Chapter 4

The Proposal

Sylvia’s eyes widened and her mouth curled into ‘o.’ She was shocked hearing Douglas address her as his ‘dear wife.’

“Sylvia,” Mr. Brooks tapped her and she regained her composure.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Brooks.” She said, forcing a smile and Douglas could tell that smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Skip the formalities, call me Douglas.” He winked at her and helped himself to a seat on the couch. Sylvia nodded slowly and took her seat too.

Douglas scanned his wife-to-be from head and toe and noticed she hadn’t changed a bit except for the fact that she only lost a significant amount of weight. Sylvia had been gone for four years, now she was back, and Douglas was determined never to let slip his hand again.

Both Douglas and Sylvia attended the same university and the same business school. That was where Douglas fell in love with her at first sight, but she was completely engrossed in her studies that she barely noticed him. After school, she ran after Jasper, leaving Douglas heartbroken.

Douglas forced himself to heal, worked hard to acquire his wealth, and became one of the most influential and wealthy men in New York. When he proposed to Sylvia’s father to marry his daughter, he agreed, but Sylvia left, and ran after the man that turned her into a punching bag.

“Welcome once again, Mr. Brooks. My daughter has finally returned and agreed to your proposal. Don’t you think we should start the marriage preparations already?” Hawthorne asked and Douglas smiled.

Douglas's eyes went to Sylvia, and she had a frown on her face. He crossed his legs and folded his arms, waiting for her response.

“Dad? Marriage preparations? That’s too sudden, Dad. Besides, I still need time to get acquainted with things at the company as the new CEO. You can’t just declare two big responsibilities on me at the same time. This is overwhelming.” She frowned and folded her arms, a look of discontentment in her eyes.

“That’s exactly why this marriage needs to happen now. Both of you will walk side-by-side to assist each other in getting jobs done. He will be your business associate and will assist you. There’s no cause for alarm.” Hawthorne countered, but she shook her head in disapproval.

“I still need to know what I’m getting into, Dad. I told you I was going to marry him, and you know I keep my word. So, trust me on this one. I won’t run away if that’s what you’re scared of.” Sylvia gave her father a look of reassurance.

Douglas smiled. He admired her smartness which was more reason he wanted to make her his.

“Is that okay with you, Mr. Brooks?” Sylvia’s father asked.

“Yes, I am fine with that. I’ll work as her business associate as well until when she’s ready for the marriage. Like she said, she isn’t going anywhere. I trust her on that.”

Sylvia stared at him. Their eyes met, and he felt her gaze for a moment before finally looking away. He stood to his feet and tucked his hands into his pocket.

“I will be leaving now.”

“Before you leave, I would like to inform you of the company’s event tomorrow night. There, I’m going to fully announce her as the CEO of the company. As her groom-to-be, you have to be present.” Hawthorne requested.

Douglas gave him a nod in affirmation. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” he said, turning his gaze to Sylvia. “Till tomorrow, dear wife.” Sylvia rolled her eyes and looked away, but Douglas smiled and walked away.

“How did it go back in there?” Johnson asked, he had been waiting for him outside.

“Just the way I want it!” Douglas smirked and made his way to the car.

“Mr. Brooks, please wait!”

The gentle familiar voice halted Douglas as he turned to see Sylvia running towards him. When she reached the spot, she paused for a moment before speaking.

“Is there something you want to tell?” Douglas asked.

She cleared her throat. “I wanted to request a favor from you. I’m not comfortable with this arrangement of getting married to you at all. My parents are forcing it on me and I know that must be the same case with you as well –“

“Sylvia, I’m not being forced,” Douglas interrupted and her eyes widened. “I’m doing this all on my own because it is what I want to.”

“Marrying me is something you want?” Sylvia asked, looking around in disbelief.

“Yes,” Douglas answered without flinching.

“It’s like you haven’t heard. I’m about to divorce my husband. I’m not the kind of woman you’d want to get married to.”

“Do I look like I care?” Douglas rolled his eyes and entered his car.

“But why? Why do you want this so badly? We don’t even know each other. You’re a young man who should be living his own life. It wouldn’t be good for people to see you with me.” She complained and heaved a deep breath.

“By the time you start having confidence in yourself, you’d realize you should even be picking the kind of people that can talk to you. Believe me when I say you’re more than the Sylvia I’m seeing right now,” Douglas said.

“And for your question as to why I want to marry you? It is simple. I want you, more than anything in the world. And anything Mr. Brooks wants, that he gets.” Haven said that, he wound up his glass and they drove out of the vicinity.

In the car, Douglas smirked thinking of the flustered expression on Sylvia’s face when he uttered those last words. He suddenly flew a finger to his chin, thinking about something.

“Johnson,” he called and Johnson hummed while driving. “I need you to do a background check on Sylvia’s ex-husband.”

“Sure, boss, but why? You have no business with.” Johnson said, looking bemused.

“No one messes with my woman and goes scot-free.