THE COLD CEO SPOILED ME

The Marriage Proposal

MONDAY — 6:30 P.M.

Tahimik ang executive office ni Michael.

Halos lahat ng empleyado ay nakauwi na.

Si Hanna naman ay nag-aayos pa rin ng ilang documents sa kanyang desk.

"Hanna."

Napatingin siya.

"Yes, Michael?"

"Come into my office."

Tumayo siya at pumasok.

Napansin niyang seryoso ang mukha ni Michael.

"Is something wrong?"

"Sit down."

Umupo si Hanna.

Michael remained standing for a moment before finally sitting across from her.

"I need to talk to you about something personal."

Napakunot ang noo ni Hanna.

"Personal?"

"Yes."

"Okay..."

Michael took a deep breath.

"My twenty-fifth birthday is in a few months."

Hanna nodded.

"So?"

"My grandfather has a condition in the family trust."

"Anong condition?"

"Before I turn twenty-five, I have to be married."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Hanna.

"Married?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because of the way my grandfather established the inheritance and ownership of the company. If I don't meet the condition, control of the company will temporarily go to another member of the family."

Hanna looked confused.

"So... why are you telling me this?"

Michael looked directly at her.

"Because I want to make you an offer."

"An offer?"

He slid a folder across the desk.

Hanna looked at it but didn't touch it.

"What is that?"

"A marriage agreement."

She stared at him.

Then she looked at Michael.

"Are you asking me to marry you?"

"Yes."

Hanna immediately stood up.

"No."

Michael blinked.

"You haven't even read it."

"I don't need to."

"Hanna."

"You want me to marry you because of your company?"

"Not exactly."

"Then what?"

Michael stayed calm.

"It's an arrangement. We get married legally, live together for an agreed period, and after the condition is satisfied, we can decide what happens next."

Hanna shook her head.

"This is crazy."

"I know."

"You barely tolerate me."

"That's not true."

"You told me I'm stubborn."

"You are."

"You said I talk too much."

"You do."

"And now you want to marry me?"

Michael sighed.

"I know how it sounds."

"It sounds ridiculous."

Michael leaned forward.

"I'm not asking you to marry me because I'm in love with you."

Hanna became silent.

"I'm asking because I trust you."

She stared at him.

"And because I know you're not interested in my money."

Hanna slowly sat down again.

"What do I get?"

Michael didn't hesitate.

"I'll cover your grandmother's medical expenses."

Hanna's expression changed.

"All of them?"

"Her treatment, medication, hospital bills, and regular checkups. I'll make sure she gets proper care."

Hanna looked down.

Her grandmother's face immediately came to her mind.

"Why would you do that?"

"Because you need help."

"I don't want charity."

"It's not charity."

Michael pointed to the agreement.

"It's an exchange. You help me with my family situation, and I help you with yours."

Hanna remained silent.

"What if I say no?"

"I'll respect your decision."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"And you won't fire me?"

"No."

Hanna looked at him.

"Then why me?"

Michael paused.

"Because I know you."

"You've known me for only a short time."

"But I've seen enough."

He continued quietly.

"You're honest. You're responsible. You don't chase money. You care about your grandmother more than yourself. And I know that if we make an agreement, you'll take it seriously."

Hanna looked at the folder.

"I need time."

"Take as much as you need."

---

THAT NIGHT

Hanna sat beside her grandmother.

Tahimik siyang nakatingin sa marriage agreement.

Napansin ito ng matanda.

"Anak, what's wrong?"

Hanna hesitated.

"Lola..."

"Hmm?"

"Someone asked me to marry him."

Napatingin ang matanda.

"Marry?"

"Yes."

"Do you love him?"

Hanna immediately shook her head.

"No."

"Does he love you?"

"I don't think so."

"Then why would you marry him?"

Hanna looked down.

"Because he offered to pay for your treatment."

Tahimik ang matanda.

"Hanna, don't marry someone because of me."

"I know."

"Then don't."

Hanna held her hand.

"But what if this is the only way I can make sure you get the treatment you need?"

The old woman looked at her sadly.

"Anak, I don't want you to sacrifice your future for me."

Hanna smiled through her tears.

"You sacrificed your whole life for me. Let me do something for you this time."

---

THE NEXT MORNING

Maagang dumating si Hanna sa Grey International.

Michael was already inside his office.

She knocked.

"Come in."

Pumasok siya.

Michael looked up.

"You've made your decision?"

Hanna nodded.

"Yes."

She placed the agreement on his desk.

"I'll do it."

Michael became silent.

"Are you sure?"

"No."

He looked surprised.

Hanna smiled nervously.

"But I'm willing to try."

Michael nodded slowly.

"There are conditions."

"I know."

"No public relationship outside the agreement unless necessary. We respect each other's privacy. We don't interfere with each other's personal lives."

Hanna nodded.

"And after the agreed period?"

"We go our separate ways if that's what we both want."

Hanna took a deep breath.

"Okay."

Michael extended his hand.

"Deal?"

Hanna looked at his hand.

Then shook it.

"Deal."

Their hands touched for only a moment.

But neither of them noticed the strange feeling that passed between them.

Michael let go first.

"I'll arrange everything."

Hanna stood.

"Okay."

She walked toward the door.

"Hanna."

She turned.

"Yes?"

Michael looked at her for a long moment.

"Thank you."

She smiled.

"Don't thank me yet."

Then she left.

Michael remained seated.

He had just made the biggest decision of his life.

And he still didn't know...

that the woman he had chosen for a contract marriage

would eventually become the one woman he could no longer imagine living without.

TO BE CONTINUED...