Chapter 4 The Proposition

"Mr Thorne?" Megan asked as she got to him.

He stood up as she approached. He towered over her so easily. With his broad shoulders and fit body, he gave this commanding presence.

"That's right," Astor replied.

His voice gave Megan chills. He sounded so sure of himself. Like someone who always got what he wanted.

Megan studied him. With his defined jawline and jet-black hair, he was very attractive. He exuded confidence.

"Please sit," he said, gesturing towards the bar stool next to him.

Megan, unsure of what was happening, sat down.

"Megan Keeley. Right?" Astor said.

"How do you know my name?" Megan said. She had shock written all over her face.

"I have my ways." He replied with a glint in his eye.

"What's your poison?" He asked.

"What?" Megan said. She was still trying to wrap her head around all this. What did he want?

"What would you like to drink?" He asked again sounding impatient.

"Oh, I'm okay. Sparkling water will be just fine."

"A glass of whiskey for me and champagne for the lady," Astor said to the bartender.

"But I don't want champagne," Megan said looking confused.

"You look like you need it."

Megan couldn't believe his arrogance. Did he think she was going to drink just because he said so?

"Here you go," he said, pushing the glass of champagne into her hand.

Megan was seething inside but she decided to play it cool. She wasn't trying to get on his bad side.

"I'm sorry Mr Thorne but..."

"Call me Astor," he said, interrupting her.

"But I don't know you."

"Then let's get to know each other."

Megan wasn't sure what to make out of this. She took a sip of her champagne, counting on the alcohol to give her some confidence.

Astor took a sip of whiskey, set down his glass and looked in her direction. "So tell me about yourself. What do you do besides waitressing?"

Megan set her glass down too and rubbed her palms together nervously. She had no idea where he was going with this and she didn't feel comfortable opening up to a total stranger.

"I'm sure you know all about me," Astor added confidently.

"Actually, I don't," Megan said.

That seemed to take Astor aback. His expression went from one of confusion to interest.

"So you don't know me? That's interesting"

He handed her one of his business cards.

Megan read the card. Apparently, he was Astor Thorne, CEO of The Alpha Group. Megan knew about The Alpha Group. It was one of the biggest companies in Chicago. Of course, he was a billionaire.

Megan tried to hand over the card back to him.

"You can keep it," Astor said.

He looked at her with renewed interest.

"Are you married?" He asked abruptly.

Megan was surprised by the question. "No, I'm not."

"Right. Boyfriend?" He said looking at her intently.

Megan shook her head. She felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny. She could feel a blush coming on. She took another sip of her champagne.

"Let me guess... you're a waitress so you probably like to cook. You look like you read a lot too."

Megan was speechless. He was pretty good at reading people. That must be part of what made him so successful. She, on the other hand, could not read him at all.

"How do you know that?" Megan asked nervously.

"I just do." He took another sip of his whiskey, his gaze never leaving her face.

Megan's phone rang and she jumped. Her nerves were all over the place.

She glanced at the screen and saw her sister's name. She started to get worried.

"I'm sorry Mr Thorne... but I have to take this."

"Is it important?" He asked, looking annoyed.

Megan was sure he wasn't used to people leaving his presence to take phone calls. But this was important.

"It is." She replied, getting off the stool. "Give me a minute."

She walked off quickly towards the entrance to pick up the call. She hoped it wasn't some kind of emergency.

Astor watched Megan walk away. She had such a graceful way to her. And watching her luscious backside was such a pleasure.

He found her interesting. She didn't even know who he was. That hardly ever happened. People always recognized him. His face was plastered on tabloids from time to time.

So she was either lying or she just wasn't interested in the lives of the Chicago elite.

He didn't think she was lying though. She was very easy to read and he could tell.

She seemed nervous in his presence for the most part but he could sense that she was strong-willed.

He could also tell from the way she reacted when she received that phone call that something was wrong. He wondered was it was. He was curious about her.

She had left her side bag behind. It looked quite worn. That was an indication that she probably didn't have a lot of money. But she was a waitress so that didn't surprise him.

He began to play with the idea of proposing the marriage contract to her. She seemed harmless. He was sure they could both get what they wanted out of that arrangement.

But the problem was whether she would agree or not. He needed something that he could hold over her. Maybe if she needed money or something.

Astor glanced at his wristwatch. She was taking a while outside. And he had a private meeting back at the office he had to get to.

He picked up her handbag and went after her.

As he approached the entrance he could hear her over the phone. She was standing to the side close to the street. She sounded worried.

"....happening again. I thought I would at least have two weeks to come up with the money. At this rate, she's going to need the surgery sooner than we thought."

Astor leaned forward to listen.

"I know Lace... I'm so sorry. I didn't want you to worry about this. I was going to handle it. But it's okay. Don't overthink this okay... I'll find a way to come up with the money soon..."

Megan glanced back and spotted Astor standing by the entrance. She quickly tried to end the phone call. "I'll call you back Lace. Give me a minute okay."

She took a deep breath and turned around.

"Were you listening in on my conversation? That was private!" Megan said with a look of annoyance.

Astor smiled despite himself. Looks like she was in need after all. He could go on to suggest the contract to her.

Megan walked towards him and snatched her handbag out of his hands.

"I can't believe you would do that," She said, looking visibly angry.

"Relax... it's not my fault you were so loud."

Megan shook her head at him in disbelief and tried to walk away.

Astor reached out to hold her arm.

"Wait... let me at least give you a ride home"

Megan stopped. The feel of his hand on her arm made chills run down her back. Her body's response to his touch annoyed her.

"I don't need anything from you!" She responded, trying to get out of his grip.

"Please... just let me. It's the least I could do" Astor said.

Megan relaxed. She was exhausted physically and mentally. She was too tired to argue.

"Alright." She said, giving in.

Astor nodded with a look of satisfaction and gestured and took out his phone, calling his driver to bring the car around.

When the car was brought around, Megan looked in awe. She didn't know much about cars but this one looked very expensive.

Astor opened the car door and gestured for her to go in.

Megan got into the car. It probably wasn't smart of her to get into the car of a complete stranger. She couldn't shake the feeling that he wanted something from her.

She glanced around the interior of the car. Everything just screamed wealth. She had never been in a car like this. She didn't know what to do with herself.

Astor got into the backseat beside her.

Being in close proximity to him made Megan nervous. He was so handsome. She was sure he had that effect on a lot of women.

She avoided his gaze and looked towards the window.

"Thank you for offering to take me home," Megan said, begrudgingly. She was just trying to be polite.

"You're welcome," Astor said, looking at her.

"Look at me, Megan." He added.

Megan turned to look at his face. His expression was unreadable.

He leaned towards her, holding her gaze.

Megan held her breath. His cologne was overpowering her senses and she was lost in his eyes. She couldn't look away.

She waited expectantly, wondering what he could possibly say next.

"Megan....Will you marry me?"