Stay With Me

Chapter 10: The Gala Proposal

Chapter 10: The Gala Proposal

The ballroom was full of diamonds, money, and fake smiles.

Ayesha stood in a red gown. Zayan's grandmother insisted. "If you're going to be Mrs. Khan, look like it."

Zayan was in a black tux. He hadn't spoken to her all day.

"Are you ready?" Grandma asked, squeezing Ayesha's hand. "Remember what I said."

Music stopped. Everyone turned.

Zayan walked to the center of the ballroom. The whole Khan family was watching. Business partners. Enemies. Everyone.

He looked nervous. For the first time ever.

"Ayesha," he said, voice echoing.

She walked to him. Heart pounding.

He took her hand. His was cold. Shaking.

"I married you because of a contract," he started. People gasped. "I told myself it was business. That I didn't care."

He paused. Looked into her eyes.

"I was wrong."

Another gasp.

"In 3 months, you made me feel alive again. You made me laugh. You made me angry. You made me jealous. You made me... love."

Tears were in Ayesha's eyes.

Zayan pulled out a ring. Not the contract ring. A new one. Big. Real.

"Ayesha, this contract was supposed to end in 6 months. But I don't want it to end. I don't want a fake wife. I want you."

He got down on one knee.

"Marry me. For real this time. No contract. No business. Just us. Will you?"

Silence.

Then Ayesha smiled through tears. "Yes."

He slipped the ring on her finger. The whole room clapped.

Grandma was crying.

Later, on the balcony, Zayan pulled her close. "Was that okay?"

Ayesha kissed him. "It was perfect."

The contract was over.

Their real story was just beginning.

THE END... for now 😉