"Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" He rose from his chair quickly. I shook my head slowly, my thoughts still reeling from his suggestion.
A marriage of convenience was something I was familiar with, most rich people including my own parents had those sort of relationships after all.
Mr. Kingsley came over to my side of the table and led me away from the mess on the floor whilst checking me over to see if the glass had cut me anywhere.
And all off a sudden I could think about was how handsome he looked, how soft his hand felt and how nice it was to have someone wonder if I was alright.
Jacob had never really been concerned the few times I'd gotten hurt, he'd always told me to just pick myself up and stop whining.
I adored him for not babying me but every once in a while, I just needed someone to be concerned. I banished those sort of thoughts from my head.
Jacob was the only one who truly loved me. He was better than I'd ever hoped for and much better than a sinner like me deserved.
"Ms. Sanders. Is everything alright?"
"I'm fine" I said and pulled my arm from his hand.
" I don't need you to look after me" I walked away from him and tried to get my head in order.
"Of course, my apologies. I'll call the waitress to come clean this mess up right away"
His eyes were twinkling and he looked amused, I got the feeling that he knew how much his touch messed with my head.
He went over to his side of the table and reached under the table to push the button that would alert the staff that we needed them.
A few minutes later, our waitress rushed in and after Mr. Kingsley told her what happened, she assured us that she would have some people come in to clean up and in the meanwhile, we continue our meal another table.
He thanked her and ordered Oysters Rockefeller for his appetizer while I had the Steamed Maine Lobster Dumplings. Agnes took down our orders and assured us they'd be delivered in the next 10 minutes.And true to her word, they did arrive in 10 minutes on silver platters. I even checked my wristwatch just to be sure. Mr. Kingsley and I waited for the clean up crew to leave while Laura observed them with a critical eye.
When they were finally gone, we both focused on our food and waited for the staff to be long gone before we went back to our previous conversation.
"So what is it you're proposing exactly?" I wiped my lips and put down my utensils. I needed absolute focus for this conversation, he did the same.
"A marriage of convenience between both of us. Not for too long, just a little while. And then when we're done we go our separate ways. It's a win-win situation"
"And what exactly do I get out of this? What's in it for me?" I leaned forward resting my chin on my hand. I may not have learnt from my mother, but I did know a thing or two when it came to negotiations.
He mimicked my pose and smirked. " I'm glad you asked. What is you want Mr. Sanders? Name your price and it's yours"
"And who says I need anything. I'm rich as hell, I could have anything I want at the snap of my fingers"
It was exhilarating negotiating with him like this.
For the first time, I didn't have to pretend to be someone I'm not or try to fit into someone else's mould, I could finally be me. There was no one subtly judging me or trying to assess if I was doing something wrong, there was no one trying to force me to be who they wanted me to be. I could say what I wanted and act how I wanted.
His face turned somber.
"You know as well as I do Ms. Sanders that people who live the kind of lives we do always have something missing in our lives. We're never allowed to have our hearts desires"
"Freedom" I whispered.
"What?"
" I'll agree to your conditions if you can guarantee my freedom. But you can't can you?" I smiled sadly.
He lifted my face with his index finger. "And what exactly does freedom mean to you Rachel Sanders?"
Answering that would mean expressing feelings I wasn't ready to face yet.
I pulled my face away.
"Forget I ever said that. A girl like me didn't deserve freedom, I have to pay the penance for my sins after all" I said staring at the beautiful view outside.
"Fine, I'll agree to your deal." It was time to put the mask back on and turn back into the puppet I was made to be.
"Just like that?" He sounded shocked.
"I was never going to say no. I just wanted to have some fun"
I got up from the table and walked towards the windows blinking back the tears in my eyes.
It was nice to be free for awhile. But now, I had to get myself back into my role.
I heard him get up and then he came to stand next to me.
"I believe we have a deal then. Would you like to continue lunch?"
"No I believe I've quite lost my appetite"
" Of course. I'll ring Laura to bring your things."
He walked back to the table.
" Oh" He called out and then came back to me. He pulled out a velvet box from his coat and opened it.
It held an engagement ring. It was a beautiful round cut diamond with a vine band and little diamonds in the band. He placed it on my finger and it was a perfect fit.
"How did you know my ring size?" I asked confused.
"Your mom sent them to me a few days ago" He replied.
A few minutes later, Laura had returned with my things and I wa ready to go. I looked down at the ring for the 10th time and just stared at it, turning it every which way to see how it glimmered in the light.
"Is everything alright Ms. Sanders?"
I turned to my future husband.
"That's the second time you've asked me that." I said softly still staring at the ring then I flasjed him a bright smile.
"Yes I've never felt better. After all, I'm getting married soon aren't I?"
I could see he still wasn't satisfied with my answer and was going to ask more questions so I threw him another smile that I hoped would stop his questions but even I could feel how fake it was.
It was later as we were making our way down the stairs that I realised I hadn't brought up Jacob.