34- His answer.
Hunter‘s eyes went wide with shock. His mouth was wide open. Never in his wildest dreams had h e ever imagined this proposal, “Wait.….what?”
“Marry me. Remember about that contract marriage which you were interested in? Well, I want that contract marriage with you. But there would be my terms included as well.”
She looked at Hunter, and when he could not speak then she raised an eyebrow in anticipation.
“Hunter? Won‘t you say anything?” Hunter seemed speechless at the moment. His lips were stretched in a thin line. She was holding her breath waiting for his answer.
“Hunter. My sister is back with Kyle. They are pregnant. And I badly need someone for face saving. You are the only option right now ….” she could not continue.
These tears were making it difficult to her.
She moved forward and leaned her forehead on his. “I would save your face in front of your family. I would even pay you…” that got Hunter‘s attention like anything.
Instead of giving any response he stood up and turned his back towards her. She went to him and started rubbing her hand on his bareback.
“You alright?” but when he turned around he looked a little amused which somewhat made her a little furious.
“What is so funny?”
When he shook his head suppressing a smile she continued “Hunter, please marry me. I would pay you by giving up my salary. I can work for your empowerment program for free. Umm maybe for throughout two years? ... or three? Whatever is convenient for you.”
o show them that you are crazily in love with me.” Hunter quietly stared because right now he was at a loss of words.
“Please say something.” She was almost begging him. But he was unmoved still looking into her eyes as if he wanted to say something but could not decide how to say it to her.
She pressed her cheek against his chest, “Hunter. Once you said we are friends. It‘s your friendship that brought me here. I don’t have any friend or anyone else to turn up to. Except you or Molly.”
(0
Hunter sighed and put his arms around her quietly resting his chin on her head. She looked up to him for an answer but he was still quiet.
“You do know I have signed the divorce papers.” She heard him saying.
“But I haven‘t. Ask a lawyer. Do anything, Hunter. Please help me!” tears were again slipping on her cheeks, “Do you need time to decide?” She inquired, waiting for him to say something.
34– His answer.
Tilting his head, Hunter looked at the ceiling. “I should get your coffee for you.” then leaving her h e went to bring her some coffee. But she stopped him. “Leave it, Hunter. I need to sleep. I had been walking since evening.” She muttered to herself, “and my feet hurt” she said under her breath.
Hunter was quick to reach her, “Damn. Sugar!” Abigail did not know what she detected in his voice, “you have been walking since.….. Abigail! Without your shoes, you have been….” He took her i n his arms and held her tightly.
“Hunter I…” but he did not let her speak “Shh … Abigail. Quiet!”
She became quiet and rested her cheek on his chest. Hunter carried her to the bed and laid with her. He kept caressing her cheek with his knuckles, or her hair with fingers. He did not feel sleepy but Abigail had gone to sleep the moment her body touched the bed.
She again had the same nightmare but Hunter relaxed her by using soothing words. He shifted her on himself resting her head against his chest.
When Abigail woke up the next morning she looked around and found Hunter staring at the ceiling. She could see dark circles around his eyes, the tell–tale sign that he could not sleep last night.
Thinking about last night made her bolt up, Hunter held her tightly, “Careful sugar.”
“Hunter.” she had questions in her eyes, she was waiting …
“What would you have for breakfast?” He got up and asked her. He was avoiding her gaze, she realized. She did not reply.
Unable to avoid her gaze anymore he turned towards her. Her eyes and face were still puffy because of continuous crying last night. Her black hair was loose reaching her waist while she managed to look too gorgeous in his shirt and boxer.
“You can’t make a decision on empty stomach, sugar.” He smiled. But the smile did not reach his
eyes.
“Try me!” he chuckled at her jibe.
She came near him and held his face, “You have become a very dear friend of mine. Almost a buddy. Whatever would be your decision, you won’t lose me. I promise.” “In that case” holding her hands in his, he looked at her “My answer is, No.”
35– Proposing the right guy.
She was not expecting this!
Not at all expecting this!
“Till yesterday he wanted a contract marriage with someone. With anyone. And now he is not taking my offer. He is declining it. Why? Because I do not belong to his class? Of course, he would want someone blond and classy, one of his own for even a contract marriage. He won‘t settle for less.”
“Girls like me are there for fu**ing friendships. Right?” The bitter thoughts were not leaving her.
He was trying to grasp all the expressions crossing her face, “Abigail. I can explain this sweetheart. Just relax and sit here. We need to talk.”
Shaking her head while moving back she smiled but her lips quivered. She did not want to cry showing him that she was weak. She did it last night. But no, it‘s not happening again.
“Abigail. I talked to my lawyer. If one of us has signed the papers, we need to say our vows again. But trust me. You will get someone better than me. You don‘t need a contract marriage right now.”
She kept listening to his speech with indifference and then turned on her heels to leave the bedroom. “Abigail! Abi! Where are you going?” he was following her.
“Don’t worry Hunter. I am not going to suicide. I am a rock.” She smiled while pressing the button t
o call the elevator in his living room.
“Abigail. Listen. You deserve a proper wedding with proper engagement. You deserve a suitable guy… And and..” He threw his arms in air feeling like a fool, “You are not even dressed. And you
“Abigail!” He tried to put warning in his tone. He wished he could put some sense in her.
He put his hand to avoid the elevator door to close. “Back off Hunter. You want your bathroom slippers?” She took them off. “Here take these.”
Entering the lift, Hunter tried to hold her but she did not let him near her, “Abi, sweetheart, love!”
Under normal circumstances, she would have blushed by the endearments but not now.
Right now, she was fuming.
“Hunter, you are off the hook. Ok? Now take a deep breath. Go back.” when the elevator‘s doors opened on the first floor he tried to stop her.
“What exactly are you doing on the first floor?” But without answering him she stormed out of it and started looking for the required room number in the corridor. “Here it is.” She said happily knocking on the door.
Hunter was bewildered, “Abi, why are you knocking on this door?”
“Oh. Come on Hunter. He is your cousin. Right?” she knocked again then realized she should ring
