Crazy deal

Chapter 3

I got up tired the next morning, mostly because I couldn't get enough sleep.

My mind kept drifting back—to how he leaned towards me, to what he said, to how painfully handsome he looked.

I still couldn't believe someone like him would actually agree to marry me.

"What did he see in me? Was I too desperate... or was he?" I whispered to myself, staring up at the ceiling.

After a while, I forced myself out of bed and went to greet Grandpa.

"Good morning, Grandpa. How was your night? Did you sleep well?" I asked, a faint smile playing on my lips, my eyes barely open.

"I should be asking you that. What's on your mind, my love?" Grandpa said warmly, handing me a cup of tea he'd already prepared.

I sat down at the dining table and took it from him, blowing gently on the surface. His teas were always the best—mostly because he added too much sugar and milk.

I smiled after the first sip.

"Good as ever, Grandpa. Thank you," I said brightly.

But the smile faded almost immediately as reality came crashing in again, reminding me how little time we had left.

"Don't cry now, Camila," I told myself.

"Hey, Grandpa," I said, staring into my cup, "there's this man I've been seeing... We've been dating for a few months now. So, what would you say... to me getting married?"

Grandpa's reaction was immediate.

"Are you serious, Camila?!" he exclaimed, jumping up with excitement and wrapping me in a hug.

It was the happiest I'd seen him in a long time, and I couldn't help but hug him back tightly, tears silently streaming down my cheeks.

"I'm so proud of you," he whispered. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time."

He pulled away, his old eyes sparkling.

"I just remembered—the Clastu family. Do you remember them? They were very close to your parents, and to us, when you were little. Ever since your parents passed... well, we lost touch. But a few days ago, I ran into them. They said their son was looking for someone to marry. I told them you might be interested in meeting him."

Grandpa lowered his gaze, almost as if ashamed.

"It's okay, Grandpa," I said gently, taking his hands in mine. "I'd love to see them... catch up a little."

But deep down, my heart was racing for another reason—I had a meeting today.

The meeting that could change everything.

"I'll be out for a bit later," I said, quickly excusing myself and heading to my room.

It took me almost two hours to get ready.

When I finally stepped outside, I saw a dark, sparkling BMW parked right in front of the house.

He leaned against the car casually, his cold, piercing gaze meeting my wide, nervous eyes.

"Took you long enough," He said coolly. "I thought I was right about you... I was just about to drive away."

Without a word, I walked toward the car and got in.

The ride was painfully silent.

No one said a word, not even when we pulled up in front of one of the most luxurious five-star hotels in the city—one of the best in the world.

Inside, a man in a sharp black suit and sparkling shoes approached us immediately. He looked like a CEO himself.

"What would you like, sir?" the man asked politely.

Roderick’s sea-blue eyes locked onto mine as he spoke.

"A tequila. And whatever the lady wants."

Snapped out of my trance, I quickly answered, "Oh, a soft drink, please."

The waiter nodded and disappeared.

Roderick pulled out his phone, his tone growing even colder.

"Okay. I have somewhere to be, so let's make this quick."

Without hesitation, I pulled a folded document from my bag and slid it across the table to him.

"What's this?" he asked, picking it up.

"It's... a list of rules for our marriage," I said, feeling my cheeks heat up as he scanned the contents.

His eyebrows raised slightly as he read aloud:

"'Marriage ends when your Grandpa passes. No sleeping with each other...'"

He chuckled darkly, attracting the attention of nearby guests.

"Wow. So I disgust you so much you had to make it a rule, huh? Can't even imagine sleeping with your future husband?"

"Shhh!" I whispered fiercely, covering my mouth, feeling my face burn with embarrassment. "That's not what I meant!"

He leaned back in his chair, smirking.

"Oh, so you do want to sleep with me, then?"

I buried my face in my hands.

This was humiliating.

He tossed the paper onto the table lazily.

"You know," he said casually, "I expected you'd at least start by asking my name—or giving yours.

And for the record... I only found two things reasonable on that list."

I swallowed hard. He was right.

I didn't even know his name.

"Fine," I said, gathering my courage. "My name is Camila Gómez."

I offered my hand.

He smirked again, but this time... softer.

"Nice to meet you, Camila. I'm Roderick."

He shook my hand firmly, his skin warm against mine—and for a moment, it felt like everything around us disappeared.

Maybe this crazy deal wasn’t so crazy after all.