Chapter Four: Proposal

Sunlight poured into my eyes. Morning already? I stretched out my body and froze. This isn't my bedroom. I looked around the room to see my clothes and what looks to be… men's clothes mixed together.

Last night events came rushing in. I wasn't with Ryan last night, then who was it?

Pulling up the blanket and saw my underwear was still intact. I let out a huge sigh of relief.

Sounds of running water came from the bathroom, meaning that the man for last night is still here.

“ Shit, shit, shit. This is bad”. Standing up from the bed as quietly as possible, I picked my clothes from the floor and quickly put them on.

Sneaking my way to the door I hit the table and fell his watch to the ground. Instantly picking it up. But the table made a lot of noise and the water ceased flowing in the bathroom. I bolt out of the room before the man can come out.

I left the hotel feeling stupid. I looked at my hands and saw the strangers watch. A very expensive looking one at that. I must have taken it, in my rush to leave the room.

This is so messed up. What am I going to do with this. Getting to the side of the road and remembering I didn't bring my car. The plan was for Ryan to carry back. Speaking of Ryan, why didn't he come? I order a cab and while I wait, I text Ryan why he didn't come.

No reply.

Getting home, people were moving things out of the house. With Mom on their heels dragging the furniture with them. One of them pushes her away roughly and she falls to the ground.

“ Mom!” I ran to her side to help her.

“ What's going on, who are these people?”

“We can't pay the fine for the lawsuit, so they are taking our things to help cover for it.” She burst into tears.

She takes hold of my arm, desperation shining in her eyes. “ Please… I know I haven't always treated you best, but you need to accept this marriage.”

“ You see… your sister Julia is already so frail and she won't be able to handle being married to that man. That is why I beg you to do it, because I know you are stronger”.

I remained silent for a while, looking at her tears stained eyes. Nodding my head in acceptance. “ I will do it”.

Her face immediately broke into a smile. “ That's amazing, thank you”. She pulled me into a hug. I was so stunned, I don't remember the last time Mom hugged, so I returned her hug.

I stare at the large towering building. With the name Kingston group written on it. This might be the last thing I wanted, but I can't watch my family suffer. And seeing Mom be nice to me for the first time, and if this is what it would take my family to accept me it's worth it.

I swallowed hard, tightening the grip on my handbag. I walked into the building. This place is enormous.

Before I could admire the lobby any longer, a woman looking perfectly put together in a black suit looked up from the reception desk and offered me a smile.

“ Good morning. Welcome to Kingston Holdings. How may I help you?”

I walked over to her with shaking legs. “ I…um, I'm here to see Mason Kingston.

Her fingers paused above the keyboard.

“ And you're…?” she said, looking at me weirdly.

“ Sorry. Iris Davidson”.

She nods her head slowly before picking up the phone.

“ Good morning, Mr. Kingston office. I have Miss Iris Davidson here to see Mr. Kingston”. A brief silence followed.

The receptionist's composed expression cracked into that of surprise. Her eyebrows shot up and she straightened in her seat.

“I… yes, of course”.

She hung up the phone slowly, her eyes looking at me with disbelief and a bit of curiosity.

“ Mr. Kingston is expecting you Miss Davidson”.

I blinked. “ He is?”

“ Yes” She offers me a visitor badge. “ Please take the executive elevator to the top floor. Mr. Kingston Secretary will meet you when you arrive”.

I accepted the visitors badge, trying to ignore the strange looks a few employees threw my way.

When the door slipped open, a woman with a cream coloured suit stood there.

“ You must be Miss Davidson”.

“Yes”.

She smiled politely. I'm Clara Mr. Kingston Secretary. Please come with me.

I followed her down the hallway until we stopped outside a pair of walnut doors.

Clara opened one of the doors, gesturing for me to enter. My breath caught at the floor to ceiling window overlooking the city. It was beautiful.

“ This way”. She said, leading me to a comfortable seating area near the window.

“ Mr. Kingston is at a meeting, but he would be rounding up shortly to meet you”.

I nodded, lowering myself into the sold leather couch. It felt fantastic.

“ Would you like some tea, water, or coffee while you wait?”

“ Water would be fine. Thank you”.

“ I'll have someone bring it to you right away”. I glanced around as she quietly left the office. Someone came to give me my water not long after.

I couldn’t help but think how he knew I was coming. We had never met before.

As far as I'm concerned, Mason Kingston only knows my name as the little sister of his fiancé.

I took a few sips of my glass of water trying to calm my nerves, but it didn't help.

A few minutes later the door of the office opens and a man walks in, with Clara hot on her pace behind him clutching some files to her chest.

Without thinking, I rose to my feet.

He was taller than I had imagined. Dressed in a navy blue suit that was custom made, because it fit his body snuggly.

I knew that without a doubt, that this had to be Mason Kingston.

Clara handed him some folders. “ This requires your signature before noon”.

“ I'll look at them shortly”. He replied, his voice deep and composed.

She nodded, with one final glance at my direction, Clara excused herself, leaving us alone.

Mason loosened his cufflinks slightly and started walking towards the seating area, instead of the large executive desk.

My breath caught. He was devastatingly handsome.

Strong cheek bones, sharp jawline and his dark hair was styled neatly.

What drew me in the most was his eyes. The perfect shade of electric blue, so familiar, yet I can't seem to remember when I have seen such colour.

And…

Are the rumors true?. Too bad, he would have made such a fine husband.

He must be devastated that he can't come out and be with who he wants to be. I would be sure to tell him when we are married that I won't judge him.

Realizing I was staring.

“ Do I have something on my face?”.

His voice pulled me back to reality. Heat immediately rushed to my cheeks.

“No”.

I looked at the water in my glass. All of a sudden it became so interesting.

“I'm… sorry”.

“It's alright”. He settled comfortably into the arm chair opposite mine, crossing one leg over the other.

Neither of us spoke for a while. I looked up from my glass and saw his gaze already boring into me.

He was the first to break the silence.

“ Why are you here, Miss Davidson?”

I took a slow breath, trying to gather all my courage.

“ I came…” I cleared my throat.

“ I came to accept your marriage proposal”.