COLLEGE GRADUATION

"Kimberly Reed." My name being called out jolts me from my thoughts. I don't know where am I but that voice sounds really familiar. "Kimberly Reed! Is she here today?" I focus on my surroundings and realize that I'm in the auditorium for my graduation and since my name has been called out for a second time, people are now looking at me.

"Shit!" I mumble under my breath. "I'm right here. Sorry for that I was lost in my thoughts!" I shout back and the auditorium breaks into chuckles.

Reaching the stage I greet the dean and mumble my apologies to her. She just smiles and shakes her head. Turning for my graduation photo, I see that Killian is cozy with Vivian. My mind short-circuits because this just made it more real.

Going back to my seat in a daze I end up seating next to Christopher without realizing it. "Kim?" a masculine voice calls out to me. I blink and look to my left and just blink up at him. "Are you okay?" he asks again. I just look at him and shake my head. He just smiles down at me and pats my head. "Hey don't touch my head it took me a long time to get it this way." I scowl at him. He just wraps me in a hug while chuckling. I freeze because that seems intimate but then I remember how when I died he was the only one who fought for me when we weren't even that close so I just relax my body and lean my head on his chest.

"Do you ever wish you met me first?" he asks so quietly that I think I could have missed it if I wasn't so focused on him.

"Honestly, yes I wish you were the first one I met because I'm sorry if this offends you but your brother is an asshole. I think he is cheating on me with Vivian and I know if I dump him and he finds out I'm still single he will make it his mission to terrorize me."

He is quiet for a while like he is processing everything I said.

"For the record I am not offended by that because you said he is an asshole who only thinks about himself. Honestly I used to wonder how a girl as pretty and intelligent as you ended up with a loser like him. It's just jarring to be honest with you."

"I don't know how that happened either to be honest and now I don't know how to get out."

"I think I might know a way to help you convince my brother you are done with him but I need something in return."

I look at him I don't know whether it's to see if he is serious or to look at his handsome face.

"I would do anything at this point to get away from your brother so whatever you are thinking does not scare me."

Well I wish I didn't say that cause what came out of his mouth next scared me.

"Marry me. Become Mrs Carter and he won't have the audacity to harass you when you are married to me."

"WHAT THE F**K!" i swear I didn't mean to yell but what the f**k.

My outburst brought looks in our direction but honestly I did not care even a bit. He smiled and said in the most amused tone I swear he just mastered right now for this moment, " Marry me and I promise to use the Carter name to protect you from a Carter and since I'm the heir my decision can't be questioned or it's the same as treason."

"What's in it for you?"

"My parents want to arrange a marriage for me but I choose to decide my own fate and you my dear are my ideal choice. So think about it and maybe by this time next week you will be Mrs Carter."