24-You deserve someone better
“You can use this space if you want, until the lock gets repaired. This one is underti pointed towards the empty cupboard space in the room
“And why would I do that, mister Levisay?” she raised an eyebron. ‘lam not moving in with you.”
“That’s not a bad idea.” he teased “I won’t mind that,” he said mischievously
“Ha ha. Very funny. In your dreams, Levisayi” she said with fake sarcasm
He chuckled. “Let’s go out for lunch, we can
he stopped when she started shaking her head
“No lunch, please. I am not hungry _ Stop making me fatter. She sprawled on the flex plasturba putting her legs on the couch.
Seeing her in such a relaxed mood did some tugging to his heart Without even giving a 20000 thought he picked a cushion from the couch and fixed it under her head, kneeling on the 1
She grinned at him, “Thanks”.
But he could not smile back and just kept looking at her with a serious expression on his face Her eyes were closed so she could not notice it
Picking up another cushion, he laid his head on it and kept his long legs on the couch just beca her. He did not know why he felt pleased by this simple childlike act. When he turned hisiace she was looking at him.
“Hey!” he said grinning.
“Hi,” she said softly, looking into his eyes. She had never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would ever be able to trust someone, that too a man, that too a devilishly handsome man who was filthy rich. Owner of Sapphire Galaxy Hotels throughout the USA
She could not believe they had become friends in such a short period She felt saie with him relaxed. Despite him being extremely good looking she did not ieel the urge to dress up or apply even an eyeliner or a lip gloss. She was just Abi. She was just herself.
Last night, he sensed that she needed him. He not only offered his bed his privacy but also himself. He had been trying to remember the birth years of her family members and friends
Apart from that he never made any move to touch her unnecessarily. Whenever be did sbe Deter felt uncomfortable.
Whoever girl he would choose to be his girlíniend or wife.
A proper wife! Not a contractual one!
That lady would be damn lucky. She kept staring at him and could not help it when the thought came to her mind that she was his wife.
No Abigail. You are just a contractual wife. The man is treating you as a friend Just take whatever he is offering instead of expecting more from him That was never your intention You just
recovered from a heartbreak. And right now you don’t want a man. You don’t need a man.
You want self-respect. You need healing, Abi!
Like always, her inner self was busy scolding her.
She was staring at him without realizing that his lower lip was now between his teeth, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Before he could pass a teasing remark she asked something unexpected for him.
“Hunter! Do you have a girlfriend?”
They were still lying on the floor with their feet propped up on the couch. Hunter was tapping one foot on the other. He was looking at the ceiling. While she was looking at him.
She did feel, he was not comfortable about the topic due to some reason, “I didn’t mean to pry. It’s just that a girl like me looking for a contractual husband is understandable. But you are everything. You have everything. So why you agreed to go for this contractual marriage?”
“No, I don’t have a girlfriend. Never got serious with relationships. Or with girls. Though I had a lot of pressure to get married and start a family.”
“Really? And who was doing that?”
“My family.” Hunter smiled fondly. “My grandparents! Both my parents died when I was still a baby. My mom was the only child of her parents. So my maternal parents took the responsibility o f my upbringing.”
And they did a pretty good job. She thought to herself. “What about your paternal family?”
“My father grew up in foster homes.” Then he looked at her. “My grandparents told me that my mom and dad were very fond of kids. They always wanted to have a big family with lots of kids. Maybe because both of them did not have any siblings. Lately, my grandfather started pressurizing me to have kids of my own.”
She turned to him, “He might be doing it out of love. Like, come on. You are a well-settled businessman. He might want to see you happy with a family.”
“But in recent years he seems kind of obsessed with the idea.” Abigail could feel the tension. But she remained quiet just as he was quiet last night, to give him time and to make up his mind.
He was staring in space “Last few months had been hell. Even my Grandma can’t understand what is getting into him. He thought I should marry someone as soon as possible. Otherwise, he would sell all the shares in the market.” He brushed his fingers through his hair, “and if I produce a kid then that would be a bonus.”
Abigail had to stop herself to touch his tensed face, “He might be jesting, or merely threatening
you.”
“No, he was not. I know him very well. He loves me but that would never stop him to do whatever h e wants. He is kind of stubborn. He almost disowned my mom for falling in love with my dad. But forgave her on one condition that they would not only have to marry soon but also produce a kid
Abigail could not stop herselt, she got closer to him and started rubbing his arm trying to offer some comfort to him just like he did last night. He at once knew what she was trying to do, so he welcomed it by tuming towards her. Their faces were close, too close.
Why I have got this feeling that there is something more to it? Don’t hold back anything Hunter. Just spill it ” she said litting her hand to gently caress his face,
Holding her hand he intertwined their fingers and kissed it, “Has anyone ever told you that you can eam well by being a telepath?”
Abi frowned at him, “Very flattering!” she rolled her eyes but kept looking at him giving him time. He was getting uncomfortable with each passing minute,
He took a deep breath, “You won’t let it go. Will you?” with the same serious expression she shook her head making him smile.
He was still quiet, perhaps trying to decide. “I did something which might sound wrong Abigail, but I did not have any choice.”
“It’s ok. We all make mistakes. We all do something wrong at some stage. I promise I won’t be judgmental. No explanations would be required.”
“Would we stay friends after this?” he asked with somewhat childlike innocence.
“Absolutely sir! We would be friends after this. Except I hope, it was not an attempted murder” even during this tense discussion she managed to make him grin which earned her a kiss on her cheek
Too pleased with herself she could not stop smiling.
Holding her hand near his heart, their fingers still intertwined, he closed his eyes. “Marriage was never included in my plans. Because I was waiting for the right woman. So to make things easier … I” he hesitated “I … decided … for this contract marriage. I was given an ultimatum by my grandfather to get married and here you came to me proposing. God sent!” He chuckled.
Abigail tightened her grip on his hand. “I am sorry for you. Marriage should never be forced on anyone.” When he kept looking at her she nodded her head gently encouraging him.
“I decided for a contract marriage. Anyone who might need money, I would pay her to be my wife for one or two years. As soon as my grandfather will be off my back, I would let her go. We would g o on our separate ways. No strings attached” then he looked at her as if he expected her to run away, “But here you were ready to pay me for the deed.”
“Yeah. I did not know you. You must be laughing your heads out when I offered you to pay.”
“No.” He brushed off an invisible dirt spec from the tip of her nose, “Nobody offered me money. Never. You were the first one to do that. But…”
“But?”
“You deserve something better than a contract marriage, Abigail. You deserve a proper marriage with a proper proposal. A boy who cares for you. Anddd for that purpose…” He paused a little, “with
your permission and after our mutual understanding, I might …” He pulled in a sharp breath,” nullify the marriage.”
Abigail did not know why she felt hurt. Here he was talking to her like an old friend sharing his heart out but was talking about a divorce. But why she was so concerned. Yes. She was attracted t o lum. Wildly attracted.
But she was not in love with him. So whatever he was saying was a lot practical and made sense.
“I agree. Mamage annulment might be the best choice right now. It’s a sacred relation.” He was happy that she took it so well. But deep down he felt a totally foreigner feeling which he chose to ignore.
“What if your grandfather wants you to have a child just like he wanted your parents to have one?”
“I don’t think so.” Hunter shook his head. “Because he knows that this generation cannot be forced to start a family.”
“Oh? But this generation cannot be coaxed into marriage too.” she pointed out.
“I know, but he did mention that his only intention is to get me married, nothing else,” he became quiet after that.
They both were quiet, busy in their thoughts. Oddly they were at ease, relaxed, and cozy. He realized she must be hell hungry so he tumed towards her only to find her sleeping peacefully beside him. He chuckled and raised himself on one elbow.
Even in her sleep, she managed to look gorgeous, captivating.
Very gently he bent and planted a kiss on her nose, “So boring am I, Abigail?” he whispered making her stir in her sleep. He smirked and again bent very carefully and caressed her lips
lightly with his, very tenderly.
He again felt that unfamiliar tug at his heart. She moaned in her sleep. He kept looking at her, and
then with great care, he removed her hair strand from her forehead.
It took his every amount of willpower not to kiss her senselessly, “Sugar!” He whispered, “Is there anything else you can do except eating desserts, drinking coffee… sleeping?”
