Chapter 12

Dressed in a black turtle neck top and jeans while packing her hair into a high ponytail, Lyka looked simple yet pretty.

She had surprisingly found all her clothes in the walk-in closet Nolbett had shown her. Perhaps it was because she was tired yesterday or because she was mad at everything happening, she had failed to realize the beauty of her room.

Just like other rooms in the house,her room was painted dark blue, it also gave this lonely feeling but with it came a kind of regal vibes.

She made sure she spent almost an hour after Nolbett left to spite him before she went down for breakfast.

As soon as she came out of her room, Mila, as usual, popped out of nowhere with her signature polite smile on.

" I'll show you to the dinning". She offered gracefully.

" Alright, thanks".Lyka replied and followed after her.

*****

"You're here". Nolbett stated as Lyka sat at the table adjacent to his own seat.

Not retorting to his words, she dished her food herself and began eating. Nolbett on the other hand without voicing any word of complaint,sat at the table quietly even as she intentionally ate slowly just to piss him off.

Twenty minutes later, she was still piddling at her food expecting Nolbett to complain but he didn't, instead he kept watching her not taking his gaze away from her for even a second.

When she started being uncomfortable, she dropped the act and looked up to him.

" Fine, what do you want to talk about?"

"We need to lay some rules".

"About what?"

" Lanes we are not allowed to cross". He replied.

"Don't you think am the one who is supposed to say that?. You practically barged into my room this morning". She retorted.

"No, I didn't, I knocked and you told me to come in". He defended smoothly.

" Alright, what so you want to say?" She asked in defeat and as if on cue, Nolbett rose up.

" Let's go to where we can talk better". He replied instead and walked away. Rolling her eyes at his nasty behavior, Lyka stood up and followed him.

" Nice. This actually looks homely". She commented as she checked out the room.The room was well illuminated, perfectly arranged and quite large.

They walked up to the chair in the room as they both took their seats.

Seconds later,a man in black suit walked in. He looked neat and poise and he had a briefcase with him. He also had this very matured look

" This is Mr Ronald South, he's my lawyer". Nolbett introduced as the latter bowed respectfully.

"You even had to bring your lawyer into this?."

" You know too well that our marriage is business based. We would need this to at least live in cordial peace"

"Alright,lay your rules. I'll lay mine after. But mind you, we are married thanks to you and we are stuck to each other for life".

" That's where my rules come in. We are not married for life".

"Huh?" She frowned, baffled.

" You shouldn't butt into my affairs Lyka. I won't do the same,I will give you as much space as you need. That's why we have different rooms, because I know you wouldn't want to share a room with me"

" That's why ?"

" Yes "

She scoffed at his reply, " Well thanks" she said with heavy sarcasm." What do you mean by our marriage is not for life?"

" After one year, you get the freedom you so much desire".

" What?"

" We get divorced after a year". He dropped casually like it was normal.

Tick, tock,tick, tock, tick, tock

She stared at him for almost twelve seconds before she burst out laughing but one could see that it was filled with anger and disbelief.

" You are going to divorce me after a year?" She asked like she didn't hear him the first time.

" Yes". He replied with confidence. Ronald on the other hand looked uncomfortable, it seems like he was the only one who could read Lyka's fury.

" Am I a pushover, do you think I am some kind of idiot you can use anyhow?" She flared up.

" I thought you wanted this more. I get what I want and you get your freedom, then everyone is happy ".

"  I get the fact that you married me for wealth and money, no qualms, but to just discard me after getting what you want?, Hell no Nolbett Revaz, there's no way you are handing over a divorce letter to me"

" So what do you want?. You want to be stuck with me forever?" He arched an eyebrow.

"I decide if we get divorced or not Nolbett Revaz. Even if it's twenty years from now, I get to decide that. I am not some kind of a pushover" she stated furiously.

"I can always get the divorce I want". He said confidently, his confidence irking Lyka the more.

" No you won't". She replied with equal confidence as her lips curved upward in a smirk. It was then Nolbett saw the fury in her eyes. She was really mad this time. Not the childish anger she always had.

"We are the most popular couple in this country Nolbett. I might not seem important to you but mind you, even if my father care less about me, I am still his heir. I will inherit all of his wealth. You don't expect me to just act according to your wishes and just sign some goddamn paper when you want me to"she stated with defiance, looking him right on the eyes and for the first time, she saw anger in his eyes but it was gone as fast as it came.

" In short, I would be the richest woman in Beree, infact the richest person, while you, would still be where you are, the third....oh, my bad, probably the fourth because am sure Chantelle 's father isn't planning on going down anytime soon and my father, would probably be the second". She said tauntingly with so much smugness.

"You seem to have forgotten something Lyka. That's your father's wealth, it's not what you worked for. My wealth is something I worked for. Among the richest people in the country, I am the only young man who built his wealth from the scratch. Am no heir or heiress and that alone, made me one of the most respected person in the world, the respect even your father hasn't gotten ". Nolbett countered, not even with any pride in his voice

" Wow, you are already revealing your true colors, so you are a rude, proud..."

" How about we just talk on why we are here for huh?, The rules". The lawyer chipped in cutting Lyka short.

"Now I understand why it's always the rich boy and the poor girl or the poor boy and rich girl in movies. They probably knew rich and rich would never work out". Lyka scoffed under her breath.

Taking a short, deep breath before he exclaimed, he continued,"As I said earlier, don't butt into my business, don't try to act nice, There should be mutual respect between us and finally no one should know  the truth about our marriage" he listed out.

" And if they do?"

"Are you really asking me that?, What do you think would happen if everyone finds out that your father forced you into a marriage?. Of course you get your freedom, but your father 's business would be affected badly so also mine ".he explained not even bothering to hide anything.

" Don't even think about it ". He began when he saw the mischievous look on her face." Do you think you will be fine if that happens?, No, you will make an enemy out of the richest and third richest man in Beree. There's no way you will live a normal life after that". He explained, killing any naughty thoughts forming in her head.

She rolled her eyes in disdain at him before she suddenly asked.

" You are not being fair, you get what you want in this marriage, what do I get?"

" How is that any of my business?"

She snickered," Hey Nolbett Revaz, I graduated best student ever since I was in elementary school till I graduated from med school. Even till now, I am still among the best doctors at Osvalnia, do you think am stupid?"

"Just because you've graduated best student all your life doesn't mean you are smart".he retorted.

" What?"

" I mean, your father could have paid for you to be awarded best student". He answered again not even minding the gravity of his words.

" Wow... I've never been this insulted in my life". She muttered to herself sardonically before she glared at him," you piece of......"

" Mrs Lyka, how about we just talk about what we.....".

" You married me because you wanted something from me and you knew marrying me was the only option you had " she suddenly said, catching Nolbett by surprise though he didn't show it, he later had to give in

" Fine, what do you want? ".

"Sir let's talk about....."the lawyer tried to butt in.

"All your wealth"she replied gravely, too suddenly.

"Of course you'll get it mam but......" He paused, seemed like the words were just sinking in.

" Pardon?" He was sure he had misheard her.

Nolbett stared at her as if trying to decipher whether she was joking or not. When he realized she wasn't, he then asked,

"Why would I give you all my wealth?"

" You agreed to marry me when you don't love me. I am very sure you married me to get something and that thing, I dare to say, is more important to you than anything in this world".she answered tactically.

5......

4......

3......

2.....

1.....

Five seconds, five complete seconds, he stared at her and for the first time since she met him,she saw him grin.

" I must say, I underestimated you. You are quite smart...and greedy". He stated, the bewildered look on his face earlier gone, like it was never there.

She shrugged at his statement giving him the 'I told you look'. His next words wasn't what she was expecting.

" Alright then. I agree". He replied with a smile.

" What?, Sir!!"Ronald was stupefied. Lyka herself wasn't left out, she was taken aback.

" But on one condition". He added as Ronald immediately looked hopeful."You get to give me the divorce papers".

" Huh?"

"After a year, I said I was gonna divorce you. That's because I would have gotten what I wanted. The only reason why I wouldn't divorce you is if I fall in love with you. So exactly one year to this time, give me a divorce paper".He explained calmly just as he had been through out the whole discussion.

" Really?, You are not fooling me, are you?"she was in disbelief.

" But if you don't and I get to give you the divorce papers, then.......". He paused for a while before he continued," You must do three things that I would ask of you". He completed, a subtle glint in his eyes.

" What?"

" You heard me".he replied curtly,his face was void of any unseriousness not like he ever had it on.

"Ahhhh..., Fine. I'll do anything you want me to. I guess our marriage wouldn't be boring after all ".She retorted,her eyes gleaming with determination.

Looking from Nolbett to Lyka, Ronald was conflicted but he trusted Nolbett and he knew he wasn't someone who falls at loss.

" Alright then, draft a contract on what he just said". She said, facing the lawyer. She was ready to play games with him.

"Sir?" Ronald asked for certainty.

"Do it ".

"Alright then,my lawyer will contact you". She informed before she turned to look at Nolbett. "You are making the worst mistake of your life ".

" I'll be waiting". Ronald said professionally before he added, "You haven't added your rules".he reminded.

"I have only one rule." Her lips curved upward in a small smile,"I should be allowed to do anything I want".

" Done ".he replied sharply.

" And I'm also cool with all your rules".she said.

" Since we've achieved what we wanted". He stood up. "I guess we are done here". He ended as Ronald, his lawyer did the same.

" Of course". Lyka replied politely, mischievousness gleaming in her eyes.

With a small polite nod and a smile at the two men, she walked out.

" Lyka...". He called her name for the first time, just as she was about to walk out.

" Good luck on making me fall in love".

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And another chapter comes to an end. Thanks for reading. Don't forget to like, vote and share if you are enjoying the story and also,......comment.

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