"Are you willing to enter into this negotiation?" Davis asked again as his eyes glittered for answers.
While she stayed silent, Lucy's heart was betraying her courage. However, she put all her thoughts behind her head and nodded. "I will do. But in return, you have to save my brother from this...."
"I will help you. After all, this is a double transaction between us. You will be safe with me and no harm will befall you. I assure you that your marital status will change in the next nine months back to single." Davis didn't miss the bat and Lucy didn't lift her eyes.
She knew that Davis was eyeing her in the hope to see her hesitation and she was damn nervous at this point.
But to her dismay, her hopes of finding true love will never exceed that to save her brother from this danger. His life was worth everything to her, including her sacrifice for a few months.
At last, Lucy could finally feel herself surrounded by some rays of light. She raised her head and parted her lips, "I-I understand. But in return, there are some conditions from my end as well.." She muttered and Davis's brows twisted. "You aren't in a position to alter any condition after rejecting my offer once."
"I k-"
"But since we will be sharing this deal, I will allow you on the account that you will be my wife for a few months." Davis took a sip of his drink without tearing his gaze from the lady again. "What is your condition, Ms. Warner?"
"I want to continue my job despite my position as your wife. In the span of a few months...I don't want to be caged at home as a housewife either. Moreover, I might need to help my brother after his operation so please don't stop me from spending some time with him and helping him in his recovery."
Lucy told in a straight tone and Davis had no objection to the same. "Something else in your mind?"
Lucy bit her lower lip but she nodded her head again. This time, she didn't raise her head but her eyes and stared at the devil-like man standing in front of her.
"P-Please don't force me to do something...that I won't be comfortable with."
"Rest assured. I will not step out of my boundaries." Davis told and hearing this, Lucy sighed in relief. She could never imagine if he was to force her to do something illegal!
But Davis wasn't done explaining to her. He came to sit on the couch opposite her as he twirled his fingers around the glass of wine in his hand.
"Lucy...you need to know more."
"Um?" Lucy cracked her brain in condition and stared at him again until her eyes caught sight of his jawline.
But she didn't deviate her attention and listened to each word carefully. "Your life will change from the moment you sign. I don't intend to keep this marriage lowkey and it will be sent to newspapers and the media. Paparazzi will know about our marriage and as my wife, you will have to face the public too. Moreover, in our office, there might be some rumors but I will try to control them for you, don't worry about that aspect."
"However, your main challenge will be to meet...my family." Davis again told her and Lucy sensed something fishy in his content. "Meeting family....so?"
Davis didn't respond back but only saw her mysterious eyes catching up to his. Despite him knowing that he should tell her the reason behind his decision, there was something holding him back.
His cold heart was sending him signals to not lay all his cards.
He could trust her...but Davis realized something more in his mind. 'If I tell her everything...will she run away again?' He couldn't afford that.
In his eyes and heart, she should be the perfect candidate for the job and in the end, he was altogether planning to make her appease and come to his terms.
How can he now let her go..?
He ended up shaking his head. "Forget about it. When do you need money for your brother's operation?" Davis asked again and Lucy replied, "By tomorrow morning..."
"Alright then, it's final." Davis stood from his seat and came at a distance from the living room to find Lucy's gaze not leaving his back. He turned around and gave her a serious yet relaxed look, "The moment we get our marriage certificate, your brother's money will be transferred and operating will start."
"Get some rest, Lucy. Tomorrow will be a big day for us." Davis told and was going to leave Lucy, who was in a pure daze after the entire interaction.
She was sitting there with blank expressions...not knowing how cud she to entertain herself now. Was he going to commit a crime? 'Marrying someone for money... That's not a crime!' but her inner conflict was taking a toll on her mind.
She rested both of her hands on either side of the couch and deeply stared at her. Her heart was jittering and should be on the clouds, but it was painted with the choice she made. She was marrying a stranger...no for love.
Until she heard Davis's faint voice again, "Even though you are marrying me, Lucy, you can always look for your soulmate as you believe. I hope you find someone whom you really cherish."
This made Lucy raise her head until Davis vanished from the living room. Her wide eyes were shaken and goosebumps appeared on her skin. 'Is he encouraging me?' Was he dumb? Lucy found him to be a pure idiot.
She realized herself alone in the living room, where she jolted her neck back and rested it on the coach's arm. "This...I hope I'm not committing any serious mistake..."