章節 9: Revisit the past with me

Jackson

The best player of the game would always give you a warning before he snatches the title from your hand because he loves competition. I'm that player. Also, I needed to see her tense. When she walked into this decently lit place filled with the aroma of greasy food, her walk told me she had a plan. I bet it was about last night. She must've wanted to know what she told me. This also means my initial doubts were on point. She was hiding something from the public. A not-so-wild guess would be that this is about what happened between her and her father.

The man loved his daughter to death. I was well-versed with his concern for her as I'd been warned by him once. That was the only day Mr. Rosette had raised his voice at me. So I'd got the hint that he wanted his daughter off my radar and I had tried very hard to take his warning seriously. More about it later since right now I have to dodge whatever it is that Cordelia has planned for me tonight.

She slurped on the pasta within two minutes of it being placed on the table. 'You're hungry it seems.'

'Couldn't eat this morning.' She said the food was still in the chewing process in her mouth. Since when did she become such…..I sighed. Now I understood the power of money. Lack of it could show the worst of times to people. The princess that would keep tissue at bay while dining wasn't bothered that the corners of her lips were being slapped by the spicy sauce. They were going to itch later.

Taking out my handkerchief I wiped the sauce off and she stared at me as if chivalry was never expected from me. 'Why couldn't you eat?'

'You said the battle is about to begin. Is being nice a tactic to weaken my guard?'

'Consider this a peace dinner before everything begins.'

'What exactly is about to begin, Jackson?' She dropped the fork and crossed her hands.

I looked at her and said, 'We're going to get married.'

'That's not going to happen.'

'Let me complete.'

'We don't like each other but there is no other option.'

'For you maybe. But I have plenty.'

I scoffed. 'Why do I not see them?'

'Jackson, in case you forgot. I get to decide what I will do with my life. My options are visible to me.'

'Does they involve living like an almost beggar in that cubicle you call an apartment? Because if yes then let me tell you soon the so-called friend circle of yours is going to find out about you and your change of lifestyle.'

She groaned. 'Why? Why do you have to marry me? For money? Is that what Grandpa is giving you? But aren't you like a billionaire?'

I sighed. 'Not everything is about money. Yes, I have lots of it but that doesn't mean I'm going to be satisfied.'

'So you want more and that you will get from my grandfather.'

'Let's not forget you had no idea he existed a few months back.'

'That is between me and him!' She retorted and got up to leave but I held her wrist.

'Sit.' She wriggled out of my grip but I grabbed her again. 'Just sit Cordelia.'

She huffed and sat back. I knew she was still hungry. We were enemies but that doesn't mean that I have to starve her. 'I couldn't eat this morning because I was surprised to see you in my home.'

'Sorry for making you anxious about my presence.'

She narrowed her eyes at me. 'You never talk like that. What happened to you?'

'I'm just trying to be nice.'

She rolled her eyes. 'That's not enough for you to marry me.'

'Then what is it that you want me to do?'

Her challenging voice said, 'You won't be able to handle it.'

'Just say it. There's nothing that's out of my reach now. What do you want? A larger-than-life proposal, a holiday in Spain or a private island, maybe a diamond ring that's visible from the moon. Just name it and I'll get it for you.'

She was into splits the very next moment. With utmost patience, I waited for her to finish. 'Are you for real Jackson? A diamond that is visible from the moon!' She laughed again. And I looked away. Okay, maybe I did overdo it, a little bit. 'Oh Jackson, this is where people would know you're not born rich.' There she was, mocking me.

'Shut up.' I said under my breath.

She chuckled. 'Make me.' As she was taking a sip of water from her glass I got up and grabbed her hand. 'Where are you taking me?'

'To shut you up.'

'Jackson!'

'Looks like fire exits are going to be our thing from now on.' I said and pushed open the door to the even shabbier area of the restaurant that should stop calling itself one. I pushed her towards the wall and pinned her hands to the sides. 'Now what were you saying?'

She shook her head. 'How low would you stoop? This behavior of yours only shows where you come from, a not-so-nice place apparently.'

My grip on her hands tightened. 'You better keep that mouth of yours shut Cordelia!'

'Or what?' She smirked.

I moved forward to make sure our faces were only inches apart. 'I will make sure you get nothing out of Mr. Takahashi's assets.' Her face changed. The brows were furrowed. She probably was deliberating if this was only a bluff or if was I capable of making it happen. Oh, baby, you have no idea. She pushed me away.

'He's my grandfather, not yours.'

I chortled. 'Darling you have no idea how he and I are related and how the bond between the two of us is far more strong than the one that you share with him.'

'Don't give yourself too much credit. I'm sure he will choose me when it comes down to it.'

'Keep dreaming.'

'You think I'm dumb. If you had such influence you wouldn't have been here trying to talk to me.'

I scoffed. 'You're the one who said I have enough money then why would I need his? You were right. I don't need his money. I wanted to marry you because I owe it to Mr. Takahashi. When he asked the both of us to get married, he was ordering you to do so. But that's not the case with me. He was requesting me, Cordelia. That should tell you the difference between me and you.'

She was silent for a while. I praised myself inside. No wonder I always had the upper hand in our hate game. Cordelia Rosette might be a top-notch player too but she was way behind me because she was susceptible to my manipulation. A few more words and she might start worrying about her future that she was dreaming of getting back on track with the help of her grandfather's money.

She hesitated before she spoke again. 'How will you convince me?'

'To marry me?' She nodded and I smiled a victory smile. 'Whatever you want.' I could've just done anything but it's better to know what the other player is anticipating before you choose your cards.

Suddenly she was staring into my eyes. I hope she doesn't as for something…..

'Revisit the past with me.'

I blinked. She looked unsure herself. 'What does that mean?'

'You know you've hurt me in the past.' When I scoffed she changed her statement. 'I mean both of us have hurt each other in the past.'

'So? You want to fight with me again….or is it about….?' Her eyes widened and she hit my chest in rebuttal.

'Stop getting weird ideas.'

'Well, how can I not? You said to revisit the past with you. We did fight but there were other things as well….'

'I'm not talking about that!'

I raised my hands in the air. 'Okay. Then elaborate on your vague plan.'

She licked her lips. How can I not think about the good times in those miserable ones? Shit! I need to stop being affected by her if I have to win. 'I want us to visit all those places that we've fought in to make sure there's no bad blood left and that we as adults can live cordially with each other.'

I chuckled. 'Cordelia, if you're thinking that we're getting married for real then…..'

'We're not!' She looked…..disappointed.

'Did you think we were?'

'You're the one who kept saying you wanted to marry me so….'

'We will get married but not for real. I've asked my secretary to draft a contract. Your grandfather is leaving in a few days and he wants us to get married before that. We'll do a ceremony for him but won't get registered. For a year we'll pretend to be married and then we'll announce due to difference of opinion we're separating.'

'That's it.'

I nodded. 'That's the plan.'

'Why didn't you say before? I got worked up and everything.'

'I was serious about doing whatever you want to get you to agree to this marriage. In case you're disappointed.'

She was quick to bring a wide smile to her face. You can't fool me, Cordelia. I know you're disappointed. I scoffed. She said, 'I'm relieved not disappointed. No one here wants to marry you.'

'Are you sure?'

'Get that grin off your face, Jackson!' She tried to hide her embarrassment by turning in another direction. So bringing my hands around her I locked her in my embrace. 'What are you doing?' She said alarmed at my action.

'Where do you want to begin from?' I whispered in her ear, and she shivered.

'There's no need for that now that it's a contract marriage.'

'I insist.'

'In that case, see me at the bar opposite this restaurant.' She gently broke free of my embrace and went out of the exit first. I couldn't help but think if there was something she was planning on doing. Things couldn't go this smoothly, right?