CHAPTER 02: RYAN

"I look forward to our partnership, Mr Hartford." Austin Ross, CEO of Ross' designs spoke over the phone closing our deal. We closed our deal last week but the bastard threw dirt in his mind saying I was a fraud and would rob him. Please, I was richer than Austin, I was doing him favor by partnering with him. He needed me. I didn't need him.

"I'm glad we're on good terms now, Mr Ross." My professional, cool, calm voice answered from the other side of the phone. I wasn't tensed or nervous when I closed business deals. I knew what my company could give. And it gave a lot. I had a perfect reputation for myself and for my business—well, some might say I don't have the exact 'perfect' reputation when socializing with people. The reason is clear: I don't socialize. I barely attend business events and when I do, its big on the news.

After closing my deal with Austin again. He hung up and placed down my phone on my office table. I shifted in my chair and was about to start typing when my phone vibrated. i wasn't suppose to get any business calls after Austin's and I wasn't answering any. I frowned at phone when it continued vibrating till I saw the name of the ID 'Finn' my best friend—my only friend and my sister's husband. My frown disappeared as I answered the call and placed the phone by my ear.

"I'm busy. Its business hours. Unless its not important, hang up." I said coldly, without letting him a chance to greet.

"hello to you too. I'm doing great, thank you for asking." I rolled my eyes at the sarcasm in his voice "you don't have time for your best friend? How rude."

"what do you want? Ask Bree, she'll help."

He hummed before responding "you're not the only one who works. I also earn money, that's how I take care of the house and my family."

"oh and here I thought Bree's the one who worked day and night while you played with Sarah" I could feel his eye roll over the phone. I enjoyed irritating him. "why did you call?"

"your anniversary is coming up." Anniversary. The word echoed in my ear. I knew my and Rose's one year anniversary was coming up and I knew Bree was expecting me to do something special—romantic to be exact. I knew she made Finn call me to remind me. Little did she knew, I didn't forget, the date was stuck in my head. 5th-december. This was the day, Rose became my wife and she became my responsibility.

My wedding was unexpected. Why? Because I told everyone I would never marry anyone because marrying someone meant loving someone, sacrificing things for them, being distracted. And I wouldn't do anything. Love was distracting. It causes death. You're in love with someone and they leave you, you get depressed and life means nothing to you. What even is that bullshit. Why can't you just move on? Instead of ending your life.

Love meant trusting someone. And I'd rather kill myself then trust someone. There were few people I trusted. Finn, Bree and—well, Rose. Trusting Rose didn't mean I was in love with her. I trusted her because she has helped my sister go through shit. She was there for her when Bree went through her first break up—fucker cheated on her. Bree was heartbroken and Rose thought it was a good idea to go to the fucker's house and shatter his car windows but they got caught and he called the police. I remember that night perfectly, I was at a business event when Bree called me quoting 'we might've gotten in trouble'. I was shocked to know it was Rose's idea. Rose was a rule follower, she tried her best not to get in trouble and even a little mistake would make her regret it all her life. But when it came to someone she trusted dearly, she didn't give two fucks about rules or laws.

Rose was a perfect girl. A girl every guy drools over. Perfect body, brunette long hair, green eyes, beautiful smile, perfect reputation, respected, no blood on her hands… while I was the exact opposite, I did things nobody knew about except Finn and he knew why I did it. He'd kept his mouth shut so nobody else knew not even his wife.

"…therefore, do something special." Finn finished his lecture about how I should plan our one year anniversary and do something special for Rose.

I hummed before saying "thank you for your time but I have other things to do"

"Bree is going to kick your ass if you don't do something special."

"I'll worry about that later. Goodbye." I hung up before he could complain.

We knew how much of a romantic Rose was. She hoped of finding a perfect guy her whole life, even when she encountered assholes, she didn't let that stop her from hoping that she'll find true love.

Our wedding shattered her hopes because she got stuck with me. A guy who would rather cut off his arm than fall n love. I didn't hate Rose, as I said, she was perfect, a little too perfect for me. We both knew our marriage was an arrange marriage because her father wanted us to get married. It was his last will when he was living his last days in this world. Rose was about to loose her only family and her father was worried so he decided it would be a good idea for us to get married. Why wouldn't he think it was a good idea? I had a perfect made up reputation, nobody knew what illegal things I've done, I've gotten many requests from people to marry their daughter but I always denied. I couldn't say 'no' to Rose's father. He was right, she had no family and she trusted people easily, she's been hurt by people and still chose to forgave them.

I agreed to this marriage because that how Bree wouldn't have to worry about Rose being alone. I didn't believe in love but that didn't mean I wouldn't take care of my responsibility. Rose was my responsibility and I promised to protect her. She never complained of why I wasn't lovey dovey towards her because she knew I didn't believe in love. Good. She wasn't annoying. I didn't have to take her on dates or buy her gifts. Waste of money. I could invest that money instead and I did.

A knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts "come in" I said then a blonde girl-- my secretary's head popped out.

"Mr Hartford, John is here to see you." She said.

"Alright. Let him in" she nodded then left.

Less than few minutes, a tall broad figure entered my office "Ryan" he said with a grin, spreading his arm hoping for me to get up and give him a bro hug. He knows, I don't do bro hugs.

I raised my left eye brow, he looked like a fool standing there "Alright then." He finally dropped his arm and closed the door before walking towards my desk and sitting in the chair across from mine.

"What brings you here?" John rarely visited. I knew him from college and he has helped me here and there in business but we weren't friends. He thought we were but I didn't. I didn't trust him enough to give him the title of 'friend'.

"Your Anniversary is coming up" he spoke. Why is everyone interested in my anniversary?

"Are you here to tell me I should do something 'special' for her?"

"I would say that but I think I'd rather volunteer to be her husband," a muscle in my jaw jumped at his statement "who wouldn't want to be? She's hot." His grin widened.

I wasn't interested in Rose as a lover but that didn't mean he could talk like that about her. I wouldn't let him get near her.

"don't make jokes that aren't funny." I said in my cold tone. His lips curled into a smirk.

"don't worry, I won't touch your girl," better not. "here's the real reason I'm here, you're doing a shitty job trying to find out the truth. She won't tell you anything if you keep this cold shit up."

"and what are you suggesting I should do?"

He hummed and tapped his fingers on the arm rest. Once. Twice. He relaxed his fingers then spoke "love her"

I ate back a scoff. Haven't I made it clear? I don't do love.

"I'm not doing that. I don't need a distraction." I said

"fine then pretend to love her," I frowned "look," he shifted forward from his chair till his arms were resting on my table "if you make her see that you care about her and love her—trust her more than anyone. She might just tell you everything. Even her darkest secrets" my jaw tensed. I didn't like the idea of pretending to do something. I always did what I could. But I couldn't love. Loving meant taking down my armor and showing her my darkest secrets, I couldn't do that. I wouldn't let that happen.

"You're an idiot if you think I'd do that" I shut down my laptop "I don't pretend. And I don't love. I'll find another way to dig up the information."

John sighed and sat back in his seat with his hands on his stomach. "well, I'm disappointed"

"I don't seem to care. Get out." I was getting pissed off by him and his thoughts. If he said another stupid word, I will murder him.

"Alright," he stood up and walked towards the door. He paused by the door, his hand on the door knob "if you do consider my advice," he said, his head turned towards me "let me know, I'll tell you how to get her into bed." He grinned and left before I had the time to pull out my gun from the drawer and shoot him. Bastard.