Chapter 3 CRAZY IDEA!

Jason was shocked when he heard Ailee's request, which he took very seriously. He could see the frustration on her face as she covered it with her palms. Her words echoed in his mind as his pupils dilated with concern.

"Don't play around, Ailee, do you understand what you're saying?" he asked.

"I'm not kidding, Jason. I can't possibly go home in this condition. What should I say to my parents?" Ailee replied, looking very upset. Jason took a deep breath and looked at the woman he loved, feeling a pang of sadness in his heart.

"Okay, I'll take you to my apartment. You can stay there until your mood improves and calms down," Jason offered, patting his best friend on the shoulder. He hated to see Ailee in such a messy and distressed state.

As Ailee wiped her tears, she expressed her gratitude to Jason.

"Thank you, Jason. Thank you," she said. Jason turned around and headed back to the city, driving towards his apartment. Ailee's family's luxurious house was located on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by elite residences. In contrast, Jason's apartment was situated in the city center, which was quite strategic as it was surrounded by public facilities that were always at their disposal.

The sports car they were driving turned into a luxury apartment complex. With nimble hands, Jason turned the steering wheel and entered the parking lot in the basement. After he parked the car, he rushed to open the door for Ailee.

"Is it okay if you stay here?" Jason asked again, concerned for his friend's well-being.

"I have nowhere else to go, Jason. Haven't I told you this before? I've never had a true friend as good as you. Most of my friends are just losers who only stick around because of my family's wealth. I don't want to take any chances with them in this situation," Ailee replied gratefully.

Ailee's answer made sense to Jason, he quickly nodded his head and invited Ailee to go to his apartment. Jason's apartment was located on the 50th floor of the building, they immediately entered it, he closed the door and immediately invited Ailee to enter the living room.

As Ailee looked around the tidy and clean apartment, she complimented Jason on how much better it looked since the last time she visited.

Jason joked, "So you're saying I was such a mess, huh?" They both laughed, and Ailee took in the beautiful decor of the apartment, complete with an aquarium and indoor plants. Jason offered Ailee a change of clothes, and she accepted them with a smile on her face. As she changed into Jason's t-shirt, he busied himself making hot chocolate and preparing dinner. Ailee sipped her hot chocolate while Jason cooked up a storm in the kitchen.

After a while, Ailee asked Jason why he thought Jeremy left her. Jason stopped cutting potatoes and thought for a moment before answering, "It wasn't your fault he left, Ailee. He just wasn't ready. You are too perfect. What man wouldn't want you? You are beautiful, your personality is good, you have a harmonious family, and you even have a good position in your company. In other words, you don't have any shortcomings. It's just that this man doesn't deserve you."

Ailee was stunned by Jason's words, realizing that he had always been there for her even when Jeremy wasn't. As she watched Jason grill steak for dinner, a crazy idea crossed her mind.

"Jason, will you marry me?" she blurted out.

Jason's hand jerked away from the grill when he heard Ailee's words.

"Ailee!" he exclaimed, whipping around to face her.

"What did you just say?" His face was tense, his jaw visibly set. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Ailee met his gaze with a flat expression.

"I'm fully aware of what I said, Jason," she replied evenly.

"That's why I'm asking you to marry me." Jason's eyes widened. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"What about your family?" he asked, his voice strained.

"What will they think?" Ailee's face fell.

"I know it's presumptuous of me to ask," she said, looking down at the floor.

"But I don't know what else to do. I can't bear the thought of embarrassing my family any further."

"But have you ever thought about that beforehand?" Jason couldn't believe what Ailee was asking him to do.

"Do you have a girlfriend yet, Jason?" Ailee asked, looking at him closely. Jason was silent for a moment, realizing that he had just ended a relationship with Paula Maurice, which no one knew about. He had accepted Paula's love when he was feeling empty, but now, the woman he loved needed him. A strong feeling of love took over him again and he shook his head slowly in front of Ailee, feeling like he was lying for her feelings.

"Therefore, it shouldn't be a problem if you marry me. Don't worry, we won't be married forever. Let's stay married for half a year and then part ways on good terms," Ailee explained to Jason, trying to reassure him. Jason was stunned to hear the request of the woman he loved and was even ready to marry her forever.

"This is a contract marriage, I will give you an agreement that will not harm you. Because of that, please help me just this once, Jason, for the sake of my parents," Ailee continued with a pitiful face, approaching Jason and touching his cheek.

"I know this sounds very selfish, but this is my selfish request, for the first and last time of you," she added, lowering herself as low as possible in front of him. Since then, Ailee has never asked anything from a man, not even her father. If given something, she will receive it, but if she has to ask for it, she never does anything like that. Jason was still frozen and looking at the girl, his mind in turmoil.

Half of his heart said that this was a good opportunity because he would finally marry the girl he loved. But on the other hand, his heart said that if it was a futile act, why was the marriage a contract? Didn't that mean he was also being used? Ailee looked at Jason, who looked confused and unable to make a decision immediately. Of course, Ailee knew that Jason was not the type of man who would act rashly, especially in matters like this. Even though Ailee was his best friend, he would not easily make decisions on problems, which he considered serious, like now.

Ailee felt resigned and let go of Jason's hand, turning her body away. But quickly, Jason grabbed her soft fingers again, looking at her sharply with a tinge of sympathy in his eyes. He loved Ailee more than himself, and that was something that couldn't be denied.

"If it helps you, then let's get married," Jason said, agreeing to Ailee's request. Ailee was shocked and looked at Jason in disbelief, but she was sure she had heard him correctly.

"Why do you look confused, Ailee? Let's do it, a wedding. You can't disappoint your parents, right?" Jason said, trying to reassure her. Ailee's body went limp, and she almost fell if Jason hadn't caught her.

"Are you okay, Ailee?" Jason asked, worried about her condition.

"I'm fine, Jason, don't worry about me," Ailee answered, looking up at him. This kind, handsome man had been by her side for nine years, always looking after her as requested by her parents when their two families met. His father, Philip Dawson, had not approved of his relationship with Jeremy Anderson, because the young man was too ambitious and lacked composure. The father had even expressed his disappointment because Ailee had no intention of separating from Jeremy at that time. Ailee wanted to confirm once again if Jason would help her.

"Yes, Ailee, I will accept your contract marriage offer. You have to calm your mind first, okay? After that, we can think again about what we should do next. I'm sure your father must have felt angry when he heard this, but whatever happens, I will help you explain the situation to your father. Agree?" Jason smiled broadly, showing off his white teeth.

Ailee complained in her heart, "Damn you, Jason, why do you look handsome at a time like this?" Jason asked if they still wanted to continue their dinner, and Ailee answered in a slightly shrill voice.

"Of course, I still want to eat. How could we let that food go to waste there?" Jason heard this and was shocked, but he held back his laughter and turned around, restarting the grill and frying potatoes to save time. Ailee asked what Jason was going to say to his father later, knowing exactly how his father had behaved when Jason had brought Jeremy there. Jason reminded her that it was not her father who was disappointing her, but Jeremy. Ailee's eyes filled with tears again, but this time she quickly wiped them away and took a deep breath, looking away.

"Then, what do you think I should do?" she asked Jason.