An Unthinkable Proposal

“Marry Me.”

Gabriella’s mouth fell open.

For a moment, she thought she had misheard him.

“I’m sorry…what?”

Alexander didn’t repeat himself, his expression hardening, as a vein grew more visible on his temple.

A nervous laugh slipped from her lips.

“Is this some kind of test?”

His eyes darkened.

“Do I look like a man who plays games?” He watched her, as though he had just proposed a simple business deal and not something absurd.

She pressed her lips together firmly.

“Forgive me, sir, but…” she hesitated, searching his face for any hint of humor, but there was none.

“You just asked me to marry you.”

The words hung in the air, and Alexander tapped his fingers against the desk. The action filled the room with quiet tension.

It was obvious he was under pressure, but trying to control it.

“Yes,” he said finally.

“Sir, this is not…”

“A game?” he cut in sharply. “You think I don’t know that?”

Gabriella swallowed.

“Then you must know this isn’t something you just demand.”

His eyes snapped to hers.

“You think I’m asking because I want to?” he said.

“Then why are you asking?”

There was a brief silence, and Alexander ran a hand through his hair.

The tension in the room rose.

“The company is in a crisis,” he started, “you already know this.”

Of course she did. Everyone in the company knew it.

Gabriella shifted slightly in her seat.

“The shareholders are breathing down my neck,” he continued, “the board is confused and the media…”

A muscle tightened in his jaw.

“The media is tearing Kingston Enterprises apart.”

The weight in his words was undeniable. It wasn’t just some minor business scandal. The company was facing real backlash.

Gabriella’s palms began to sweat.

“And you think marrying me will fix it?” Her mind was in disarray.

“Not fix it.” He held her gaze. “Stabilize it.”

Gabriella’s brow furrowed. She couldn’t understand why he was pulling her into this. She was only his secretary, and she had nothing to do with the crisis.

“I need to present an image,” he continued, “as someone who looks settled, grounded.”

His gaze lingered on her.

“Someone a renowned businessman can trust.”

Gabriella let out a breath, shaking her head. “Sir, you can’t be serious.”

“I am.”

“You want to use marriage as a strategy?”

He slammed his hands on the desk, making her flinch.

“I want to secure a deal,” he corrected her sternly.

She stared at him in disbelief.

“And I’m just the tool you use?”

Something flickered in his eyes, and he leaned back in his chair, twirling his fountain pen between his fingers.

“You’re the perfect fit for this position.”

Her brows drew together.

“Aren’t you?”

Alexander stood up slowly. He walked around the desk, closing the distance between them, just enough to make the air feel tighter.

Gabriella felt her pulse quicken.

“That’s what you told me the day I hired you.”

She looked up at him.

His gaze locked onto hers, intense and unwavering.

“Remember?” he asked.

“You hired me because I was competent for the job.”

Alexander hummed a response.

“True..And you said you were willing to do whatever it takes.”

“Yes, I did. But sir, with all due respect,” she continued firmly, “marrying you is not part of my job.”

Something flickered in Alexander’s eyes, and he nodded slowly.

“Let me ask you something, Gabriella,” he said, leaning on the desk. “Have you thought about what will happen to your job if the company goes under?”

For a split second, worry crossed her features.

“The company won’t go under.” She said softly.

“Really? How are you so sure?”

“It won’t come to that.” She replied, trying to convince herself.

“Gabriella, the fingerprint door locks we released last week failed woefully,” his voice dropped lower. “It was a complete fail.”

Gabriella felt a wave of panic wash over her.

“There were multiple security breaches and robberies all over the city because of the locks this company produced. You’ve seen the news.”

He let out a tired breath.

“Even if I’m able to fix the problem, the company’s reputation will still be ruined.”

Gabriella fell silent. She didn’t want to lose her job, but no matter how she looked at it, marrying her boss made no sense.

“But why me?” she said softly, “why can’t you marry someone else?”

He studied her carefully.

“You’re not tied to any powerful family. No scandals, no public expectations. You’re a clean slate.”

There was a brief pause.

“And most importantly, you can do the job.”

Gabriella’s breath hitched slightly.

“This is too much,” she said, her voice wavered, but she stood her ground.

“Marriage is not a business strategy, and you can’t expect me to trade myself for your company. This is insane,” she shook her head, refusing to give in.

“No,” he said, straightening suddenly. “What’s insane is watching everything my family has built crumble.”

Gabriella held his gaze, her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

“I can’t do it,” she said quietly.

Something shifted in his expression.

“Sir, you barely even know me. I’ve barely worked here for a week. How can you marry me?”

“I know enough,” he said sharply.

Gabriella fell silent. The more he insisted, the more confused she felt.

“I’m very sorry, sir,” she started, “I’m grateful for this opportunity…but not enough to marry you to save the company,” she said in one breath.

Alexander tilted his head slightly.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. If worst comes to worst and the company collapses, then I’ll just have to find another job,” she said boldly.

Alexander didn’t respond. He turned away, slowly, walking back to his seat.

Gabriella’s eyes followed him.

When he looked back at her, there was a different glint in his eyes.

“Take twenty-four hours,” he said

Gabriella shook her head and stood up immediately.

“There’s nothing to think about.”

“You’re wrong,” he said, “you’ll change your mind.”

Gabriella stiffened, then lifted her chin.

“I won’t. If you would excuse me sir,” she turned to leave.

“We’ll see,” his voice came again, low but certain.

Gabriella felt a shiver crawl up her spine. She curled her fingers into tight fists and continued walking out.

She could feel Alexander’s gaze following her till she reached the door, but she didn’t look back, and as she stepped out of the office and shut the door, a quiet, dangerous certainty enveloped her.

Alexander Kingston was not a man who took “no” for an answer, and everyone knew it.

As hard as she tried to suppress the feeling, something told her this wasn’t over.

Not even close.