CHAPTER FIVE – PROPOSAL AND REJECTION
996 Words
CHAPTER FIVE – PROPOSAL AND REJECTION
Damien barely had time to process the last conversation before Nathan’s voice cut through his thoughts like an unwelcome alarm.
“Mr. Grumpy,” Nathan teased, smirking. “I think that name fits you perfectly. Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
Damien’s glare could have melted steel. “Don’t even think about that idea,” he snapped, posture rigid.
Nathan chuckled. “Relax, boss. I was just saying—”
“I know what you were saying,” Damien cut him off, exhaling slowly. “It’s a ridiculous idea.”
The next day, at his office, Damien leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose. Reports piled high, meetings to attend, a company to run—and yet… that annoying woman’s words refused to leave his mind.
Nathan strolled in, amusement written all over his face. “You’re actually considering it, aren’t you?”
Damien jerked back to reality. “No.”
Nathan tilted his head. “No?”
“Absolutely not.”
Nathan smirked. “Interesting… because you’re saying ‘no’ the way a man says ‘no’ when he’s trying to convince himself.”
Damien exhaled sharply, tapping his fingers on the desk. “Even if I was—which I’m not—it’s a stupid idea. Unnecessary. My mother is being dramatic. She’ll get over it.”
Before Nathan could respond, Damien’s phone rang. Grandma Sterling. He hesitated, then answered.
“Hello, Grandma.”
“Damien, my dear boy,” came the warm yet commanding voice. “I was just telling your mother how tragic it would be if I didn’t live long enough to see my favorite grandson happily married.”
Damien groaned. “Grandma, we’ve talked about this.”
“And I still don’t see any ring on your finger.”
“Because I’m not getting married anytime soon.”
“Hmph,” she clicked her tongue. “Your grandfather said the same, and look how that turned out. I had to trick him into proposing.”
Damien rubbed his temple. “I don’t have time for this.”
“Well, make time. Your mother and I have decided—if you don’t handle your love life responsibly, we will. I’ve set up a meeting for Friday. Lovely girl, well-mannered, comes from a good family.”
“No.”
“Oh, yes.”
“Grandma, cancel it.”
A dramatic sigh. “Darling, I don’t like meddling in your affairs. But as your grandmother, I have a duty to ensure you don’t end up a lonely old man. Dinner’s at La Reserve. Wear something nice, suspend work, and for heaven’s sake, smile. You always look like you’re attending a funeral.”
“Grandma—”
“Love you, dear!” Click.
Damien stared at his phone in disbelief. Nathan leaned against the desk, arms crossed. “Well, that went as expected.”
“This is ridiculous,” Damien muttered, tossing the phone down.
Nathan smirked. “So ridiculous you’re considering a certain someone’s idea?”
Damien stiffened. “No.”
Nathan grinned knowingly. “Oh, but you are.”
---
Meanwhile, at the Sterling estate, Isabella and Eleanor sat across from each other, tea in hand.
“Finally,” Eleanor said, a sly grin on her face. “This should push him into action.”
“High time,” Isabella replied, taking a delicate sip of her tea. “He’s been like this ever since Natasha left. Always hiding behind work.”
Eleanor chuckled. “It’s the perfect nudge. He’s stubborn, but now he’ll be forced to come out of his shell.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t make a mess of it,” Isabella added, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
“Darling, he’ll handle it… eventually,” Eleanor said with quiet amusement.
---
Later that evening, Chloe was in her hotel suite, curled up with a glass of wine, flipping through emails when her phone buzzed. Unknown number.
She answered cautiously. “Who is this?”
“Damien Sterling,” came the deep, rough voice of the man from the elevator. “I need a favor.”
Chloe blinked. “A favor?” she repeated, a wry laugh escaping her.
“A… business proposal,” he corrected.
“I don’t remember signing a contract with you,” she said dryly.
“Not yet.”
Chloe shook her head. “Look, if this is about what I said the other day, I was just observing. I didn’t mean for you to take it seriously.”
“Well, I did.”
She sighed. “Then that’s your problem.”
“Chloe,” he said, voice low and firm.
Her posture stiffened—slightly. She didn’t ask how he knew her name. “No.”
“I’m willing to compensate you,” he added.
“I don’t need your money,” she said, tone cool.
“Then what do you want?”
“For you to leave me out of this,” she replied firmly.
Silence stretched across the line. Damien, pride stung, didn’t hide it.
“…Fine,” he bit out. “Forget I called.”
Click.
Chloe stared at her phone, unease prickling at her.
Damien tossed his phone on the desk. That did not go as planned. Nathan, watching the whole exchange, whistled low.
“Wow. Brutal.”
“She didn’t even consider it,” Damien said, jaw tight. “Just a straight no.”
Nathan shrugged. “You barged into her life with a ridiculous offer. Can you blame her?”
Damien scowled. “She’s just being difficult.”
“Or maybe she sees through your nonsense,” Nathan teased, walking away.
Damien leaned back, gripping the edge of his desk. She’d rejected him effortlessly—and now he couldn’t stop thinking about it.
“I’m done,” Damien said flatly, leaning back in his chair. “Forget the whole thing. I’ll go to dinner alone.”
- Writer
