Chapter 9: The Proposal
1341 Words
Silence settled between them, softened by the distant rhythm of music drifting up from the dance floor below. The glittering city lights stretched beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting the private lounge in a warm golden glow. Crystal chandeliers shimmered overhead, their reflections dancing across the polished surfaces, while the muffled laughter of guests faded into the background, leaving the room wrapped in an almost intimate quiet.
Rose stood frozen, her fingers tightening around the strap of her handbag.
She suddenly felt very aware of herself.
The soft music.
The expensive surroundings.
The handsome stranger sitting across from her.
Everything about the moment felt unfamiliar.
Across from her, Adrian regarded her with quiet curiosity. His expression remained calm, almost unreadable, but his eyes never left hers, as though he were patiently waiting for her to make the first move.
Rose glanced around the room.
Then back at him.
She had no idea what she was supposed to say.
Instead, he broke the silence.
“So, what’s your name?” he asked.
His voice was calm and gentle, yet it carried the quiet authority of a man accustomed to being obeyed.
Rose shifted uneasily in her seat, avoiding his gaze for a moment.
No stranger had ever made her this self-conscious.
There was something about him—his confidence, the way he carried himself, the effortless control in his movements—that made her heartbeat quicken.
She took a slow breath.
Finally, she found her voice.
“Rose… Rose Bennett.”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“I’m Adrian Sterling.”
The name lingered between them.
Rose simply nodded.
Silence settled between them once again.
Determined not to let the awkwardness linger, Rose forced herself to speak.
“Are you an actor?”
One of Adrian’s brows lifted slightly.
“Why do you ask? Do I look like someone you’ve seen in a movie?”
Rose couldn’t help laughing.
“Never mind.”
“I mind, Miss Bennett.”
His lips curved into a faint smile.
“A minute ago, you said I was here to impress you. Now I look like an actor?”
Rose blinked.
What does he want now?
Her eyes briefly wandered over his face before she quickly looked away.
Should I tell him it’s because he’s ridiculously handsome?
She immediately dismissed the thought.
No.
She wasn’t here to admire him.
She was here for a reason.
“Mr. Adrian, you wanted to see me.”
“Yeah.”
“And?”
“I wanted to see you,” Adrian replied.
Rose frowned slightly.
“Why?”
His eyes remained fixed on hers.
“Because you’re beautiful… and I wanted to know the woman who managed to capture my attention.”
For a brief second, Rose forgot how to breathe.
Heat rushed to her cheeks, and her heart skipped a beat.
She had heard compliments before, but none had been spoken with such sincerity and confidence. There was something about the way Adrian said it that made the words feel less like flattery and more like a simple statement of fact.
Rose lowered her eyes, hoping he wouldn’t notice the blush spreading across her cheeks.
Unfortunately, he did.
Trying to hide her embarrassment, she found herself studying his face instead.
His sharp features.
His calm eyes.
The faint curve of his lips.
She realized she had been staring.
He noticed.
“What?”
Rose blinked and quickly looked away.
“Have we met before?”
A soft laugh escaped him.
“What’s funny?”
“Do you really think we’d meet and I’d forget?”
Rose frowned thoughtfully.
“No…”
She tilted her head slightly, searching her memory.
“You just look familiar.”
Adrian watched her for a moment.
There was something amusing about the way she studied him as though trying to solve a puzzle.
Rose eventually gave up.
“Never mind.”
Adrian cleared his throat.
“Miss Rose.”
She raised a hand to stop him.
“Let me cut to the chase. I already know what you’re about to say.”
One of his eyebrows rose.
“Oh?”
“You like me.”
She shrugged as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“You’ll probably ask if we can have some fun tonight.”
The words sounded so absurd that even she almost laughed at herself.
Adrian leaned back against the sofa, amusement dancing in his eyes.
“Your friend coached you with those lines.”
“No.”
Rose shook her head.
“I watch a lot of movies. That’s usually how these conversations go.”
“I see.”
“Actually…” she continued, “…I’m not here looking for love.”
Adrian’s amusement slowly faded, replaced by curiosity.
“Then what are you looking for?”
Rose inhaled deeply.
She knew there was no easy way to explain it.
“I want a fake husband.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
For a moment, he simply looked at her.
Surprisingly, he didn’t look shocked.
If anything, he seemed oddly interested.
“You’re still looking for a fake boyfriend.”
The words slipped out before he could stop himself.
Rose’s eyes narrowed.
“What did you just say?”
Adrian paused for the briefest moment.
He recovered almost instantly.
“Nothing.”
His gaze lingered on her.
“Why do you want a fake husband now?”
Rose hesitated.
She wasn’t sure why she was telling this complete stranger so much.
But something about him made it strangely easy.
“I want revenge on my ex.”
A trace of pain flashed across her face.
She looked down at her hands before continuing.
“I want him to see that I’ve moved on.”
Adrian studied her quietly.
He noticed the subtle change in her expression.
The smile was gone.
The confidence disappeared for a moment, revealing the hurt underneath.
“So… it’s all about revenge.”
Rose nodded.
“Are you going to do it or not?”
She looked directly at him.
“It’s only for three months.”
The moment the words left her mouth, she froze.
Three months?
Her eyes widened slightly.
She and Sophia hadn’t even discussed a timeline.
She bit her lower lip, silently scolding herself.
Why am I saying so much?
Normally, she struggled to hold conversations with strangers.
Yet somehow, this man—with his commanding presence and calm confidence—made the words tumble out of her mouth before she could stop them.
Adrian noticed her embarrassment.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
He leaned back comfortably, folding one arm across the back of the sofa as he observed her.
“You really do watch too many movies, Miss Bennett.”
Rose frowned.
“I’m serious.”
He chuckled softly.
“You do realize how crazy that sounds?”
Rose immediately folded her arms across her chest.
“Are you calling me crazy?”
“No,” he answered calmly.
His eyes remained on hers.
“I’m saying only someone truly desperate would ask a complete stranger to pretend to be her husband.”
Rose scoffed.
“I’m not desperate.”
“No?”
He tilted his head slightly.
“Then why ask a stranger?”
Rose opened her mouth to argue.
Nothing came out.
She closed it again.
He had a point.
Her eyes drifted toward the window, where the city lights glittered in the distance.
She knew how ridiculous the situation sounded.
She had walked into a nightclub looking for a fake husband and ended up sitting in a private lounge with a complete stranger.
What could possibly go wrong?
After a brief silence, Adrian spoke again.
“What about me?”
Rose looked at him.
He held her gaze.
“I’m interested in you.”
Rose shook her head almost immediately.
“I’m sorry.”
Her voice was gentle but firm.
“I don’t do love.”
Adrian’s expression remained calm, but a flicker of amusement passed through his eyes.
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