The Proposal II

* Derrik King *

“I have an offer for you –” I paused as I intently gazed at her. Andrea looked at me expectantly, waiting to hear what I had to say. 

“Marry me and I will pay you. A contract marriage. ” The words left my mouth before I could reconsider. I noticed her eyes widened and her mouth dropped in surprise. 

I could tell the gears were turning in her head, trying to understand the situation. I'm hoping she accepts this, otherwise, I'm doomed.

**************

There was complete silence in the office and even the sound of a drop of pin would be heard. 

She still had her mouth open, not recovering from the shock yet. 

“You wouldn't want to catch a fly, Miss Andrea. I know this is shocking but could you close your mouth please.” I said in an attempt to lighten the mood a little. 

Andrea snapped her mouth shut, straightening in the chair. 

“ I–I think I didn’t get what you said. Could you repeat it, please?”

Sighing, I leaned back in the chair. “I would like us to get married to Andrea.”

Her reaction was the same – shock, followed by a flurry question. 

“Why do you want to go into a contract marriage Mr. King? Besides, you can get any woman you want and also, you can get tons of women to go into this contract marriage with you. Why me of all people?”

She threw the question fast, not pausing to breathe. 

“It is a long story and I can't tell you but I’m really in a mess right now and you can help me out on that. I will make sure you are well compensated, think about it Andrea.” I knew I was sounding desperate, but this is important. 

“ I’ll think about it Mr. King but I can't promise you anything.” She said, her voice steady even with her doubts. 

“All the same, I will be expecting your response.”

She nodded as she left my office , still shocked at the event. 

As I sat in my office, I was fully hoping that Andrea would accept my proposal. Besides, no woman will reject me nor my money. 

“ She will eventually fall for the money and come back, they are all the same.” 

This plan of Brian's has to work. 

Flashback

I had planned a meet up with Brian at the Irish club knowing he can help me with a solution after the conversation with my father. 

I noticed Brian was already present when I arrived. He always took advantage of any chance to visit the club. 

The club was bustling with people moving up and down and some dancing to the music. The stinged of alcohol greeted me immediately I got inside. 

“Hey, buddy. You are here.” He said, embracing me like a brother. 

“I need some time to think Brian, things are pretty hectic at home.”

“Let's order some wine then. Hey Carlos, can you bring us some wine?”

Brian was familiar with all the bartenders at this club. 

“Now that everything is ready, Derrik,” Brian paused,leaning forward with concern, “ please share what the issue is.”

“Do you remember Isabella?”

“There are numerous Isabella's in this world, Derrik.”

“ I'm referring to Isabella Berry Scott ! My father is pushing me to marry her and the date has already been fixed.”

"What?! Why would he do that?" 

"Dad thinks is a potential way of securing a spot as the Ceo in the Scotts company considering they have no male child." I sighed. 

“That's ridiculous! The girl is attractive but a bit spoiled.”

“Exactly! That's what I mean. She behaves like a spoiled child and I will never compromise with her.”

I've got to do something. I'm on a deadline and if I could just get something to escape this, I will be very thankful. I thought as I sipped my wine. 

“You need to find a solution.” Brian said as his eyes were fixed in a particular direction.

I followed his line of sight and spotted Isabella and her group of followers approaching. 

“Speak of the devil.” 

Brian teased, making me throw daggers in his direction. I will kill you after this Brian. My eyes spoke to him and as if he understood, he burst into laughter. 

Brian was the only person who could help calm me down. There was a time I was in the spotlight with him when people speculated I was in a relationship with him. 

His family and mine are very close. I remember when I met him back in school, he was the only one who dared to come close to me even when I didn't want to talk to anyone. 

I know he has clear intentions and always had. I trust him. 

“Hello handsome.” Isabella greeted me, snapping me back to reality. 

Ugh! Her voice was so annoying. I turned my head sharply with a scowl as I looked at her. 

“Why are you here Isabella?”

“As far as I know, this is a public place that anyone could come to. Isn't that right, girls?”

Her friends were giggling, adding to my anger. 

“I understand this club is open to the public but why are you at my table?”

All through this time, Brian was focused on charming one of Isabella's friends, without considering lending me a hand. 

I swear I will kill him after this whole thing. He should just wait. 

“Oops….my bad. I was hanging out with my friends when I spotted the man I will get married to in two weeks. So I thought, why not greet my future husband as the wonderful wife I will be?”

“I have no intention of marrying you. You should be aware of how much I despise being around you, let alone committing to a lifetime with you.”

“Tskk…Derrik, keep dreaming, because you will without a doubt be with me, and I will ensure it happens.”

After she said that, she walked away leaving me to realize she was correct and that I needed to find a solution to the problem. 

******************************

Brian gained his composure once the girls departed. 

“That girl is pretty, I should just end up with her. What do you think, Derrik?”

Immediately he noticed the look on my face, he scratched his hair. 

“Uh…sorry, what were we discussing?”

“Nevermind Brian, I'm not sure why I invited you in the first place.”

“Because, I am the only one who can help you.”

“You think so highly of yourself. I will definitely kill you for not trying to help me when I needed it.”

“You needed my help?” He let out a gasp and covered his mouth as if surprised. 

“Stop acting surprised. You knew I could do with a hand to get Isabella and her minions off the table.”

“Oh that. I'm sorry man but come to think of it, there is a way out of this.”

I leaned towards Brian as he said that. I just needed out of this. 

“Let it out Brian. I need help right now.”

“You could enter a sham marriage with someone to potentially prevent your father from making a decision and pay the person off afterwards.”

“Why will I ever enter into a sham marriage with someone? That's absurd!”

“You could either go through with that plan or end up with Isabella.”

I can't go into a fake marriage with someone. How will I even cope with being in a fake ‘something’ with a lady? My thoughts were running wild, this is too much. 

“This is risky Brian. I just can't do it.”

“Listen man. This is the only thing you can do, the only escape route.” He learned forward as he gazed into my eyes. 

“Just tell your father you've been in a relationship with someone, have this individual get to know you as you get to know her and introduce her to your dad and voila !! Isabella is out of the way.”

“My dad is not easily fooled, but I will go through with your plan. Thinking about it, it's a good way to get rid of that lady but I don't have any suitable candidate.”

“What do you think about the lady in your office?”

“There are so many ladies in my office, just be clear.”

“Her name was…um..Rosie!! Yeah Rosie. I think she will do well since she already likes you.”

“Rosie! Bro, why will you think about her as a suitable candidate? She is just like Isabella in character. Don’t you remember how she tried seducing me?”

“That shouldn't matter since it's only for a while. Think about it Derrik, she will put up a good act to impress you since she already likes you.”

“Let's find someone else please. I can't stand her as much as I can't stand Isabella.” 

“What about one of the girls you dated recently? It's not like this is going to last a lifetime.”

“You know too well those were not dates but flings and to top it off, I don't remember their names nor where I met them.”

“Wow..Derrik, you are not serious right? Is okay for you not to remember random people but I expect you to remember the girls you spend a week or two with.”

“Listen Brian, one or two weeks is less time to know the basics about a person's personality.”

“That's where the lie is. One or perhaps two weeks is enough, you are just not ready to know.”

“Well…yes, I am not ready to know. After All, it's the money they all want. So I give them the money and I get what I want, which is a fair bargain.”

“Now that I think about it, you are the real definition of manwh*re but you keep calling me that sh*t.”

“I have a way of doing things and in no way I'm I like you.”

I slipped into thoughts as I thought about the situation I was in. I have to find someone who is in the same situation as me. 

Then suddenly, thoughts of her came into my mind, and I realized she, Andrea, was the ideal choice for the position. 

“I believe I’ve found the ideal candidate for this position. Once I confirm her agreement, I will discuss further with you. Thanks man!”

I said to Brian as I left the club. I'm not sure she will accept it, but I have to give it a try. 

I know Andrea comes from a not too good background and will need this money. 

“Wait, Derrik!” Brian shouted but I had to leave. 

End Of Flashback

I'm just hoping Brian's idea helps this time because if it doesn't, I will surely be doomed. 

Isabella is not somebody I want to spend a lifetime with considering her attitude. 

I just hope, just this once, that it works.