Stay With Me

Chapter 9: The Proposal Twist

Chapter 9: The Proposal Twist

3 days passed. They didn't talk.

The house felt like a morgue.

Then Zayan's grandmother came.

"Mrs. Khan," she said, looking at Ayesha. "I heard about the contract."

Ayesha froze. "What?"

"Don't act innocent, girl. Zayan told me everything. 1 year marriage. For company shares." Grandma's eyes were sharp. "I didn't raise my grandson to buy a wife."

Before Ayesha could explain, Zayan walked in.

"Grandma, it's not-"

"Shut up." She slapped her cane on the floor. "You think I don't know? Your father did the same thing. Marriage for business. And look where it got him."

She turned to Ayesha. "Do you love him?"

Ayesha's mouth went dry. "I... I don't know."

"Liar." Grandma smiled. "I see it in your eyes."

Then she turned to Zayan. "Fine. Contract or not. You will give her a real proposal. In front of the whole family. Tomorrow night. At the annual gala."

"What?" Zayan and Ayesha said together.

"You heard me. A real ring. Real vows. Real proposal. If you don't, I will cut you off from the family business."

She left, leaving them in shocked silence.

That night, Zayan knocked on Ayesha's door.

"I'm sorry," he said. "You don't have to do this."

Ayesha looked up at him. Her heart was racing. "What if I want to?"

He stared at her. "What?"

"What if I want a real proposal too?" she whispered.

Zayan's eyes darkened. He stepped closer. "Ayesha, don't say things you don't mean."

"And what if I do mean them?"

The air was thick.

Tomorrow, the whole world would be watching.