A proposal and a decision
1335 Words
Chapter Two: A Proposal and a Decision
The Wood Mansion loomed tall and intimidating under the gloomy, rain-filled sky. Alex stepped out of his car, adjusting his suit jacket as he made his way to the grand doors. The faint patter of rain didn’t bother him; his focus was on the meeting ahead.
The old patriarch, his grandfather, was waiting for him in the drawing room, a fire crackling in the massive hearth. The room exuded power, from the intricately carved furniture to the heavy drapes that framed the windows. Alex walked in, his polished shoes clicking against the marble floor.
“Alexander,” the old man greeted, his voice firm despite his frail appearance. “I was wondering when you’d show up.”
“Grandfather,” Alex replied with a respectful nod. He sat down opposite the man who held the reins of the Wood family empire.
The old patriarch’s sharp eyes studied him. “I assume you’re not here just to say hello.”
“No,” Alex admitted. He leaned forward slightly. “I wanted to inform you that I’m in a relationship now.”
The old man’s eyes lit up, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “You finally listened to me, then? About time, Alex. About time.”
Across the room, Mason Wood, Alex’s uncle, stood silently, his arms crossed. His expression darkened at the news.
“A relationship?” Mason echoed, his tone skeptical. “How convenient, considering Grandfather’s been pressuring you to marry.”
Alex didn’t bother responding to Mason’s jab. Instead, he turned back to his grandfather. “I thought you should hear it from me first.”
“Good,” the old man said, nodding approvingly. “Bring her by for dinner sometime. I’d like to meet the woman who’s captured your interest.”
Alex simply nodded, knowing full well the whirlwind of lies he would have to spin.
---
Later that morning, Alex sat in the backseat of his car, heading to the restaurant where he was scheduled to meet Anne Ye. The rain hadn’t let up, turning the streets of Cloud City into a slick maze.
“Drive carefully,” Alex instructed his driver, his eyes focused on his phone.
“Yes, sir,” the driver replied.
It was just as Alex returned a business email that the car hit a puddle, sending a wave of muddy water splashing onto a woman walking by.
The car jerked to a halt as the driver muttered a curse under his breath. Before Alex could ask what was happening, the woman was in front of the car, blocking their path.
Through the rain-slicked windshield, Alex saw her—soaked, furious, and glaring directly at the vehicle.
The driver rolled down the window slightly. “Miss, please step aside—”
“Step aside?” the woman shouted, her voice rising above the rain. “Do you see what you’ve done?”
Alex leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose. He didn’t have time for this.
“Just drive,” he said coldly to the driver.
“But, sir—”
“Drive,” Alex repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The driver reluctantly started the car, forcing the woman to jump out of the way. As the car sped off, Alex glanced in the rearview mirror and saw her still standing there, shouting something at the retreating vehicle.
He shook his head and turned his attention back to his phone.
---
When Alex arrived at the restaurant, he strode in, brushing off the earlier encounter as nothing more than a minor inconvenience. The maître d’ escorted him to a private table, where he sat down and immediately checked his watch.
Anne Ye was late.
Alex’s patience was already wearing thin, and the constant ticking of the clock only worsened his mood. He glanced at Henry, his assistant, who stood awkwardly by the corner of the room, fidgeting under Alex’s dark glare.
“Where is she?” Alex asked, his voice low but dangerous.
“I...I’m calling her now, sir,” Henry stammered. He quickly moved to the side, pulling out his phone and dialing Anne’s number.
Alex leaned back in his chair, his jaw tight. He hated waiting, and Anne’s tardiness was only adding to his irritation. Picking up his fork, he began to eat, more out of a need to distract himself than hunger.
Henry returned moments later, looking pale. “Sir, neither Anne nor her assistant is answering their phones.”
Alex set down his fork, his gaze piercing. “Then why are you still here? Find her.”
“Yes, sir,” Henry said, practically running out of the room to make another call.
Just as Henry was about to lose all hope, his phone buzzed. It was Bella.
---
Bella sat in the cab, clutching her phone as she waited for Henry to pick up. When his voice came through, she didn’t waste time.
“Henry, it’s Bella. I...I need money, urgently.”
“Bella!” Henry’s voice was frantic, almost desperate. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“What?” she asked, confused.
“Listen, my boss is at a restaurant right now waiting for someone to meet him. The original person didn’t show up, and if you come now, I’ll handle everything. You’ll get the money you need.”
“What do I have to do?” Bella asked cautiously.
“Just meet him and sign the contract. It’s simple.”
She hesitated, but the thought of her mother lying in that hospital bed pushed her to agree. “Send me the address.”
Moments later, Bella stepped out of the cab and into the restaurant. She was ushered to a private room, and when the doors opened, she froze.
Sitting at the table was the man she had confronted earlier that morning.
---
Alex looked up from his meal, his eyes narrowing slightly as he recognized her. The drenched, furious woman from earlier now stood in front of him, looking just as shocked as he felt.
“You,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“You’re late,” Alex said flatly, gesturing for her to sit.
Bella hesitated, but Henry’s encouraging nod from behind Alex gave her the courage to move forward. She sat down, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
Alex returned to his meal, barely acknowledging her presence. Bella watched him, her stomach twisting in knots.
Was this how it was going to be? Cold, distant, and utterly indifferent?
“I...I wasn’t the one you were supposed to meet,” Bella blurted out, breaking the silence.
“I know,” Alex replied without looking up.
Bella frowned. “Then why am I here?”
Alex finally set down his utensils and leaned back, fixing her with a piercing stare. “Because I need a wife, and you need money. The arrangement is simple. Follow the rules, and this will end in a year.”
Her heart pounded as he pulled out a pen and signed the contract Henry had placed on the table.
“Here,” he said, sliding it toward her.
Bella stared at the document, then at him. Was this really happening? She picked up the pen with trembling fingers and signed her name next to his.
Alex stood abruptly, buttoning his suit jacket. “Henry will explain the details. Don’t cause me any trouble, and we’ll get through this just fine.”
And with that, he was gone, leaving Bella to sit there, stunned.
---
Back at the hospital, Bella handed over the payment for her mother’s treatment, relief washing over her like a wave. But as she sat in the waiting area, the enormity of her decision hit her.
Her life was no longer her own. For the next year, she belonged to Alexander Wood, a man as cold and calculating as the storm outside.
And she wasn’t sure if she would survive it.
- Writer
