Mr Stranger

CHAPTER 4

Ivy sat in her car for minutes catching her breath, what the heck just happened?. Did Wilson just propose to her out of the blue? She reached for her phone, she wanted to call Emily badly but she decided against it. She let out loud sigh as she gestured to her driver, he started the engine and they drove out of the premises.

( 2 days later )

Ivy sat on her couch in her living room , deep in thought. Wilson's words kept reminiscing in her head. She sighed out of frustration as her phone buzzed, she checked the caller ID, it was Mary her personal assistant.

" Good day Mary " She said

" Good morning ma'am, have you checked the Stats? "

" No, what is it? " she inquired anxiously.

" Ma'am ,you've been dropped to number 3 on the chart"

" What?! how?....when? what happened? " She asked, as her heart slammed painfully against her chest.

" It's Irene Ma'am, the investor just invested in her company and now she's number 1 on the chart " she said.

Ivy and Irene had been battling for the top spot for years. She was the second on the chart while Irene was number 3 , it was safe to say they were rivals. Irene was recently accepted in the Lilies Club and now she was topping the charts.

" Oh hell no!.....I.... I'll call you later " she said, as she ended the call.

She got up from her seat and dashed out of the house, She pulled up at Emily's house moments later and she made her way inside.

" Babe? Girl you didn't tell me you were coming......" she paused immediately she noticed the expression on Ivy's face.

" Something is wrong, what is it? " she asked, her expression turning serious with each passing second.

" Irene is now number 1 on the chart" she said with an unfathomable expression.

" No.... don't tell me she has gotten the investment already, damn it! " she yelled , as she slammed her palms on the nearby wall.

Emily hated Irene's gut to the core. They all went to the same high school and Irene had always been a nuisance.

" Emily, what do you think about a contract marriage?" she asked.

Emily turned to look at her precious friend in shock. She had wanted her to get married again but not in this manner.

" I saw Wilson few days back and he proposed to me " Ivy said

Emily stared at her awestruck. She had always known that Ivy had a crush on her brother few years back but she never knew Wilson felt that way too.

" Slow down.....Wilson did what? I knew you had a crush on him even though you never mentioned it ,but it never occured to me that he felt the same way about........" she paused, as something seemed to click in her mind.

"of course it's a marriage of convenience " she suddenly burst out laughing.

" What is it? " Ivy asked with a raised eyebrow.

" Nothing babe, so do you want to marry my brother? " Emily inquired.

" Actually....no. I admit that I used to like him but I had this uneasy feeling when I was with him, I just don't think it's a great idea "

" That means you have someone else in mind.....spill it " Emily said, as she gestured her hands.

" Mr Stranger " Ivy said simply.

" What? Someone you barely know? " she spoke ,almost yelling.

" I know I sound crazy.....but Emily I think I'm in love with him, I can't seem to focus these days and if I'll have to get married it has to be with him, help me please " she said, as she gave her a pleading look.

Emily looked up at the ceiling before looking back at her friend.

" Girl I understand how you feel, but you're not thinking clearly. I want you to calm down and think this through, I don't want you to make any mistakes. I'll give you a week to ponder over it and if you still feel the same then you're free to propose it to him "

" Thank you .....I think I really need to think this through but......what if he rejects my proposal? " Ivy asked

" He won't, we will make him an offer he won't be able to resist. I'll wip up a contract once you guys come to terms and..... I'll also carry out a private investigation on him then it's all good "

" That's great....thank you Emily, I'll go ponder over it and I'll keep you updated "

Ivy spent the rest of the week deliberating and reminiscing over the contract marriage. Living with a stranger for years was somehow frightening. She wanted to seek her P. A's opinion but refrained from the idea, it was better if she wasn't aware. And at the end of the day she decided to follow her heart and give herself a fresh start even though the destination was unknown, there was so much at stake.

She went back to the Party house in search of Mr Stranger few days later after consulting Emily but couldn't find him. She kept going back every single day for 2 whole weeks, her hope getting weaker each time she asked and nobody seemed to know him.

She had seen a similar man with a striking resemblance to him the last time she came, seated in the far corner of the room and she had approached him out of excitement but it had turned out to be someone else.

She went around asking about him as usual, describing his facial features but nobody seemed to know him. She looked around one last time before she exited the building with tears threatening to fall.

.......................................

( The following day )

Ivy threw her head back as she sighed, her driver pressing the horn repeatedly, they were heading home from an hectic day at work and there seemed to be a hold up at the front. Something suddenly caught her attention from the far corner of her eyes , she turned her head towards the side glass, her eyes glued on a stranger walking a sleek black cat along the sidewalk. A familiar thrill ran down her spine, could it be?

Taking a deep breath, she bolted out of her car and approached the familiar stranger. " Hey there!" Ivy called out, her heart racing.

The stranger turned, amusement dancing in his eyes. "It's not every day you see someone run out of their car like that" he said, a smirk playing on his lips.

"I know it sounds crazy, but can I buy you a drink?" Ivy blurted, her nerves bubbling beneath the surface.

“Sure, I could use a drink,” he replied, glancing at his cat. “But what’s the catch?”

They walked to a nearby bar, the tension between them palpable. They settled into a cozy booth, and Ivy took a deep breath, her hands fidgeting with her drink.

“So, um,” she started, her voice slightly shaky. “I have this idea... a contract marriage.”

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Contract marriage? That’s a bold proposal. What makes you think I’d be interested?”

Ivy bit her lip, gathering her thoughts. “Well, it’s not what you think. I need someone to help me out of a tough situation, and I thought... maybe you’d be open to it?”

“Interesting. But why me?” he asked, leaning closer, curiosity etched on his face. “You don’t even know my name.”

" Well....I..."she trailed off.

"My name is Matt" he stated simply.

" Matt " she repeated.

“I know, it sounds wild,” she admitted, her cheeks warming. “But sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith, right?”

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “You’re right; it is wild. But what’s in it for me?”

Ivy felt the weight of his question. " I will pay you any amount you ask for " she blurted

He studied her for a moment, the tension thick in the air. " Money isn't everything Miss Coleman "

Ivy eyes widened at the mention of her name, she had not introduced herself so how did he......

" You look surprised, don't be. Your face is all over the city "

"Oh.... that's true " she said before taking a deep breath to calm her nerves.

" What situation do you need my help with? " he asked, his head tilted to one side.

" There is a club I need to join, I was rejected because I am a divorcee. I know this sounds absurd, getting married just to fit in but I need this for my company, he won't invest if I'm not in the club "

"He?" he asked

" He is a big shot billionaire and an investor "she blurted.

" I see " he said, as he took a sip of his wine with an unfathomable expression.

"So? " Ivy asked anxiously

"No " he stated simply.

Ivy stared at him in awe, she had thought he wouldn't turn her down but it seemed she was wrong.

"Why? Are you already married?" she asked, her heart beating wildly in her chest.

Matt looked at the desperate lady seated right in front of him. She was so pitiful to gaze upon. He dropped his wine glass and looked her straight in the eyes....he seemed to be searching for something as his silver eyes pierced deep into her soul.

He leaned back, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Alright, Ivy. I’m intrigued. But we need to set some ground rules first.”