~ IMOGEN ~

"Get married to you?" I frowned. "How on Earth is that possible?"

"It is possible because it'll happen. Forty Million dollars isn't such a small amount of money but for you, I'll give everything I have. You caused the fire, I'll repay it, then you'll get married to me."

"The fire wasn't absolutely my fault. The stupid man had candles everywhere. Why would there be candles in an office?"

"And how did the candles start the fire? On their own?" He raised an eyebrow with another smirk tempting to appear on his lips. 

"Of course not. I wanted to view the fireworks and shifted the curtains. I didn't know it was going to touch the fire from the candle. If the candle wasn't there, it wouldn't have happened."

He laughed. "If you hadn't viewed the fireworks, it wouldn't have happened."

"So it's my fault?"

"Yeah, definitely. Whether or not it was accidental, you caused it and it spread throughout the entire building. Mr. Hawthorn would have one of the best lawyers to deal with this if it leads to a court case. Rather than leading to more troubles for you, I'll repay the debt, and you'll be my wife." He curled an arm around my waist. 

I glowered at him. "You're literally forcing me to get married to you. Aren't you supposed to try to make me love you first? It'll be a one-sided relationship. I might have feelings for you if you prove yourself worthy enough." I shrugged. 

"No, thank you. I'm determined to have you. You can fall in love with me after marriage but I want to be certain that you're absolutely mine, no fear, nothing. I'll prove myself worthy enough for your love after marriage. That makes sense." 

"It's crazy." I wiggled out of his grip and sat on the bed.

"It's not, else you'll sort out the forty Million dollars on your own. I can call Mr. Hawthorn now to let him know I'll no longer pay it." He reached for his phone in his sweatpants pocket and turned it on. 

I stared at his phone's screen in awe. Was he really going to call him?

He clicked on Mr. John Hawthorn in his contact list and called him. 

My heart began to race in fear but I couldn't seem to stop him. I knew I wasn't going to have 40 Million dollars to repay the idiot Hawthorn, but I couldn't get married to Hames either. The only way out was going to be if I met a Billionaire today, who's madly in love with me, fall in love with him and he'll be willing to settle my debts. Oh wait, that was going to be Hames, that was Hames!

"Hello, Mr. Hawthorn." He placed the phone on his ear, making my heart throb faster till it burst out of my ribcage. "Yes, it's me again. I don't think I'll be able to settle the debt for my girlfriend," girlfriend? "So I'll give you her home address, you should discuss with her."

I held his arm, pleading with my eyes that he shouldn't do it. 

He glanced at me. "Not a problem, it's just a misunderstanding." I shook my head at him. "I really don't know how she'll do it but I'm no longer interested."

"Hames!" I exclaimed. 

"Hang on, Mr. Hawthorn, I think there's a change of mind here," he said and put the phone away. "What's wrong, sweetheart? Do you have something to say?"

"Please stop it."

"Are you ready to accept my condition?" He simpered. 

I really felt like crying right now. I was so confused. How could I marry someone I didn't love yet? "You won't give me the chance to fall in love with you first before making a decision?"

"Nope."

He was so mean, cruel, a monster that didn't care about my happiness. The true fact remained was never going to have forty Million dollars till heaven knows when, and I wasn't going to get arrested or be in trouble.  "Okay, I agree." I accepted his condition, assuring myself that I was going to divorce him the next day or the week after the marriage. That assurance made me smirk. 

"What's with that face?" He asked.

I shook my head. "I guess I should be excited to receive a marriage proposal from a Millionaire, I can finally be rich."

He stared at me in skepticism but placed the phone on his ear again. "Sorry for the interruption. I'll pay the money."

Silence…

He frowned. "Don't yell at me. I'm not changing my decision, as long as she doesn't change her mind. I'm not confused. We'll finalize everything next week." Silence again. "Okay, goodbye." He ended the call then threw the phone to the bed, gazing at me.

"This is so unfair. Doesn't he have insurance for it? I shouldn't bear the loss, now I have to marry—"

— "me." He completed my sentence. 

"This is definitely not what I imagined for my life, I didn't ever think my wedding would happen this way." I rose to my feet but he pulled me back to the bed.

"Where are you going?" 

"We're not married,"

— "yet."

"I don't live here, I have to return home, okay?"

"The doctor said you shouldn't stress your sprained ankle." Like he cared. 

"It's okay. It's my sprained ankle not yours, I'll deal with it myself. Thank you." I tried to stand again but he held my arms. 

"Don't you get it? You'll be mine soon and I care about your body. I don't like it when you're hurt. You should sleep." He stroked my bare arms with his fingers.

"So I shouldn't return home?"

"Don't you want to spend a little more time with your future husband?" He kissed the crook of my neck. 

His action made my breath seize. "Hames," I pushed him away by his chest. "I don't feel comfortable being this close to you, on your bed. I want to go home right now."

"Okay, fine." He rolled his eyes, rose to his feet and scooped me up in his arms. 

"What are you doing?" I was confused by this but still placed my arms around his neck, to be comfortable. 

"I don't want you to stress your ankle so I'm carrying you to the car." He said and started walking out of the room. 

I wanted to argue against it but it was best if I didn't so I remained quiet.

What was wrong with this man? How could he want to marry someone who didn't love him? I was definitely getting a divorce soon.

Just when I was beginning to think of him differently and like his sweet part, he brought this up? Couldn't he be patient enough to prove himself worthy of my love? Asshole.

Anyway, I was glad I wasn't going to be bothered by how to pay such a huge sum of money. Why had I decided to see the stupid fireworks? Why had John decided to propose in his office?

Hames walked down the stairs, still carrying me in his arms. 

"I like it when you stare at me, admiring me." He chuckled. "When we get married, you'll stare at me all day and night. I can't wait."

"I didn't realize I was staring at you." I huffed and averted my gaze from him. 

"You didn't realize but you were. You're unconsciously in love with me too." He said and I scoffed.

A maid opened the main door then he stepped out of it and walked up to a car parked in front of his mansion. 

He called for a driver who opened the car door. "Be safe and healthy. We'll start the preparation for our wedding."

"Start the preparation? Isn't it too soon?"

"It's not. We're getting married next week." 

"Next week?!" I screamed. 

"Yes, it's just me, you, family and a few friends. Have a nice time." He placed me in the backseat and shut the door. "Please drive her home safely." He said to the Driver who nodded and got into the backseat. 

Was this a dream? Was I really getting married to Hames Hendrix, my boss, next week? Gosh, that was going to be torturous for me, I was certain of that.

I was either going to get a divorce or love him too…