Griffin’s POV

The night air caressed my face as I halted in the middle of the expansive space, bringing Lina with me. Her erratic breath took over but that didn’t matter to her as she pulled her hand away from mine and glared at me.

“What was that? You told me…”

“I didn’t tell you anything, Lina. You agreed, all on your own.”

“You don’t want this!”

“I don’t.”

“So why do you want to go ahead with the marriage? We probably hate each other at this point.”

I took a step closer to her, and Lina took a corresponding one backwards, putting as much space as she could between us.

But I didn’t stop, kept edging towards her until her back hit the wall. Sudden realization dawned on her. She had nowhere to go.

“Griffin….”

“I don’t want you, Lina. You are not my type.”

She squirmed under my gaze. “You are not my type either, so I guess that sums it up.”

“No,” I said softly. “It is the reason we should go ahead with the marriage, give them what they want.”

“I don’t get it. How can you live with someone you detest, because I sure as hell can’t live with you.”

"We don't have to sleep in the same room." My gaze roamed over her soft features. "Except, of course, you want to. I won't blame you. It is hard for anyone to resist this."

Her hands flew to my chest and she pushed me back with as much force as she had within her. It wouldn’t have done anything to budge me ordinarily, but I allow it, pushing away from her.

“You are not making any sense, Griffin.”

“I will have my assistant draw up a contract as soon as I get home. The terms of the contract will be simple. We get married as our parents want, and after one year, we go our separate ways.”

“Griffin…”

“I doubt they would force you to remarry once they see how this ended up.”

She wasn’t buying it. “What is in it for you?”

Lina was smart. I would give that to her.

“Nothing more than what is in it for you. I am tired of attending these dinners and expected to play the good son when I really want to be far away, and by myself. And I am sure you are tired of it as well.”

I saw her fight the fact that I was right so hard. It brought another smile to my lips, but I killed it instantly.

“I could attend a few more of these dinners,” she muttered, leaning away from the wall. Her brown eyes didn’t blend in with the dark. Instead, it stood out, creating such a surreal look.

“You parents don’t seem like the kind of people who would tolerate you sabotaging your prospective marriages anymore, especially since I just agreed to be your husband.”

“You are…”

“I know I am right, Lina. I am barely wrong about things.”

“Still,” she sighed. “I am not sure…”

“I don’t have time for this,” I cut in, and as if on cue, the shrill of my phone got both our attention. Giving her one last look, I stalked away from her, only picking up the call when I knew I had put enough distance between us.

She might be my wife, but it will only be on contract and she has no right to know my personal business, only if necessary.

“Griffin Barnes,” I said with a clipped tone.

“Sir, there is … there is ….I don’t even know how to put it.”

“What is it, Martha?”

“The restaurant. Our investors have been pulling out, and orders have drastically reduced.”

“How much is drastically?” I had enough money to carry my chain of restaurants so the investor issue was something that could be tackled later.

“There have been no orders since you left this morning and…”

“And?”

“Currently, the restaurant is empty.”

That was strange. In over two years of setting up that particular branch, it had never been empty. “Okay. Call for a meeting with the staff tomorrow morning. I will tell you how you should handle it.”

I was about to end the call when her voice came up again.

“It isn’t just this branch, Mr. Barnes. Your chain of restaurants all over the city and country is suffering the same thing.”

Panic set in. Without responding, I ended the call and dialled my assistant’s number.

“You are supposed to be keeping tabs on my restaurants. I’ve been gone for only a couple of hours, so what the hell is happening, Frank?”

"A food critic visited your restaurant today and left a bad review on the internet." I could hear the clack of keyboard in the background. "The critic is a lady and was at the branch at Lincoln today."

“What did she say?”

“I’ll send you the link.”

The line clicked dead and in seconds, a link was sent to my phone. I hit it without thinking twice, my eyes scanning the words.

The Barnes has a zero rating when it comes to customer service. I was treated really poorly by the community of staff but that wasn't even the worst. The state of their kitchen is terrible. Litters on every single surface, dirty dishes in the sink, and the smell in the air.

I checked the profile of the food critic. She had nothing on her page, other than a picture of a bowl of chicken soup. I had no idea who she was.

I called Frank again.

“Get me everything you can on this food critic. She isn’t a ghost.”

“Yes, sir.”

"No one dares say trash about my restaurant and expects me to let it go. Not after every price I have paid to get to this point."

“And Frank?”

“Yes, sir?”

"I am getting married in a week. Get me an audience at the courthouse, and find a suitable venue. I need it to be as quiet as possible. Only close relatives get the invite."

I didn’t need to ask Lina a second time. I could see it in her eyes. She knew this was a good plan.

I only had to tolerate her for one year.