Mrs Skavinski in name only

Valerie's POV

I couldn't sleep overnight, I was tossing and turning on my bed. My head is running with unanswered questions. Isn't his wife on a trip? Are they getting divorced?

The ride to the restaurant was longer than I thought. His driver picked me up at six, after having a heart-to-heart talk with my parents, weighing our options when we don't even have one. I put on a blue bodycon long-sleeve dress that stopped at my upper thigh. I didn't wear any makeup and my hair was packed in a high bun.

The car stopped in front of a five-star hotel and I wondered why we were there. I walked into the hotel and was drawn in by the interior designs, the clean and professional outline of the front desk and the accommodating air was soothing. The female receptionist smiled as I approached her.

“Hello, I'm here to see Mr Skavinski,” I said politely.

She nodded, leading me to the elevator. We got into the elevator and she pushed the penthouse buttons. I took a glance at the hotel through the transparent elevator glass.

We walked out of the elevator, and she led me to the first door. I noticed there were only two doors on this floor. I could tell from the setting up of the living room that everything cost a fortune, from the floor-to-ceiling window, where I could practically see the whole city view, to the all-white types of furniture and cabinets and I felt out of place.

I saw him sitting at the dining table, in his all-black outfit, but this time his sleeves were rolled up, and I could see his tattoos, making me want to run my hands on them, feel the muscles in his arms, and ask the stories behind the tattoos.

“Come in” he said, ushered me in, I took my seat opposite him, glaring hard at him, as if that could stop my thoughts from going wild.

“Why did you bring me here and not the restaurant?”I want to know why he brought me here and not a restaurant.

He pressed a small bell on the table and maids walked in with dishes in their hands. I was a little frightened at first seeing them walk out in a straight line while carrying stuff in their hand. He chuckled at my expression.

We ate in pregnant silence as the air got thicker at the end of the dinner. I want to know why he was trying to be nice, because I've heard a lot about him and there's nothing like being nice.

The table was cleared and wine was served, “so what's the deal?” I couldn't hold out any longer.

“This” He passed me a brown envelope and I opened it reluctantly to find a contract drafted on it.

“What's this?” I yelled after reading what was in it," I don't see how this is beneficial for me, I'm sure you don't expect me to sign my life away to satisfy your need for a wife.”

“You get two kids to call you mom, and once they're grown, we can go our separate ways. I know how badly you want to be a mum, so this is a lifetime offer and if you bond well with the kids, that's for life. They already love you, and I'll do anything for those little devils of mine, even if I have to force you” He cocked his gun to show me how serious he was, and I almost choked.

She sat in silence as I thought of ways to opt out of this mess. I found myself but nothing. I stared at the contract in front of me, reading it over and over again. “What's the chance of me getting killed, you know, in those rumored fights among your people?” I couldn't suppress the urge to ask.

“Once you become mine, you get the ultimate protection”, he rested his back while staring at me, giving me the time to think.

I grabbed the pen and signed my life away with shaky hands. With this union, I can clear my name from the mess Tate put me in, I get to be the mother of two children, which is the most important part of the contract.

“Great choice, Mrs Skavinski” he sneered. I just want to go back to my bed and cry till there's nothing more.

“Let's go home” I started at him like he had grown two heads.

“You mean I'll follow you to your house?” I asked with concern. “ Didn't you read the last clause?” He questioned, raising a brow. I opened the contract in haste only to find the last part that says both ‘parties will move together and live together as family immediately after signing.’

“I can't just move in with you, I have to pack and inform my parents and…………..…”

“Your parents are aware, and your things are already in mine, and everyone is waiting to meet you. There's no need for delay”. He cut me off before heading out. It took me a while before I remembered we were supposed to leave together.

The drive to his estate was an uncomfortable silence. I took my time to admire the beautiful night view, houses, and cars, keeping myself busy when I remembered I hadn't talked to Monica throughout the week.

I sent her a quick message to check up on her and also hint to her about what was going on. I replied to messages from my parents and my editors too, before switching my phone off.

By the time we got to his mansion, I was amazed at the sight that I had forgotten where I was for a while, it was exactly that house I'd always wanted as a kid. I spun around, giggling like a kid. The colors, the statue of a man standing in the middle of the wide compound, and a little garden I can see from where I was standing.

“Ehm” I turned to see him staring at me weirdly, his eyes flickered with emotions before I could even figure them out. My cheeks were red with embarrassment as he led the way inside.

It was dark, so I guess they went to bed early. We took the long stairs to the floor where he showed me my room, which was seriously bigger than the apartment I shared with Monica. I turned to ask him where my clothes were when I noticed he had left the room.

I followed the sound of his voice to the terrace, he was talking to someone on call. His words stopped me right on my track as I turned to go.

“I don't have a wife, she's not my wife, she's just here to play the role of a mother to my kids. The background check shows she's a wh*re and covers that up with the book she writes. I'm just glad she's empty. Yes, she can't have kids and that's why she's the best candidate. I'm sure that's why she agreed in the first place.

Oh, please, having her doesn't mean I can't bang other girls. And when I'm ready to have her as my plaything, I'll make sure to run every possible test on her” My knees buckled at his words.