A love so beautiful

Chapter 4: The offer

The quiet in Anthony's office was so thick that Bella could hear the sound of the wall clock tick. It teased her every second, reminding her she shouldn't be in this room. Anthony Malone's executive office at the headquarters of Malone Enterprises was a different universe glass walls with a view of the Manhattan skyline, black and minimalist decor, leather sofas, and an art collection that bespoke wealth and sophistication. There was a heavy scent in the air of bergamot and cedarwood masculine, expensive, and all his.

Bella stood stiffly to the side of the large mahogany desk, nervously twisting the strap of her tote bag in her hands. She could still feel the heat of Anthony's hand on her wrist where he had pulled her from the fiasco downstairs away from the unrealistically dramatic accusations and gasps of the onlookers. She was a porcelain doll inserted into the middle of a chessboard and did not know which move would sentence her.

He hadn't said much since they'd arrived in the office, only motioned for her to sit. But Bella remained firm. Sitting was too final, too trusting, and she wasn't sure she was prepared for either.

Anthony leaned against his desk wall, standing with his arms folded over his chest, his face impassive. The charcoal-colored suit that clung to his frame was if it were stitched by the hands of destiny to perfection in every stitch. His eyes were locked onto hers, and he required every last fiber of her strength not to break eye contact.

"I suppose you're wondering why I brought you here," he said finally, his voice smooth and level.

Bella blinked. "Considering I just got accused of stealing in public in front of the whole company, yeah, I am wondering."

His lips curved, not quite a smile. "You did fantastic. Most people would have screamed or cried."

She crossed her arms. "I save my tears for things worth it."

Something flashed in his face. Respect? Humor? She couldn't say.

"Good," he said, rising to his full height and crossing the room to the other side of the desk. He opened a drawer and retrieved a glossy manila folder. "Because I have an offer. One I think you'll be interested in."

Bella stepped back warily. "If you're going to pay me off with hush money, spare me the trouble. I did not steal, and I don't accept charity from anyone."

"It's not charity," he replied. "It's opportunity. And before you choose to take offense, perhaps hear out the entire offer first."

Her mind was telling her to get out while she still could. But another voice an exhausted, desperate one told her to stay.

"I'm listening," she said warily.

He pushed the folder into her hands.

She opened it, expecting a severance form, maybe a non-disclosure. What she did not find was a marriage contract.

Bella's heart dropped. "What the hell is this?"

"My proposal," he said matter-of-factly. "I'd like for you to marry me."

The folder slipped from her fingers, pages fluttering onto the floor. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

She retreated a step, her heel catching on the lip of the rug. She braced against the desk.

"Are you out of your mind?"

He didn't flinch. "Perhaps. But that doesn't make the offer any less valid."

Bella's laughter was a short, amazed sound. "Why? Why would you marry a girl like me?"

"Well, I need a wife. And you, Bella Reyes, are perfect for the job."

She shook her head, trying to make sense of this ridiculous turn of events. "Let me understand. You're offering marriage a legal, binding contract to a person you don't even know?

“I know enough," he snapped, his gaze hardening. "I know you're truthful. I know you're intelligent. I know you're a loyal, stubborn, no-agenda girl. You're not climbing the social ladder after it. That's more than I can say for most women I've ever had the misfortune of knowing."

Her breathing expanded and contracted rapidly. "That doesn't explain why. What do you stand to gain from it?

Anthony sighed and moved toward the window, looking out over the city spread below. "My mother is obsessed with the idea of me settling down. She's pressuring me toward an arranged engagement to someone else from a respectable family. It's not about love. It's about politics, appearances. I don't want to let her dictate my life, but I can't keep her at arm's length forever."

He turned about to her. "I need a wife. Someone to pretend. For a year. Then we go our separate ways. Inconspicuously.

No one gets hurt."

Bella stared at him as if he'd sprouted a second head. "You're looking at marriage as an act?"

"In my world, it often is."

She stared down at the contract on the floor. "What do I get out of this?"

His voice softened. "Your dream."

Her eyes returned to his.

"You want to go back to fashion school, don't you? I can take care of that. Tuition, living expenses, internships whatever. Think of it. an investment in you."

She could feel her mouth go dry. She'd worked so hard, struggled so long, and still she'd never gotten within hollering distance of being able to afford going to school again. And now this man was offering the works. for a fee.

And what then after the year?"" she breathed.

"We break up. You get everything I told you you'd get.No strings attached."

Bella slid into her seat, her knees trembling. "And emotions? What if one of us."

"Falls?" he supplied.

She nodded.

He crossed to her and fell to his knees in front of her, something almost vulnerable in his eyes. "Then we cross that bridge if we reach it. But I'm not in search of love. I'm providing a contract."

The office went quiet again.

Bella's mind was reeling. This was crazy. It went against everything she believed in. But so did giving up on her dreams. Could she really let this chance go?

Her whisper was barely audible. "I need time to think."

He nodded. "Of course. Take the night. But Bella."

She looked at him.

"This deal doesn't sit on the table forever."

That night, Bella lay in her small apartment staring at the ceiling. The city pulsed outside her window, a lullaby of desire and sleeplessness. Roxy sat cross-legged on the floor, munching popcorn.

"Girl, you crazy? You're considering this?"

Bella groaned. "I don't know. It's insane."

"It's not insane it's a Lifetime movie in the making. He's handsome, rich, and willing to pay for your dreams. What's the catch?"

"That I'm going to have to marry a man who considers feelings an afterthought."

Roxy furrowed her brow. "Do you like him?"

Bella hesitated. "I don't know. I did. That night. it was real. But now?"

"Human beings do crazy things in order to survive. But if you do this, don't lose yourself."

Bella nodded. That was the worst fear she had.

The walls were streaked with the soft orange of dawn breaking.

Bella stood in her window.

Her heart struggled with her mind. Logic told her to flee. But her heart. it whispered, perhaps.