𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄

𝟔

My eyes stayed on the phone.

Ian was peacefully eating his cereal while he wiggled his shoulders at the song playing on the cartoon.

The bowl with my food stayed untouched. I couldn't eat. Not with my stomach twisting in anxiety since my last conversation with Fenix.

I didn't even sleep last night. The whole time, I stared at the ceiling, overthinking the situation I was in. Every single scenario that could happen, I already over analysed. With every little detail.

Whatever I thought of, I couldn't let myself lose everything and put Ian in a difficult situation. It was already hard for me to find the job I have now.

I went through every hardship just to get a job that will pay enough. I couldn't afford to lose it.

I doubt Nino will feel bad if he fires me. He knows about my state of living but I'm sure he doesn't care.

Fenix's proposal sounded good if you looked at it from a point of view where you were not involved in it. Ian and I get to live comfortably for the rest of our lives even though I had to endure living with a stranger and play his wife.

It was the thought of Ian having a better future than the one I have.

He would be able to go to a good college and get a good job.

"I'll make a quick call and then you'll get dressed, okay?" I said to Ian and he nodded his head. He was almost done with his cereal and I had to hurry up.

Taking hold of the phone, I stood up from the chair and walked to the bathroom. I locked the door behind me and let out a long breath.

Okay this was it.

It was now or never. I took out the card from my pocket and tapped the phone number on the screen.

After a minute of gathering myself, I pressed on the green button and brought the device to my ear. I paced the small bathroom while I waited for him to pick up.

It was early in the morning but I didn't care. He himself said that I should calm him first thing in the morning today.

After a few seconds, he picked up.

"Good morning, Elsie." Why did I doubt that he would have my phone number? Also I wouldn't really call this morning good.

I cleared my throat and bit my lip.

"Hello." The words got stuck in my mouth but I had to say it somehow.

Fenix waited for my answer.

"Um... I made my decision. I agree to your deal but I have to see the contract. And also set some rules myself." Without seeing the contract there was no way I was going to sign my life to him. Many people got fooled that way and I was going to do my best not to be in that group.

Who knows what he can put in there?

I also had some rules that I wanted to add. He can't just trap me in the marriage without me saying anything.

"Consider it done. Anything else?" He spoke again. His voice sounded even more deep on the phone and I had to gather myself because what was I even doing, thinking about that.

"You're gonna have to meet Ian. If he doesn't like you, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to say no."

"Alright."

I hummed and nodded my head despite him not seeing me. My heart hammered against my chest and I ran my fingers through my hair.

"I'll bring you the contract tonight and I'll meet Ian in the process. How does that sound?" He said. Scary. That's how it sounded. And tonight?

It was one thing him visiting the restaurant every day. It's another thing him coming here to my apartment.

"I,... okay then."

"You have a day off. You don't have to go to work today."

"What?"

"I called Nino, you have a free day." I was not use to being at home on a work day. It felt strange. I haven't even taken a break since I started working there. Aspen's probably going to be worried when she doesn't see me there.

"Fine. Okay then." I shrugged my shoulders and waited for him to say something else because there was nothing I had to say.

"I'll be there tonight, Elsie. Goodbye."

"Bye." I said quickly and hung up the phone. Why was he always being extra relaxed? It was stressing me out.

I covered my face with my hands and took couple of breaths. I had to go back to Ian and get him ready for school.

When I calmed myself down, I grabbed the knob and opened the door of the bathroom. I got out and placed the phone in the pocket of my sweats.

Ian was placing the bowl next to the sink while lifting himself on his tiptoes.

I smiled at the sight and walked towards him.

"Look I ate all of it." He pointed to the empty bowl. I crouched down and rubbed his belly.

"Good job. Of course you can eat all of it. You're a big boy, aren't you?" He nodded his head. The hair falling over his forehead.

I felt the knots in my stomach tighten as I stared at him. Fenix was going to visit us and I had to tell him.

"We'll have a guest tonight. Do you want that?"

"Is your boyfriend visiting us?" He was onto me immediately. Of course he didn't forget our conversation last night. I grinned at him.

"Yes he is. His name's Fenix. He wants to meet you."

"Will he play with me? I'll show him the cars in my room." The excitement on his face expanded as he spoke.

"I'm sure he will." I hope he doesn't act cold to Ian. He better act properly because if Ian doesn't like him, I can't get married to him. Ian's comfort is always my first priority.

"Can I stay home and wait for him?"

"No, Ian. You have to go to school. You know how important it is." He whined and I know what he felt. When I was younger I used to do everything in my power to stay at home and not go to school.

Now as an adult I see how right my parents were for not letting me miss school for nothing.

His shoulders slumped and I poked his stomach to lighten up his mood.

He immediately started to giggle and I kissed his cheeks and then his forehead.

"Let's get you ready. Macy's gonna miss you in school if you don't go." As soon as I said the words, he chuckled and ran to his room.

I followed behind and took out the clothes from the cabinet covered in car stickers. If it was not evident, he loved cars. Way too much.

He took off his pyjamas and waited for me. I dressed him in pants and t-shirt. He grabbed his jacket as well and I took his backpack. He sat on the sofa in the living room and waited for me to get ready.

I changed into purple jeans and a baby pink top. My hair was down and tied half up. I swung the yellow bag over my shoulder and got out of the bathroom after I was done.

Ian was still sitting on the sofa and as soon as he saw me, he stood up.

I checked if we needed anything else and then I locked the door after us and we headed downstairs.

As usual, I took him to school and left him in the classroom. I told him that today I was going to pick him up which made him happy.

After I did that, I went to the store and bought some ingredients for lunch. I'll have time so why not prepare something for me and Ian.

My heart rate didn't ease though.

On my way home I got a message from Aspen. She asked if I was okay to which I replied yes and that I was going to call her as soon as I could. She proceeded to sent me a photo where she was fake crying with a caption.

"You'll pay for leaving me all alone. I'll miss you."

The whole day I spent thinking about what's going to happen when Fenix visits and how everything is going to play out.

Like on purpose the time passed quickly. I picked up Ian from school and we got back home. He was excited and after we ate, he began to reorganise his car collections.

He sat in his room, planning on how he was going to spend the time with Fenix.

I swear if Fenix dismisses him, I'll poke his eyes out.

We even ate dinner and he was still not here. Which was good because that meant when he arrives, he'll leave soon. I doubt he will stay here past 10pm.

I changed again and put on wide hot pink pants and an orange top. My hair was now in a bun because I had no time to do anything else and also it was bothering when it was down.

The door bell rang and at that moment everything felt real. Honestly I wanted to cry.

"He's here!" Ian exclaimed and ran to the door.

"Be careful." I called out for him. My voice shaking. My hands were trembling as well as my legs.

Ian turned the key and then grabbed the knob, opening the door. I didn't even get the chance to peek through the peephole because Ian beat me to it and ran to the door.

I caught up to him and stood behind him when he pushed the door open.

And there was Fenix. Standing by the entrance.

He was dressed more casually. He was still in dress pants but he had a t-shirt instead of his usual attire. His hair was pushed back like always. Now that he had short sleeves, I was able to see couple of tattoos on his arms.

He had two bags in one hand. One smaller and one bigger and a file in his other hand. There was a watch on his wrist and I lifted my eyes to his face when I caught myself ogling his body.

To my surprise he was doing the same. His eyes were travelling over my outfit. His eyebrows furrowed upwards. The colours must have blinded him.

I suppressed a laugh.

It was almost everyone's reaction to my style.

"Hello, I'm Ian." He waved at Fenix and then looked up at me for the slightest second.

"Hello, Ian. I'm Fenix." He said and I held my breath.

"Come in." I gestured with my hand, not wanting him to stand there and make the situation awkward. He nodded and stepped inside.

His tall strong presence made my tiny apartment even smaller. I pushed the door close behind him and wiped my hands off my pants.

Fenix crouched down next to Ian and extended his hand and gave him the big bag.

"A little gift from me." Ian gasped and dig into the bag. He took out the box from inside and his eyes widened while he hugged it close to his chest.

"Eli look. It's a car." He turned the box around and indeed there was a car toy. With a little remote. Ian sat on the floor and looked up at me for permission to open it.

Because he was meeting Fenix for the first time, Ian wanted to make sure if he should accept the expensive gift.