Chapter Four; The Proposal
NATASHA'S POV
"Do you remember now?"
I blinked once then twice, my head spinning.
"Uhm…" I was short of words, my mind going blank. "I think you've got the wrong person." I moved to get up, but he caught my hand.
"I know you're the Black Maid." He proclaimed, his expression turning serious. "I also know more than that."
I chewed on my bottom lip. "I-I don't know what you're talking about." I tried to jerk away from his hold, but he pulled me forward, startling me as I fell in his lap. I stared at him with wide eyes, my face turned red.
"Please let go of me."
"Natasha." He drawled, almost like a warning. "You don't have to play dumb."
I swallowed hard, my heartbeat drumming in my ears. I couldn't believe my actions would come back to bite me. I hated to admit that I once worked as a stripper, it was shameful, and back then I had done it without John or Winifred's knowledge.
It was during a time when I desperately needed money, the loan sharks John owed threatened my life, and I had no choice but to look for a high-paying job.
"What do you want from me?" I pleaded, "How did you even find my true identity?" I had signed up for the job under an alias, I even wore a mask to hide my face, so how did this man find me so easily?
The mysterious man pinched my chin, preventing me from looking away. "It wasn't easy. You covered your tracks well, but I enjoyed the chase."
"Are you a…stalker?" I couldn't help but ask, because who would go to such lengths to find a woman they barely knew?
He chuckled at my expense, his eyes softening with unexpected warmth. "Maybe, maybe not."
I was beginning to feel dizzy, the effects of the alcohol kicking in, but I still had questions.
He guided me back to my seat, and I mentally braced myself. "So why did you send me the video?"
"Because I can only fix what is broken," he replied simply, and I was left speechless.
"What?"
"In my efforts to find you…." he continued, bringing his cup to his lips. "I also found out about your boyfriend's…..deceit, so I only helped you see the truth."
For some reason, the way he spoke rubbed me off the wrong way, like was I supposed to be grateful for him invading my life.
"What is it to you huh?" my voice raised a tad bit higher, but he remained calm. "Who are you to invade my life?"
The man smiled, and then he fished into his luxurious coat to pull out a business card.
I glanced between him and the card, staring at it like it would come up and bite me.
"Take it and see." He urged me, and I hesitantly took the card.
My eyes widened as I read the contents of the business card, almost choking on my spit. This man…..this man was Lucas Styles.
THE Lucas Styles, CEO of the leading corporation in the country, and heir of the Styles group. A freaking multi-billionaire.
"No way…." I trailed off, slowly raising my gaze to meet his. "Are you really Lucas Styles?"
"In the flesh." He gave me a toothy grin.
"But why are you here? With a girl like me?" Don't men of his caliber roll with supermodels and actresses, but he went out of his way just to contact me.
"A girl like you?" He quipped, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. "You mean the woman that stayed in my head rent-free?"
"You can't be serious." I set the card down, narrowing my eyes at him. "Saying you want me isn't enough, instead, you want something from me. Am I wrong?"
"Damn." He swept a hand over his hair, "Have I been caught?"
I knew it. But at the same time, what could a billionaire want from me?
Lucas straightened up in his seat, his initial playful demeanor turning solemn. It made me realize I was face-to-face with one of the most sought-after men in the country.
The reality of it was nerve-racking, but I tried my best to remain composed.
"You're not wrong, I do need something from you." He said, his voice lowering.
"What is it?"
He took a moment before responding, almost as if he was collecting his thoughts.
"I want you to marry me. A contract marriage."
My jaw hit the floor. "The hell?"
I couldn't believe my ears. Marriage? To Lucas Styles? It sounded like a fever dream.
"Why would you want to marry me?" I asked, already growing uneasy.
"I need to secure my inheritance from my bumbling father, and apparently, getting married is the only way to do it." He explained, and I could see the tiredness in his features, but I couldn't help but feel there was more to his proposal.
"And you think I am the best bride for you?" I scoffed, trying to make sense of it all. "Did you forget that I'm a stripper?"
"You quit." He chuckled, silencing me in an instant. "And Oh I can't forget that you were a stripper." He added with a seductive smirk, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"I know you have a huge debt on your hands, I'm offering to pay off your debt and give a handsome allowance, all you have to do is say yes."
I fell into deep thought, weighing my options. I couldn't go on working for a debt that wasn't mine, especially after realizing that it was all for naught.
His offer was too good to refuse, but I was still cautious. "What's the catch?"
He arched a brow, and his eyes flashed with an unfamiliar emotion, but it was gone before I could register what it was. "There's no catch, all you will have to do is smile while I introduce you to my father."
I nodded, but I still couldn't decide.
"Let me think about it."
"Alright." He agreed, moving to get up. "But I'm not so patient, so you have two days darling."
*****
The next morning I woke up with a splitting headache, the events of the day before still prominent.
I have still not heard anything from John, and the proposal from Mr. Style still stands.
The sound of my doorbell forced me out of bed, and I opened the door to find Winifred on the other side, but she held a little boy against her hip.
"Hi, bestie." Her sick sweet voice made my ears itch. "Mind if I come in?"
I glared at her, but my heart bled at the sight of the child. It must be hers and John's. The audacity of this woman to show up with the proof of her betrayal. I looked behind her to see if John also came with her, but she was alone.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to pick up John's things." She answered, eyeing me with contempt.
I forced a smile, trying my best to act unaffected by her presence. "Check the trash."
Winifred's brows furrowed, "Excuse me?"
"You heard me." I gestured towards the dustbin by the corner of the house. "You can rummage through my leftovers. Literally."
Winifred's face flushed red with anger. "You're just bitter because John chose me over you."
I laughed to hide my pain. "Congratulations Winifred, you've succeeded in becoming a mistress and a baby mama."
"At least I have a college degree." she shot back, and I felt a sting at her words. "Good luck with paying your debt." Winifred turned on her heels, and I slammed the door shut, my chest heaving with a mix of anger and frustration.
I looked for my purse and found the business card Lucas gave me, going forward to dial his number.
"Hello?" He picked up on the first ring.
"Hi Mr. Styles, it's Natasha." I greeted, my voice firm. "I've thought about your proposal, and I accept it."
"That's excellent," he replied, his voice dripping with satisfaction.
"But I have a condition."
There was a pause on the other end of the line before Lucas spoke up.
"Alright let's hear it."
"You have to help me get revenge."