Dianna's POV
The moment the door clicked shut behind Victor, the office shifted, gone was the buffer of courtesy. Now it was just me, and Theodore Callaghan looking thoroughly unimpressed.
He leaned against my desk with arms crossed, that infuriating smirk in place, and his gaze swept the office like he was inspecting a museum rather than negotiating a marriage.
"Well," he said, voice smooth but laced with annoyance, "so this is the famous Dianna Beaumont."
"Yes," I replied evenly, leaning back in my chair. Keeping myself polite and controlled. "And you must be Theodore Callaghan. The notorious playboy who apparently can't say no to his father's demands."
He scoffed, straightening slightly. "Notorious? Please. I'm just… very good at enjoying life. And this arrangement? Totally not my idea."
Ah, there it was. The first real attempt at asserting dominance, he was "so not into this," letting me know, loud and clear, that I was stepping into his world, whether I liked it or not.
"I gathered that," I said lightly, letting my fingers tap the edge of my desk. "But seeing as it's happening, we might as well start with some basic civility."
He raised a brow, smirk twitching. "Civility. Well, if you insist. Though I can't promise I'll play along nicely."
I leaned forward slightly with my elbows resting on the desk. "You don't have to play along. You just have to show up in public and look like we're… happy together. It's not exactly rocket science."
He laughed, that low, teasing sound that somehow grated on my nerves. "Maybe not, but convincing the world that I actually like this arrangement? That's going to take… effort. On my part."
I tilted my head, giving him a cool, measured look. "Effort, huh? Funny. Because from where I'm sitting, I'm the one who has to act like she's thrilled to marry a man she barely tolerates. And yet somehow, I seem more composed than you."
His smirk faltered for half a second, just enough for me to notice. Then he straightened, voice sharper. "Don't get too cocky, Dianna. You may have billions, but in here..." he tapped the edge of the desk with one finger. "you're playing by my rules."
I let a slow smile creep across my face. "Oh, is that so? I must have missed the part in the fine print where billionaire heiresses suddenly forget how to negotiate."
He chuckled, shaking his head, clearly entertained but also slightly irritated. "Smart, too. This is going to be… interesting."
I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed, still perfectly unbothered.
He studied me for a moment, eyes glinting, then leaned casually back. "Fine. You've got guts. I'll give you that. But don't end up falling for me."
I let the faintest shrug escape, voice smooth. "Not my goal. Just keeping you in check until the photos stop flashing. For your father's sake."
He smirked, clearly enjoying the challenge. "Oh, I have a feeling the photos will keep flashing. And so will I."
I let out a quiet sigh, finally relaxing fully, allowing myself a moment of release.
'Enough banter, enough posturing. I needed to get this over with. Focus,' I told myself. 'One meeting, one arrangement, one infuriating playboy… then done.'
With that mental note, I smoothed my expression, straightened my posture, and gave him the faintest, perfectly polite smile.
"Well then," I said. "Let's go over the rules. Public appearances start after the election, correct?"
He nodded, finally pulling himself upright. "Before the election. Nothing after. And believe me, I am so not looking forward to it."
I blinked. "You're not looking forward to marrying a calm, composed billionaire who won't flinch at your charms?" I let a small smirk curl my lips. "Hard to imagine."
His eyes narrowed slightly, mock irritation flashing across his face. "Hard to imagine? Try insufferable. You're infuriatingly… unbothered. And, I'm a billionaire too."
"Says who?" I said lightly. "You're nothing without your father's money." I mumbled to myself.
"What was that?" He sked alarmed.
"Nothing. Here's the first rule, no touching. We can do so in public but not private, accidental or deliberate. Do you understand?"
He raised a brow. "No touching? That's… cruel. I could atleast kiss my wife good night. But fine. I can abide. As long as we're clear that the occasional handshake or friendly pat is allowed for photo ops."
"Photo ops only," I replied, tone clipped. "Friendly pat does not include lingering, flirtatious touches. I have a reputation to protect, and apparently, so do you."
He chuckled, smirk widening. "Point taken. Fine. No touching. What's next?"
I tapped my fingers on the desk, deliberately calm, as if this were the most mundane meeting in the world. "Second rule, mind your own business. You stay out of my personal affairs, and I'll do the same for you. Simple."
He raised both hands in mock surrender. "Ah, yes. I see. I'm to be a model husband only for the cameras. I like it. I can pretend."
"Pretend in public," I clarified, voice neutral. "And actually leave me alone in private. No stalking me, no interrogating my employees, no surprise appearances in my office unless you have a valid, professional reason."
"Ouch. Harsh. I think I was supposed to charm you into this, not get bossed around."
"Not happening," I said lightly. "You're still charming, but not here. Not to me. The rules are the rules."
He ran a hand through his hair, leaning back slightly with a mocking defeat in his posture. "Fine. I can survive that. What's rule number three?"
"Absolutely no scandals," I said firmly, voice calm. "Public or private. Anything that could make headlines about either of us outside the pre-approved appearances is forbidden. Your reputation, my grandmother's wish, and my sanity depend on it."
He froze for a beat, clearly weighing the weight of that statement. Then his smirk returned, sharp as ever. "Scandals. Huh. That's going to be… challenging. But okay. I'll play along. Mostly."
"Mostly isn't enough," I said smoothly, arms folding neatly. "Completely, or not at all. You're going to have to work very hard to stay on your best behavior, Theodore."
He raised a brow, clearly amused and maybe a little impressed. "Noted. And you? You think you can be calm and composed around me for… how long?"
"Long enough to get this over with," I said lightly, letting out a quiet, controlled sigh. "We'll do this, public appearances and all, for the duration of the contract. After that… we go back to our normal lives."
He chuckled low, leaning closer just enough to make me straighten ever so slightly. "You're annoyingly unbothered, Dianna. I like it. Makes me want to test how long that calm mask lasts."
I smirked faintly, calm as ever. "Test it if you want. But remember the rules. No touching. Mind your own business. Absolutely no scandals."
He let out a low laugh. "Fine. Rules acknowledged. But don't expect me to enjoy following them."
"I don't expect you to enjoy it," I said evenly, voice smooth. "I just expect you to follow them."
And just like that, the boundaries were set. Public marriage, carefully staged appearances, and three simple rules. I let myself lean back, finally letting out a long breath. This was absurd, ridiculous, and infuriating… but at least, for now, controlled.
Theo, of course, looked like he was already plotting ways to make it not controlled.