"You should have called me if you had any issues, darling," Clayton said casually.
I blinked. Darling?
First he called me wife and now darling?
Was he referring to the night I accidentally asked him to marry me because I had to prove to Fred he was nothing to me? That was supposed to be a joke. A little mistake. I didn't think he'd actually take it seriously.
Clayton Grey wasn't one that noticed or spoke to anyone.
"M... Mr. Grey, I think there's a mistake somewhere..." I began, but he was already moving.
Without a word, he opened the side compartment of the car, brought out a glass, then reached for the other side and pulled out a bottle.
I expected wine. Something expensive. But no...
He poured a few ice cubes into the glass.
"Ice?" He asked raising the cup a little and I shook my head. I wondered what he wanted with the ice. Was he going to just eat it?
Then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he picked one cube between his fingers and, popped it into his mouth, chewing it like it was dinner.
I just sat there, staring. Who would believe, the billionaire CEO, Clayton Grey was chewed ice cubes like snacks.
"Go on," he said smoothly, crunching away.
Right. Back to reality.
"The public proposal was an accident," I muttered. "I didn't..."
My phone buzzed and I glanced down, and my stomach twisted.
Fred Orchard: What street are you crying in Maeve? I'm coming to get you. Let us hope you've leant your lesson. I'm willing to accept you back as my wife again, but you'll drop your fame and your career for that."
My fingers clenched. My chest burned.
After mocking me in front of everyone and sending people to throw rotten tomatoes at me, he still thought he could have me back?
I typed back quickly: "No, thank you."
A second later, another message came.
Fred:Like you have a say Maeve. I'm the only one that can accept you at this point and you should be glad I'm willing to take you back after your foolishness recently."
"The first thing you should do if you still want your career back is a public apology to Rae and then to me and Silver Crown. Then you have to drop music and maybe I'd consider you my wife."
"Ha." I laughed so hard and loud at his message. Fred was really messing with me this time.
"I'm sorry Mr Orchard, but I don't need you." I texted back and in less than 10 second he was typing again.
Fred Orchard: stop trying to be stubborn Maeve. You have no where to go to in this city. Your grandma's house isn't exempted. No hotel is safe for you I til you now. I told you I was going to deal with you, this is just the begining.
You're ruined, Maeve. No one wants you anymore. Where will you run to? I forgot you don't even have a boyfriend, you only know me."
I felt the sting in my throat, but I bit it back.
He may be the only man I've known in the past, but I was here to change everything again. Maybe I had just been too kind. Maybe it's time to teach Fred a real lesson.
Fred: I'm the only man who can accept you, Maeve. Drop the act and come home.
He continued his blabbing but I said nothing else. Did he really think I didn't have anyone else to go to?
I looked up. Clayton was watching me now, still chewing ice, face so unreadable.
"Mr. Grey," I said quietly.
"Hmm?" He tilted his head toward me.
"Is the position of your wife still open?"
He raised a brow. His jaw moved slowly as he crushed another ice cube between his teeth, the sound sharp and cold.
"It is," he said simply.
"Alright then," I said, my heart pounding. "Will you marry me?"
I knew I still had three weeks till my divorce with Fred would be settled but I really had no where else to go at this point. And this man before me seems like the perfect revenge tool for Fred and his new artist.
I watched Clayton lean back against his seat, chewed for another long second, then sipped air.
Finally, he said with a straight face,
"You see, darling, I didn't like the fact that you tried to dump me before. I'm scared you might dump me again." He said.
"I have a fragile heart. It just cannot take rejection." He added, eyes never leaving mine.
"And if you're going to propose to the love of your life, couldn't you have brought a ring too?"_"
This man seemed impossible. This couldn't be the billionaire everyone feared right?
"I... I'll bring a ring next time Mr Clayton." He nodded.
"I await a proper proposal then. You should hurry if you want to keep me.en like me are very rare." He added.
.
.
In no time, we arrived at an estate far from the city and all its chaos. Soon the noise faded behind us like it never existed.
The place was enormous, elegant, intimidating, and utterly silent. Even the air felt richer here. It reminded me a little of Fred's parents' house… only this one could swallow it whole.
A line of bodyguards stood waiting at the front of the mansion. They were more than ten, in black attites.
Their posture was sharp, eyes straight ahead. The moment Clayton stepped out, their voices rang out in perfect unison.
"Welcome back, Mr. Grey."
He didn't reply, just gave a faint nod, the kind of gesture that said he didn't need to speak to be obeyed.
Then his eyes shifted toward me. He opened the car for me stretching out his hands like a gentleman even though I knew he was far from that. "Come with me," he said, his voice calm but leaving no room for hesitation. "It's time you met everyone."