Chapter Nine: Testing the Waters
377 Words
The next morning, Bella arrived at the office with one mission on her mind.
She had decided that Charles was the perfect candidate for Sophia’s proposal.
But there was one problem.
How was she supposed to ask a man if he would agree to a contract marriage?
She sighed as she arranged the files on her desk.
“What if he gets offended?” she thought. “He might think I’ve lost my mind.”
After thinking it over, she came up with a safer approach.
“I’ll ask as though I’m talking about a movie. That way, I’ll know what he really thinks.”
A few minutes later, Charles walked into the office.
“Good morning, Bella.”
“Morning, Charles. How are you today?”
“I’m doing well. And you?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
There was a brief silence before Bella cleared her throat.
“Charles, I watched a movie yesterday.”
“Oh?” he replied with a smile. “What was it about?”
Bella pretended to think for a moment.
“It was about a wealthy woman who offered a man a huge amount of money to marry her for a short period. It wasn’t a real marriage—just an agreement.”
Charles raised an eyebrow.
Bella continued, “It made me wonder… what kind of man would do something like that just because of money?”
Charles let out a short laugh.
“Did you just say ‘just because of money’?”
Bella nodded.
Charles shook his head.
“Bella, why do you think we’re all here in this office every day?”
She smiled.
“For money.”
“Exactly.”
He leaned back in his chair.
“If someone offered me a life-changing amount of money for a temporary marriage, do you honestly think I’d still be here struggling from month to month?”
Bella couldn’t help but laugh.
Charles continued, “I wouldn’t even think twice. If the arrangement was clear and both parties agreed, I’d do it.”
Bella tried her best not to look too excited.
Inside, she was smiling from ear to ear.
“I knew it,” she thought.
“Charles is exactly the man Sophia needs.”
- Writer
