Chapter 18 *Marry me*

“I know that you are in a huge debt.”

Marley narrowed her eyes.

“What did you just say?”

“I said I know you are in a huge debt, Miss Neils,” Anthonio repeated.

Marley scoffed. “You must be kidding me.” She mumbled. “Are you spying on me, Mr. Kalvey?” She asked Anthonio.

“It isn't spying.”

“Then what?”

Anthonio folded his hands together on the table. “I happened to hear about it.”

Marley snickered. “You happened to hear about it? From who? Because I didn't tell anyone about it, even my close confidants. So I'm so surprised that you, Mr. Kalvey, who isn't even close to me, know about this.”

“As I said I have my ways,” Anthonio replied.

“You must be kidding me. You are fucking spying on me and for what reason, Mr. Kalvey?”

Anthonio kept quiet for a moment observing her. She seems upset. Of course, she is supposed to be, but he knew what he was about to propose could make her very furious.

“The reason I invited you to have dinner with me is to propose an offer.”

Her brows came up and she eyed him.

“What do you have to offer me?”

“I can help you, Miss Neils. I can help you clear your debt.”

“Why would you do that for me? You can't just offer to help without wanting something in return.” Marley said suspiciously.

Anthonio adjusted himself on his seat. “My ex-girlfriend came back a few weeks ago, she had left me abruptly a few years back.”

Marley rolled her eyes. Why was he telling her his sob story?

But she didn't interrupt him. She wanted to see where all these were going.

“My mother invited her to have dinner with us to pair us together again. As you know, I have amnesia and she thought bringing us together could help in igniting some of my memories.” Anthonio said.

“So what is the problem? Where are you driving at?” Marley was becoming impatient.

“I will never get back with her, not in this lifetime. I plan on speaking with my mom about that but I need a backup.” Anthonio took a breath. “I need a girlfriend, or rather a bride.”

Marley's eyes held confusion and then she put two and two together, and it dawned on her.

She gasped. “I hope it isn't what I'm thinking.” When Anthonio didn't reply she scoffed.

”You want someone to act as your girlfriend.”

“I want you to act as if. As my bride. Marry me, Miss Neils.”

Marley snickered then burst into laughter.

Anthonio waited for her laughter to die down before continuing. “It isn't a real marriage, it's fake and it isn't for free, Miss Neils. This is a contract, you act as a fake bride for six months and I pay off every debt you owe.”

Marley stared at him through teary eyes. She chuckled before composing herself.

“You must think I'm desperate to be able to propose this nonsense.” She finally said. 

“Let me tell you something, Mr. Kalvey. I would rather die than act as your girlfriend or bride or anything else. Just because you are rich, you think you are on top of the world and can get anything you want and can say anything you want.”

Marley scoffed. “How long have you been spying on me?”

Anthonio just sat there quietly.

“Do it!” A voice suddenly said to Marley's ear through the chip she had worn tonight.

She had a chip in her ear connecting it to a server in the headquarters.

Her conversation with Anthonio was being heard and recorded over there.

Marley frowned. They must be joking.

“Do it. Agree to the contract.”

Marley got up and excused herself.

She walked to the restroom and entered. The place was empty. Good.

“What did you just say?” She asked the air, the question directed to the person connected to the chip.

“Agree to do it.”

“Are you playing? Do you know what you are asking of me?”

“Calm down and listen to what I have to say. We have been trying our best to find out what N.5 means since that day you sent the picture to us but we couldn't. You know it won't be easy going to that place again.” The voice continued.

“We checked it out, that place is just like a military zone. It was built that way and I know it is for a reason. You can't get into that place even if you are the most skilled person in the whole world.”

Marley rubbed her forehead in frustration. “So what are you insinuating?”

“This could be a good way to get closer to him and that house. You said you needed to get close to him and this could be it. He could be setting a trap for himself, and all you need is to capture him in the trap.” The voice reasoned and Marley thought about it.

This wasn't a bad idea. She could accomplish two things at once.

Get done with Don and continue her search to find her father's culprit while being close to her number one suspect.

She smirked. Anthonio won't see what's coming.

“Okay.” She said. “I'll do it. But I can't just go back and suddenly say yes, it will be suspicious. I will tell him I'll think about it.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anthonio waited for Marley to come back. He had anticipated her outburst. The plan was a flop.

He needed to think of another way to protect her and still be close to her.

She hated his guts. He saw it in her eyes, the way her face had twisted when she had realized what he was offering.

A memory came to his mind making his lips tug upward slowly.

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

“I made this for you,” Marley said shyly, handing the bowl of soup to him.

Anthonio's eyes moved to the steaming soup and then back at her. She was blushing hard.

He took it, his fingers accidentally brushing hers in the process. She gasped.

Anthonio took a sip. It was delicious.

“It is delicious.” He said to her waiting ears and she giggled.

“If you want more just tell me okay?” She said and ran out happily.

Her father came in right after, laughing. “Don't mind my little girl. I think she has a crush on you.”

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

Now that the little girl's adoring eyes were filled with hatred. She thought she was masking it but he saw it every time she looked at him.

It twisted his heart.

Marley came back and sat down. Her face was calm now and neither of them spoke for a while.

“Where is the contract?” She finally asked.

 Anthonio squinted at her but he didn't ask any questions and reached out to the document seated on a chair.

He handed it over to her and she opened it, her eyes skimming each page thoroughly.

She read everything and then looked up at him.

“I hate this. I hate that you know about my d

ebt and you are using it against me.”

She sighed. “I'm not saying yes and I'm not saying no. I'll think about this and get back to you, Mr. Kalvey.”