Abigail was getting ready for bed, Molly had already gone to sleep. She had a celebration dinner with Molly and Richard for their engagement and then stayed there with Molly’s insistence.
She could not help it when a slow smile made its way on her lips. She was too happy for her friend. Both of them were her favorite people. While lying on the bed and closing her eyes an image of Hunter popped out of nowhere in her mind. She sat up straight. She picked up her phone and read the time. She wanted to call him, then stopped herself.
He might be sleeping. Plus I should leave some space for the poor guy to breathe.
She was busy in her thoughts when her phone started ringing. Hunter’s name was blinking on the screen. She was smiling when she received the call and walked to the living room not to disturb Molly.
“Hey, sugar! Missing me?” she could almost imagine him smiling, sitting comfortably on his couch. SHIRTLESS!<
“My room number in this hotel sweetheart. The private elevator can bring you to me.” With that he winked at her and left the room, whistling.After he closed the door behind him, Hunter turned around to her. Abigail stood from her place, expecting to face the same anger from him as he was still frowning. But when he spoke his voice was very gentle. “Please sit down.”Taking a sigh of relief, Abi started walking towards the other chair but he stopped her and gestured her to sit on his seat instead. Abigail shook her head, “No sorry Hunter. That’s not going to happen.”“Come on, Abigail” His tone held a warning.Abigail didn’t argue and did what he wanted her to do. Taking a deep breath he sat on the other chair and smiled a little, “I am sorry. I was stuck in a meeting.” then his eyes fell on her coffee. “It’s cold now. I would ask them to replace it.”“N
“Harris would leave this evening. Have you divided his work burden among others?” Ethan’s voice came out of the speaker.“Not exactly. I talked to Abigail and she is ready to help us.” He was still in office, the expressions on Abigail’s face were unreadable but Hunter still felt guilty.“Hunter!” Ethan called him loudly.“Yes?” Hunter took a deep breath.“What is it? Are you even listening to me?”“I think … I am.” Hunter wanted to protest but his voice was not very convincing.“What is it, Hunter?” There was concern in Ethan’s voice.When Hunter stayed quiet Ethan spoke again, “I am reaching there by next flight.”“No … Ethan.” He rubbed his temples, “I am just overburdened, I guess.”“What's new in that? You were always a workaholic. So whatever it is
She was seated in office doing nothing. There was still some time left and now she wanted to go home, needed to immerse herself in the bathtub with comforting salts and get the much needed relaxation.When her phone started ringing she received the call.“Hi there, Moll? What’s up?”“Nothing special. I am just driving to Post Ranch Inn for covering this bridal shower. And this long distance driving is always so boring.”“Hmm. So why you did not call Richard?”“He was with a patient.” Molly sighed. “What are you doing? Except those presentations and meetings?”“Oh nothing. Just getting bored.”“Did you meet Rafael Wyatt again?”Abigail smiled, “Yeah. He is a very lively boy. I might ask him to meet you if you want. If I am a coffee-holic, he is an ice-cream-holic!”“OH MY GOD!” She heard Molly’s scream o
When Molly reached home her door was slightly ajar.“Hello.” She did not get the expected response. “What the fu*k, Abi. You were never this responsible.” There was something unusual in the air. There was a half-filled coffee cup on the counter.“Abi!” she called out and then stopped. What if there was a mugger in the house? But her friend’s life might be at stake too.There was no one in the bedroom. No sign of Abigail in the bathroom. Her purse was lying there on the couch.“Damn, Abigail!” she called out in the empty apartment, “Where are you?”Just then, she heard a cell phone ringing. This one was Abigail’s ringtone!The phone was lying under the kitchen stool. She grabbed it from the floor.Hunter was calling.With sinking heart she received the call, “Hey, sugar. I had been calling you since ages. You got me worried like hell.”Oh!
“Mom, can I have ice cream?” The child asked the lady beside her.“Now my munchkin needs ice cream? Huh?” the mother playfully pinched her child on her cheek.The child squealed with delight making her mom smile.Abigail smiled observing them. The kid must be around six or seven years old. She started licking her ice cream cone when her eyes fell on Abigail. She gestured for Abigail to share her ice cream, that too very sweetly. Abigail shook her head and started walking.There was a young couple on the sidewalk. Passionately kissing each other, like there was no tomorrow. She kept staring at them for very long.She could not stay in the apartment and left it as soon as possible, forgetting to take her phone, or her purse, or even her keys in her haste. She did not even remember if she had locked the apartment. She could not remember for how long she had been walking. But she kept walking anyways.Did she have a choic
Hunter’s eyes went wide with shock. His mouth was wide open. Never in his wildest dreams had he ever imagined this proposal, “Wait…..what?”“Marry me. Remember about that contract marriage which you were interested in? Well, I want that contract marriage with you. But there would be my terms included as well.”She looked at Hunter, and when he could not speak then she raised an eyebrow in anticipation.“Hunter? Won’t you say anything?” Hunter seemed speechless at the moment. His lips were stretched in a thin line. She was holding her breath waiting for his answer.“Hunter. My sister is back with Kyle. They are pregnant. And I badly need someone for face-saving. You are the only option right now ...” she could not continue.These tears were making it difficult to her.She moved forward and leaned her forehead on his. “I would save your face in front of your family.
She was not expecting this!Not at all expecting this!“Till yesterday he wanted a contract marriage with someone. With anyone. And now he is not taking my offer. He is declining it. Why? Because I do not belong to his class? Of course, he would want someone blond and classy, one of his own for even a contract marriage. He won’t settle for less.”“Girls like me are there for fu**ing friendships. Right?” The bitter thoughts were not leaving her. He was trying to grasp all the expressions crossing her face, “Abigail. I can explain this sweetheart. Just relax and sit here. We need to talk.”Shaking her head while moving back she smiled but her lips quivered. She did not want to cry showing him that she was weak. She did it last night. But no, it’s not happening again.“Abigail. I talked to my lawyer. If one of us has signed the papers, we need to say our vows again.
Her head was still reeling with this morning’s incidents. Hunter had at last accepted her proposal.When Hunter entered his bedroom, she was humming to herself with a small smile playing on her lips. When she saw him, her smile broadened. “I need to leave. I should visit Molly. She must be hell worried.”Hunter came and taking her in his embrace he put his forehead on her head. Putting a hand on his cheek she asked. “Hunter, are you alright?”Hunter shook his head, “Couldn’t sleep last night. Let’s go to bed.”Abi was a little taken aback, “But Hunter ...”“Abi, we need to plan lots of things. But right now I need a good sleep.” Abigail quietly, nodding her head. He looked tired. She felt guilt making its way in her heart.It was because of her.He laid on the bed and stretched his arms for her. She shyly went to him and tried to lay beside him but he