[ Valeria ]
"Mr. Miller, I hope you have no issues with these clauses. I have the best attorney who made this contract very strict, whoever breaches it, they would be destroyed." Ashton said to my father who read the stack of papers in front of him, looking confused and in deep dilemma.
I stole glance of Ashton, he had a straight expression on his face which made it difficult for me read what was going inside his head.
"So, you're asking me to sell my daughter's pride in order to save my drowning business?" My father looked displeased.
I wanted to interject but he was right.
Ashton sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "You weren't hesitant to let her marry Liam and my brother was ready to help you in return, wouldn't it be the same thing?" Ashton reasoned.
He was right as well. My father's face turned red.
"Still, I do not think I'll be able to live peacefully if I accept your generous offer, Mr. Rodriguez." Said Dad.
I placed my hand on his shoulder, "Dad, I decided to marry him on my own will. I made the worst mistake of my life. You warned me but I chose to believe that bastard. Please, let me do this for you and Ashton isn't buying me. We're legally and religiously married even if it's a last minute compromise. I must live with this truth." I tried my best to convince him.
His eyes were glossy. He was sad and helpless. I hurt my father deeply.
"The news will spread like fire that I'm taking my son-in-law's charity and they'll spread rumours about you as well. I can't let them judge my princess." He stroked my hairs.
I leaned on his touch.
"They're already talking about me, Dad. We can't shut people's mouth. We have to think about ourselves. Let be selfish because they won't feed us if we come on the streets." I reasoned.
"Don't worry, Mr. Miller. Your daughter isn't an object for me. She's my legal wife and she'll enjoy all the privileges as any other women of Rodriguez family. No one will dare to hurt her dignity, not my family nor the media. I will make sure of it." Ashton said and I could feel honesty in his words.
"I believe you, Mr. Rodriguez." Dad nodded his head and with a heavy sigh, he signed the agreement papers.
"I'll send a copy of the original documents by evening. Next week, we'll announce our collaboration on the green park project." Ashton forwarded his hand to my father.
He looked professional.
Well, our marriage itself was a business except the mind blowing sex we shared in last few hours.
I shook my head to erase those erotic images. How could I become so needy and desperate from a shy and naive girl.
"Take care of my princess, Mr. Rodriguez. She's my everything." Dad said in a hoarse voice. He was getting emotional.
"You have my words, Mr. Miller. Valeria will live a queen's life as long as we're married. Believe me, I won't be the one to ever ask for a divorce." Ashton said to my father but his eyes were fixed on me as if the words were meant for me to hear.
"I trust you." Dad shook his hand.
I sighed in relief. A huge weight was lifted from my heart.
"I insist you to stay for lunch." Ashton offered him generously.
"No, it's okay, Mr. Rodriguez. I'm heading to my office but I am inviting you and Valeria to have dinner with us in the evening if you can spare some time from your busy schedule. I want to welcome you in the family properly." Dad said with hope.
"We'll be there on time but make sure there won't be any dairy products, I'm allergic to them." Ashton said with a pressed smile.
"No problem. We'll be waiting for you." Dad said and turned to me.
Ashton glanced at us for a brief second and left to give us much needed privacy.
"I am proud of you, Val. Your mother calls you childish and immature but I know you, Val. You're smart and make your own decisions. Don't let Liam ruin your future with Ashton. You might be married to him in odd circumstances but he is an honest man for sure. If he won't love you, he won't hurt you either. Please make it work from your side and forget about Liam." Dad said.
It was more like an advise.
Forget about Liam? Was it as easy as he said. But I would never forgive him.
"I will try, Dad. Please take care of yourself and Mom. I love you, Dad. Please tell Mom that I'm good here." I hugged him tightly.
"Tell her yourself, Val. You're coming for the dinner. I should be leaving now. Our employees are waiting for the good news." He patted my cheeks and kissed my crown.
My heart sank when he left. I felt all alone.
"Ma'am, Mr. Rodriguez is waiting for you in his home office." A maid informed me.
I nodded but again I remembered something.
"Wait! Can you show me the way? I don't know where it is." I said with embarrassment.
"Sure, Ma'am. I'll give you the tour of the house because his office is located in the farthest corner." She smiled and I followed her.
She gave me tour of the rooms and corridors. I made mental note because the house was very huge.
We stepped in front of a wooden door. It was located on the second floor and I realised, it was next to our bedrooms.
"We're not allowed to step inside his office." She said and left.
My heartbeats accelerated and legs trembled before I knocked on the door. A faint response came from the other side.
I gently pushed the door and stepped inside a well organized office. I was in awe. The interior had a vintage touch. His huge wooden table was set in the center and the front wall had a French window. Large wooden shelves covered other wall. Files and books were neatly organized and many trophies displayed in the middle shelf.
"If you're done inspecting my office, can we discuss our agreement, sweetheart?" His deep voice floated in the silent air and I was drawn to him.
He was standing behind me. His breath was falling on my neck as his hands snaked around my waist from behind.
Air stuck in my lungs.
"But first, I need you bending over the desk." He whispered in my ear and slipped his hand inside my jeans.
[ Ashton ]The beauty in front of me is making me her slave with every passing moment. The way she bites her lips, I feel a strong urge to kiss the life out of her.Her perfectly molded figure and the way her his sways when she walks, she drives me insane. My mind has been embedded with her image and her thoughts. And after claiming her, my desire for her intensified.I lost the last ounce of self control when she walked into my office and how her eyes admired everything. I forgot about the business we had to discuss.I'd first have a taste of her. She became a drug to my soul and desire. I bloomed into a woman by taking her virginity, a gift she preserved for a prick like Liam.I'd worship her till my last breath.I circled my finger in her wet clit. She was wet. I felt proud of my effect on her. I pumped my finger in a faster pace inside her tight folds.My hands rubbed her perked nipples above her top. They wanted my attention but I wanted a release before I explode in my pants."A
[ Valeria ]My mind couldn't process what my ears heard.Did he just say he had a son?"Wha..what do you mean?" I asked blinking my eyes. I must misheard him.He sat straight on his chair like a majestic king and folded his hands. His straight face didn't give any idea that he joked."You heard me right, Valeria. I have a son from my ex-girlfriend. I had no intentions to get her pregnant. We were very clear in our relationship. She wanted money and a lavish lifestyle while I wanted her body to satisfy my needs. She proposed to abort the baby but I forbade her. It was my baby, my heir." He paused.I processed this new information. My head begun to spin."Why didn't you tell me about your child before, Ashton? You know this is also a betrayal. You also played with my feelings and made joke of my misery." I lost my patience.The tears of betrayal stung in my eyes."Would you marry me if I told you that I have an illegitimate child and you just have to fill the place of his mother on the
[ Ashton ]It pained to see how desperately Valeria wanted to run from me. She only agreed to marry me that I proposed to help her father and she wanted to prove a point to Liam and his family.She looked at me like I was a decease. Marrying a man with a child was a taboo for her. She couldn't fathom the fact that I was a father and she was way younger than me."Answer me, Valeria." I said each word quitely not showing her the hurt her words caused me.She distanced herself from me."You know the answer, Ashton. You and I are two opposite personalities. I want to live my life like it was with Liam. I was my own person. I hate him for ruining my happiness but I enjoyed my liberty and he promised me that nothing would change for us even after the marriage." She said with longing in those sad eyes."How can you assume that I will keep you in a cage and force you to be my perfect wife?" I questioned her.She looked away.I pinched the bridge of my nose. This young woman was pressing my ne
[ Valeria ]My eyes blurred with fresh tears, the sharp ache in my heart was unbearable as I stared at the audacity of my love. His secretary posted their picture on a private beach. It was very intimate.He had his hand resting on her flat tummy on a beach. They looked happy in each other's arms. This heartless man kept toying with my feelings when he was with her."Why are you crying, Miss?" A quiet voice caused me to flinch and immediately wiped my tears. I closed the social media account and looked at the source of the voice.There was a small boy standing at a distance from me. He was cute with big blue eyes and raven black hairs. I didn't had to guess who he was.Ashton's child. He had striking resemblance with Ashton except his black hairs."I am sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you." I forced a smile.He nodded his head and turned to leave. He seemed very reserve and quiet boy unlike other kids."May I know your name?" I asked him. We were going to live in the same house. The l
[ Valeria ]"You must explain this."My Mom's eyes were fixed on me as she dragged me in the kitchen. Her polished nails was pointed at Alex who was totally oblivious to our heated conversation."He is Ashton's son and now my legal step son, Mom." I tried to keep my answer brief and direct as it was a sensitive topic for me as well."I know that part, sweetheart." Her tone faltered, "I wouldn't let you marry him if I knew beforehand that my little girl has to play a mother of a five years old. I am feeling pathetic as your mother." Her voice cracked.I held her shoulders and gave her a hug. I had no words to convince her because her outburst was justifiable. I was feeling same though I had no hard feelings for Alexander. He was an innocent child, crushed between his parents' ego and ambitions."He is here with me. Please do not let him feel outcast. His father and the house staff is also not very friendly with him." I requested her."You care for him?" Mom asked out of blue.I was stu
[ Valeria ]"What was that?" I snapped at Ashton as soon as we reached at his house. Thankfully, Alexander was fast asleep and taken to his room. Now, it was only us. I crossed my arms across my chest and gave him a curt look. He couldn't dictate my life."We're leaving in-" He paused and glanced at his wrist watch, "Two hours and twenty seven minutes. Hurry up, and pack your bags. I don't want you to whin when we land in Italy." He said, again avoiding my question. "I'm not going anywhere unless I get my answer from you, Ashton. I'm not your slave or you bought me. You can't just walk in my house and tell me craps." I threw my hands in the air.He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He looked clearly annoyed but I least bothered about him. "Doris is planning to send media at our house in the morning. I am saving you from their brutal interrogations, Valeria. In our world, you can't avoid them forever, you know this but present scenario isn't good for your image." H
[ Valeria ]I kept stealing glances of my last minute husband as he had been engrossed in his laptop for four freaking hours. The man was a workaholic. He didn't look away from the screen even for once and now, boredom brought the worst out of me.I tried watching a movie with Alex but he also fell asleep after an hour as it was midnight and we were 16,000 feet above in the sky in Ashton Rodriguez's private jet.A luxurious plane with all the facilities that we enjoy at a seven star hotel. I had a fair idea of his net worth but living it in real life, was something I found hard to believe."Are you done staring at me?"I heard his deep voice laced in tease. I jerked up and saw him staring back at me, with those soulful eyes piercing through my soul."I...I..am not." I defended myself while my cheeks heated up in embarrassment."I can buy this excuse if you want me." He smirked and shut down his laptop.I was caught red handed and now, there was no escape from this intimidating man who
[ Ashton ]She actually turned me down!What the fuck?She was the fatal flame who was drawing me close like I was a petty moth. I'd burn, my whole world was crashing down since I laid my eyes upon her. I was ready to offer my pride on her feet but I couldn't let her know what I feel for her.My deep, passionate feelings.It was for her own safety.She shouldn't know the dark secrets of my life. She was the ray of hope who had the power to illuminate my darkness.I silently walked out of my room and with steady steps, I padded my way to hers. We hadn't talked since the flight incident. I kind of avoided her. She was a sweet distraction while I was on a mission.The mission to save her from the hidden enemies.I silently opened the door with the master key and sneaked inside. I couldn't stop the smile that spread on my lips seeing how cutely Alexander and Valeria were sleeping like two babies snuggled together.She nicknamed my son, I could see acceptance in her approach towards my son