Marry Christopher

Lost in thought, Olivia forgot she had left her umbrella in the car. Undeterred by the rain, she continued walking, her feet carrying her home. The car ride had significantly shortened her journey, and after a thirty-minute walk, she finally reached her house.

As she rummaged through her bag, she noticed it was damp, but thankfully, the waterproof lining had protected the contents. She fished out her keys, selected the right one, and unlocked the door to her cozy little home.

A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she stepped inside. The house held a treasure trove of memories, and every time she entered, it felt like a warm hug. The thought of selling it to hire a top-notch lawyer had crossed her mind, but she was hesitant. This was her childhood home, after all. If all else failed, she would have to consider selling it to secure her brother's freedom.

For now, she pushed those thoughts aside and headed straight to the bathroom. She peeled off her damp clothes and soaked herself in the tub, letting the warm water wash away the stresses of the day.

Olivia's thoughts drifted back to Christopher Brooks, his harsh words still fresh in her mind. How could someone so ruthless claim to fight for justice? His hurtful comments about her brother still stung, and she couldn't forgive him. She vowed to find another lawyer, one who would believe in her brother's innocence.

As the minutes ticked by, exhaustion caught up with Olivia. She dozed off, only to wake up an hour later, feeling groggy. She got out of the tub, dried herself with a cloth, and headed to her cozy bedroom to change into comfortable night clothes.

Her room was a warm sanctuary, filled with memories of happier times. Family photos adorned the cream-colored walls, and a plush bedspread covered her bed. A wooden dresser and a small desk occupied one corner, while a bookshelf stood against one wall, filled with dog-eared novels and textbooks.

Olivia retrieved her diary from the bed cupboard and began to write, pouring out her thoughts and emotions onto the pages. After finishing, she sighed, feeling a mix of sadness and determination. Life was hitting her hard, but she was determined to fight back.

Just then, she heard a knock at the door. She wondered who it could be, since her only friend was out of the country. She walked out of her room, still in her pajamas, and made her way to the living room. The knock came again, and she opened the door to find Nathan standing on her porch, a wide smile on his face.

"Surprised?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Olivia's brows furrowed, unsure of what to make of his visit. "It's not necessary to come here and apologize on behalf of him," she said, trying to shut the door.

But Nathan held the door open, his eyes locked onto hers. "Who said I came here to apologize, Miss?" he asked, intrigue dancing in his eyes. "I understand your anger, but at least can I come in for tea?" Olivia hesitated, unsure if she should trust him. How did he even know her exact address?

Nathan's calm demeanor put her at ease, and she sensed that he wasn't there to cause harm. "I won't cause you any harm, Miss Olivia," he said, as if reading her thoughts. "I came to talk to you about something." Looking into his eyes, Olivia felt a spark of trust. She stepped back, allowing him to enter.

Nathan stepped into the house, his eyes scanning the interior. Despite its modest size, the house exuded a warm, cozy atmosphere. He seemed out of place, like a precious gem nestled among ordinary stones.

"Relax, Miss Olivia," he said, noticing her wary gaze. "Can I sit?" Olivia nodded, her lips pursed in a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

As Nathan sat, Olivia couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between him and Christopher. How did someone as pleasant as Nathan tolerate the company of someone as vile as Christopher?

"You... you want tea?" Olivia asked, trying to compose herself. Nathan's smile widened, and he nodded. "Sure."

Olivia disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a tray bearing two cups of steaming tea. Nathan accepted his cup and downed the contents in one swift gulp. Olivia's eyes widened in surprise; he didn't seem to care if the tea was poisoned or not.

But then, realization dawned on her. Nathan hadn't asked for tea out of thirst; he had done it to gain her trust. Their eyes met, and Olivia felt like he could read her thoughts.

"Exactly," Nathan said, as if confirming her suspicions. "I trust you to some extent. I know you won't poison me. So, can I get a little amount of trust from you too?" Olivia gulped, feeling a sense of unease.

"Okay," she replied curtly. "May I ask why you're here?" Nathan sighed, relaxing into the chair.

"I brought a proposal," he said, his eyes locked onto hers. Olivia's gaze narrowed, her mind racing with questions. What kind of proposal?

"Are you still interested in Christopher fighting your case?" Nathan asked, his expression unreadable. Olivia's thoughts flashed back to Christopher's hurtful words. Sure, if he decides to change his mind about her brother's case, she couldn't be selfish and refuse his help because of her emotions. But, she wasn't going to plead his help again. She had some pride and would not allow herself be disrespected all the time. Not when there were other options.

"If he wants to fight willingly, sure," she replied finally. "But I'm done begging. He's so disrespect-" Nathan cut her off, his expression unchanging.

"I've gotten my answer," he said, his voice calm and collected.

Olivia felt lost, unsure of what Nathan was getting at. Was Christopher sending him to apologize or beg for her to reconsider? "I came here with an offer," Nathan began, his eyes locked onto hers. "One that would make Christopher fight your case, and you'll most likely be paying nothing."

Olivia's confusion deepened. Was this some kind of joke? Christopher, who had shown no interest in helping her, who had spoken ill of her brother, was now willing to take the case pro bono? It sounded too good to be true.

Nathan's next words only added to her perplexity. "But then, there's always a little price to be paid or sacrificed. Even for justice." Olivia's eyes narrowed, frustration growing inside her. Where was this conversation headed? Nathan seemed to be enjoying her suspense, his expression unreadable.

"What is the price?" Olivia asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. Nathan's smile grew wider, and he said, "Firstly, get me another cup of tea. And please, get one for yourself. Let's ease the tension."

Olivia's mind whirled with questions, but she didn't protest. She headed to the kitchen and returned with two fresh cups of tea. As she handed one to Nathan, their fingers touched briefly. He gulped down the tea in one swift motion just like before, his eyes never leaving hers while she smiled nervously.

Olivia took a sip of her tea, her heart racing with anticipation. And then, Nathan dropped the bombshell. "You're going to marry Christopher."

The tea in Olivia's mouth sprayed out in shock. Her eyes widened in horror as she stared at Nathan, her mind reeling with the absurdity of his statement. WHAT DID HE JUST SAY????