The Proposal
672 Words
I sat across from Lucas Lauras, the wealthiest man in the world, my hands gripping the edge of my seat. My heart pounded in my chest as I kept darting my eyes around the restaurant, checking for journalists or paparazzi.
I couldn’t afford another scandal. Not after everything.
"Are you okay?" Lucas asked, his deep voice snapping me out of my thoughts.
"I... I’m fine," I lied, my throat dry.
"Have anything to eat," he suggested, but I shook my head. I wasn’t going to eat or drink anything. My paranoia was at an all-time high. What if this was a setup? What if someone was recording me?
And worst of all—why was he here?
This was just a one-night stand. He was a billionaire. He had no reason to be in my life.
"I have a deal for you," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper.
My heart skipped a beat.
"What kind of deal?" I asked, barely breathing.
He leaned forward, his sharp, calculating eyes locked on mine.
"I know you're trending all over social media. Your life is falling apart. Your father’s company is collapsing. You were betrayed in the worst way possible," he said smoothly, each word cutting into my soul. "I can help you."
I clenched my fists under the table.
"Why would you help me?" I asked, suspicious.
"Because I can."
Silence.
"What do you want?" I finally whispered.
He smirked, taking a slow sip of his drink before responding.
"A contract marriage."
My entire body stiffened.
"What?"
"Marry me, Selena," he said as if it was the simplest thing in the world.
I let out a bitter laugh. "You’re joking."
"I don’t joke about business," he replied. "I’ll invest in your father’s company. I’ll make him relevant again. My influence will erase your scandals overnight. And your ex-best friend? Your ex-boyfriend? I’ll destroy them. Expose every secret they’re hiding. But in return, you become my wife."
I couldn’t breathe.
"And the world will know about this?" I asked.
"Of course. It has to be public."
My chest tightened. I wasn’t sure if I was being saved or if I was making a deal with the devil. But one thing was certain—
I needed to say yes.
Chapter Six: The Wedding Spectacle
The invitation hit social media like a tidal wave. On i********:, Twitter, and every platform in between, the announcement of our wedding—a union between two of the most influential people in the world—became the hottest news overnight.
People were buzzing with questions: Was I double dating? Had I left my old life behind? Every comment, every rumor painted a picture of scandal, intrigue, and unexpected glamour. At first, my so-called best friend thought it was all a cruel joke. But within days, what began as mockery transformed into envy. Suddenly, everyone wanted to know more about the woman who had managed to turn her darkest moments into the most talked-about wedding of the year.
The guest list was astronomical. Dignitaries from India, Indonesia, Nigeria, South Africa, South Korea, and even royalty from England confirmed their attendance. It was more than a wedding—it was a grand spectacle, a fusion of high society and global influence, the talk of every major city and news outlet.
My father, for the first time in years, looked at me with pride. “You made me proud,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. My mother beamed with elation, and even my siblings couldn’t help but boast about the woman I had become. In the midst of scandal, betrayal, and despair, this union was a testament to resilience—a chance to rewrite my story.
As I watched the invitations being shared by influencers and major media houses, I realized that this wasn’t just a wedding—it was a turning point. No longer would my past define me; I was stepping into a future that shimmered with promise, even if it was born from the chaos of yesterday.
- Writer
