Taming Mr. Cold and Arrogant novel Chapter 1

Sophia's POV:

A long, deep sigh escaped my lips as I checked my wristwatch for not knowing how many times. I've been sitting inside the coffee shop for almost forty-five minutes, but I still can't catch a glimpse of the person who sent me a message yesterday... Mr Daniel Kelley. He is the CEO of Kelley International Corporation, my 'so-called' fiance and a husband to be three weeks from now.

He said he wanted us to meet and see each other personally before announcing our engagement party next week. I agreed, so I cancelled my first practice appointment just to meet him.

Maybe someone would get confused about the engagement party. How can two people get engaged without knowing each other or without even seeing each other? Well, this is just a contractual marriage, so to be intimate with each other isn't necessary. We just need to be in this marriage for a year and after that, we'll go in our separate ways again.

"Ten minutes. No, five minutes. Five more minutes and if he still doesn't show up, I'm gonna leave and I won't show up until the engagement party." I murmured in a low voice as I wandered my eyes around the restaurant.

And to get myself busy while waiting for another minute, I put my earphones back and listened to my new dance music downloaded from my phone and continued to create new dance moves in my head.

I was already indulged in the music and enjoying the beat when I noticed that someone was standing in front of me. I removed my earphones and looked up to see a tall, handsome man in a dark suit.

The first thing I noticed was his eyes, they were cold and you can never see even a single emotion on them. It's like you're looking at an emotionless man.

"Sophia."

My breath hitched at the sound of his voice, so cold yet so sexy. And the way he mentioned my name sent shivers down my spine.

"Yes. Are you Mr Kelley?"

I asked, straightening my seat as I looked him directly in the eye. He didn't answer my question, instead, he pulled the chair across my seat and settled himself comfortably without leaving his eyes on me. It's kinda odd and creepy, but I held my breath and fought the urge not to look away.

"Mr Kelley, right?" I asked again, but just like my first attempt, I still got no answer.

I was about to ask him if he's kinda deaf when he finally opened his mouth.

"Tell me, Sophia, how much money did my mother offer you to accept this agreement?"

I was taken aback by his question. I didn't expect him to ask me such a question. That was what they called NOT beating around the bush. Straightforward. Straight to the point and without even saying 'Hi', 'Hey' or whatever.

"What? I-I'm sorry?" I asked to clarify what I heard.

"Come on, Sophia. I just wanna know how much money my Mom offered you for this deal?"

I gulped at the way he stared at me like I was some kind of dirt.

"How did you meet her and how did you ask her to choose you to portray this act?"

I chuckled sarcastically right after he finished his question.

"Excuse me, Mr Kelley? But for your information, your mother hasn't offered me even a single cent from your family's bank account!"

"So, what do you mean? Did you just accept this deal with nothing in return? Oh, come on, Ms Sophia, I'm a businessman and you can never fool me like what you did to my Mom!"

I formed my fists into a ball and tried to calm my raging nerves. How dare this man insult me with his money? But instead of shouting and giving him a death glare, I smiled. A smile that I'm sure would get into his nerves.

"Is that why you wanted to meet me, Mr Daniel Kelley? Just to insult me and throw in my face that all I wanted was just your money?"

"Why, isn't that your reason why you agree with this? So, tell me how much do you need---"

"Then what? Are you going to tell me to back off and cancel the deal?" I chuckled again, shaking my head. "Listen here, Daniel Kelley! Not all things in this world have a price and can buy with your shiny-shimmering cards or with your precious money inside your pants!"

I brought my face closer to him and I didn't miss how he was surprised by my action.

"For once and for all, your Mom didn't offer me a single penny! In fact, she asked me for help. To help her older son and act as his wife for a year! And yes, I have a reason for marrying you, but it's too far from the money! So, just tell me directly if you don't want me to marry you and stop throwing insults and judgements at me! Or if you want, you can talk to your mother, because I didn't insist on this wedding!"

I stood up and took my bag from the table, but then I remembered something that I had to tell him.

"Tsk.Tsk.Tsk. Daniel Kelley. Yes, you're handsome, you have broad shoulders, sexy and a perfect husband material for your looks..."

His mouth slightly opened as his eyes widened a bit.

"But you know one thing I've realized? I realized that no matter how good looking you are, it's the opposite of your attitude! It stinks! You need to shower more than three times a day all year round!"

I saw how he was taken aback by my last sentence, but I didn't wait for him to respond. I left him open-mouthed and walked my way towards the entrance of the coffee shop. I don't care what he thinks of me after this. If he doesn't want me to become his contractual wife, then that's fine. But I don't need his insults. I've suffered a lot of insults and judgements before, I don't want more this time.

When I reached my car, I let out a deep sigh and a silent prayer as it started raining outside. It's like raining cats and dogs and now clouding my windshield. I started the engine as I have no choice but to drive in this heavy rain. If only I had known that this was going to be the result of my almost an hour of waiting, I wouldn't have had to wait for him. No, I shouldn't have agreed to meet him.