The Last Ceo’s Deal

CHAPTER 44.

Christine Pov.

I tense instantly. This is more than I bargained for. In as much as a current flows through me at his touch, I’m kind of repelled.

I should keep in mind that we’re only getting married for convenience. He is blackmailing me. He is threatening my parents and he treats me like trash, all this will wind up after a year. He’s doing all of this for his company and He doesn’t give a fuck about me.

He’s only acting nice because it’s our wedding day and he doesn’t want to create a fuss.

He is going to get me pregnant and take my baby away from me if I leave him.

I pull back instantly but his iron grip on my waist is relentless. He shoots me a confused look.

“What’s wrong?” He asks like nothing just happened.

“You kissed me.”

He frowns. “Okay, and?”

“You’re not supposed to be doing that Fanuel. There are no cameras here so the charade is unnecessary.”

“You are delusional Christine. Totally full of delusions. I only did that because you said you were scared of take offs.”

“Oh,” I murmur silently then stare at my fingers. I knew it. He would never kiss me out of passion.

Not his type.

Apparently, kissing me was his idea of being philanthropic. I feel empty, deprived, when he takes his arm from my waist. I hate how soothing his touch is.

When I lift my eyes again, he is gazing at me intently. I gulp dryly when his eyes meet mine and he sighs. He must think that I’m a nutcase; fighting him when he attempts to kiss me but swallowing dryly when our eyes lock.

“Are you hungry?” His eyes never leave me while he asks that and I nod dumbly. I don’t trust myself to speak. If I do, I’m pretty sure my voice is going to break and he is going to find a reason to bully me.

He eyes me warily. “You should have told me you were hungry. I don’t want to starve you to death.”

“I’m pretty fine Fanuel, I’m not a baby.”

“Then stop acting like one.”

“You think I’m acting like a baby?” I ask harshly.

“No, I know you are acting like one.”

I cross my hands and glare at him. “Explain please.”

He seems to be all too eager to take on the challenge.

“We are married now Christine, so changing your surname is not an option, it’s settled. You shouldn’t flinch when the captain calls you Mrs Fanuel. You are my wife now at least for a year, Deal with it.”

I flick my hair absently. “That’s the only thing that makes you think I’m acting like a baby?”

“Nope. You pulled back when I tried to kiss you. I was trying to soothe you because you were whining and you know how much your talking makes my headache.”

I lift an eyebrow. “Does it hurt your head?”

“Like crazy. Not that I mind much when you keep bargaining and arguing or when you’re being downright unreasonable. It’s just that I’m not used to so much talking around me.”

“Fanuel, we’ve not talked much since we met. We have never shared a table. The rest have been a few impromptu cleaning in your room and that upstairs bedroom. I really have no idea when you get to hear the noise.”

“You’re making noise right now.” He notes with a smug face and I fight the urge to scream.

“You are so annoying Fanuel.”

“That’s an insult. People usually say that I’m.. let me think of all the synonyms.. aggressive, oriented, tyrannical…”

“Shut up. I don’t want to hear that.”

He grins. “What do you want to hear then?”

“Nothing at all.”

“Fine. But you should know that I’m feared in the business world. I talk and things happen. I snap my fingers and people get hired or fired. Do I look like one of your employees? I’m stuck there because of some sin my father did, I’m also powerful in my world so stop rubbing it all over my face.”

I snapped at him and glared.

He snorts. “You are just obnoxious Christine. I’m trying to portray a more accommodating character around you but you don’t even notice. You are just absorbed in your own little world to notice the effort that I’m putting into this marriage shit, I hit you before and made you do something that almost cost you your life. The least I can do is tolerate your insults and try to be nice.”

“Why do you even bother? We both know this marriage thing is a sham. And for the record, you are the one blackmailing me.”

He gazes at me then shakes his head. “I’m hungry. And my head is totally aching.”

I scoff before I flop back on the luxurious leather seat. I should probably start hunting for a shrink if I’m going to stay with my new husband.

The food is delicious and once again, I’m reminded that Fanuel settles for nothing but the best. I chuckle silently when the double meaning of my statement hits me.

He definitely didn’t settle for the best when choosing me. He could have done much better honestly. There are lots of pretty leggy models out there dying for his attention but he is stuck in a jet with me headed to God knows where.

Half the time, we’re not even on speaking terms.

I’m doing all this to cast my fear of the unknown when we reach our destination, deep down I’m scared. Being alone with Fanuel hudson is something I can’t describe. I mean he’s scary as hell and all authoritative, he even beat the crap out of me but here I am talking to him like a possessive wife and he’s not doing shit about it. He’s talking calmly and

he is still the most handsome man I ever laid my eyes on and he still leaves those tingly sparks on my skin whenever he touches me but I can’t imagine myself hooking up with him knowing very well that he doesn’t even care about how I look, I wonder if he will stare at me the same way I stare at him, he makes me angry and drives me crazy.

Now that I’m sober, it’s easy to figure out that he is a goal oriented jerk who gets what he wants, whenever he wants it. He believes that I’m one of his conquests but there’s no way I’m letting him troll over me and treat me like a piece of shit. That was then but not anymore. Especially when we are both doing ourselves a favor.

“You should change now. It won’t be long before we get to our destination.” He says while flicking that hooded gaze to me.

I glance at my watch and I realize we’ve been flying for just over three hours.

“It’s not far.” I note quietly and he frowns.

“I didn’t know you wanted to go far away. I thought this place was going to be pretty interesting since you’re not an outdoor person.”

“I’m not complaining about Fanuel. I could do without the honeymoon pretense.”

He leans over, “We had to do this for the sake of appearance. Imagine what’s going to happen if those idle paparazzi see me in the office a day after I get married?”

It dawns on me then. This was simply inevitable. I’m grateful that he was sensible enough to choose somewhere not so far away. As I said earlier, I could function perfectly well without the honeymoon crap.

I’m so glad that Fanuel knows exactly what to do. For a fleeting moment, I’m somehow grateful that he is mine; my husband, for now.

“Christine, with all due respect, stop staring at me and go get out of that dress. Unless you want me to help you peel it off of course.”

I shake my head at his perverseness as I stand up. “I think I’ll pass on the offer.”

“I was kidding. There’s a room at the far end. It’ll serve the purpose.”

I’m aware of his eyes on me as I walk as gracefully as I can towards the room.

I feel stupid the moment I step inside the small gleaming room; I don’t have any clothes with me.

A knock on the door puzzles me and I open it casually, dread flowing through me. I have a huge sigh of relief when I realize that it’s not Fanuel.

The pretty hostess hands me a floral blue dress with a smile and I force a smile back before I close the door, my face set in a scowl.

Trust Seth to remember that I left without any clothes.

The door is wrapped again and I groan before I pull it open. The same hostess is standing there, the eternal smile perfectly in place.

“Mrs Fanuel? Your husband requested me to help you remove that gown.”

“I’m fine.. Umm..”

“It’s Lara.” She says quickly.

“Lara, I got this. Really.”

“Your husband…”

“Is a little bit overbearing.”

“He insisted that I help you with the gown ma’am.”

She is not giving up. I scowl before I step back to let her in. I turn around and I feel the cool hands on my exposed skin as she works on the back.

If the gown wasn’t stained, I would have stayed in it just to spite my new overbearing husband.

The blue getaway dress reaches mid thigh and I pull it down without much success. It’s just too short. I knew this was going to happen the moment Fanuel mentioned that Laurel shopped for me but I didn’t know she’d go to such extremes.

I stare at my reflection in the full length mirror. My eyes are wide and my face is flushed. My hair is in massive curls and for once, I feel like I’m actually a bit presentable, my short dress notwithstanding. with the super short dress that my best friend so willingly chose for me.

I’ll kick her ass when I get back.

Fanuel’s eyes give nothing away when I walk back to my seat.

“That’s too short.” He says quietly.

“I told you Laurel is a pervert.”

“I’m not complaining. It’s a nice view from where I’m seated but I don’t want those crazy people taking photos of you wearing that.”

“I hope she packed something longer than this one.”

“I’m not sure. I told her to buy a blue dress and pack it separately for today. You know you look awesome in blue.”

I frown. “Can you at least keep your compliments to yourself?”

“Of course Mrs Fanuel.”