A Proposal To A Stranger

Lauren stood before the marble steps of the marriage registry, the sunlight reflecting off the glass doors and painting her face gold but her glow was nothing but a mask. A smile sat on her lips, stretching across her face and making her look like the happy bride she could only imagine but her fingers trembled as she unlocked her phone again, pressing the familiar number. But again, the call went unanswered.

The silence that embraced her even in this noisy court house was louder than any rejection she has gotten in her life. Her chest tightened as she stared at the phone, willing it to ring, to prove she wasn’t the fool they’d called her.

But her screen remained blank and with every passing second, the bright red dress she’d worn so hopefully seemed to lose its color. The fabric clung to her like a cruel reminder that she was holding on to the things she badly wanted to believe in.

“You really outdid yourself this time, Lauren,” she whispered to her reflection in the glass door that was staring back at her with glossy eyes and trembling lips.

For the first time that morning, a tear broke free tracing an ugly path down her cheek.

“Miss Sterling?”

She was startled at the sound of a woman’s voice. A clerk stood by the entrance, smiling politely at her. “It’s your turn now, ma'am. Is your groom still not here yet?”

Lauren’s throat tightened as she gave an embarrassed nod, forcing her lips into a curve that didn’t reach her eyes.

“He’ll… he will be here soon.” She managed to say but even as she did, her fingers curled around her phone in quiet despair. She already knew the truth.

She had wanted to give Julian one last chance, a final chance to prove that the man she’d once believed in still existed somewhere beneath this betrayal. She hadn’t confronted him about the conversation she’d overheard in his office but instead, she’d gone to him quietly, asking him to keep the promise he’d made to marry.

That had to be the hardest thing she had ever had to do. Walking to a man who was a betrayer through and through and talking about a future together felt like bile on her tongue. But playing dumb had been the only option for her.

Julian had smiled, assuring her he’d be there but he wasn’t and at that instant she realised she had been a fool to even believe another word that came out of his gutter mouth.

Lauren turned slowly, her gaze sweeping across the decorated hall and the soft music blaring through the speakers. The white balloons hung in contrast to the emotions she was feeling. Her choice of a red dress was rather symbolic, reminding her that she was bleeding while everyone else thought she was celebrating love.

A shaky laugh bubbled up her throat.“I gave you a chance,” she whispered under her breath, eyes welling up. “One last chance to change my perspective and show me what I heard was untrue, but…” Her voice broke as steadied herself and in a low and firm voice, looking straight ahead she whispered. “Now I know, everything has been a lie from the very start and I won't let you ruin my life.

“Today, I’ll get married. Even if I have to marry a beggar, Lauren will do it."

Her heart stilled as the decision settled. The pain didn’t vanish but it helped harden her resolve. With her chin lifted high, she turned away from the registry hall and stepped into the courtyard. Her heels commanded attention with each heavy step she took.

All she needed was a name on that paper and she would get it.

Tears were coming again, but Lauren felt better. One month, she told herself. She could pay a man to wed her for a month and after that, walk away. After all, what she needed was time to claim the safe her mother left and that was more than enough.

Her gaze swept across the small parking lot desperately searching for a “victim” of her circumstance and finally, her gaze landed one a prospect.

A few feet away, parked beside the curb, sat a sleek black car. Inside, a man leaned back in the driver’s seat. His well tailored suit hugged his broad shoulders and his jawline looked sharp beneath the slant of sunlight. There was a quiet power in his stillness, like he was someone used to being obeyed without question and his aura drew her in.

Next to him, a man paced anxiously, phone pressed to his ear. Lauren held her breath as she studied him. Something about the way he sat with quiet authority in the air around him made her hesitate but then the assistant’s voice carried across the lot.

“Boss, Miss Vivienne still isn’t picking up.”

The man in the car exhaled slowly, eyes dark and cold as he turned his head. “Since she doesn’t want to get married,” he said calmly, “cancel her from the plans. Let’s go.”

The assistant froze immediately, panic flickering in his gaze. “But, President,” he stammered, “you have no other choice. You need the certificate. If you don’t get married today…”

Alexander’s jaw tightened. His fingers drummed against the wheel, irritation flashing across his features. “I know.” He cut him short.

He didn’t need the reminder. His board was on edge and the investors were restless. And with his family whispering around, convinced that his bachelor life and absence of a female was the stumbling block he needed the marriage certificate to shut them up and restore his peace. But the bride he’d chosen for convenience had just proven unreliable.

Calculating his next move, a rich feminine voice broke the silence beside him.

“You seem to also be missing a bride, sir.”

Alexander turned, brows narrowing. A woman stood a few steps away. Dressed in a red dress, she looked delicate yet composed but something in her eyes looked fragile and fearless all at once.

Lauren’s heart pounded. She could feel his gaze sweeping over her, weighing and assessing and every instinct screamed at her to step back or just walk away but something deeper and desperate pushed her forward. Desperate situations call for desperate actions, they say.

Her fingers gripped around her phone tightly as she looked directly in his eyes.

“You need something?” he finally asked.

She drew in a breath, lifted her chin, and maintained the contact. “It seems we’re in the same situation,” she said softly. “Your bride is missing… and so is my groom”

She gave him a moment to digest before picking up from where she stopped. “So… I am proposing we get married?”

If a pin had dropped at that moment, no one would have missed the sound. Alexander blinked, his eyes narrowing as if searching for a sign that she was joking. Even the assistant stopped moving but she didn’t flinch. She just stood there, offering him exactly what he needed.

He leaned back slowly studying her. Then turned to his assistant. “I need her information in ten minutes.”

Lauren’s heart lurched. Was that… agreement?

He looked back at her, expression still cold. “Why should I marry you?”

Her throat instantly went dry, but she straightened her spine and forced the words out. “Because I’m the most perfect option you’ll find today, sir.”

The corner of his mouth twitched hinting amusement but he fought hard to keep it in check. “Confident, aren’t you?”

“Driven, I would say.”

His assistant returned moments later, a folder in hand, whispering something into his ear. Lauren swallowed hard, nerves fluttering in her chest as she watched him read. She had no wealth, no reputation and completely nothing to make her a worthy match.

But she had today, and she wasn’t leaving empty-handed.

Alexander’s gaze lifted from his assistant. His cold eyes locked with hers, assessing carefully.

Then his lips parted. “Miss Sterling—”