CHAPTER 32- A SHAM!

"Miss Allison!" Sera gasped, as she got into the room. "Is she alright?"

"She's fine." Karl said, getting to his feet.

"I has no idea she left the house."

No one did. He thought before looking back at the sleeping Allison.

Too careless.

"I'll be on my way now."

"What happened to her?"

"It's fine Sera, she's a bit tipsy that's all."

"I see, it's not like her to get drunk." Sera said, sadly.

"Something went wrong didn't it?"

"Just an argument earlier today with Madam Vera."

"Did you happen to hear what it was about?" Karl asked, curious.

"Just bits, you know servants aren't allowed to eavesdrop."

"I do. So tell me about it."

"Something about a temporal marriage."

"What?!" His eyes widened in shock.

"I...I don't know I could have heard wrong..."

"...I don't think so."

Don't worry about it. I'll be fine like my aunt said. It's only temporary anyway.

What's temporary?

I don't want to talk about it Karl.

Why had Vera chosen to marry her off? Had situations really escalated this bad? Was this really the last resort?

THE NEXT DAY

Urgh! What the hell happened?

Allison sat up on her bed that morning with a slight headache. She rubbed her equally aching eyes before fully opening them. She was surprised at the clarity of the world around her for the first time. Everything was crystal...clear?

What? I...I can see? I can see! She hurriedly got out of bed to the mirror.

Oh...she sighed, disappointedly as it all finally came back to her. Last night, she had forgotten to take off her contact lenses before going to bed. She picked up her phone and texted him. That was the polite thing to do anyways.

Thank you Karl

.......

You're welcome Miss Hamilton.

Allison.

I'm sorry....Allison.

She turned her attention back to the activity of today. Had her aunt not told her to think about last night's discussion? Urgh! Given the fact that she fell asleep in a drunk state, that was the last thing she did and honestly, she wasn't feeling any better than the previous night. This was just too much for her. Just then, the door to her room opened and Sera walked in.

"Good morning Allison, I see you're awake."

"What time is it?"

"It's 9am Miss."

"9am?! Oh no! I'm so late!"

"Well that's actually why I'm here."

"What is it?"

"Your aunt wanted me to let you know that you have a meeting with the family lawyer in forty five minutes."

"What? Why?" She asked, confused, scared for what she was suspecting.

"For the erm...for the signing of the contract arrangement."

"What? No!"

THE PREVIOUS DAY....

"And why are you even agreeing to this?" Bruce asked.

"I want to help Vera. The woman would do the same for me if the tables had turned." Hades said.

"Are you sure?"

"What sort of question is that?" He frowned.

Bruce shrugged. "I don't know maybe because you know Allison from before and the fact that she used to be your nephew's lover."

"That doesn't affect anything."

"Your condition of wanting a child from her? Bruce asked, suspiciously.

"I...." Hades hesitated for a few seconds. "I don't venture into deals that don't bring me any profit and you know that. Even if I was doing her a favor, I needed to make sure I wouldn't be taken for granted at the end of the day and besides.... I'm long overdue for an heir."

"How about Lisa Valentino?"

Hades sighed.

"Leave her to me."

THE PRESENT DAY.....

10:00AM

"Yes Karl, I'm fine" Allison assured into the phone.

"Are you sure you don't want me there?"

"When the meeting is over, I'll call you to pick me up. Will that be okay?"

"Absolutely. Goodluck Allison."

"Thank you. I'll need it." She sighed.

Allison had already arrived at the said location. She was in a black turtleneck sleeve tucked in a straight brown skirt that stopped a little below her knees. Her red hair was tied behind her. She was standing in the reception area, nervously waiting for Hades to arrive.

Only this wasn't the attorney's office but a restaurant. Why the change of plans? She had arranged a meeting with him that day and had the contract signing postponed. A few minutes ago she had braces herself, swallow a pint of her pride and called him.

"Hello? This Allison Hamilton."

"And how may I help you?"

"We're supposed to be signing a contract for our supposed arranged marriage today."

"You sound sour."

"Well that is because it is sour. Meet me at Hawkins in ten minutes, we need to talk."

Right now, staring outside the window, she doubted if He was even going to come. What was she thinking? Ofcourse he might not. Not to mention the way she sounded was a bit too commanding. Or was it?

"Miss Hamilton?"

"Huh?" Allison turned around to that awfully familiar baritone.

"I certainly hope I didn't keep you waiting." He said.

Keep me waiting? Like I wanted to be here.

She thought.

"Let's go in, shall we?"

"Fine, let's proceed."

Allison said as they both walked side by side from the reception to the main entrance.

Once they were seated on the table she had earlier reserved for the both of them, Allison decided to clear the air.

"I have no idea what sick game you're playing this time Hades but whatever it is, it won't end well."

"Oh is that so?" He asked, arching a brow, intrigued.

"You're up to something aren't you? Whatever it is you're after, whatever it is that you're taking advantage of my aunt's desperate situation for. You better back off now before I dig it out."

Hades let out a tired sigh.

"Once a drama queen..." He muttered.

"What did you say?"

"Vera pleaded with me for this and I'm only indulging her because of our age long partnership."

"What?" She found it hard to believe anything about Hades Lenshaw was with clarity.

"And also because...." He smiled at her, the next words were no doubt meant to infuriate her. ".... I want a child at the end of the day."

"Asshole!" She cussed underneath her breath, her fingers clenched.

"I believe you were informed before hand."

"And what makes you think I would want to marry you?" She asked, determined to bring down his ego a bit.

"Because...you have no choice. Simply because Hamilton has no other choice. Your family must have a thing for always begging for help Allison. Wouldn't you agree.....pet?"

She knew what he was implying. The incident with her father and now this.

Pompous bastard! she thought, defeatedly yet spitefully.

Allison got up to her feet.

"Call my aunt and tell her to call this off. I want nothing to do with you Hades. Not now not ever."

She said, about to leave when all of a sudden the staffs in the restaurant gathered around their table holding several flowers and banners that read "SAY YES!"

What the crappy hell?

Just before she could get a proper understanding of what was going on, some reporters had made their way in, with the camera ready. She turned to Hades who was sitting, unbothered she indifferent. Then she realized.

"You...you set me up?" She asked, almost amused.

He only shrugged, a sly smile on his lips.

Allison could hear her phone ringing. It was her aunt. She wasted no time in picking up.

"You had better say yes to that ring Allison or don't come back home at all." She warned, sternly before hanging up.

Even her?

She thought, biting her lip, hurt. She turned her gaze to Hades who got up to his feet, standing several inches taller than her. He held her fingers and maintained a firm eye contact. Her eyes were glistening with tears that she tried to fight back. Hades leaned in and whispered to her.

"It's okay, even if you let it out here, the media would just misunderstand it for tears of joy."

"You're a fucking bastard!" She cussed, hearing the sarcastic mockery of his words.

"I don't think so." Hades said, curtly, still holding her fingers in his. He knew if something wasn't done, she might withdraw them and storm out of this place.

"Say yes Allison." He urged "Not to me but to the restoration of Hamilton's glory."

His words sunk deep into her that she was surprised. To think she had never thought of it that way before. To think she kept thinking about herself but still this was still painful.

"Well?"

"Slip it in.." came her small voice.

"Wise choice." He commended, before wearing her the tiny piece of diamond, erupting a loud applause from all the onlookers.

Allison stared down vaguely at the engagement ring sitting on her finger like a plague and a plague indeed it was to her. To be one with this Man was like to be one a with a Devil. One who had caused her nothing but a past full of pain. This was too much to her pride and the peaceful life she was finally starting to build. Would you ever really be happy Ally? Or was her mother right all along?

"From now on just smile to the camera and play along." Hades said, taking her arm in arm out of the restaurant.

"Who do you think you are?"

"It would interest you to know that I'm not enjoying this any more than you aren't."

"Huh?"

"Let's go."

The medias kept clicking their cameras and trying to get a statement from the two of them despite restrictions from Hades bodyguards.

"Mr Lenshaw! Miss Hamilton"

"Just a statement please."

"What about your relationship with supermodel Lisa Valentino?"

"How long have you two been together?"

"What does this new development means for Hamilton Jewels?"

"Just a minute of your time please!"

The noise soon died down as they both exited the premises of the building.

"Oh how I hate the press." Allison grumbled.

"I agree. They're like leeches, hard to get off."

"Hmm" She added, shifting, uncomfortably. "You had someone before." She said, her mind reflecting on the question one of the reporters had asked.

"Pardon?"

"Miss Val. What becomes of her now?"

"Not for you to worry about."

"People will see me as a man snatcher! I don't want a stigma Hades."

"But is that what you are though?"

"Wh..what? No, ofcourse not." She stuttered in response to his question.

"In that case we're good."

"What if she doesn't approve of us?"

"Why would you want her approval?"

"I don't want some crazy ex on my neck, that's all."

"Why should you be worried when this is a sham afterall."

"Oh..." Foolish again Ally. She thought regretfully. He was right. Why was she worrying about so much details.

"If for anything, she might as well tag along if that will put her mind at ease." He said.

"What? You mean like a...a mistress!"

Hades smirked playfully, oh how he loved upsetting her.

"Oh you don't approve? Tell me Allison, it's fine. I can understand if you don't want to share me with anyone else."

"You're so full of your self! Go to hell!" She cussed out, offended. Just who does he think he is?

"Just saying...I see you came alone." Hades said, noticing her car wasn't anywhere nearby.

"Yes I did and don't even think about offering me a ride. I'm expecting someone to pick me up."

Hades smiled faintly at her defiance behavior.

"Have a nice day then."

He said casually before walking towards his the door of his car, held open by a bodyguard.

"You don't actually expect me to wear this shitty stuff all the time do you?"

"What?" Hades stopped in his tracks and turned around to Allison who was holding up the back of her palm with the ring sitting on the middle finger. Then he realized.

"Well isn't that the point?" He asked, a playful smile playing on his lips.

"What?"

"We want the whole world to know about our engagement Allison, that's the point. So keep it on....always"

"And if I don't?"

"Then I could take the option of screwing the ring into your finger." He said with a smirk that showed He was amused by her stunned reaction. Not leaving any room for   any further debate, He got into his car and drove away from the scene.

"Uhrgh! Asshole! Allison let out, irritatedly.

But he was only kidding wasn't he? She caressed the diamond twinkling on her middle finger. There was no way, he'd actually...screw the ring into her bone? The thought alone caused chills down her spine. Still a psychopath? He hadn't changed one bit. Was she expecting him to?