Chapter 5 Spend the night with me

"You know my name?" Ava couldn't help but ask. Staring straight into her eyes, Ethan replied, "Of course. I know all the members of my date's family."

A lie.

He had only found out Harper's name earlier but for Ava, he knew everything about her.

Ava wasn't surprised; from what she had found out about him, he was a smart man, so researching his date's family only seemed fair.

"I was worried I had not introduced myself, but there seems to be no reason for introductions," she stated, trying to match her voice with her serene expression.

She adjusted on her chair, ready to keep on with her earlier request.

Ava had received all she had to know about Ethan from Lila. Lila was a tech wizard, best in hacking and fishing out whatever information that is needed on earth; as long as it can be accessed through the internet, she'll be sure to get it even if it involves hacking.

Ethan Thompson, the most eligible bachelor in the City. At the young age of Twenty-one, he took over the Thompson Empire and led all the branches both home and abroad.

Thompson Empire was a conglomerate company, having a branch in almost every business sector in the country.

With all the qualities Ava had heard of him, she didn't expect him to jump on the offer of marrying her.

A waiter dressed in black trousers and a crisp white button-down shirt walked towards them, a smile plastered on his face.

"What would you like?" He asked in a calm voice.

Ava knew having lunch was out of the question, but they could at least have something to drink so she ordered nonalcoholic beverages.

"Why do you think this will work?" Ethan asked, breaking the unusual silence that had fallen between them.

Ava inhaled a scent of breath, "because I know marriage is-"

"Not marriage," said Ethan, cutting her short. He loved the way her shoulders almost slumped when he spoke.

Ethan studied her closely, "why do you think I have the time to entertain this conversation?" He asked.

Ava smiled. Ethan was just like she had heard, he likes to have dominance, "it's no news that your grandfather is in a hurry to ship you with a lady," she said. She brushes off some loose strands of hair off her face, nearly tucking them behind her ear.

Ava continued, "And it is also not news that the son doesn't want to get married because he seemed to be already married to his work." She paused when the waiter came back with a tray.

The glasses made a subtle click on the table and a gurgling sound as the waiter poured the drink into them.

"Thank you, Dave." She read his name badge and this brightened the mood of the waiter.

Ethan was intrigued. Aside from the fact that she was poise, she was knowledgeable in building relationships with others.

Ava sipped slowly from her glass, "You don't want to get married neither are you excited about your date with Harper. So why not get married to me instead?"

"Why should I pick you over your sister, from what I know, you are currently engaged to Henry Ryder," said Ethan. The image of her crying over Henry was still fresh in his memory.

At the mention of Henry, Ava's expression did not change as he had assumed it would. His eyes flicker over to her fingers wrapped around the stem of the glass and it was devoid of any ring.

Rays of sun leaked in through the window which had one of its glass slide to the side, the clinking of glass on the closest table creating the perfect background melody.

"That is where you get it wrong. First, Harper is not my sister, she is my step-sister. And as for Henry, he is no longer my fiance but an ex. The only problem is that" she allowed her eyes to trail to her hands and stared at them, "he doesn't know that yet."

Ethan could boldly say that this was the best day he had had in months and this woman in front of him was the most interesting woman he had ever met. And she was bold and assertive.

That was a plus for her.

"That doesn't mean I should pick you." He stated bluntly, "As you've rightly stated, I'm not interested in getting married to anyone, so why do you think you'll be different?"

"I do not intend to have you bound with me for a lifetime. A trial marriage doesn't sound bad right?" Ethan agreed with her, "After a year, we'll part ways if we aren't compatible." Given his personality, she knew it would be impossible for him to find her compatible in such a short time.

She may not have this all planned out totally, but a year was all she needed.

"I am a businessman, and I don't believe anything should be free. Give and Take, that's what I do. What do I stand to gain from getting married to you?" He asked.

Ava reached for her bag on the top of the table and opened it.

Fetching a memory stick from her bag, she placed it on the table, "You'll get this. F&J Global has been one of your biggest competitors over the years and this right here might just be the help you need to take them out for good."

Ava felt like screaming praises on Lila. She is completely reliable and meticulous. This right here had been given to her by Lila, just in case Ethan needed more reason to agree with her proposal.

"Smart, I like that!" Ethan said before he could stop himself and Ava could only bask at his compliment.

He tried to take the memory stick, but she took it, "only when we come to a final agreement." Ethan didn't need the memory stick to bring down F&J Global.

Aside from the fact that he was already at more advantage as he gets to throw his grandpa off his shoulders, he now wants to have this woman. He is smitten by her and wants to know how much more interesting she can be.

"Why me? There are plenty of other men out there who would jump at your offer."

Ava took a long sip from her drink, emptying her glass. She noticed Ethan hadn't touched his.

"When you agree to my proposal, I'll tell you," She said.

Ethan didn't like her reply, but he didn't push her.

"I think I have given you enough reasons why my proposal is worth your acceptance."

"Doesn't mean Harper isn't a better option." She squinted her eyes at him, refusing to accept the fact that he was still bent on Harper.

She was about to speak, but he beat her to it, "If you want me to choose you, then you need to prove your worth." He paused gagging her expression.

"Spend the night with me Ava, and we can get married whenever you want."