Maia Jones...

I just sat there in utter silence, realization settling in to what I had just agreed to do… I just agreed to marry Reuben ‘I’m Rich, bitch!’ Michaelson! Did I really just say ‘yes’? 

Bitch, damn straight you said “yes”! What is your mama and daddy gonna say?

The content grin never erased from Reuben’s face as he reached over and stroked my cheek, the hell did I really just get myself into? I mean, I never actually saw myself getting married, and now I was about to jump the broom with a man that I really did not know.

Yet, you are fucking him. Hoe, I will light a fire to your ass, shut the fuck up! Nope. Bitch.

“Wonderful choice, Maia,” Ilene began as she smiled at me warmly, but was it indeed a wonderful choice I had just made? I agreed to marry a man that I did not love. I liked Reuben, no man as never made me feel the way he has… But it stops there; he gave me excitement in my very dull life. “You truly are…” I just continued to stare at the table before me, the guilt was already settling in… What would my mother say? Hell, my daddy?!

“I know this all comes as a shock to you, honey.” Reuben began, I glanced over to him. “But I assure you, everything is going to absolutely fine.”

“I-is t-this why you pursued me so strongly? So, I could help you get your grandfather’s company?” I turned fully in my seat and stared at him, I wanted to know was entire pursuit into being with me was just a lines of greed.

Hell, it always has been, if it weren’t for the greed of sex, now it’s the greed of money.

I had to blink my eyes; finally my subconscious said something that was very true. Reuben licked his lips then looked off from me, only to return the gaze a few moments later and answered plainly:

“No.”

I arched my brow then folded my arms.

“I pursued so hard because I craved you… I desired to have you all to myself, and most defiantly wanted you off the ghastly dating site before anyone else could seek after you.” He then picked up his glass of wine and took another slow sip, I sighed as I turned and shook my head, hell… I said yes all on my own, it was not like he or either of them held a damned gun to my head and made the choice for me. But still, there was so much wanted to ask and know, but I think that was conversation the two of us needed to have in private, and not in front of his staff.

“Alright, now may I cut in?” Matt leaned up from his seat, glance from Reuben and I, Reuben gave him permission with a slight head nod. “Okay, Maia, there are some contractual concepts to this marriage—“

“I figured that, you guys are gonna want me to sign a prenup—“ 

“Actually, the prenuptial agreement is all apart to the actual stipulation of contract his grandfather’s estate has issued to him; nothing personal, but of course he wants to ensure that his legacy does not transpire to just anyone.” I nodded my head, I could understand that shit, these scandalous ass hoes in this world would do anything to get just a piece of the money that Michaelson family had in their grasp.

You just agreed to marry a man that you barely know; you are not making yourself look anything different. Shut your bipolar ass up, one minute you negative then the next you saying off the wall shit—just shut up!

“Now Honey, this does not mean I do not trust you… The prenuptial agreement is only towards the funding that I will be brought over to what I will earn from my grandfather’s inheritance.” I bucked my eyes a bit. “But this all will only apply if you adhere to all that I ask of you.”

“And that is…” 

I arched my brow as I looked over to Matt, whom shuffled through his papers as he fidgeted into his suit pocket for his eye glasses, he then placed them on his face and cleared his throat as he begun to speak, but pause when Ilene cleared her throat then nodded over at Samira. She read her and Matt, both, mentally, taking note that she did not need to hear was about to be discussed, she smiled small to me, patted my hand then excused herself from the table and the meeting room.

“Alright, Maia,” I turned so that I could give him my full attention, ‘the duration of your engagement will last six months, this will give both you enough time to know one another’s families and help Ilene get under control the media.”

“You guys’ wedding and relationship will be the talk of the entire country,’ Ilene  cut in, ‘and not to mention globally, probably sought after as much as the royal wedding.”

I busted out laughing, not really wanting to. “I think you are putting a bit on it, I’m no Kate Middleton and Reuben is not the heir to a throne either—“

“But he is wealthier than the Queen of England.” Ilene gave me an all knowing smile, as both Matt and Reuben chuckled when my mouth dropped a bit.

Ha ha ha! Shut down. 

All this was getting too much for me to hear; I reached beside me on the table and grabbed my glass of water.

“And you are soon to be as well, if once you are married to Reuben your net worth will be change drastically—“ 

“The last name Michaelson alone is worth $350 Million dollars.” I choked on the contents that were in my mouth when she said that shit, Reuben laughed at my reaction as he dapped my mouth with the serviette of his suit pocket.

“350 million? I can’t even count that fucking high!” My eyes snapping to all the people sitting around me, not giving a shit that Reuben would get me later for cursing. Both Matt and Ilene both laughed.

“Well, none of us can, but be it as it may; this is your personal net worth once you become Mrs. Michaelson, with a prenup of course.” I still was in utter shock but tried to be attentive, to say the least. “But of course, Mr. Michaelson requires that have a full time stylist and PR agent—“

“That’ll be me, of course.” Ilene winked over at me.

“You will have your staff of security and valet to drive you around—“

“I’d prefer to drive myself actually, nothing against valets or nothing, but I’d just prefer to drive myself.”

Reuben stroked his chin then nodded his before saying:

“Request granted, but on certain occasions you will be chauffeured.” 

I arched my brow that was more of a statement than a suggestion. I rolled my eyes and replied:

“I’m not handicapped, and it seems I’ve been driving around just fine with all the extra attention I have been receiving… So, no, to the chauffer.” Ilene smirked at how head strong I was.

“Oh this is going to be fun.” She giggled; obviously his past bitches were pushovers, but not me… His demanding ass was going to start listening to me, especially if I was going to be his wife… Wow, that sounded weird as shit coming from my mouth. Reuben’s lips remained pursed together, his eyebrow cocked then he cracked a toothy, shifty grin while he nodded his head, reaching back for his glass of wine… If only I could read this damn man’s mind.

Uh, no you don’t… Trust. Shit, you might be right.

I gazed at him as the two continued to talk more and more of what was in the contracts, basically to PR basics, like no agreeing to interviews or appearances without talking with Ilenen and Reuben; no to selling images or details to the paparazzi… Duh, meaning they wanted me to sign a suppression order, I no problem with that… What the hell did I have to gain from putting a bunch of vulture ass people in the middle my damn business? 

“Is that all?” I asked as I signed my name to the last document, then glanced up and looked to each of them, Reuben leaned into Matt and whispered to him as he pulled out his own personal manila folder from under the table. Ilene looked to me and nodded her head.

“Yes, as of right now—we are all done, Maia, I look forward to sitting down with you and talking.” I nodded my head as she gathered her things to leave, then Matt bid his farewell and got to leave as well, there was still so much I wanted to ask… So much on why out of all the women he had been with, why would he choose me? Hell, I was from a poor family, and not to mention the entire backlash we both would receive because we are an interracial couple—there was just so much he was so much drama he was willing to add to his life by marrying me, not to mention drama I trust willingly added to my life as well.

“Now, shall we eat?” I shook my head; my appetite had come and gone by the time all this marriage talk had begun. “Honey, you have not had supper and I’m a firm believer in not skipping out on meals.”

“I’m just—“ I stopped and sighed as I rubbed my temples. “I’m exhausted, Reuben, and I’d just rather go home and get to bed… I have church in the morning and I need my full night’s sleep.” I glanced over at him. He nodded his head, he was being rather quiet this evening, and that was out of his character to be so silent, especially with our current situation at hand. He simply stood to his feet and reached his hand down for mine so he could help me stand to my feet; I balanced myself on my heels then we both gathered our belongings and walked out of the dining hall, only to be met by David and the manager who had a bag containing food in his hand. I stood and looked to Reuben; he looked at past me and asked the young man to carry the food out for us.

“How did I know you would already have a ram in the bush?” I spoke still looking ahead, Reuben trailed a bit behind me, yet his hand was firmly placed at the small of my back.

“Well Honey, you know how I can be…” He begins with a smile as he leads me out the doubled doors of the restaurant, where the paparazzi awaited for us.