A STRANGE PROPOSAL

LIA'S POV

"Get her in the car!"

I barely even had time to look up as the man quickly ordered his guards to help me into his car.

I clawed the strange man's palm deeply with my nails, as my contractions came in concurrent waves, but instead of complaining, he quietly let me.

I was delivered of my baby successfully, and when i was finally placed in a room, I requested that the doctor let me see him.

"Are you sure? You know you need to rest." The doctor chided gently.

"I'm sure," i replied and the doctor nodded.

The door to my hospital room opened, even though I was weak, I was curious to see the asshole who had almost killed me.

He was tall, dark brown hair, near symmetrically shaped face that had rough stubbles along his strong, defined jawlines, perfectly arched brows, a half angled nose that had probably been used to being broken and reset due to violence.

From his posture, I could tell he was well ripped. His broad shoulders carried the suit he wore perfectly, and despite the hassle of the day, he still managed to look in order.

And when he came into the light, I heard myself gasp, as I stared into the most striking almond shaped, coffee brown eyes ever. Yes, i had a thing for eyes -- and his were gold.

He smelled of danger, yet, he was handsome in a way that one couldn't look away from even if they tried. He looked at least twenty five, making him five years older than me in age and yet, he looked like he sheltered so much responsibility, and then i noticed it - the bandage on his palm.

Did i do that to him?

A self aware scoff escaped the man, and I collected myself.

"You wanted to see me." He stated obviously.

"Yes -- i heard you paid for my hospital bills." I replied in a quiet, yet controlled tone.

"You were told correctly." He replied.

"Well, it's the least you could do after you almost killed me." I stated, to my own surprise.

The man chuckled, "That sounds pretty entitled."

"You're the reason i got admitted early. I could have died!" I baffled at my own tone. How did i manage to choose the most dangerous looking man in the world to be confident with?

"But you didn't. A simple note of thank you would have done the trick." He replied calmly.

"A simple note of I'm sorry i almost ran you over with my car would have done the trick." I retorted sharply.

"And yet, i paid for your hospital bills, and every other neccessity needed for you and the baby's delivery care."

"Consider your apologies accepted." I replied.

"I haven't heard a thank you yet." He insisted after a moment's silence. I rolled my eyes, knowing quite well he deserved it. He had overdone his bid.

"Thank you, Mr..."

"Judas-Caine. Just call me Judas-Caine Brex." He replied, his lips slanting in amusement as he studied me.

"I will never be able to repay your kindness." I added half-heartedly.

"I have a proposal for you. A way to repay my over generosity." He said in a serious tone now, glancing at his bandaged palm.

I looked up at him, eyebrows cocked in questioning.

"Be my girlfriend, just for a couple of months and i will take care of you."

It was shocking to hear the sound of my own laugh ring out through the room.

But I also could not remember the last time I had laughed so hard at a joke that wasn't even funny. Maybe it was postpartum adrenaline, or the fact that I had just put to birth and still had absolutely no idea what the fuck life was going to throw at me.

My laughter was immediately accompanied by tears.

"Are you okay?" He asked when I didn't stop laughing and crying, and then my roaring laughter reduced to hiccups.

"Are you mad?" I asked in a hoarse voice that was alien even to myself.

"Excuse me?" He straightened up.

" Did you miss the asylum on your way here? Or perhaps, was that where you were being rushed to before you nearly crushed me?"

I laughed so hard at my own dry humor that tears blurred my vision, and then I quickly recalled myself when I remembered he could destroy me with one phone call.

"I'm sorry, but no, you assumed too easily that i do not have a man of my own."

"But you don't, or else he would be here."

I shot him a look of disdain. "That is not for you to worry about."

"And I'm not, but let's pretend I'm concerned." He clocked me.

I scoffed lowly, unable to believe his audacity, but at the same time, I felt cornered.

"I am not that kind of person. I would never sell my body just for money." I replied sternly.

He nodded-- apparently, he meant business.

"Fair enough, but i was not asking for sex. I am not exactly interested in you or the idea of love that jobless, love starved malcontents choose to engage themselves in these days."

"I just want to prove to my mother that love is dead and useless."

I gave him a once over, noticing how serious he was. He looked like a man used to getting a yes from everyone and I toyed with the idea of being the one to disappoint him.

But in a way, his words struck open a wound in my heart, and for a moment, I was reminded of how much I thought the exact same way.

Love was indeed dead, and that was all the reason I was not going to play pretend again with a life that was far above my standards.

"I'm sorry, you would have to find someone else. I have a baby to think about."

"I will pay you and take care of all your needs, whatever it is." He stated again.

The offer was tempting, but I just couldn't. And while I was about to say no to him again, the doctor walked into my room.

"May i speak to the patient alone for a moment please?" She requested.

Judas-Caine calmly excused himself and waited outside the door. The doctor checked my pulse and vitals again, but I knew that was not why she was there.

"What is it?" I asked, worried, when the doctor was done checking my eyes.

"It's the baby." She sighed in defeat, and suddenly, I panicked.

"What about my baby?" I asked.