ALEXANDER
I've never seen a woman with a pair of green eyes so intense it felt like she was piercing deep into my soul.
"Will you marry me?" She repeats with an edge of desperation as she grabs my two hands.
I force my mouth shut, glance away briefly before looking back at her.
Should I blame myself for saving her? Is this what I get instead of a thank you? A marriage proposal?
She let go of my hands and I feel the absence immediately. I watch her try to stand up and I rise up to help her. If I was told two hours ago that I would be here, helping a woman get off a hospital bed and not at my supposed meeting, I wouldn't believe it.
"First, let's get out of here. We need to talk…"
"You need to be on bed rest," I cut her short as she unclips the strip attached to her veins. She drops the pants of water, grabs my hand and her phone before walking to the exit.
I can't believe I am letting her drag me out.
My intention when I saw her unconscious body in the car was to bring her to the hospital and leave but the moment Carlo, my right-hand man whom I had told to take care of the car, told me the brakes were tampered with, I couldn't leave.
I knew someone was behind it and I wanted to unravel that.
She looks so innocent and small, she could pass for a baby. But in my line of business, I know there is more to the face.
We take the elevator down and our eyes meet. She flashes me a smile and stretches her hand. "I'm Isabella Grayson. What about you?"
I stare at her for a moment, unsure of telling her my name or accepting her silly proposal.
Marriage is the last thing I need right now.
I don't take her hand and the elevator dings open. When I step out of the elevator, I see Carlo in the reception and I signal to him not to come closer.
I know he'll handle the bills and whatever was needed for her release. All I need to do right now is to drop her off wherever she wants to go, perhaps the police station and leave.
When we get out, I point to my car. A small peugeot car I usually ride to work every morning.
She stares at the car for a moment, probably contemplating entering or not. Without question, she jumps into it and I do the same.
"Where to?" I ask her, sparing her face a look.
She doesn't answer. Instead she folds her arms around her bosom and asks. "Won't you marry me?"
Sheer irritation darts through me.
"Do you go around asking people to marry you?" I find myself questioning and her eyes stiffens.
She turns in the seat, her gaze finally leaving mine. Without a word, I kick the car engine into action and drive away from the hospital.
The silence is awkward and uncomfortable so I ask again. "Where can I drop you?"
"Your house," she replies sharply and the car stops abruptly.
"What?!" I exclaim with utter disbelief.
Her gaze burns over me and I start to frown when she reveals. "My fiance tried to kill me."
I don't react to that.
Those are the kind of people I deal with on a daily basis. Close people who betray and become enemies overnight.
"And my step-sister. If my step-sister is involved like I assume she is, then it means my step-mother is also aware so going back home right now is not a good idea. Don't you think so?"
I scoff, my stomach churning with irritation. "Is that why you want me to marry you?"
"Technically," she replies with nonchalance.
A vein begins to throw in my temple and I suck my lower lip, frustration gnawing at my heart.
"Sean and I were supposed to be married, two weeks from now so I can get my inheritance but I caught him cheating on me with my step-sister this morning before the accident."
My eyes dart back to her. "Is that why you think he is responsible for the car and the drug?"
"Yes," she replies firmly. I am about to tell her she can't reply on just that and we need substantial evidence to back up our claim when she adds. "Sean whispered something into Sophie's ears before she left his apartment this morning and when I went back home, I drank the coffee in the living room. It's either Sean had Sophie tamper with my car brakes or the brakes were tampered with back at home. And the coffee I drink is always made by either Sophie or Kathryn."
I furrow my brows. "Who is Kathryn?"
"My step-mother," she answers, rather quickly.
"But we don't have any evidence to provide to the police…"
"I'm not going to the police…" she cuts me short which is something I detest with everything in me.
"And why?"
"Because going to the police will give me away. I don't need any evidence because I don't intend to have them locked away. All I need is to get my inheritance. If I don't get married in two weeks, whether to Sean, which I definitely will not do, or to anyone else, I will lose the company to Sophie and Kathryn."
Now I see there is a genuine reason behind her sudden proposal.
Still, it's silly. Proposing to just anyone is silly.
She doesn't even know me.
"Sean and I have been together for two years. He needs to get married too to get his father's company and since he has made his choice, I guess I need to make mine too."
I am silently watching her, wondering what it will be to be married to a vulnerable green-eyed woman like her.
"Its going to be a marriage of convenience and I don't mind paying you if that's what you want. Just name your price!" She flashes me another smile, making me wonder how she could go from been on a death bed to a sad woman who just got her heartbroken and now to a woman who is carefree.
She taps me. "You don't need to be shy. I can pay you really. Just name it!"
I almost laugh.
There's no denying she is loaded. And she'll be willing to pay for my services.
"So?"
Amusement fills my expression as I ask. "Are you sure you can pay me my price?"
With confidence, she nods her head intermittently. "Sure, I will. I'll do anything to get back at that jerk and get the company so I definitely can pay you."
I nod in understanding and utter firmly. "I want your sister's head on a plate in two hours. Can you do that?"
Horror fills her expression instantly and I let out a chuckle that sounds straight to my ears.
I can't remember the last time I laughed but I am greatly amused by this woman and sticking around with her for a few months doesn't seem like a bad idea.
"What the hell was that? What the hell did you just do?" She slaps my shoulder and I laugh again. "Who the hell are you anyways?"
This is it.
She doesn't know me and I am damn sure she doesn't want to know who I really am. Telling her I am Alexander Klein might give my identity away.
But I want to pretend to be someone else. A man with nothing to offer. And definitely not the Capo that I am.
"You don't want to know," I say, trying to keep up with the light atmosphere.
"I want to. We are getting married anyway…"
"I haven't accepted yet." I remind her.
She nods in agreement. "So what's your name?"
I watch her with a smile as curiosity fills her expression. "I'm Adrian."
"Adrian?" She asks to be sure and I nod. "Adrian. So?"
To stop her from going ahead with digging deep into what she isn't ready to know about me, I decide to change the topic.
"For how long do you need to be married?" I inquire, starting the car again, my head swirling with an idea.
"12-24 months at least so it doesn't look like I got married for the inheritance," she answers, a touch of bitterness in her voice.
12 months is equivalent to a year and that is a lot already. And 24 months is definitely impossible.
Still I don't opposed her and I say. "I accept."
A surprise gasp leaves her mouth. "Really? You'll marry me?"
"Yes, I will."
"Wow. I…"
"But on one condition," I suddenly interrupt her. "And it's a condition I'll tell you after we're married."
Her jaws drop.