Chapter 2: The Proposal That Changed Everything
498 Words
Emma barely slept that night.
The mysterious phone call echoed in her mind over and over.
"My employer has a proposal that could solve all your financial problems."
It sounded too unbelievable to be true.
At exactly nine o'clock the next morning, a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up outside her apartment building.
Curious neighbors peered through their windows.
"Who owns that car?"
"Is someone famous visiting?"
Emma took a deep breath, smoothed the wrinkles from her simple blue dress, and stepped outside.
A well-dressed man in a black suit opened the rear door.
"Good morning, Miss Emma Brooks."
She looked at him cautiously.
"You're the one who called me?"
"Yes, Miss Brooks. My name is James. Mr. Ethan Hayes is expecting you."
Emma frowned.
"I've never met Mr. Hayes."
James smiled politely.
"Perhaps not. But he knows who you are."
Those words sent a shiver down her spine.
Unsure of what awaited her, Emma climbed into the car.
The journey through Manhattan was quiet.
She watched the city rush past the window, her mind filled with questions.
Why would one of New York's richest men want to see me?
Twenty minutes later, the Rolls-Royce stopped in front of a magnificent glass skyscraper.
Emma slowly looked up.
Large silver letters gleamed above the entrance.
HAYES GLOBAL HOLDINGS
Her eyes widened.
"This company belongs to Ethan Hayes?"
"Yes, Miss Brooks."
James led her through the luxurious lobby, where employees respectfully greeted him as they passed.
Together, they entered a private elevator.
Within seconds, they reached the top floor.
The elevator doors slid open.
Emma stepped into an elegant office with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the breathtaking New York skyline.
Standing by the window was a tall man dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit.
Without turning around, he spoke in a calm, confident voice.
"Miss Brooks... thank you for coming."
Emma swallowed nervously.
"You wanted to see me?"
The man slowly turned.
His sharp features, piercing dark eyes, and composed expression made him appear both powerful and impossible to read.
"I'm Ethan Hayes."
Emma forced a polite smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hayes."
"I prefer to get straight to the point."
He walked to his desk, picked up a document, and placed it in front of her.
"I want you to marry me."
Emma stared at him, convinced she had misheard.
"I'm sorry... what did you just say?"
"A contract marriage."
His voice remained calm.
"One year. You will become my wife in name only."
Emma's heartbeat quickened.
She searched his face for any sign that he was joking.
There was none.
"Why would you ask a complete stranger to marry you?"
For the first time, Ethan's expression softened ever so slightly.
"Because, Miss Brooks..."
"...you're exactly the person I've been looking for."
Emma's world seemed to stop.
She had walked into the building expecting a job interview.
Instead...
New York's coldest billionaire had just asked her to become his wife.
This couldn't possibly be real...
...could it?
- Writer
