Chapter 4 The Lion's Den

• Isabelle looked at herself in the floor-length mirror, while she was smoothing her hands on the surface of the little black dress she had picked for dinner.
• It was simple yet chic, the kind of outfit she would have worn to an art gallery opening or a friend's party.
• However, this was not a common social gathering.
• This was her first time to be seen as Liam Callahan's fiancé and the enormity of the situation was weighing her down like an overbearing shroud.
• A sudden strike on the door scared her. "Miss Marino! It is Eliza. Mr. Callahan is waiting for you. "
• Isabelle exhaled and calmed down a bit. "Coming. "
• With the weight of lead, she walked across the carpeted floor of the plush and opened the door.
• Eliza was on the other side, her expression staying coolly professional as always.
• "Follow me, please. "
• Isabelle followed the assistant who was so unexpressive, that her heart was beating in her ears every time she took another step.
• They went through the twisting corridors of the hallways until they could see the really big dining room.
• Then, on the chair at the head of the table, sat Liam Callahan himself.
• He got up as they entered, his intense eye movement made her feel the skin get pricked.
• "Miss Marino. I believe you have made the right decisions regarding your new living conditions, in my opinion, are agreeable. "
• Isabelle resisted the temptation to fidget when her attention was being rigorously supervised.
• "They're. .. lovely. Thank you. "
• Liam's lips stretched into a smile that didn't even touch his eyes. "I want my wife to be at ease, that's all. "
• The words were so spooky that Isabelle felt a shiver run down her spine.
• His wife.
• Thus, the thought was still so far away, so unbelievable.
• Liam waved to the table. "Please, have a seat. "
• Isabelle went down into the padded chair, while Liam kept on staring at her as if she was a magnet. The perfectly white cloth napkin was placed on a side of her plate, and she was occupied with folding it over her lap, just to make her hands something to do.
• "You are so beautiful tonight," Liam said, kindly indicating the end of the awkward silence.
• Isabelle's gaze shifted to his eyes and his. "Thank you," she moaned, her voice so soft that it was almost a whisper.
• Liam let out a tiny smile showing that he was slightly amused. "No need to be nervous Ms. Marino. We're husband and wife to be so you see."
• Isabelle heard a slight shake at his words. "Isabelle is okay. Miss Marino is so formal, I mean. "
• Liam raised his brow a tiny bit. "I agree. It is Isabelle, alright."
• He sunk back in his chair and observed her with a mischievous expression.
• "Tell me, how much do know about my business affairs?"
• She was surprised by the question that came out of nowhere.
• "I hardly see it that way, to be frank. Just that you're a successful businessman."
• Liam's smile was like that of a vulture, sinister and threatening.
• "That is just a saying. Callahan Enterprises is one of the largest and strongest conglomerates in the world. We are in everything from real estate to technology to finance."
• He took a breath, so the impact of his words was felt by the listener.
• "And as my wife, you will also be considered a part of that empire's maintenance. "
• Isabelle's stomach knotted up in a mess. "What do you mean?"
• "It is, would you believe me, you will have to go to functions, flirt with potential investors and clients, and act the sweet wife," said Liam, his voice low and intense.
• Isabelle's throat was suddenly parched.
• She had decided to marry this guy, but the actuality of what it involved was just starting to dawn upon her.
• Just at the moment, she was about to say something, Eliza popped up by Liam's side with a bottle of expensive-looking wine in her hands.
• She took out the bottle with ease and poured a large amount into Liam's glass and then she turned to Isabelle.
• "A glass for you, Miss Marino?" she asked, her voice totally without any inflection.
• Isabelle tried to respond but Liam interrupted her by casually waving his hand.
• "No, Eliza, for instance, my wife won't be drinking. "
• Isabelle's eyebrows formed into a complex bridge of concern. "I. .. won't?"
• Liam fixed her with a straight-eye glance. Certainly not.
• "I can't have you drinking while we are fighting to make a child."
• The words struck Isabelle like a blow and took her breath away as if they were physical. "An. .. heir?"
• Liam's expression remained impassive.
• "Naturally. What did you think this arrangement was about, Isabelle? Love?" He asked sarcastically and the sound failed to convey the humor. "No, this is a business transaction, a transaction which demands that you be the mother of the heir who will continue my legacy."
• Isabelle's head was spinning as the gravity of what he had said sunk in.
• She knew, from the time she was a little girl, that this wasn't like a fairytale love story.
• However, to be so plainly notified of her functions, of the real reason that this fake union is all about. ..
• It was almost impossible to hold back the tears.
• Liam was so much aware of her inner turmoil.
• "I'm not a fanatic person, Isabelle. Carry out the roles of a good wife, give birth to a child, and then you will not have to be worried about anything. But if you don't, you will be left with nothing."
• The hidden threat was present in the air and the tension caused by it killed Isabelle with its weight.
• She was stuck, a shining bird in the cage of her own making, with no way out in sight.
• As Eliza took over the first course, Isabelle was forced to look into Liam's cold eyes and she felt more determined.
• If this was to be her life, she would play the game.