The Proposal

  I followed him until he had sat himself down comfortably and motioned for me to do the same. I decided to stay standing as I waited for Harrison to explain himself.

"You know I cannot tell you much while you stand, so it may be best you sit down, so we start from the beginning" 

   I frowned at him but I knew it was pointless to argue with Harrison. So without saying another word I slid onto the couch next to him and folded my arms across my chest.

   A minute or two passed in silence, and neither of us spoke. I could feel Harrison watching me from the corner of my eye. I was about to speak up when Harrison beat me to it.

"Why aren't you wearing makeup?" He blurted out.

I turned sharply to look at him," What has makeup got to do with what he is here for or is this one of his tricks again"

I wondered.

"Your face looks almost too perfect" Harrison said shaking his head.

He leaned forward then reached out a finger and stroked my cheek softly before leaning back into his seat.

I scoffed at him "What exactly does it matter? I never cared what anyone thought about me anyway so if you don't mind I am a very busy person, state your mission and let's get it over with".

"Of course you are busy" He said waving his hand dismissively as if that fact bothered him and then continued.

"Go out on a date with me"

My breath left me. What the hell was he talking about?!

I stared at him with wide eyes wondering if he had lost his marbles. This could not be real, I must have misheard him.

But he continued.

"Don't look at me like that. Zain and I are not totally in good terms and you won't be going back to him so I figured out since I can't date your sister because she is dead, I can date you" He shrugged, obviously not caring that he was being a dick. "I mean you are gorgeous and smart and funny and you're kind of weird sometimes too so I'm just trying to see if I can make you mine or not. But I'm pretty sure I can"

   I was speechless and my heart was beating wildly in my chest. I won't be surprised if he has been studying me, for someone who knew my secret for a long time and kept it to himself, single handedly footed my kids' bill. Again did he say he is not in good terms with Zain. What happened? And why would he even consider dating me?

  When nothing was forthcoming out of me, he sighed and threw his head backwards Then he looked at me through half closed eyelids.

"Well?"

"Um...well what?"

"Well what?" He repeated sounding bored

"Aren't you going to say something about my proposal?" 

  "Sorry Harrison but that can't happen. I would rather remain single than date the man who has constantly caused me pain for thirteen years now. I might not be with Zain but I still love him" I said firmly and stood up abruptly ready to drag him out of myself house when he said what I was not expecting to hear.

  "Are you aware that Zain is married?" Harrison said calmly, raising a brow at me.

I gaped at him, shocked.

  "I bet you didn't know. Why you are here preserving yourself for him, he has been married for thirteen years now to the lady he moved on with after your break up"

  I sat back on the couch, feeling sorry for myself. What was I expecting? That he would remain unmarried, waiting for me to come back to him. I am such a fool.

    "I see you never thought he would. I told you, you were replaceable and you thought otherwise. A woman can love a man for a long time but a man can't. The moment he stopped seeing you, the love dies. I don't know if you realize that I care so much about you. You might think I am a horrible person for doing what I did but think about it, I am the reason you are where you are today. I can be more of what Zain will never be to you"

  He stood up and hovered over me,"think about my proposal and get back to me. Don't keep me waiting, I am not so patient"

  He strengthened himself and dropped his card on the center table then left.