Chapter 5 The Deal

"I can not believe I let you talk me into this, Lina." I murmured as I stepped into the restaurant he had asked for us to meet.

Alina had made some pretty good points and while I didn't want to, getting back what was mine was very important.

So I had reached out to Will and he'd arranged for us to meet here.

"Hey, little doll. You look beautiful." He appeared from a corner and kissed my cheek before I could avoid it.

"I'm not here for this, Will. I just need your help." I began, making sure he heard the seriousness in my tone.

From the laughter dancing in his eyes, he had heard it but was un-bothered by it.

He wound a hand around my waist, I resisted the urge to snap at him.

We got to a private booth in the exclusive section that had just him as the only occupant, I rolled my eyes because I knew the kind of man he was.

He possibly had the manager restrict any other exclusive guest from occupying other booths.

Yeah, Will Sanders was a really big name everywhere and I was here to ask for his help.

I hope Alina was right else I'd return to that car and bash her head against the steering wheel.

"What do you want?"

"I want your help." I replied, settling in to the seat he'd pulled out for me, trying not to be affected by the small caresses here and there.

"I know. But something to drink while you tell me the other thing you want." He signalled a waitress.

I made a simple order of a non-alcoholic fruity wine. I didn't want a repeat of what had happened the last time.

Plus, it had only proved how bad alcohol was for me.

"So what do you want?" He asked after the waitress had returned with my order and I had taken a sip.

Alina could have come with me but she'd refused, saying it was a discussion that didn't need third party.

Third party, my ass.

I explained everything that had happened between my aunt and myself. He knew who I was. Knew my family's wealth and status in the society.

"Georgina would do that?" He seemed surprised.

"I'm surprised myself." I replied. "So will you help get back my inheritance?"

"You and your husband divorced, yeah?" He took a swig of his own glass.

I frowned. "How did you..."

He lifted my hand where my ring used to be. "It's empty."

"Oh. Well, it's none of your business. Just help me." I snatched my hand back and kept it to myself.

"Not that I'm complaining. In fact, I'm happy you're now single."

"I never said I was single." I gritted out, impatience and annoyance stewing over every other emotions.

"Come on, little doll."

I slapped his hands away as they tried to hold mine. "I'm not your little doll."

He stared at me blankly for a few seconds before nodding. "Fine. I'll help you."

I'd almost thought he would refuse me. A sigh of relief broke through. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me just yet." I watched him take another drink from his glass.

Whiskey on ice, his favorite. I remembered.

A worried frown reappeared, marring my forehead. Waiting for him to continue.

"What's in it for me if I help you get back your inheritance from your aunt?" He focused his gaze on me.

I heaved a sigh, I should have known he would ask for something in return. "What do you want?"

"A marriage deal."

Totally in disbelief and shock, expecting everything but that, I scoffed. "A marriage deal? That's impossible!"

"Why not?" His blank expression was unchanging.

It even made him look more imposing and intimidating.

"Because..." I trailed off, my brain still in shock over his marriage proposal. "Well, you once made it clear you do not want to get married."

"Well, I've changed my mind and I want to marry you." He went on with absolute seriousness.

"How can the famous woman-magnet keep a wife?" I scoffed yet again.

I saw something flash his eyes but it was gone before I could make it out. When he spoke, his tone was quite chill. "That's the only way I'll help you."

Speechless, I rose from the seat and stormed out of there, ready to tear Alina apart for making me face this...this... whatever the hell this was!

"I guessing it didn't go well." Alina eyed me warily as I entered the passenger seat.

"Let's get the hell out of here." I buckled in.

"We're not leaving until you tell me what happened back there." The way her tone was so soft and soothing had my emotions riling.

"It's all your fault!" I screamed at her.

Everything came rushing back into my head. My divorce with Dylan, the one night stand with Will, my aunt's betrayal and me on the verge of losing my whole life to my aunt unless I married my ex who had once-upon-a-time broken my heart and walked away without looking back.

"I'm sorry." She apologized, not getting mad I'd just raised my voice on her and blamed her for trying to help me the only way she thought she could.

Guilt added to the myriad of other feelings. "No, I'm the one who's sorry. You didn't deserve it." I sniffled.

She stretched to give me a hug as tight as the confines of the car would allow.

I received it warmly, tears pooling. "He asked me to marry him."

She pulled back, a surprised brow quirked. "Really?"

I nodded, sniffling back tears and snot. "That's the only way he'll help me."

"Oh." Silence ensued, she looked thoughtful. Then she said. "Do it, best girl. Marry him."

"What? Are you crazy? You know my relationship with him. How bad it ended and...and...no, no, I can't... won't marry him."

She took a hand. "You're not only doing this for yourself, bestie. Your parents' wish was to ensure you have a good life and protect what they labored for over the years before their passing."

"But..."

"No buts Venny. Do you want your aunt to go away with what is yours? You can marry him and divorce him later. Simple as that." She sounded really convincing.

"I...he...we..." I released a sigh. "We had sex the night before my divorce."

"What?!" Her eyes went saucer-wide. "How...how did it happen? I mean, you hate the guy."

Another sigh escaped me. "I know."

Then I told her everything while she listened with rapt attention.

She was smiling by the time I was done.

"What are you smiling for?" My frown deepened.

"It's destiny." Her smile widened.

I groaned. "Alina. You and fairy tales."

Alina was a cupid in mortal form. She loved 'love'.

"Well, you never can tell."

"No, Alina. I'm not going back to my past. He's my past." I uttered matter-of-factly.

"And your passion too." She wriggled her brows.

"Stop it. It's not funny." I gave her the eye.

The smile disappeared. "Sorry. But you can't turn him down. It's marriage and people get divorced all the time if they want to."

"I just got divorced, Lina. I don't think I'm ready for another marriage. Especially with him!" The thought of even getting back with him was infuriating enough.

"Letting your inheritance go or putting up with him just to get it back. Which do you choose? Remember you can divorce when you want."

I pondered on her words. She was right. Aunt Gina's betrayal stung, and her words too. She was so confident I'd never be able get my inheritance back.

My dead parents. They had trusted her to care for me and she'd disappointed them. They would not be happy wherever they were right now if I let greedy aunt Gina win.

"I'll be back." I told her and climbed out of the vehicle, stepping into the restaurant.

He spotted me as soon as I reached the exclusive booth. He watched me approach the table.

I sat back down, staring at him as well.

After what seemed like a long staring contest, he asked. "So...?"

"Yes, I'll marry you."