Simon
My gaze lingered on her a little too long before I tore myself away and went back to my breakfast.
"Well, thank you," she said. It was weird, right? Me — her landlord — just handing her a top to sleep in. I mean, it was innocent. I didn't even really wear it anymore. I'd actually pulled it out to donate to the army charity but wanted to wash it first.
The doorbell rang. I turned and looked at her. Was she expecting someone? Her eyes were as surprised as mine. I stood up, walked to the door, and opened it.
Standing there was her date from last night.
"Hey, I'm Oliver. Is Anna home?" asked the six-foot-one trust-fund kid on my doorstep.
"She is. One sec."
I closed the door in his face. Harsh. I don't know what came over me. I walked back to the kitchen, grabbed my coffee, and looked at her, my expression stern.
"It's for you. The trust-fund kid."
"Oliver?" she frowned.
"How would I know? I'll give you some space."
I walked off without giving her a chance to say anything.
Once in my room, I realized my breathing was faster than usual. I didn't want to be there. I wanted to be anywhere but my room.
Anna
I opened the door. It was Oliver.
"Hey… what are you—"
"Can we talk?" His face was unreadable, serious.
"In private?"
"Yes. Do you want to take a walk to the lake?"
"Sure."
I closed the door behind me and led the way.
"I have a proposition for you," he said.
I shook my head. "What?"
"Sit down. If I'm going to explain, I need you to sit."
I nodded and sat on a fallen tree trunk.
"Okay. Thank you. So… about a year ago, on my birthday during a family dinner, my grandfather was talking about the company. We got onto the subject of taking over. I always thought that by the time I turned thirty, the company would be mine — the same age my father took over from his father. Given it was my twenty-ninth birthday, I had it in my head that my father would soon be passing the baton to me."
He took a deep breath.
"My father decided I wouldn't be taking over at all. You see, in my twenties I made it a point to party, enjoy life — drugs, alcohol, girls, the whole shebang. I knew my father wasn't my biggest fan because of my choices, but what I didn't realize is that he only saw me as a spoiled kid with money. He had — well, has — no faith that I can be a man and step up. Trust me, I can. More than can. But he doesn't trust me yet."
"So… what does any of that have to do with me?"
"I'm getting there. If I want to take over by the time I'm thirty, I need him to see I'm serious. During that conversation with him and my grandfather, he told me the only way he'd give me the company is if I got married and settled down. My family is very traditional, and my father believes that having a wife and a family would ground me. But I know I can still control the biggest law firm in the city and still party, have fun, enjoy life…"
I stared at him. Was he saying what I thought he was saying?
"You want…?"
"Yes. I want you to marry me." He looked deep into my eyes.
"Don't worry. It would just be on paper."
"That's crazy. I can't — I can't marry you. We barely know each other. Why me?"
"Well, technically, I know you very well. After that conversation with my father, I'd lost hope because I knew he knew I didn't want to settle down with anyone. I enjoy my life too much. I'm selfish. I can't put anyone else above me. But then I thought — what if I made a deal with someone, married them, and gave them anything they wanted in return?
And I chose you because I met you at the Christmas party last year."
"The office party?"
"Yes. The office party. You probably don't remember me because, as I recall, you were drunk. We had a conversation by the tree, and you gave me some drunken advice about doing what's best for me. From then on, I made it my mission to learn as much as I could about you."
"What? Are you serious?"
"Yes. You made me realize that as much as my father believes I won't be able to take over, I can — because I put myself first, and the good of the company means the good of me."
I blinked at him, still processing.
"So… if I marry you…"
"How do you know you can trust me?" I raised an eyebrow.
"I know I can. You're the kind of girl who stands by her word and I know you want a place of your own, I will buy you a house."
"So if I said yes… you'd buy me a house? Just like that?"
"Just like that. I'd set you up for life too. You could go traveling. Of course, the first year you'd have to live with me, pretend we're in love in front of my family."
"I don't know. I mean, are you comfortable lying to them?"
"Very. If it means I get the company, I'll gladly lie through my teeth." He laughed.
"And pretend we're in love… does that mean kissing? Touching…?"
"Well, yeah. We'd need to act the part. Occasional kisses, an embrace here and there."
"Sss… sex?"
He burst out laughing. "No. Hah. No. My family won't be watching us for that, will they?" He laughed again.
"Yes. Of course. Sorry." I turned red.
"Since we're on the subject of sex… I am seeing someone. She's a socialite. Rich. I've known her for a while. We understand each other."
"Why aren't you with her then?"
"She's not wife material. She's basically the female version of me — all about herself, jealous as hell."
"Ah. I see."
"Look, I know this is crazy. It's a lot to ask. I'll let you think about it."
"Text me your answer when you've decided." He winked at me.
"O-okay."
"Look, I have to go. I hope to hear from you soon."
And just like that, he was gone.
That was a lot to take in.
I spent the whole day thinking about it. If I said yes, I'd live in a house for a year, catered for, get everything I wanted, and at the end of it, I'd have my own house and be set for life. But then I'd be divorced. Still, I guess in this day and age, it's not such a big deal.
After hours of deep thought, weighing the pros and cons, I decided to go out for some fresh air.