Chapter 7 Marry now, questions later

You can't possibly think that I can married someone else besides Harry , I don't  know anyone that close! " Rachel reacted.

"You  have!" Allyson said laughing.

"Who?" Rachel innocently search from her memory who her friend is saying.

" Philemon.." then she  burst out laughing heartily. Phil and Allyson grew up together as best of friends until Phil and Ally decided to get married.

"Are you out of your mind!" She  laughed, there was a time when Phil was smitten by Rachel but she refused him gently saying that Allyson was more like his soulmate.

"I was just kidding! Ha ha ha! Anyway that's the only way I can think of to avoid being shackled to a toxic situation friend. Once you are married they cannot force you to marry that...that philanderer, and having to be use by your selfish twin." Allyson said struggling to find the best word to describe Harry.

" On second thought you are right, but as I said that's quite impossible."  She was thinking about how would she be able to propose to a man, much more who would like to into a contract with her she don't have a fortune to her name.

"Then you make it possible. Your beautiful and brainy kind hearted any man will like those characters besides if your paintings will start selling you'll be  famous what happens then if your refutation has already been tarnish by your family's evil plan! The bad refutation will dragged you down.

I'm afraid I'll make mistake Ally, what if I had just gotten away from that situation only to fall into even more dangerous set-up." Rachel said.

This things had been playing around Rachel mind that she gets absent minded that her boss had noticed.

"Something bothering you Miss Barnes?" He asked when he caught  Rachel staring blankly on the wall Infront of her computer. 

"What are the characteristics a man search for a wife material." She forgot that she is talking aloud. Cole simply cross his brows in confusion thinking what had gotten into her crazy thoughts, how will he is able to answer her queries. 

"... And having these qualities does it keeps a husband from cheating on his wife? " She said as she turn around to face her boss she was shocked to have realized that she is speaking to him. 

"Oh! I'm sorry boss! I..." She blush realizing she is thinking aloud. 

"Are you serious of what your asking or just wishful thinking. You are wondering why your boyfriend cheat on you?" Cole replied seriously.

"Hmm , just forget about what I said boss. I'm sorry. I was talking to myself." She apologize thinking what would her boss say if he knew she is building a criteria for a husband.

"If  that thought keep you out of focus then I think it merited a serious answer." He said. " I think those qualities your saying are useless if a man doesn't have love and commitment for his partner. Men are by nature easily tempted by physical appearance, and the thing of the flesh." Cole continued.

" Are you like that Boss? I mean... '  Rachel suddenly realized that she is threading on personal ground. She blush again, and shook her head, trying to erase what she just said. 

"I know what you mean Miss Barnes. Now get back to work ! When Erik comes send him straight in my office."

" Yes boss! " She readily replied tried to hide his embarrassment. Cole just shook his head and smile at his PA's thoughts, as he return to his office.

"Man you've got some serious problem there." Erik told Cole he is aware how Gregor can be persuasive once his wife demands it.

"I cannot allow his wife to meddle in my personal life. I had been quiet for years but I am aware that he has been cheating on my mother even before I was born, Calvin and I have very small age gap  meaning they are together even before my mother fall into coma." Cole said  he had been gathering evidences prior to his birth carefully been building it to present to his father once he will lay claim on his mother's inheritance. 

"What if you get married Cole?" Erik suggested.

"No!  I won't marry into that lecherous family. You must know how they have taken Mom Sarah's share in the company. If not for aunt Libby and her husband's interference she is already being robbed of all her resources." Cole grudgingly exclaimed.

" I know. But what I'm suggesting is you  have a contractual marriage just to allow you to avoid getting involved in that hateful family. A contract to a level headed woman for at a year or two. " Erik explained.

"You  know you may be right."

"I am always right Cole." Erik kiddingly told him.

"Now  it's time to  search for a candidate."  Cole declared. 

" You have a perfect candidate right in front of your very nose!" Erik smiled at his friend taunting.

" I have? Who? " He said innocently 

" Miss Barnes."  Erik is grinning as he said this

"Your mean Rachel Barnes that crazy woman?" Incredulously he exclaimed.

" Yeah the very one! " Erik grin at his friend reaction.

"Base  on your personal account on your first meeting. She might be a little crazy but she had the qualities and the situation to agree for a contractual marriage. Based on my investigation on her personal background  she qualifies with flying colors."  He begin enumerate Rachel's personal qualities base on his investigation.

" Are you sure?  How am I going to propose  to her, I mean she might feel violated, you know the harassment thing, I may not have only soiled shirt but I may lose any of my body parts, you know how she is?"

" Miss Barnes may be crazy at times but she is a good person" Erik has very high regard for Rachel.

When Cole was alone in his office he contemplated on what his friend told him. Rachel walk in after knocking on the door. 

"You want to see me Boss?" She asked still recalling their previous conversation earlier. 

"Yes come over and sit there is something I want to offer to you." Cole said a little uncertain how she would view his proposal he released a deep sigh trying to steady himself. While  Rachel hesitantly obliged. 

"What would you say if I asked you will you marry me?" Cole asked Rachel getting ready for whatever violent reaction she might resort to.

"Yes!" Rachel replied immediately thinking this could be the answer to her shituation. 

"What Rachel are listening? I said will you marry me?" Cole repeated.

" ... And I replied, Yes! Are you going back on your proposal? " She exclaimed a little annoyed.

" No, I mean it? Do you? " Cole asked unbelievably.

" Yes! Do you? " Rachel challenge him.She saw the seriousness in his face as he nodded. "Then what are we waiting for?" She said.

The next day  Cole and Rachel went to apply for a marriage license. Both of them wondered on their individual thoughts thinking if they are making the right decision. They entered into a situation without discussing the real deal, except for their willingness to avoid getting into a despicable union.