warned if Russel only want to play with my heart, then he need prepare the wrath from them. The night passed peacefully but not for the next day. Michael have corner and force me to say the truth. His anger really terrified me but I had solid my resolved.

"Why did you lie?" Michael brushes his bang aside.

"I am not... in fact, I really love him, Mike." I lean on my chair, watching the tiger pacing in my room.

"I don't think you can recover from the heartbroken quickly. You're not some heartless person would can change their heart in a second." Michael stern eyes fell on me.

"I met him before he appeared at our company at some art exhibition. From there, we exchange the number and from the friend we become closer. He also supports and console me when I was heartbroken. He didn't know this company belong to us, that's why he acted professionally when discovered it. The term only his way to get me faster." I try to convince him.

"Don't lie, brother. I know you better."

"I am not... if you really find he is not the right man for me, then I will break with him if that could give happiness to everyone." Now the time to act pity, "You guys had sacrificed a lot of things because my illness, as a payment I don't mind to pay it with my love life." A tear streak down my face.

"Eric, I am not a cruel person. I just don't want to sell my beloved brother for money." Mike seems distraught. Look like he fell in the trap. He gives me the tissue to wipe the tears.

"I don't mind... really." I pressed the tissue on my face, mainly to hide my current emotion.

"Don't worry, I won't object this marriage if he really you own choice, not because the force." Michael grabbed me into the brotherly hugs. "I am glad you finally found your own happiness, lil bro."

"Hmm." The rest of the word clogs in my throat. I am sorry for lying. The faint of consciousness run across my mind as I was released from the hugs.

"Have you choose the clothes?" Crap the topic coming again.

"Nope yet because of his crazy schedule, we barely have time for each other and the reason while we only content with the registration only." I quickly find a reasonable excuse.

"Too bad, take the leave start today and organize it carefully. Mom and dad really wanted to see you wearing a marry suits although it's only for a small family gathering." I nod and heed the advice.

I text Russel asking if he mind to choose the groom suits. In a second he replied with agree and address of tailor location. I forgot this man is out of our normal league. I take the half day leave after handover my job to Jess. No one in the company knows about this marry arrangement aside Michael.

I drive my car to the address and spot the familiar black Audi at the parking place. With slump shoulder I rushed to the premise greeted by the worker. He measures me as if I have no qualify to enter inside. I don't mind his little rude attitude as I knew my place.

"Sir, my I know what I can do for you?" The disdain looks clearly in his brown eyes. A suffocated surging in my heart.

"Eric, come here." A voice from behind me break the tension. I turn around and face the poker face Russel. I dumbfounded follow behind him.

"So, is this the lucky guy?" A man with the feminine voice ask. "Oh Sorry, I am Henry."

"Eric Maxwell." I greet him with a handshake. The man beside me look very cold, bored and expressionless as usual. Although today his mood quite thickened than previous we met.

"May I take your measurement?" Henry asks permission. I nod and he starts taking the measurement.

"How long the clothes will complete?" Russel ask the tailor.

"I will try to complete it in three days. Once completed I will give a call." Henry smile as we exit his shop. The street turn livelier with people swarming like a troop of ants.

"Are you free tomorrow?" Russel unlock his car.

"Why?" I question him back leaning on my car.

"I want to introduce you to my family." My heart almost stopped by the statement. I haven't prepared myself to face his family. The family of a big tycoon.

"Is it compulsory?" I gulp a big saliva.

"Not... I just want to let you know them."

"I am not ready to meet them yet." I lower my sight.

"Then it is okay..." He said before disappearing into the car. I feel like a big jerk when rejected it.

A/N

Hi guys hope you will enjoy this update and thanks for previous vote and comment. See you next weekend.