790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfaAsQgSy1
Cole Ramsden took a small and gentle sip of his warm unsweetened espresso and briefly closed his eyes as he savoured its pungent yet fruity taste. He faintly smiled with satisfaction then put the cup down on the black marble coffee-table. He looked up straight into the pair of ardent topaz-brown eyes that were staring at him expectantly for the past few minutes.
"Marry me," he said directly.
Bexley Hamilton - who was sitting on the ivory-white chesterfield sofa opposite to him - instantly froze at his statement. She kept her usual countenance but the surprise in her eyes betrayed her. A ghostly smile fleetingly appeared on his face as he realised that he had managed to disconcert her for the first time. Bexley was an unobstrusive young woman of an exceptional forebearance, discipline and detachment. It was highly difficult to unsettle or intimidate her even in the most awkward situations, so sparking off such reaction from her however little it was, was a great feat for him. Bexley held his gaze as she tried to gauge his seriousness. She blinked several times, completely confounded to see no mischief in his cold charcoal grey eyes. The man was not joking at all. Bexley slowly leaned against the backrest of the seat, her limbs regaining their mobility. She folded her legs and licked her lower lip before finally speaking after a long moment of utter silence, "You cannot be serious,"
"You know I am,"
"And may I know where this ridiculous idea comes from?" she asked crossing her arms against her chest.
"From my love for you, of course," he answered with a glint of amusement in the eyes.
"I don't think so, sir"
He suppressed a smile. She knew him too well. That was exactly why he chose her and no one else. He got back his earnestness and said, "You're right. I'm not in love with you. Actually, I need your help," he paused shifting on his seat, "My grandmother is sick...very sick to be honest," he said looking down at his cup absentmindedly with a frown on his face, "She's probably going to," he cleared her throat, "die in few months perhaps in a year, so refusing to die with regrets, she made a list of the things she wanted to do or see before leaving us. Do you know what her first wish is?" he asked lifting up his gaze to his housekeeper, "To see me getting married," he scoffed shaking his head in disbelief.
Bexley uncrossed her legs now figuring out the motive behind his nonsensical proposal.
"So I lied to her," he continued, " I told her I had a girlfriend I loved and wanted to marry. So here's the thing, Ms. Hamilton," he pinched his lips together, "I need a bride and I know you need money to pay your midwifery school. We both have something the other wants, so let's make a transaction. You stay married to me till my grandmother's death and in exchange, I'll pay your tuition fees for the next two years and will give you five million dollars after our divorce. I've heard you always wanted to go around the world, this money will surely help you to fulfill this dream, doesn't it?" he paused again, "So what do you think, Ms. Hamilton? Do we have deal?"
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