3. Offer accepted

“It's a contract marriage. You can stipulate the duration,” Brielle clarified, remaining as calm as possible. But her body was stiff, and she felt an insurmountable pressure pressing in on her every time she met his ocean-deep orbs.

She was scared, not of him this time. But the feelings she noticed. They were stronger than before, and she had an inkling that once she entered the contract marriage, it wouldn't be that easy to get out of it.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Niklaus asked after thinking for a while.

“Yes." Brielle nodded, stifling a sarcastic smile. "I have no choice. My uncle's family is waiting like hyenas to rip me apart. I won't allow my parents' hard work to fall into their hands, and I'm not cut out for business. You're the only person who can help me right now."

"Even when you're scared of me?" he asked, interrupting her.

Brielle raised her head and met his interrogative gaze. He was looking for an answer she didn't know she had. 

"You scare me, I won't deny it," she said honestly. "But you'll also protect me, I know that as well. Irrespective of how terrifying I find you, you'll never hurt me."

"Why do you think I'll agree to your proposal?" Niklaus threw an unexpected question back at her, catching her off guard.

"Because...." Brielle steeled her heart and enunciated the words that were embedded in her heart. "I trust you. And I trust your love for me."

Niklaus' lips stretched into a smile as he kept his gaze fixed on her. Brielle sensed the shift in the air. Her answer had pleased him greatly.

"What are your conditions?"

“You'll have full ownership of my shares during our marriage, and we'll split the dividends equally.”

“And?” Niklaus prompted, sensing there was more to it.

Brielle hesitated. What she wanted to ask him was something only he could do. Yet, she felt apprehensive whenever she thought about it.

Niklaus' stance softened when he saw Brielle in a dilemma. Although he guessed what she wanted to say, he remained quiet, patiently waiting for her to gather her thoughts and tell them herself.

“Could you…” Brielle cleared her throat that had gone dry all of a sudden. “Could you help me deal with my uncle's family and my boyfriend?”

On seeing that he was about to speak, she continued, “You may ask anything you want in return. I'll fulfill them if they are within my abilities.”

“First of all,” Niklaus leaned forward and started. “He's not your boyfriend. He's your ex.”

Brielle didn't speak, silently agreeing with him.

“Second, I'll handle all of them. You just need to be by my side.”

Brielle opened her mouth to say something, but stopped short when he shook his head.

“As for the dividends, I don't need any.”

“But…”

“It's my wife's money. I don't need it. But…” Niklaus' calm face broke as a smirk made its way to his lips. “If my wife is willing to pamper me, I'm completely fine with it. In fact, I'd love it.”

That shut Brielle up as she stared at him, flummoxed. How could he be so blunt and shameless?

“And the contract marriage, let's modify it a little, shall we?”

“How?” Brielle's brows drew together into a frown, and she tilted her head slightly.

“Let's make it forever. I have no intention of divorcing you and…” Niklaus stood up and walked her slowly, making her heartbeat spike. Gripping her trousers tight, she remained still and followed his every move.

Niklaus hid a smile as he stood before her and bent forward, forcing her to move back. However, he was quick to trap her. With his body pressing in on her and his hands trapping her on either side, she had nowhere else to go.

“And I'll not let you leave me as well. I did once in the past. But not now.”

Brielle gulped softly when she saw his eyes flickering between her lips and eyes. His Adam's Apple bobbed. But he didn't cross the line and continued to stare at her.

‘Brielle, this time, I'll not hold back anymore. I let you go once in the past, and I forever regret it.’

Niklaus smiled faintly before he pulled away.

Turning around, he returned to his desk. “Let's go.”

Brielle let out a sigh of relief, and her shoulders relaxed when he finally made space. Although she didn't dislike their closeness, it still felt strange.

‘But oddly charming,’ she thought.

“Where are we going?” She stood up when Niklaus returned with his coat hanging on his arm.

Smirking in satisfaction, he said, “To get our marriage certificate.”

“So soon?” Brielle wasn't prepared at all. Although it was she who had approached him with a purpose, she wasn't ready yet.

Niklaus turned to her and bent forward until he was at her eye level.

“Since you're going to be my wife soon, why not today. There's no time better than now. And…” He stopped suddenly, holding himself from continuing.

“And?”

‘And I can't wait to marry you and make you my wife,’ he said in his heart, watching the face he had been madly infatuated with for years.

“Nothing. Let's go.”

“But..” Brielle made a meek attempt to stop him. But the man was quicker than her and pulled her to him until she stumbled into his arms.

“Better. Let's go.”

With a nudge, he gently led her out of his office.

Brielle had no idea how things had turned out this way. One moment, she was still in his office, and the next, they were in his car, driving to get their marriage certificate.

She broke out of her stupor when the truth settled in on her. “Niklaus, don't you think we're rushing a little. Let's slow down, shall we? It's not too late to register our marriage a few days later.”

Niklaus gave her a quick look before returning his attention to the road. “It's already too late, Elle. If it were within my abilities, I'd have married you the day I confessed my feelings to you.”

Brielle didn't doubt his words. On the day he confessed, Niklaus really looked like he'd kidnap her and bring her to his side. She had never found him so intimidating before. The man was close to destroying the world, including himself.

His expression when she had rejected him had haunted her for days. Brielle could still not fathom why he loved her so much to the extent of madness.

“Anyway, it's better late than never,” Niklaus added when Brielle didn't speak for a long time.

“May I ask you something?”

Niklaus nodded, tapping his fingers lightly against the steering wheel.

“Why do you like me?”

Darting a glance at her before smiling faintly, he said, “Like? What I feel for you is not a mere liking, Brielle. It's much more than that.”

“Why? I thought you hated me for rejecting you.”

“If you think that you rejecting me will stop me from loving you, then you're highly mistaken. Nothing can or will ever stop me from loving you.”

Brielle shivered when she felt the depth of his solemn words. Although she was still intimidated by him, his unwavering love touched her heart.

“Let's put a halt to our conversation, shall we?” Niklaus said, stopping the car. “We've arrived. We can talk after we get our marriage certificate.”