It All Started With A Bet

Chapter 12

Stella POV

"Tell me how will you forgive me? I can agree to any request of yours. Just name it" Aaron looked at me with pleading eyes.

"The fish is finally taking its bait. The process is going easy than I planned it to be I can set aside that insult if it could bring me the chance to win the bet. Moreover, there will be plenty of chances in the future for revenge" I thought as I felt my victory just a hand away.

"Any condition? Are you sure?" I eyed him for confirmation.

"Yes, any conditions, as long as I can fulfill it within my capabilities" he confirmed with me.

I knew that he won't collaborate with me just based on a mere sorry. He was a businessperson. He won't cooperate with me unless it could bring him some benefits.

"Then I have one request that requires your approval" I put my hand on the table and got into business mode.

"What is it?" he was curious. He leaned back on the seat and waited for my answer.

"I want you to propose to me, publicly!" I stated.

His expressions were strange. At first, he looked at me as if I had gone crazy. Then he looked at me with curious eyes as if I was a sort of mystery. At last, he laughed

"You must be joking with me!"

"No, I am not" I stated firmly to show my serious attitude towards this arrangement.

"But why? Are you in love with me? That's impossible because we met the third time today after you came back from France. Then why?" he insisted.

"You just need to know that it is very important for me. And don't worry, I won't let you do it for free. Just state your conditions?" I tried to look at him calmly but from inside my heart was racing as fast as a bullet train.

"What about my brother? How will you answer him?" he questioned.

"What do you mean by that? Why do I need to seek permission from your brother about my engagement? What do I have to do with him? I have not even seen him since I came back" I gazed at him to explain the meaning of his questions.

He remained quiet for some time as if he was thinking of something important.

"Stella you know that I am a businessman and I never do business with loss. So tell me what benefits can you bring to me with this deal" he leaned back and folded his legs. He was patiently waiting for me to explain things to him.

"Firstly, I know that you have been eyeing the old factory's project for quite some time but they announced their collaboration with Blade enterprises. I can give that project to you. Moreover, I will do my best to provide full support for other projects too during our time of engagement which will be six months. Also, this engagement will bring big news to the industry so it will also hype the company's sales. You can see that there is no loss in this deal" I smiled as I was confident about my idea.

He gave me a smile which said that trouble is coming.

"Firstly, the old factory's project is not signed by your company. They have just announced their collaboration. Anything can happen at the last minute so don't be so confident. As for the other projects, have you ever seen me fail in anything? I am here today based on my efforts so I believe that I can do well in the future too. As for the hyping of the sales, you know it better than I do. Today our sales will rise due to engagement then what about tomorrow when all of the industry will hear about the breaking of our engagement? What about the family ties that have been there for decades? I don't want to be a sinner" he spoke up as if we were a saint right now.

"This guy has a way with his words" my subconsciousness rolled its eyes at him.

"So you are refusing this deal? Is there no chance of collaboration?" I was feeling a sinking feeling deep in my heart. I didn't want to lose.

"Yes, I am refusing this deal............. but I can offer you another one" I had a feeling that the next words that will come out of his mouth will leave me stunned and riled up.

"I am all ears!" I also leaned back on my chair waiting for his bargain.

"Marry me!" he smirked at me.

My mind couldn't process the information instantly. I looked at him as if he had grown two heads.

"Are you drunk?" was my first taunting phrase.

"No one gets drunk by drinking coffee, Stella." he laughed.

"Then why are you saying something so ridiculous?" I was getting angry with every passing minute.

"This guy is not good for my health," I thought as I tried to calm my racing heart from anger.

"Look you don't love me and I don't love you. We can sign a marriage contract which will be valid for one year. During this time we won't interfere with each other's personal life. You just need to announce your support for me in business. It's a win-win situation for us. We both will lose nothing. Moreover, we can announce our annulment of marriage at the end of the year due to my fault. I was not faithful in our marriage. I will take all of the blame. Our father's friendship of decades will also be affected as I will be the bad guy there. Think about it. Take your time, I am not forcing you into anything" he went quiet after exploding the bomb on my head.

I didn't know what to reply to him. I wanted his collaboration but the marriage was out on the page. I fought with my father because I wanted to marry the man I love and now here I am back on the same road.

"I will agree to anything without a marriage deal but not on this one" I stated my stand.

"But I won't agree to any other deal except this one. I will give you four days to think about it. This may be your best and only chance. Once you made your decision, come and find me in the company. I believe that you will make a wise decision, Goodbye!" without giving me a chance to refuse him, he got up and took his leave, leaving me with a messy head full of irregular thoughts.