"You are jesting, aren't you?" Sara was on the verge of breaking down and Luca had the audacity to joke with her like this.
And then, a tear escaped her left eye. She was quick to bring her hand to her face but Luca was faster. He brushed his thumb under her eye, wiping the tear that had just fallen.
"I am not joking. Marry me, Sara and I'll make sure to bring your glory back. Isn't that the reason why you come to me?" Luca asked, his smirk widening across his lips.
Sara chuckled and yanked his hand off her face. "No, thank you. I've a boyfriend." She turned to leave since she knew Luca would only humiliate her more.
Luca leaned against the office desk and turned his head.
"Sara, once you step out of this office, the only place you'll be going is prison. You truly ruled the world with recent headlines. You'll be ruined. And your pathetic boyfriend won't be able to save you," Luca gave her a reality check.
Sara's feet halted midway as her throat tightened.
"Don't call my boyfriend pathetic!" Sara screamed, losing her temper as she turned to him with a furious gaze.
"Didn't he run away instead of saving you? Not to mention, he's even having an affair with your stepsister," Luca revealed.
Sara clenched her fists and dashed to him. The second, she threw her hand in the air which Luca caught. He pivoted her and pressed her on the desk, her hand pinning above her head while he hovered over her. Sara threw another hand, but Luca caught it too.
"Your habit of throwing hands hasn't gone away. When I rejected you in college, you almost slapped me. I like your fierceness, but not when it's directed at me," Luca clarified to her.
"And you still didn't dare to accuse the people close to me. Luca, you know, I hate you. I pity you for having fun in such situations. The reason you lost everyone is because you are heartless," Sara said, not caring that her words were so harsh and hit him deep in the heart.
But Luca kept that straight face and cold gaze. "Of course, you should hate me, Sara. But right now, you should beg me. Who will save you if not me? Your dear father will abandon you the moment Falcone Industries collapses. Every second counts, Sara. So, drop this pathetic attitude of yours and accept what I'm offering you," Luca said, leaving her hands slowly before straightening up.
Sara looked away and slowly stood up. There was a deep frown on her forehead.
For a week, she had been doing everything she could do in saving the company. Sara felt she was completely trapped and the only way out was to accept Luca's offer.
But why was he suddenly asking her to marry him?
"Why do you want to marry me?" Sara met his icy blue gaze once more. "You always hated me."
Luca took a step toward her, his lips brushed against her cheek, but she didn't budge from her place. He studied her face for a moment, then dropped his fingers to the desk behind her. She gulped as she took a step back.
"It will be a contract marriage," Luca said. "You will stay married to me for one year. Also, Falcone Industries will become a subsidiary of Augustino Group, which means I will have all its shares. Since you'll become my wife, I'll let you run it," he explained.
"A contract marriage? What exactly is in your mind? And you will operate the company according to your policies, leaving me with no independence. Every decision I make has to get approval from you. We are business rivals. I-I can't accept it."
"Well, Falcone Industries' value is nearly zero now thanks to you, Sara. As a businessman, I'm still generous enough to buy it. You can say goodbye to your father's company in a few hours," Luca stated. Then, taking a step back, he glanced at the time on his watch.
"Since you're unable to form a decision, I'll leave now. I don't have much time to waste on you. Good luck on your new journey. I hoped to see you as my rival until my death," Luca said and turned to leave.
"I will marry you. Let's get into this contract marriage. Just save my father's company. I beg you," Sara finally uttered the words that Luca was dying to hear.
A victorious smile formed on his lips, and he took out the phone from the pocket of his blazer.
"Are the papers ready? Also, Falcone Industries is now a subsidiary of Augustino Group. Start the legal process and also reveal it to the media," Luca ordered his secretary and ended the call.
He turned to look at Sara, whose eyes were on the floor. Her face looked pale, but she wasn't shedding any tears.
"After one year, we will go our separate ways, right?" asked Sara.
"Yes. If you want the alimony, then it will be given too. But for one year, you'll live as Sara Luca De Augustino," Luca stated.