The Proposal II

Derrik King

"Why are you forcing me into this dad? How man times do I have to keep saying this. I am not getting married to Isabea and that's final." This has become an everyday thing. Fighting about one Goddamn thing, to get married to Isabella.

Who in their right senses will get married to a spoilt brat like Isabella? The fact that her family owns multiple business in this country has gotten into her head. Then here is dad, forcing me to get ready for a marriage I know nothing about in two weeks. Two freaking weeks.

"Listen to me young man, you are getting married to Isabella and that's final. I am not changing my mind. You have two weeks, just two weeks to mget married to her. Get ready." My dad stomped out of the parlour angrily. This week has been hell. I can't even go to work with myopeace of mind intact. This man always finds ways to bring this topic up.

I got into my car then called the only person who came in mind.

"Brian," I sighed after calling his name.

"Man whatsup? Are you sure you are okay?" Concern laced his voice.

"I'm losing my mind. My dad is proving difficult. He still insists I marry Isabella and that too in two weeks." Brian has been aware of the whole situation all this while. Initially, we thought my dad will come to forget about the whole thing an stop insisting but we were wrong.

"I've thought about this Derrik and there is only one solution but I doubt you will want to do it." At this very moment, I will welcome every suggestion put on board. That's how desperate I am at the moment.

"Just bring it out Brian." I urged him on.

"You have to find a fake partner." He finally said after staying quiet on the phone for while.

"What the fuck?" I exclaimed a his suggestion. This is crazy. How tge heck do I enter into a fake relationship and with who?

"I knew you were going to act this way." He sighed as if tired of me already.

"Is that the only thing you could think about?" I questioned, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration.

"That's the only thing. It's either you go ahead with my suggestion or you get married to Isa-"

"Hell no!" I cut him off before he could complete his sentence. "I will just go with yours but the problem is who to play this 'fake partner' with." I pointed out my own issue.

"Honestly, I don't know. Maybe you can get one of your multiple flings to play that role."

Remind me that is one of the reasons my dad wants me to get married and another is to become the heir of the Scotts family business because they have no son. If I fail to do this in two weeks, I risk my position as CEO of the King's Empire.

"I've given you the solution, just find someone suitable." Brian said again.

"Thank you Brian." I mumbled and ended the call. All through the ride to work, I kept thinking about the solution and who to play that role. The flings. I sighed. Honestly, I know not their names nor contacts. I just do what I have to do and give them the money.

*****

I walked into the office building and was almost close to my own office when I saw my assistant with her head on the table. This was the first time I was seeing her this early at work. On one side, it was as if the universe was telling me who the perfect candidate for this job was.

I walked in on her and noticed she was crying but she insisted things were okay. Not wanting to probe further, I asked that she followed me to my office which she did. It surprised me how I held the door for her. I mean, the boss is not supoosed to do that right?

The only reason I invited her was to make the offer to her. I had thought about it all the way here and I know anybody I choose will do it without hesitation because one, I was going to offer a huge amount of money and two, I was undoubtedly handsome.

Honestly, I feared making the offer to her but I have only few days to decide. Alot was at stake and I couldn't risk it. If she fails to agree, I will just get someone else to do it. I summoned all the courage I could before telling her what I wanted to.

“Marry me and I will pay you. A contract marriage. ” The words left my mouth faster than I could think more on it. I noticed her eyes widened and her mouth dropped in surprise then followed by a laughter. This was not what I expected from her. Did she find this funny?

I was so angry I directed it all to her making her laughter cease. She stared at me like I had lost my mind and I wouldn't blame her. I was really loosing my mind.

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

There was complete silence in the office and even the sound of a drop of pin would be heard. I was getting tired of her stating at me with her mouth wide open. She can just say a simple 'yes' or 'no'.

“You wouldn't want to catch a fly, Miss Andrea. I know this is shocking but could you close your mouth please.” I said in an attempt to lighten the mood a little. She snapped her mouth shut, straightening in the chair.

“ I–I think I didn’t get what you said. Could you repeat it, please?”She shuttered, straightening up in the chair. Sighing, I leaned back in the chair. “I would like us to get married to Andrea. Not a real marriage just somthing to help me out of a situation.”

Her reaction was the same – shock, followed by a flurry question. “Why do you want to go into a contract marriage Mr. King? Besides, you can get any woman you want and also, you can get tons of women to go into this contract marriage with you. Why me of all people?” She threw the question fast, not pausing to breathe.

“It is a long story and I can't tell you but I’m really in a mess right now and you can help me out on that. I will make sure you are well compensated, think about it Andrea.” I knew I was sounding desperate, but this was important.

"I’ll think about it Mr. King but I can't promise you anything.” She said, her voice steady even with her doubts.

“All the same, I will be expecting your response.” I held the possibility that her reply was going to be a no. Even though she has been clingy these few months, she has proved to be trust worthy.

She nodded as she left my office. I stilled saw the indecision clearly visible on her face.

“She will eventually fall for the money and come back, they are all the same.” I kept reciting that as a form of motivation.

I'm just hoping Brian's idea helps this time because if it doesn't, I will surely be doomed. Isabella is not somebody I want to spend a lifetime with considering her attitude. I just hope, just this once, that it works.