The Proposal
782 Words
Emerald sat across from the hotel manager, trying not to fidget.
“You have an impressive work history,” the woman said, scanning her résumé. “But this position requires experience working with high-profile clients.”
“I learn quickly,” Emerald replied. “And I'm hardworking. I'll do whatever is required.”
The manager smiled politely.
“I can see that.”
Before she could continue, there was a knock on the office door.
A man stepped inside.
Emerald's heart skipped.
Chris Kingsley.
The billionaire from the elevator.
The manager immediately stood.
“Mr. Kingsley.”
Chris nodded.
His eyes went straight to Emerald.
“Leave us.”
The manager hesitated.
“Of course.”
She gathered her papers and left.
The door closed.
Emerald suddenly felt nervous.
Chris walked toward the chair opposite her and sat down.
“You're looking for a job.”
“Yes.”
“How much do you need?”
Emerald frowned.
“Excuse me?”
“How much money do you need?”
She stared at him.
“That isn't an appropriate interview question.”
“I didn't ask about the job.”
His calmness irritated her.
Emerald tightened her grip on her folder.
“Why are you asking me?”
“Because I have another position available.”
“What position?”
Chris leaned back.
“Wife.”
Silence.
Emerald stared at him.
For a moment, she wondered if she had heard correctly.
“I'm sorry?”
“I need a wife.”
Her mouth fell slightly open.
“You're offering me a job as your wife?”
“Not exactly.”
Chris placed a document on the table between them.
“A marriage.”
Emerald didn't touch it.
“You don't even know me.”
“I don't need to.”
“Then why me?”
His eyes remained fixed on hers.
“Because you're not interested in my money.”
Emerald almost laughed.
“You don't know that.”
“I do.”
“How?”
“Because when we met in the elevator, you didn't recognize me.”
She said nothing.
Chris continued.
“You didn't try to impress me. You didn't flirt with me. You didn't ask for anything.”
Emerald looked at the contract.
“What exactly are you proposing?”
“One year.”
Her eyebrows lifted.
“We get legally married. You live with me for one year. At the end of the year, we divorce.”
“And what do I get?”
“Money.”
“How much?”
Chris named the amount.
Emerald froze.
It was enough to save the house.
Enough to pay the debt.
Enough to make sure Noah and her family wouldn't be thrown out onto the street.
Her heart pounded.
“You're serious.”
“Completely.”
Emerald looked down at the contract again.
“There must be a catch.”
“There are rules.”
“What rules?”
“Separate bedrooms.”
She nodded slowly.
“No interference in each other's personal lives.”
Another nod.
“No jealousy.”
Emerald almost smiled.
“That's easy.”
Chris ignored the comment.
“And no falling in love.”
Her smile disappeared.
She looked into his eyes.
“You really think that's necessary?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because feelings complicate business.”
Emerald stared at the billionaire sitting across from her.
He spoke about marriage as if it were a business merger.
Cold.
Detached.
Completely emotionless.
Perhaps that was exactly what she needed.
A marriage without love.
A marriage with an expiration date.
A marriage that could save her family.
She picked up the contract.
“If I agree…”
“You'll receive the first payment immediately after the marriage is registered.”
“And the rest?”
“Monthly.”
Emerald hesitated.
Her mind went to the foreclosure notice.
Then to Noah's voice.
You promise?
She closed her eyes briefly.
When she opened them, she looked directly at Chris.
“One year?”
“One year.”
“No changing the agreement halfway through?”
“No.”
“No controlling my family?”
“No.”
“And when the year is over, we walk away?”
Chris held her gaze.
“Exactly.”
Emerald slowly extended her hand.
“Then we have a deal.”
Chris looked at her hand.
For the first time, something flickered in his eyes.
He took it.
His hand was warm.
Her pulse jumped.
Neither of them noticed how long they remained like that.
Neither understood that the simplest rule in their contract—
No falling in love.
—would eventually become the hardest one to keep.
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