004

Cross POV

Though my cheek was burning with a tingling sensation, I could not raise my hand to massage it.

This was the least I was expecting from Elsie who had vowed to stay by my side until the end of time.

“Elsie…” I flashed her a coy smile as I reached out to her hand but she slapped me off, her face knotted in a frown.

“You disgust me.” She spat in my face. “Who do you think I am? A nanny that would look after you?” She huffed.

“But…” Before I could finish speaking, she emptied the glass of wine on the table on my face.

“Don't you ever call me again.” She yelled and then stormed out in anger.”

The murmurs that rented the air after this made me bury my head in shame as I wished for the ground to open up and swallow me immediately.

If I had known this was going to be the turn of events, I would have ignored her dream proposal fantasy and did that in the comfort of my home.

Not minding the looks I was receiving from the people around, I refilled my glass with some wine.

“Hey, sorry about what happened.” A soft voice rang in my head, making me suspend my hand in the air for a few seconds.

“I'm fine, you can leave.” I gulped down the content of my glass in a go, not bothering to cast her a glance.

“Can I have a glass from your bottle?” The voice came through again, followed by liquid pouring into a glass cup.

Against my wish, I allowed my eyes to settle on the lady in front of me.

The first thing I took note of was her swollen eyes even though she was smiling.

“You… you’ve been crying?” I spoke in an accusing tone.

Chuckling uneasily, she took a sip from her glass with her gaze shifted to the side.

At first, all I wanted was to leave this place considering the embarrassment I had received from Elsie but now, I have something of interest to keep me seated.

“Is that obvious?” She chuckled lightly only to dig into my meal which I haven't touched yet.

Who the hell is she and why is she eating like she has been starving for days? — I pondered, my gaze not leaving her for even a second.

Returning to consciousness, the first thing she did was to bury her head.

“Keep eating, the food was going to be thrown away anyway.” I tried to soften my voice but it was still hard.

“Thank you.” She replied but didn't resume eating like I had expected.

Now fiddling with her fingers, she began to dart her eyes around like she had been caught in an unholy situation.

“You must have sometime else to say to me, I’m listening.” I reclined on my chair with my hands crossed.

Mustering boldness, she snapped her head upwards, “Marry me.” Her voice was firm and unwavering.

For a moment I didn't know how to react.

I just sat there staring at her with my brows cocked.

Suddenly, she leaned forward and then grabbed my hand.

“Please you're the last hope I have now… else, I will be doomed.” Her voice was shaking and it seemed like she was going to break down the next second.

Confused, I looked around only to discover that we were the center of attention.

“Fine.” I muttered and at once, she snapped her head upwards, a bright smile spreading across her lips.

“Thank you so much.” She sounded so excited making me even more confused.

Before she could start running her mouth, I hit my fingers against the table to get her attention and when I did, I leaned forward, locking gaze with her large pair of eyes.

“Why?”

Hesitant, she took a while before saying, “I was going to get married tomorrow but…”

“He rejected me like I was rejected too, huh?” I huffed, digging my hand into my hair.

“He cheated.” She muttered.

Biting her lower lips with her head buried, she added, “At least, you wouldn't be able to cheat since you're crippled.”

For some reason, I didn't react to her words.

From the look of things, she looked desperate and I wondered why but I didn't ask.

“So…”

With a bright countenance this time around, she said, “Let's get married for six months after that we go our separate ways.”

“I mean, six months is more than enough to exact our revenge on those who had hurted us.”

“Is that your reason for getting married in the first place?” My voice was mild but deep down, I wanted to vent.

Shaking her head sideways, she muttered, “Not at all but I’m not going to let him go scot free after betraying me.” She slammed her fist against the table to drive home her point.

“So what about me, how am I going to benefit from this contract?”

It was apparent she didn't think about this, she had thought only about herself.

“I will pay you at the end of the contract duration.” She said after a while only to take off her locket.

“It's precious, so you can keep it until I pay every dime I owe.” She ratted out once again without thinking.

I will definitely find out whatever it is that's troubling her, let's get this done with first. — I thought, fiddling with her locket.

“Let's get married now, at the registry.” She suggested and almost immediately, I gave my consent.

“Do you have a car?” I asked as she slowly rose to her feet.

“I rented it out to get an additional source of income.” She said through her teeth.

“We will use mine then.”

At the end of the marriage registration process, we both made our way out of the registry and armed with the marriage certificate, she was grinning from side to side.

“Hey Kaiser.” She called out to me. That was the name I had registered with the court.

At the moment, I was already being aided into my car.

“Your contact, I need it.” She said in a breath, passing her card to me.

Instead of exchanging cards with her, I scribbled my contact on the back of her card.

“You don't want mine?” She asked, her expression dampened.

“I already have it in my head.” I replied, slamming the door shut as Percy, my aide turned the ignition on, causing the engine to come to life.

A few minutes into the drive, he snapped his head backwards, “I got all the information you requested.”