Chapter 4 We need to talk

"Son, I have to do something in the kitchen. I will be back," Marcel's mother said, her voice echoing in the sitting room as she walked away, completely unaware of the drama that was happening at the front door.

"Alright, mum," Marcel said with a choked voice even as he continued to stare at Anna, not knowing what to say.

"Do you plan on leaving me standing here, Mr. Sterling?" Anna asked, her tone calm and commanding at the same time.

Marcel blinked just then and stepped aside while he motioned for her to come in. "Uh, sure... of course. Please, come in."

Anna swept into the room with the confidence of someone who owned not just the space but the air itself. Her assistant followed and as she passed Marcel with the box, the scent of luxury-something floral with a hint of spice-lingered in the air.

Isabella's jaw dropped as she watched Anna come in. "What is she doing here?" She asked rudely.

"Marcel," Anna began while ignoring Isabella entirely. "We need to talk. Privately." Her eyes flicked to every corner in the living room. "This... doesn't seem like the ideal setting."

"I-I..." Marcel stammered while he felt his face flush with embarrassment. "We can talk here. It's fine."

Anna arched a brow at him; she was clearly unimpressed with the cramped space. Then she turned to Isabella and her gaze lingered on just long enough to make the other woman squirm. "Very well. Let's make this quick." She nodded at her personal assistant holding the box and she stepped forward and placed it on the coffee table.

"A gift," Anna murmured. "Consider it an apology for the misunderstanding earlier today."

Marcel's brows furrowed as he looked at the box. He hadn't expected this-the bloody rich woman he'd left behind at the alley now standing in his home, offering gifts like it was the most normal thing in the world. He certainly had not.

"What misunderstanding? I think I'm the one who owes you an apology for mistaking you for my-"

"Marcel," she interrupted him by saying. "Let's just sit."

While they did just that, Isabella stood abruptly and glared at Anna with her hands on her hips. "I'm sorry, but who do you think you are, barging into his house like you own it? We were having dinner before you came."

Anna stood and turned to her as her lips curled into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Anna Blackwood. And you are?"

"I'm..." Isabella faltered as her rude bravado deflated under Anna's cool gaze.

Marcel felt the tension rise in the room and tried to stop it. "Okay, that's enough," he said as he stood up and stepped between them. "Isabella, maybe you should leave."

"Leave? Are you serious?" Isabella turned flashing eyes to him in shock. Then she scoffed. "You're choosing *

her over me? Some-"

"That's exactly what he's doing," Anna said as she cut her off. "And I suggest you respect his wishes."

Isabella's face turned a deep shade of red. Without saying anything else, she shot Marcel a venomous look, grabbed her purse and stormed out while she slammed the door behind her.

The room fell silent except for the faint sound of the bubbling of soup from the kitchen. Marcel exhaled as he ran a hand through his hair while he sat down again. "Well, that was... dramatic."

Anna smirked at that. "I have a way of clearing a room."

He couldn't help but laugh even though the tension in his chest hadn't quite eased. "So, what's this all about? And what's in the box?"

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with right now," Anna said as she sat down gracefully on the couch that was opposite his own. "What matters is the reason I'm here."

Marcel clasped his hands and stared at her even as his curiosity outweighed his discomfort that he was feeling. "Which is?"

"I need you to marry me."

The words hit him like a grenade and left his mind scrambling to make sense of the explosion. This was the last thing he had expected to hear from her. He spluttered. "What?"

"It's not as absurd as it sounds," she continued in a matter-of-fact tone despite his reaction."It's a business arrangement, nothing more."

"You're kidding, right?" he asked as he looked at her as if she was crazy.

"I rarely kid," she replied with a neutral expression. She leaned forward and continued in a flat tone. " See, let me explain. My grandfather requires me to be married within the year to maintain my position as CEO of Blackwood Corporation. I have no intention of marrying for love and I need someone trustworthy, discrete, and-most importantly-someone I can control the narrative with." She leaned back and studied him for a moment while her eyes softened a bit. "You fit the profile."

Marcel blinked rapidly as he digested what he was hearing."You think I'm... what? Trustworthy? A pushover? What exactly are you implying?"

"Trustworthy," Anna repeated while she ignored the edge in his voice. "You saved me in that alley without expecting anything in return. That speaks volumes."

"I'm flattered but this isn't exactly the kind of job offer I was expecting you would offer."

"It's not a job," she corrected. "It's a partnership. One year, no strings attached. You'll be generously compensated-financially and otherwise."

"And otherwise?" he echoed as he felt overwhelmed by what was happening.

Anna leaned forward as her eyes locked onto his. "Your debts, if you have any, will be cleared. Your mother's medical bills? Taken care of. You'll have access to a lifestyle most people only dream of, and when the year is over, you'll walk away free and clear."

Marcel's chest tightened. It was too good to be true and that's what made it terrifying. It was as if he was in a dream right now. "And what's in it for you? Besides the CEO title?"

"My freedom," she said simply. "This way, I control my future not my family. You'd be helping me more than you realize."

He shook his head wildly. "This... this is insane. I can't just-"

"Think about it," she interrupted him by saying. "Take the night and weigh your options. But I'll tell you this, Marcel...opportunities like this don't come often. And if you're worried about what people will think, don't. No one will know the truth but us."

She stood up just then and smoothened her dress as if the matter was already settled. "I'll have my assistant email you the details. In the meantime, consider the gift a token of my appreciation."

Marcel stared at the box then back at her. "You think I can be bought that easily?"

Her lips curved into a small smile. "I think everyone has a price. Yours just happens to be wrapped in integrity. That is what I saw when I went through the research my assistant did on you not too long ago. Good night, Marcel."

With that, she turned and walked out his door along with her assistant, leaving him alone with the weight of her proposal and a gift he didn't dare open.

Just then, his mother came out of the kitchen and looked around as she wiped her hands with a paper wiper. " What happened? I thought I heard noise. Where is Isabella?"

But Marcel wasn't listening to her. His mind was spinning as he stared at the box.

"What the hell just happened?!" he muttered in a shocked daze.