Marriage Proposal

His question caught her off guard. He sounded cold, yet he smiled as if she was joking. 

“Why did you want to marry me?” He repeated the same question, making her snap out of her thoughts. 

She drifted back and sat upright. “I want your help. I want you to help me take revenge on my ex-husband,” she said, finding it unbelievable that Bradford was now her ex-husband. 

“You are so funny. You are a perfect fit for a comedy role,” he said, staring at her brown eyes. “For real, how does your revenge have anything to do with me marrying you?”

“I learned your grandma wants to hand over the company to you if you get married. Won't it be a win-win for the both of us? I get revenge on my ex-husband, and you get the company, then we get divorced after some months,” she proposed. 

Amused by her words, he smiled darkly. He had never seen a lady propose a contract marriage. It was always men doing it. This was his first time. 

“Why are you not straightforward with your words?” He asked before he moved his face closer, his eyes piercing through hers. All he could see in those brown eyes was depression and coldness. “Just tell me you want to be my wife so that I can assist you financially or get blackmailed by you. It's better to show your real colors now, isn't it?”

Even though she was intimidated by his eyes, she couldn't help but burst into laughter. 

“Mr. Kendrick, I don't need your money. I am not a beggar. Besides, you can just politely turn down my proposal rather than being rude,” she said, and stood up angrily. 

As she was about to leave, his question made her halt. 

“Won't you at least tell me your name? Who knows if I might consider marrying you?” He asked with a sly smile. 

She bit her lips before she replied, “I did that earlier. Anyway, I am Olivia Jaylen. CEO of Jade Enterprise.” She left her contact card with him before leaving the restaurant. 

“Alden, is that your new girlfriend?” Madam Flora, who had been watching them, walked up to him before she asked. 

“Madam Flora, I have a meeting to attend, it is a very important one,” he was quick to come up with an excuse because he knew how Madam Flora could spread words faster than social media. 

He did not wait for Madam Flora to say anything before he dropped some dollars on the table and left. He got into his car and drove off to his company. 

No one knows about the company aside from his friend, Kenny. He built the company two years ago without revealing himself as the owner. 

It took him an hour before he arrived at the company on the outskirts of the city. He alighted from the car and walked into the company. 

The company was mainly for drug production and distribution. His company was known as one of the biggest distributors of drugs to the Italian mafias. 

“Mr. Kendrick, what are you doing here?” His friend asked, trying to sound polite in front of the other workers. 

“Can't I come to—”

“Let's talk inside my office,” Kenny was quick to interrupt him before he dropped the bomb in front of the workers. Even though the workers are trustworthy, he can't risk Alden's identity for something trivial. 

Alden nodded with a smile, which revealed his dimple. He headed into Kenny's office with him. He sat down before Kenny could draw out the chair for him. 

“I am sorry for being rude earlier,” Kenny apologized before he sat down. Even though they were friends, Kenny always avoids mixing personal feelings with work. 

“Kenny, I am not here for this talk. I have something important to discuss with you,” he said, sounding a bit down. 

“What is it that is bothering you, Alden?” Kenny asked calmly. 

Alden hesitated before he began to explain, hoping Kenny would understand. 

“My grandma wants to hand over the company to me. She won't hand it over unless I get married. You know how I have always wanted the company, I don't want to yield now.”

Kenny exhaled deeply. He knew there was no woman in Alden's life. “What are you going to do? I don't advise you to go into a contract marriage with a random lady. They might ruin everything for you.”

“I have someone in mind,” Alden paused, not sure if that was a good idea. 

“Who? Don't tell me it is Sarah,” his brow raised, he gave Alden a questioning look. 

Alden chuckled at Kenny's silly question. How can he get married to the lady who broke him beyond repair?

“No, it is just a random lady. Her name is Olivia Jaylen. She said she is the CEO of Jade Enterprise,” he replied calmly, still putting on a smile. 

“Random lady? Who doesn't know Olivia? She and her father built the Jade Enterprise from scratch. She started working in the business world at age fifteen. She became the CEO of Jade Enterprise at age twenty-five, making her the youngest CEO in country B,” Kenny explained. “But I doubt if she was the one you actually met. She got married three years ago,” he added. 

Hearing Kenny's last words, he became convinced that she was the perfect one for the role of his wife. The lady he met was Olivia, because she talked about being married. 

“Can you set up a date with Olivia and me?” He inquired, giving Kenny that look: 'I don't want a no for an answer.'

“Don't tell me you are going after that lady. She is married. Even though her husband isn't known by the public, it isn't a good idea to get close to her,” he suggested. 

“Instead of ranting, help me get a marriage certificate that indicates Olivia Jaylen and I have been married for three years. Make sure it looks real, giving no room for doubt.” With that, he walked out, expecting Kenny to do the needful. 

Since she wanted revenge, he would give her the sweetest revenge she never expected. It is a win-win for the both of them, just as she said.