Seth's Offer.

The cafe was thrown into a stunned silence, broken only by Daisy's ragged breaths and Thea's quiet sobs, her face still pressed to the cold, sticky floor.

Thea could feel the stares, the judgment, the whispers from the customers. She wished she could just vanish and disappear from this world.

All eyes, still reeling from the scene before them, turned towards the entrance as the door chimed once more.

A tall figure strode in, his presence earning gasps of both fear and surprise. What is a man of his caliber doing here?

It was Seth Blackwood.

Daisy gasped, her breath caught in her lungs. “Is that…” she muttered.

He moved with such ease, his piercing blue eyes sweeping over the scene. His gaze first landed on Thea, crumpled on the floor, her uniform stained, her face smeared with ice cream and to the awestruck faces of the customers.

His jaw tightened.

Without a word, he walked directly to Thea and knelt beside her.. He reached out, his large, lean hand gently cupping her chin, tilting her head up. His thumb brushed away a streak of ice cream from her cheek.

The simple, tender gesture sent a jolt through Thea and her racing mind seemed to go silent. His eyes held a something she couldn't quite read; perhaps a hint of concern.

“Is that Seth Blackwood?!”

“Oh my goodness it's him!!”

“What is he doing with Thea? Do they know each other?” A few customers whisper amongst themselves.

"Are you quite finished being... entertained?" Seth's voice was low and dangerous.

His cold gaze was fixed on the murmuring customers. His voice made the whispers die down instantly, replaced by a tense silence.

Daisy, finally finding her voice, choked out, "Mr Seth... Mr. Blackwood..."

“You own this cafe?”

Daisy opened her mouth to respond but words seemed to fail her so she nodded quickly.

“Get everyone out of here.”

Daisy nodded and turned to face her customers with trembling hands and shock. Why is The Seth Blackwood in her little cafe?

Someone his caliber had no business coming to a small establishment like hers…

“I'm afraid the cafe will be temporarily closed. Please use the exit. We will reopen tomorrow.”

Most of the customers took their leave quietly, all stealing glances at Seth and Thea, dying to know what was going on again!

Soon the cafe was clear, even the staff were out and it was just Daisy, Seth and Thea..

“Everyone…Mr Seth, everyone is out. Would…would you like me to make you coffee or..”

“I want to speak with Thea. Alone.”

Thea shoves Seth's hand off her face, tears in her eyes as she glares at him. “I didn't ask for your help!” She snapped.

She's tried so hard to make sure this man never gets to see her look so helpless but yet, here she was, more pathetic than ever!

Seth glanced over his shoulder, his eyes fixed on Daisy without saying a word. Daisy cleared her throat. “I'll leave.”

She was out of sight in merely seconds.

Seth turned his attention back to Thea, his thumb gently stroking her chin. "My offer still stands, Thea." His voice was now softer, meant only for her. "Marry me, and I'll make everyone who humiliated you pay dearly with their lives."

Thea chuckled in disbelief. Of course, he was here to remind her of their supposed deal! This is nothing more than a bloody transaction to this man!

She forced herself onto her feet, her ice cream sneered face, staring right back at him in anger.

“You're out of your fucking mind if you think I'm going to agree to this!”

A smirk found its way to his lips, his eyes glinting at her choice of words; she swears. That's new.

“If we are being honest..” Seth gets up on his feet, his eyes fixed on her. “You need this. Now that everyone knows you're no longer a Balmero, everyone will come at you. People you've irritated in the past and the ones you didn't. Not that that concerns me but you need my help and I need you for what you can give me.”

Thea stared at him, eyes furrowed; how could he be so clueless? His choice of words are so insensitive, yet he opens his mouth every bloody time to say something far worse than the last!

“You're such-”

“Thea has always been abusive towards me…”

Thea froze. She turns towards the television where the voice came from in the cafe and there, right before her unbelieving eyes was Posy with swollen eyes and cheeks, tears rolling down her chin.

“Ever since my mother married Mr Adam, Thea did everything to make sure I knew my place! She knew I wanted to marry Runes Sterling cause I've always loved him but she threatened me! Told me to stay away from him!”

Thea scoffed, her heart pounding against her chest. This can't be real. Is Posy really going to go this far?

“I can't believe this..” Thea chuckled. She had nothing in her name yet Posy wasn't going to stop, was she?

“I'm not saying this for any of you to send her threats or hate. I don't want anyone to bully her, she's my sister but I just…I just wanted to relieve myself of my trauma so I can be free. Thea, wherever you are, I hope you're safe. And I love you. And we can work things out..”

The interview ended and Thea felt every fibre of her being boil with rage as she watches Posy make a pitiful walk down the podium.

That witch! Why is she telling such horrid lies to everyone? On live television too?!

“This is the last time I will be making you this offer,” Seth said simply, not giving a care in the world about what he had just watched on TV.

Thea stared at him, her amber eyes, still wet with tears, met Seth's unwavering ones. He wasn't asking for love, or even affection, what did she have to lose?

"Yes," Thea whispered, her voice shaky. "I'll marry you."

Seth smirked; he won. Thea wiped her face, it didn't matter. All she wanted was to get back on her feet amd show those bastards who treated her like trash. And it seems this man might have more influence than her family and the Sterlings combined.

He nodded. “Fine.”

She risked a glance at him; he was already on his phone as if the proposal had been nothing more than a routine transaction.

"So," Thea began, breaking the tense silence, her voice a little hoarse, "what exactly are the terms of this... arrangement?"

Seth put his phone down, his gaze unwavering, meeting hers directly.

"Simple. You get paid a hundred million dollars every month. Three properties, all in prime locations here in Zean, will be transferred to your name. My personal bodyguards will be at your disposal, along with a full staff of maids and assistants at your beck and call. And a five percent share in my company." He recited. “My assistant will get the contract ready.”

Thea's jaw nearly hit the floor. The figures were huge, beyond anything she could have imagined even in her previous life as a Balmero heiress. A hundred million dollars a month? Three prime properties?!

"All this," Seth continued, his voice devoid of emotion, "if we stay married for two years. After that, you're free to leave, no strings attached. However, during this year, you will be my wife in every sense of the word. And you will give me a child."

Her blood ran cold. The last condition hit her like a physical blow.

A child? This is a lifetime commitment at this point! She couldn't believe he said those words so casually like it was some business proposal!

“A child?! No that's…”

“Those are my terms. You take it or you leave it.”

Thea clenched her jaw, he was an asshole, through and through and he wasn't even trying to hide what a jerk he was!

“Has anyone ever told you you're such an asshole?!” She asked, doubting anyone ever as.

“Behind my back, yes. But you can't deny the security my offer grants you. I don't have all day, Thea.”

She swallowed hard, her eyes staring at him. His expression was unyielding, expecting no debate. Goodness, she wanted to slap that look off his face so bad!

"Agreed," Thea finally managed, her voice a little shaky. There was no turning back now; she had no other choice.

He reached into his pocket, retrieving a small, velvet box. Inside lay a diamond ring, dazzling and catching the sunlight. He took her left hand, sliding the ring onto her finger.

Thea glanced up at him.

“We're getting married. Today.”