★RAINE★
I was not certain if I heard Nathaniel correctly. I might have been imagining it, only I didn't know if someone could imagine hearing. I stared wide-eyed at him while he only just held my gaze in that emotionless, detached way. The only change I'd seen in his eyes was last night's lustful gaze.
"What did you say?" I asked, because I needed to. I needed some sort of confirmation that he indeed just asked me to marry him.
"We both need this." He sighed, tucking his legs together. "I need a wife in order for Elliot's father to stop playing matchmaker and hand over the company to me." I waited for him to continue, but he only finished there. He said we both needed this, meanwhile I couldn't see how having a husband amidst the whole media issue thing would benefit me.
Dipping my brows, I asked, "You said we both needed this. I am still waiting to hear how it would benefit me."
Nathaniel smirked, the action brightening his whole features. "I thought you were meek?"
"Not stupid." Hearing him call me "meek," even though that is practically what I have been all my life, seriously offended me. Is that how Elliot had always seen me as? Meek?
"Mitchell Media Company is going under a rumour of theft and debts, no?" he asked, but didn't wait for a response before he continued. "And according to the theft part, it is purely wrong, but your father couldn't do anything because his rival company is richer and has more influence."
A startled gasp escaped my mouth. "How do you know that?" I asked, genuinely surprised and a bit hopeful.
"I know almost everything, Raine. So what do you say? Marry me, stop my brother from playing matchmaker and hand me over the company, while I help you and your father arrange his media issue," Nathaniel proposed.
It was good, too good to be true. What did I have to lose anyway? Absolutely nothing. Elliot was already done with me, being with his uncle might not be too scandalous. And having a fashion tycoon as a husband... The influence was exactly what I needed, it was exactly what we needed, and I didn't see myself hesitating before I agreed.
"Yes. I will marry you." The acceptance didn't sound sweet or loving; it sounded strategic and business-like.
Nathaniel nodded, his smirk still firmly rooted on his lips. "Good. I will send the contract to your address later today. After you sign it, you will move into my home."
I nodded. Marriage meant living in the same house, and we couldn't convince anyone if we stayed in different homes. "Yes." I nodded; for now I needed to leave.
"Do you need a shower?" Nathaniel asked.
"No," I responded with a shake of my head. "I will have my bath when I get home."
Nathaniel nodded and got out of the bed. "Dress up then," he said, picking up his shorts and entering the bathroom. "I will drop you off." He said, moving towards the ensuite but stopped when his hand pulled the doorknob. "And Raine, don't forget to take a pill when you get home." He chuckled at the end of his words, then disappeared into the ensuite.
That... that bastard! Who told him I wasn't on the pill already?!
"Ugh!" I groaned, then got up and reached for my own dress. A few minutes later, we exited the hotel room. I could tell it was Nathaniel's hotel given the way the employees approached him and threw me looks when they thought I wasn't watching. Whatever they thought anyway, I would soon be married to him.
The thought, strangely, had my heart fluttering.
Nathaniel opened the passenger's seat for me like the gentleman he was and slid into his own seat. A few seconds later, we were on the high road along my house. I thanked him; he only nodded, then drove off. It was an apartment with different flats; mine was flat six on the second floor. At least Father could help with my rent, even though I didn't really want him to. The door was already unlocked, and if I didn't know I'd given Hailey one of my keys before, I'd have been scared to death.
Opening the door and stepping inside, I found my blue-dyed-haired best friend seated on one of the two couches.
"Raine, sweety. You had me worried, do you not pick up calls or answer texts anymore?" Hailey admonished with a warm hug. I threw my purse on the couch and hugged her back tightly. When we pulled away from each other, she asked, "Where were you?"
"It's a long story, honestly." I sighed. "I need shower and food!" I growled, and my stomach joined too. Hailey laughed at the sound.
"You go have your bath, I'll prepare something for you to eat when you're done." I thanked Hailey with a kiss on the cheek; the only thing stopping me from marrying her was the fact that I was straight and that I wasn't financially stable to marry her because I definitely could change my sexuality for Hailey!
After stripping, I turned on the shower and washed myself. After washing my body, I brushed the remnants of alcohol and soup before the mirror, and that's when I noticed the hickeys around my neck and collarbone. I flushed then shook my head; this wasn't the time to think about Nathaniel.
After that, I looked for a light tank top and sweatpants, baring my feet as I walked out of my room to the kitchen. "Smells good, like eggs and bacon," I said.
"It's eggs and bacon and toast." Hailey set my plate before me at the kitchen counter. We sat and talked over breakfast.
"So spill, please, my body is vibrating for the news." I chuckled with a shake of my head. Hailey loved gossips. "Did you see what I did with that bastard's car? He'll learn never to mess with you again."
"Yeah, definitely he won't." I sighed, then dropped my cutlery. "Hailey, don't be mad."
She gasped as though I had offended her. "I can never be mad at you!"
I nodded, swallowing. "I'm getting married to Nathaniel, Elliot's uncle."