The Unwanted Proposal

"I won't marry you," I blurted out, my voice firm.

Damian's charming smile faltered for a moment before he regained control.

"Why are you telling me this?" he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Because I want to make it clear," I replied, my voice steady. "I won't be forced into this marriage."

Damian chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Ah, Lisa, you're adorable when you're defiant," he said, his voice dripping with charm.

I felt a surge of annoyance.

"Stop pretending to care," I snapped. "You don't know me."

Damian's smile widened.

"Oh, but I do," he said, his voice low and intimate. "I know you're beautiful, intelligent, and fiercely independent."

His words made my skin crawl.

"You know nothing about me," I repeated.

Damian shrugged.

"Perhaps not," he said. "But I do know your family's in a financial crisis. You have no choice."

His blunt words stung.

"You're really something, aren't you?" I spat. "Using my family's misfortune to manipulate me."

Damian's smile never wavered.

"I'm just stating facts," he said. "You need me, Lisa. And I'm willing to help."

"I don't need you," I retorted. "I'll find another way."

Damian raised an eyebrow.

"Another way?" he repeated. "You mean another man?"

His tone was possessive, infuriating me further.

"That's none of your business," I said.

Damian stepped closer, his eyes burning with intensity.

"Everything about you is my business now," he whispered. "We're going to be married, Lisa."

I pushed him away.

"We'll never be married," I hissed.

Damian's smile turned cold.

"We'll see about that," he said.

"You don't understand," I said, my voice rising. "I won't be trapped in a loveless marriage."

Damian's eyes flashed with amusement.

"Loveless?" he repeated. "I think you'll find our marriage quite...beneficial."

His words sent a shiver down my spine.

"What do you mean?" I demanded.

Damian's smile grew wider.

"Let's just say our families' union will bring great rewards," he said.

Rewards? What kind of rewards? I felt a growing sense of unease.

"What kind of rewards?" I pressed.

Damian leaned in, his voice low.

"Power, wealth, influence," he whispered. "Together, we'll be unstoppable."

His words chilled me.

"I'd rather die than marry you," I spat.

Damian's eyes flashed with anger.

"We'll see about that," he repeated.

His eyes sparkled with amusement.

"You're so fiery, Lisa," he said. "I love it."

I rolled my eyes.

"You're infuriating," I said.

Damian chuckled.

"That's what makes life interesting," he said.

Damian's eyes never left mine, his gaze burning with intensity.

"I think we'll get along just fine, Lisa," he said, his voice low and husky.

I felt a shiver run down my spine, but not from attraction.

"You're delusional," I replied, trying to sound calm.

Damian chuckled.

"We'll see about that," he said, his smile condescending.

I turned to leave, but Damian caught my arm.

"Let go," I snapped.

Damian's smile never wavered.

"Not until you listen," he said.

I glared at him.

"What could you possibly say that I'd want to hear?" I spat.

Damian leaned in.

"I know you're not happy about this arrangement," he whispered. "But I promise you, Lisa, I'll make it worth your while."

His words made my skin crawl.

"You think you can buy me?" I asked.

Damian shrugged.

"I'm willing to try," he said.

I jerked my arm free.

"You're disgusting," I said.

Damian's smile faltered.

"Fine," he said. "Play it that way."

He turned and walked away.

I watched him go. Good riddance.

As I turned to leave, I saw my parents watching from the window, their faces stern.

I knew I had to be careful. They'd never let me out of this arrangement without a fight.

The drive back home was silent, the tension palpable.

Until my mom broke it.

"Lisa, why do you dislike Damian so much?" she asked.

I hesitated. How could I tell her the truth? That Damian had destroyed Sophie's life? That I couldn't forgive him for his cruelty?

But my mom wasn't having it.

"He's charming, successful, and from a good family," she said. "What more could you want?"

I bit my tongue. You don't know what he did to Sophie.

But I refused to say anything. Instead, I shrugged.

"Just don't like him," I muttered.

My mom sighed.

"Lisa, you're being unreasonable," she said. "Damian is a good match. You'll see."

I doubted it. But my mom continued.

"He's changed, Lisa. He's matured. And he's willing to take care of you."

Take care of me? Did she really believe that? Damian didn't care about anyone but himself.

But I kept quiet. No point arguing. Not yet.

We pulled into the driveway, and I escaped into my room. Locking the door behind me.

I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Damian's smile haunted me. His eyes seemed to bore into my soul.

I knew I had to protect myself. But how?

As I sat on my bed, Damian's smile still etched in my mind, I couldn't help but think of Sophie.

My best friend. The one Damian had left shattered.

Memories flooded my mind, and I was transported back to that fateful day.

Sophie's wedding day. The day Damian had destroyed her.

"I'm not ready," he'd said, his voice cold. Not ready? After a year of engagement? After promising to love and cherish her?

Sophie had been devastated. Her world crumbling around her.

I remembered the look on her face. The tears streaming down her cheeks. The pleas for Damian to stay.

But he'd walked away. Leaving Sophie broken.

And I was left to pick up the pieces.

Her attempted suicide still haunted me. The desperation in her eyes. The feeling of helplessness.

I had saved her that day. But Damian's betrayal had left scars. Scars that still lingered.

He even had the guts to date someone else, just one month after their breakup.

That was just the last straw.

And now, my parents wanted me to marry him?

No. Never.

I wouldn't let Damian near me. Not after what he did to Sophie.

My phone buzzed, breaking the flashback.

A text from Sophie.

"Hey, girl. What's going on?" Sophie's text read.

I hesitated. Should I tell her? About Damian's proposal? About my parents' arrangement?

But my thoughts were interrupted by my mom's voice.

"Lisa, can I come in?" she asked, knocking on my door.

I sighed.

"Mom, I'm busy."

But she entered anyway.

"Lisa, I know you're upset, but please listen," she said, her voice trembling.

"I've invited Damian's family over for dinner tomorrow," she continued. "To discuss the engagement."

My heart sank.

She'll try to convince me, I thought. And then she'll cry. And I'll cave.

"Mom, please understand," I said.

But she shook her head.

"Lisa, this is for the best," she said. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Think of our family's future," she whispered.

I bit my lip. I couldn't take her tears.

But I wouldn't give in.

"I'll think about it," I lied.

My mom smiled.

"That's all I ask," she said.

I watched her leave. Feeling trapped.

Perhaps I shouldn't be selfish. But I won't let him near me.

Maybe he'll get tired. And I'll find excuses to end the marriage.

But for now, I'll pretend. For my family's sake.

I won't let Damian win.

I looked at Sophie's text again.

Should I tell her?

Not yet. I couldn't burden her with this. Not now.

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

Damian's POV

I walked into the living room, where my parents were waiting.

"Mom, Dad, I've made up my mind," I said, confident.

My mother's eyes lit up, and she exchanged a knowing glance with my father.

"You'll marry Lisa?" she asked, her voice filled with excitement.

I nodded. "Yes."

My father smiled, seeming to relax.

"Excellent choice," he said. "The Thompsons are a great family."

My mother stood up, already planning.

"We'll finalize the arrangements," she said. "The wedding will be in two weeks."

I nodded. "Suits me."

I had always gotten what I wanted, and now I wanted Lisa.

The next day, my parents arrived at Lisa's house. I tagged along, eager to see my future bride.

Lisa looked stunning, despite her obvious agitation.

Her eyes flashed with anger, and her lips were pressed into a thin line.

As our parents discussed the wedding details, I pulled Lisa aside.

"I thought you said you wouldn't marry me," I whispered, my breath against her ear.

Lisa's eyes flashed.

"Circumstances changed," she muttered.

I smiled.

"You're beautiful when you're angry," I said.

Lisa's face reddened.

"Don't flirt with me," she snapped.

I chuckled.

"Can't help it," I said.

Lisa glared.

"You're not the man I thought you were," she said.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe you don't know me at all," I replied.

Lisa's eyes narrowed.

"I know enough," she said.

I stepped closer.

"Give me a chance," I whispered. "Understand me."

Lisa's expression softened. For a moment.

Then she hardened.

"No."

I smiled.

"We'll see about that."

I wouldn't hesitate to show my interest. Lisa would soon realize.

I'm not a bad person. I'm just a man who knows what I want.

And I want Lisa.

Lisa's eyes flashed, and she turned to leave, but I caught her arm.

"Don't go," I whispered.

Lisa's gaze dropped to my hand, and I released her.

"What do you want from me?" she asked.

"You," I replied.

Lisa's eyes widened.

"You can't seriously expect me to fall for you," she said.

I smiled.

"Why not?" I asked.

Lisa's laughter was cold.

"You're delusional," she said.

I smiled.

"We'll see!"

I knew Lisa was playing hard to get, but I was determined.

I'd make her mine.

The dinner party ended, and our parents finalized the arrangements.

Lisa's resistance only fueled my desire.

I'd prove to her I was the right man.

For her. For our families.

As we parted ways, Lisa's words echoed in my mind.

"You'll never have me."

I smiled.

We'll see about that.