Chapter 3 – The Proposal

Andrea’s aware of his past marriage. He hasn’t been involved with anyone after his divorce. At least, not one that has been reported on the news. She did read up on his latest news when she considered asking him for help, just to get a feel of what he’s like at the moment.

“Since you’re not currently involved with anyone, this might not be unappealing to you. Read it.” He languidly sat on the couch, stretching his right arm on the backrest.

Must he be so overbearing? She’s more interested in the “why” than the “what”.

As she looked at the document, she took some time to think about the situation. Why would he propose such a thing? He’d been married before. If she were him, she might completely vow never to marry again. She’d been in failed relationships and she’s almost close to becoming a cynic. Yeah, sometimes she would think that finding a person who you can have a prior agreement before getting married is a better way to ensure the success of a relationship. Well, technically, that’s what dating is for. And yet, so many people are dishonest and manipulative. You couldn’t fully trust anyone.

It’s a real commitment. Her lip twitched at the agreement she’s holding. Would he sue her if she violates his terms? Oh wait, she hasn’t agreed yet.

Engagement period of three months up to six months. Oh, look. It wasn’t entirely a shotgun wedding.

She stole a glance at him. He’s not entirely unreasonable at this whole thing. She does know his family. What would Aria and Annie say if she suddenly marries their brother? Huh. The engagement period would be helpful. They can make things up. They can say they dated or something. She can straight up lie and say she likes him a lot, which isn’t hard to believe. He would have a harder time convincing his family that he likes her. If she remembers correctly, his mother is quite traditional. A very gentle woman.

Requirements. Fidelity. Honesty. Responsibility. She held her head in one hand, slowly massaging her temple.

“Shouldn’t you properly explain what you meant by these? Requirements. These are your expectations? Fidelity? You want your wife to be faithful. To what extent? Not meeting other men? Not having male friends? Never going on a date with another, or even a simple meeting or outing. Would you even allow your wife to greet people?”

“I’m not that unreasonable. But I would require the highest form of care and discretion. You can’t be seen alone with another man. The rumors will be bad enough. You’ll most likely be compared to my last wife. I assume you know about that?”

“Yes, I’m aware. But why the need to marry? Is it something you actually want?” Her question stumped him again.

In a way, he’s still a man. Despite his past experience… yes, he wanted a family. But currently, he’s not looking forward to it. He’s still cautious. But his mom…

“My mother wants me to get married. She wants grandchildren. She thinks enough time has passed and I should try again.”

Andrea slowly digested that. He’s thirty-five. Not exactly young, but for a man, it’s not that late to get married. Some even get married in their early forties.

“But…” She was about to ask something unnecessary. Clearly, he isn’t exactly ready to try again. He’s going about it like another business deal. She can relate. She’d imagined that a few times.

“But why me?” She changed her question.

It was the first time she’d seen Wayne shrug. After a long time, anyway. Those broad shoulders… he grew up so well.

“Like what you see?” He raised an eyebrow, noticing the way her gaze travelled through every part of his body.

She lightly coughed, “You didn’t answer the question.”

“My family knows you. It would be much easier to say that we reconnected or something, than to convince them that I fell in love with a random woman who they might not like.”

That’s… reasonable. Though she reconnected with his sisters, she hadn’t been to see their parents.

“Did you think I would agree?”

“You need something from me. It’s a case of give and take.”

Well, there’s the catch. But does she desperately need him? She bit her lip. If she’s to think of only herself, she’s doing okay. She’s able to provide for her needs. As for her parents… everyday a creditor comes or calls. Her father’s soft heart couldn’t bear to let others suffer because of him.

She lifted her eyes and stared straight into his.

“Other than the proposals and turning them into actual successful businesses, can you lend me money?” Then, she went on to talk about the creditors and how she can’t bear to see her father agonizing over it.

“I can give you money. If you agree, I’ll see to it that all of your father’s debts are settled.” It would seem she’s going to be agreeable. He studied her profile.

She hadn’t read the rest of the document yet.

“Before you think about agreeing, I suggest you completely read the document. If there’s anything you feel you can’t agree to, then… I don’t think we should proceed.”

“Not negotiable at all?” She fingered the edge of the first page as she continued to read, as he so kindly reminded her.

“Ask if you have any questions.”

The corners of her mouth twitched again at how detailed he is. Basically, he’s asking for a wife who would do everything he says. His demands are quite… reasonable, if she says so herself. Things she might demand from someone she would be in a relationship with… right.

“Is this mutual? If I demand the same things from you… except the financial part, of course. I don’t have the money.” Would he…?

“Of course.” He readily agreed. Wow.

“You won’t be seen with another woman?” She glanced at the list of terms.

“I won’t.” His expression speaks volume. Andrea assumes he’s not in any way interested in women at the moment.

“Hmm… that’s good, then.” She continued her perusal of the pages.

“I will be free to pursue my own career. If I choose to help my father in restarting those businesses I proposed…?”

“Go ahead.”

“But you will help, right?”

“I will.” He has enough assistants to do that, but he does review each project.

“You will support me, financially. But I would be borrowing a large sum from the beginning. Can you deduct a portion of that from this monthly support you included, as my repayment?”

“Sure.” He’s not about to tell her that she’ll be receiving so much more, but let’s not scare the woman away, Wayne reminded himself. He deliberately did not include the exact figure he’s thinking of giving her. He’d have to evaluate her first. At most, as a person who’s having financial difficulty, she’d have appreciation for money and would have known proper budgeting. She’s a business person as well.

Since he hadn’t been involved with any woman in recent years, he’s not aware of the current cost of keeping a woman. He merely thought of an estimate based on what he knows women normally purchase in excessive amounts. A couple of billions a year should be enough. If she haggles, he can double that amount. But of course, he’s going to wait and see. The first proposal she brought, the capital requirement was only ten million. How does she expect to earn millions and billions if the scale is too small? He’d ordered one of his assistants to look into the history of their family business. He might see some relevant information in there.

Andrea still couldn’t believe it. Their problems would be solved, just like that. Was it too big of a sacrifice on her part? Not… really. She slowly answered her own question. She does not have the time to look for a man and get into a relationship in the last few months. That’s not going to change anytime soon. What Wayne is offering is too good. What he’s asking for isn’t so bad. Her main concern is… commitment.

“It says here that you will refuse a divorce?” That was… she couldn’t understand the reason.

“In the event that you violate any of my conditions, if you break my trust, you lose it. I would not be made into a laughingstock a second time. It will be your punishment. We will separate, but we will not divorce. If our marriage agreement fails, I doubt I will try a third time. As for you, even if you choose another man over me, you cannot be happily married.”

She showed him an expression of incredulity. Was it necessary to go to such extent? It was spiteful. She mulled over it. Well, maybe if she’s in his position… she would want some sort of preventive measures in place as well. What she didn’t like about it is how it seems so manipulative.

She grunted, the whole document is manipulative. She would be surrendering her life to him if she agrees, though he inserted clauses on which aspects she can have reign over.

Then, she came across the section about marital relations. Wayne watched as her face turned red. He almost smiled at how flustered she looks.

It says she can’t refuse if he wants to have sex with her. She searched her mind. She has no idea what he’s like as a lover. Is he the type to force a woman? She wore a curious expression before glancing at him. She gulped as she found him looking at her.

“Questions?” He prompted, knowing she must have one. He leaned on the other side of the couch and propped his head on one hand.

“Have you ever forced a woman to sleep with you?” She hurriedly asked.

Ah, yes. He might have chosen the wrong words. He shook his head once. “Never.” He didn’t bother explaining further than that.

“Say if I’m not feeling well, or I’m tired… you won’t force me, would you? Have you ever been violent…? I mean, physically hurt someone? A woman?” Though she carefully worded those questions, his answering glare was enough.

“Forget I asked. Of course, you wouldn’t.” She immediately answered her own questions before hiding her face with the document. The next part was about getting pregnant and giving him kids. Her body heated up at the thought. At her age, she’d thought of becoming a mother a few times. Of course, she wanted to have kids. But she needed a responsible man for that. Hmm, maybe Wayne isn’t a bad choice? He’s definitely responsible.

She’d realized that as one grows up, the reality of life is entirely different from what one imagines.