"Fine, I'll have no choice but to turn you over to the police, and they'll take you into custody. You'll face charges for theft, not just theft but high- value theft, heritage/historic valued property crime and you'll likely spend several years to a life imprisonment in prison".
But I knew this, I knew the consequences. But hearing someone say them to me made my bones chill and left a sour feeling in my throat.
This wasn't good at all. How on earth could I be so reckless, enough to get caught on an easy heist.
I could see him, studying my face for any form of reaction but I tried to maintain a neutral face even though deep down I was panicking.
"I think, you'll find my proposal very... appealing. And potentially very lucrative." His voice took on a persuasive business-like tone.
"So, I'll ask you again. Are you willing to listen to what I have to say?"
Damn
"I'm listening", I replied quietly, feeling awkward and embarrassed.
Anything to make sure I don't get turn over to the police. I needed to maintain my image,I can't have words go out that I have been caught.
Never
Reputation was important for business, and I'd rather make a deal with the devil than go to jail, I wouldn't survive two days there!.
He smiled, a charming and Victorious smile. "Ah excellent, now then, the proposal. I'm glad you're finally willing to listen. You see, I'm in a bit of a...well, fragile situation. There are some scandals brewing, and I need a way to divert media and public attention. And that's where you come in".
He lifted my chin with his fingers, bringing my face up to look at him in the eyes.
"I'm proposing that we get married, a mutually beneficial arrangement. You'll get a generous settlement, and I'll get the respectability and stability that comes with being a married man" He shrugged, still carelessly my chin.
.....
Erh...what?!
I felt like I wasn't hearing what he was saying properly, I almost rubbed my ear to make sure I was hearing him well, it felt like someone had snapped my sense of reasoning.
I was quiet,too quiet for a while, just staring blindly at him as he waited for a respond from me, he was giving me time to absorbed all he had just said.
"What scandals?"
Was all I could blurt out, surprising myself and I'm sure him. Out of everything he had said that was all I could say.
He hesitated for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly, he didn't expect me to ask about that instead.
"A personal matter," he answered, his voice low and sour. "A matter I'd rather not discuss, Let's just say that it's a rather...sensitive one, that could potentially damage my family's reputation, if it were to become public." He gaze intensed and dead.
I nodded.
"Well? What do you say habi? it's a win win situation". he added, letting go of my chin, shoving his hands in his pocket,still blocking my path.
...
"I think...I think you've gone completely mad" I scoffed giving a low mocking laugh, trying to decipher if he was being serious. "You're joking, you're either joking or you've gone completely insane, marry you??!"
" I told you I don't make jokes" he answered me with a serious expression of frustration amd impatience. He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, his eyes closed.
"I'm being serious i'm afraid " his voice firm and resolute. "I don't make any form of proposal lightly."
"And I assure you, I am completely sane, and I'm dead serious about this. Marry me for a year, I'll pay you double of whatever it is you were supposed to get and you'll be set for life. Refuse... And you'll facing the consequences". He step alittle closer, I could feel his breath dancing on my skin, his voice was low, an intense whisper.
"The choice is yours. But just know, I always get what I want". His lips was inches away from mine.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Arrogant bastard.
"What if I just decide to go to prison and face the consequences", I narrowed my eyes at him. "They're so many woman you can pay to do this why me?"
" Am I that hideous and unbearable, that you'd rather go to prison, even when you have a very generous offer?", He chuckled, amused. "I don't think you understand the severity of your actions, you think prison is a viable option right now? Besides... I think you'd find that being my wife has it's.. perk" he grinned, mocking me. And I shoot him a dirty look of annoyance .
"I'm offering you a way out of this mess. So, you can either keep being hotheaded, or you can start taking me seriously and start weighing your options. Either way I win" he smirked.
"You're enjoying this aren't you?" I glowered at him.
"Immensely". he admitted giving me a slow, deliberate smile. "I live for a good challenge, and right now you are proving to be a most... Intriguing opponent"
his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "You're smart mouthed, stubborn, the way you refuse to back down,, it's intoxicating, and I have to be honest, I'm curious to see how far you'll push me" his eyes darkened.
I could hear my heart beating, not because I was still in danger, but because I was "in danger". My belly gave a little dance.
I began weighing my options, If I get caught it won't do me any good, I'll be ruin. But, if I take the offer I'll have double the payout. I bit my lips considering the odds.
"I told you to stop biting your lips" his said,his breath hot and ragged against my neck. "You're not even aware you're doing it, are you?". He reached out, His thumb tracing the curve of my lower lips making me shiver lightly, my body responded to the feel of his cold thumb. "it's distracting" he grunts.
I pulled away from his touch, away from the distraction. Considering his offer, how bad can it be?.
"I need to be sure you'll keep to your own end of the bargain" I stared him, dead in his eyes.
He nodded, his expression serious, his voice firm. "I give you my word, and it'll be back up with a contract. You and your lawyer can review it when it's ready, and we'll make sure it's ironclad. After the one year of marriage is over, you'll be free to walk away, with no repercussions whatsoever and a handsome pay. But, I expect you to hold up your own end of the bargain. You'll be my wife, I'll respect your boundaries and you respect mine. We'll keep the marriage platonic".
"If I agree to your proposal, are you going to let me go?" I asked.
"Oh, no," he gave a cold smile, his voice dripping with amusement. "If you agree to my proposal and marry me. You'll be completely and utterly mine,well except for your body. You'll be my wife, my partner, and my property." His expression dark and unreadable as he spoke. "You'll never be free to leave me, to go back to your old life. You'll be bound to me, until the contract is over. That way I can ensure you don't run away".
" This is crazy, you're crazy!" I hissed at him. He was being too extreme. "And let me guess I'm supposed to live with you?!"
The wide grin spreading across his face said it all, I was doomed.
"I mean if we're married we're supposed to stay together, especially for the first few months". His eyes glinting with amusement. "So yes, you'll be living with me, in my estate. You'll be expected to play the role of my dutiful wife, attending social events and charity functions by my side." He leaned in closer, his voice taking on a sinister tone.
"As for having your own life or living your old life... Well let's just say that I have certain expectations for your behavior during the period of our arrangement. I expect you'll follow my rules and terms while we're married. And well if you don't.." he pause, letting the unspoken threat linger in the air "Let's just say that I have ways of dealing with your disobedience."
I glowered at his challenge. He chuckled enjoying my dismay.
"So?" he smiled taking my hands in his. "will you marry me?"
I knew I had zero chances of getting out of this mess, I couldn't see any other way of getting out of this. And he knew it, he had won.
I sighed heavily, giving up, feeling stupid, feeling helpless and defeated.
I forced myself to come to terms with the reality unfolding, Looking down at the polished concrete floor. I whispered..
"Yes. I'll marry you..."