4. Marry Me

Lucy’s POV

“What?” I raised an eyebrow and my eyes widened in shock as I felt his palm on my wrist. He slowly let go of me and said, “Stay and eat with me, don’t worry, you’re not paying anything.” 

I smiled at him and nod my head, “I don’t want your sympathy, Mr. Romano.” 

“I’m not doing this because I pity you.” he said between his teeth and looked up to see my reaction. 

I laughed and said, "I'll stay as long as you tell your secretary about me. I don't deserve to wait in line just to talk to you."

He smirked at me playfully, “Deal.” 

I leaned back in my chair and did my best not to look at him as I placed my lunch order. Now that our meals are already on our table, my tummy is rumbling with hunger.

I skipped breakfast this morning, and now I feel like I could devour an entire horse. 

He was shocked to see that I gobbled my plate of food while he struggled to finish his own. He didn't move and just stared at me until I was done eating. I drank the whole red wine glass and then gently wiped my lips with a table napkin. 

When our eyes met, he was already looking at my lips. 

His lips parted and asked, “Do you always eat like that?” 

"Yes, I do," I said, staring blankly at him. Then I sighed, "Especially in front of a man I dislike." 

He let out a soft laugh when he heard my answer clearly. He put his white sleeves up and said, "You made me laugh, Miss Hansley. But you better watch out, I might make your mouth shut in a blink of an eye." 

I gulped nervously as I looked at him, "Are you threatening me, Mr. Romano?" 

"Yes." he sneered evilly. 

I disgustedly rolled my eyes at him and shook my head. I don't understand why my dad owed this man a lot of money.

I cleared my throat and said sarcastically, "I think I need to leave now. Thanks for the lunch, Mr. Romano. See you tomorrow." 

He looked up and said, “I can take you home. Well, your home is my home now.” 

"Mr. Romano, let me be clear, I didn't just come to your office to pay off my dad's debts. I also want to ask you to give me that house. I want it for myself." 

He stood up and walked with me outside, “Well, let’s see tomorrow.” 

He opened his car’s door and said, “Get in. I’ll take you home.” 

“No, I’m going to take a cab.” I said sternly.

“Do you want me to take the house from you?”

He's threatening me again.

“No.” 

"Be nice to me then. Get inside." He demanded with pure authority and I had no choice but to sit in the front seat while he drove to the lonely mansion in the forest.

When we arrived there, he looked around while he was walking in the hallway. Then I stopped walking and remembered something. “You told me that you’ll be meeting one of your investors today, then why are you with me now?” 

He raised an eyebrow, “The meeting was canceled.” 

“And?” 

He smiled, “And I canceled it. Why do you ask? I don’t need to explain to you everything." 

With a roll of my eyes, I made my way into the stately living room. Then I quietly let out a sigh as I remembered that this house used to have many maids, but now it looked like a haunted mansion.

Also, I need to sell the property so I can start over with my life. That's why I need to come to some sort of arrangement with him; I'll accept whatever it is, as long as I can keep this place for myself.

When I turned around, I slammed into his hard chest and glared at him. "What are you doing behind me?"

He leaned down to meet my face and murmured, "It's not my fault..."

I couldn't help but gulp on my nerves when his eyes locked on mine. He stepped closer and I stood there frozen, staring at him in shock. 

"Uh, I just realized that you're so little like a dwarf," he murmured. 

I pushed him away and said, "Hey, I'm 5'4". I'm not a dwarf!" My cheeks turned red with shame. 

The expression on his face was one of seriousness as he stated, "And I'm six feet and one inch, you looked like a kid to me. But... that night, you left me with disappointment, you fell asleep when I was ready to give in." 

"W—What do you mean? Look, I don't want to remember what happened that night. It was all a mistake, and I don't have any idea that you were that man!"

"Yes, it was almost a one-night stand, and I hate it so much," he moaned.

"What?" 

"You have no idea what I want to do with your body. I wish I could hit you so hard that you couldn't breathe. But with that body of yours, it looked like you'll pass out in one minute." 

The insult hit me so hard that my jaw dropped."Yes, I know you hate it because you don't like me. Don't worry, though; I don't like you either! Do not worry about it anymore!" 

"How easy do you think it is for me to put that night out of my mind? In all my years, I have never experienced sleep deprivation!"

He took a step forward, and I took a step back feeling unsure. I don't get why he's doing this to me.

“What do you want, Mr. Romano?” 

“We are alone in this place, Lucy...” he said with a hideous grin.

“Don’t call me by my first name. We're not friends..."

He pushed me up to the round table and asked, "Do you want this house? Beg for it now, before I make your life a living hell."

“What?” 

"You have no idea that your dad already gave you to me. Even with all of his property, money, and the failing company, it wasn't enough to pay me, Lucy. But I want something from you..." 

“A–And what do you want from me, huh?” 

“Marry me.”