Marry Me

C A M I L L Aᥫ᭡

"YOU did what?!" Stephan yelled as we drove into my home.

The ride all the way from Grandfather's was interrupted by Stephan's persistent taunts, urging me to tell him what we spoke about that kept grandpa smiling like a teenage boy who got a positive response from his crush.

I did tell him, and the result? Stephan Williams scolding me as if committed a heinous crime. The driver parked at the garage, handed the keys over and left the vehicle to rest for the day,giving us more room to continue with our conversation.

"I don't know what came over me, he was the first person my head could think of," I defended my self.

"He is your bodyguard aside that you don't even know this guy,"

"So? We may get to know each other in the long run, who knows? Get divorced after a month or two,"

"And how do you think your grandfather would feel? That would break him,"

I press my lips tightly as I let out a sigh, I've never really considered that,"When we get there, I'll think of a way,"

"And as for Drix? What are you going to do? Seduce him?" Stephan asked, disapprovingly.

"Seduce him? No, money will,"

"What does that even mean?"

"I received a call from home informing me that one of our maids had collapsed. She happens to be Drix's mother. According to the doctor's report, she has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and urgently requires surgery. Unfortunately, Drix lacks the necessary resources to cover the costs of the operation, "

"You're going to trick him into marrying you by paying for it, "

"Trickery sounds like what the devil does, he's going to give me what I want and I give him what he wants, "

"Camilla—"

"That is enough, Stephan! Don't give me any silly lectures on maturity and honestly, I know what I'm doing so you've got to do is to play along with it and keep your mouth shut, " I sneered, opening the car door and taking my leave.

Of course I know the decision I'm making was drastic, childish and insane but I'm not going to let Splash Luxe fall into their hands. Merging it with CD Meals would be a great opportunity for my company and that isn't what I would let go easily.

I guess Drix just got lucky to be in need at my specific time of need and would be a useful tool for what I needed, I've never cared about marriage so why would I now? It's just a one day ceremony if two people grinning hopelessly at the altar after negotiating that they wouldn't go on with the journey of life alone but with someone else.

And anything that dealt with negotiation was my ideal speciality.

I spent a few hours of my morning at my study, drafting a suitable marriage contract to officiate that theme of business in this and because I was a bit bored. I've thought of the type of reply he would give, but I know that at the mention of the required benefits, he wouldn't be saying no. Only a lunatic will make that mistake.

Someone knocks faintly on the bedroom door, "Ms. Dunwoody, Mr. Anderson is here," a maid informs me, from behind the door.

Perfect. "Send him in, " I order, pulling out the last printed paper from the thermal printer as I bind it carefully .

The door opens and Drix walks in, looking depressed as expected, his usual cheerful aura is suddenly replaced by gloom and darkness and despite that, he tried to put on a suit and arrive early.

"Good morning, ma'am, " he greets with a raspy voice.

"Good morning, Drix, " I softly respond,taking a seat at the sofa centred in the middle of the room.

"I am so sorry for what I did yesterday, it was highly unprofessional and immature on my part, "

"Not a problem at all, Mr. Anderson. I understand. Have a seat, will you? "

"You do? I mean, thank you, " he forces a grin with an expression like something was just taken off his shoulders.

Slowly, he sat at the edge of the couch with his briefcase on his lap.

"Umm….can I speak to you about something, ma'am? "

"Camilla please, " I beam, if I needed to get him to marry me; we needed to start dissolving the use of formalities.

"Oh, okay. Camilla, can I —"

"Go ahead, say whatever you want to say, "

"I know this may sound insane, given that I don't have a college degree but I've been working on an app lately, "

"For?"

"It's in relation to the food business. Since tons of humans are quite lazy to make certain decisions on what to eat, it makes decisions for them based on certain preferences. Not only that, it is fully customised to make reservations at restaurants, order online, locate specific restaurants and also check the validity of meals before purchase like an original expiration date and allergies on the part of the user. It also gives daily health tips and advice, "

Okay that actually made sense. I must admit, I like the clarity of the way he explains things, making hand gestures as well. He oddly reminds me of someone, a business partner or so.

"Brilliant idea by the way, but how does this have anything to do with me? "

"You're the owner of CD Meals and as research shows, you're on the verge of launching restaurants across the country. This is perfect for what you wish to do, "

I guess I'm not the only one with plans, "You wish to sell this app to me, is that it? Do you need me to invest in it? "

"It would mean a lot if you wish to buy it, I could complete it in a few weeks and I don't mind giving you copyrights, "

As I rise from the sofa to grab a bottle of water, my lips curve into a sly smile, and I raise an eyebrow intrigued, "Ah,"

"What if I hired you to work in my company? "

His jaw literally drops and he manages to gather his emotions together as his sitting position changes, "Sorry ma'am, you were saying? "

"I'm going to hire you as a part of my software team, regardless of your lack of required qualifications. I'll pay for your mother's surgery and —"

"You'll pay for my mother's surgery?" Lian repeats, surprised.

"Yes," I reply causally, resting my elbow on the arm of the sofa.

"I'm really grateful for the opportunity, but why? "

Smart kid, "I like the fact that your aware of the system of this world, give and take,"

"You want something in return, don't you?"

"Yes,"

He sighs, looking at me with a gaze clothed with disappointment, hope and determination, "What do you want me to do? I'll do whatever —"

"Marry me, " I said, my words coming out easier than I expected , like I didn't spend hours of my night thinking about it.

"What?! "

He stood, taken aback, "You don't even know me and not to mention the obvious fact that you despise me with utter passion, "

"I still do," I answer, caressing the space between my brows with my thumb.

"Then why are you interested in me?"

"You seem to be mistaken, "

"Huh?"

"I am not interested in you, I'm interested in the benefits attached to marriage and so should you, " I clarified.

"Benefits? What could you possibly gain from marrying me?"

"I just happen to need a husband in order to secure my position as the legitimate heiress to Splash Luxe, you happen to need money and I will provide it for you. Just five months and we'll get divorced, you get to keep your job and I get to grow my company further. The marriage would also be kept from the public which means that you could still see whomever you like, "

Drix throws his hands in the air as he paces back and forth, "I-I don't know,"

"You don't know? People would kill for this opportunity and you don't know?"

"I just need time to think!" he exclaims.

"Don't you dare raise your voice at me."

Pressing his lips together, he tries to reach out to me and I rise from the sofa as well.

"I'm sorry, I —"

"You have until the day is over to decide, take the day off."