The Austin Arrangement novel Chapter 14

JEREMY

I walked down the stairs dressed for the day ahead,but feeling like death after one too many Macallan's at last night's business dinner.

Thankfully I wasn't the only one in the same boat,I remember Colin stumbling out of the restaurant too. That's what I call a good business dinner,although I'm not sure my Father would agree with me.

I walked into the kitchen and saw her standing at the island,a coffee in one hand and a book in the other.

Vanessa struck me as the type of woman that liked to read in her spare time instead of going out and having fun. Typical!!

She glanced up from her page when she heard me walk her way."Good Morning."

"Is it?"I replied,walking past her and straight to the coffee machine.

I hate that she's so chirpy in the morning..It kills me. What's there to be so fucking happy about?

"I'm guessing you're hung over after last night then,there's headache tablets in the top left cupboard if you need them."She pointed.

As if I don't know where the aspirins are in my own house,it's like she's taking over. My life,My Home..Everything.

I grabbed the headache tablets and took them with my expresso."Where is Alma?"

"She had some family issues so I sent her home for the day, she'll be back tomorrow morning."She looked down at her ratty book,so casual like she didn't know that she had just pushed my buttons yet again.

I sighed,feeling frustrated as hell"You sent her home? Why the fuck would you do that without my say so,I need her here."

Vanessa looked up from her page."She needed to be home,I thought it would be okay. She wasn't great when she was here this morning,it was obvious her mind was elsewhere."

I braced my palms on the kitchen counter and looked down."Decisions like that are not for you to make.

She cooks my meals,she cleans my home..I need her."

"I'm sure you can survive one day without her,Jeremy. Don't be dramatic.

Besides,I can help you out with the meal part.."

I turned around and looked at her,sitting at the other side of the island holding a coffee cup in both hands.

The white fluffy robe that Vanessa was wearing had opened slightly,leaving some of her red lace bra on show."I'm not eating anything you make,you'll probably poison me for my money."

"Fuck You,You Asshole!!"She shouted.

The woman was as quite as a mouse when I met her,I could of said anything and she wouldn't retaliate.

But now she's getting Mouthy,no matter how much I threaten her. She's gotten used to my moods over the past couple of weeks.

She knows I hate her with a passion because she feels the same way.

"Let's be real here,you married me for my money,sweetheart.

You're capable of anything in my opinion."

"Ugh."She screamed,standing from her stool in a huff.Now who's the one that's being dramatic.

If I'm going to even contemplate doing this pathetic dinner,I want to at least get something out of it.

"And what do I get out of all this?"

She furrowed her brows."Um,Free dinner,I think that's enough given you won't have Alma here to cook for you tonight.

What else could you possibly want?"

"One night a week,free from this hell of an Arrangement. I get to do what I please,with whoever I please.

I smirked."That's what I want,Vanessa. Deal or no Deal?"

"Deal,just be discreet about it. We're supposed to be a happily married couple remember.

No hooking up with women at Bars,bring them back here and I'll leave that one night a week."

She's surprisingly easy to bargain with,that went easier than I thought it would.At least now I'll get a quick fuck without being interrupted."Alright I guess that's that then."

"Pick me up at the Studio at 6:15,I'll text you the address so your driver will know where to take you."She picked up her book and walked away before I even had a chance to argue with her.

Fucking pick her up at the studio,now she's telling me what to do like she owns me.

That woman has some nerve.

***