"We are here to ask for your hand in marriage for our Boss; Christian Elvis."

I blinked and said, "Come again?" Thinking I might have heard wrong. "We ask for your hand in marriage for our boss; Christian Elvis." I remained stoic. I just can't comprehend it.

"Christian Elvis? The Billionaire who divorced his wife a few years ago?" I choose my words cautiously not to anger them by talking bad about him. They just gave me a nod. And my whole being stopped when I heard that. My mind became hazy as the mystifying clouds filled my mind.

"Why?" That's the only question I can ask.

"He requires a beautiful and innocent girl. And we believe that you are perfect for him." Upon hearing this anger took over me as I stood up and glared at them.

"Well, I refuse this proposal. Now, Please kindly leave." I said trying to not sound rude despite the fact that I want to kick them out.

They stood up and gave me a card which I tore the moment they handed me. They smirked at my action as if they expected me to do that.

"Even if we are not as rich as him but we are happy in our little life," I stated, so these imbeciles would understand that I am not a sellout.

They were about to leave but they stopped at the doorstep.

"Think about it carefully. He'll afford all the expenses of your brother's treatment and in a better hospital as well to give your mother a separate home to spend her life peacefully." One of the men said as he put the card on the table.

"Think carefully. It's a chance of a lifetime." He smirked and left.

After they left, I grit my teeth in anger and take the card in my hands. I threw it away and was about to storm off to my room but mother held my arm.

I looked at her and narrowed my eyes at her. She opened her mouth to say something but decided to close it afterwards. Like she was trying to tell me something but couldn't. Very proficiently, she decided to change the sentence as she said, "I leave the decision to you." She said firmly and left.

I sighed deeply and stared at the ceiling. Being unable to sleep I just stare aimlessly. Immerse in thoughts and uncertainties, I closed my eyes.

Christian Elvis, A 29 years old billionaire. A divorcee, how can I marry someone who is too older than me and is already divorced. Why would he want to marry me in the first place? I have never seen him, even in the pictures. But, they will help to transfer Eugene to a better hospital and also give my mother a home- what I always want. But, If I marry him, I'll be known as a Gold-Digger that married him just for money, even though it's true still, I still don't want this. I can't marry the person I don't even know, love is a distant matter.

I just don't know what I should do.

Losing myself deep in the thoughts, I didn't realize that morning came and I haven't slept at all. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to go into a deep slumber for whatever time I have left.

Mother wakes me up, two hours before my work because the hotel is too far from here. I got ready and was about to leave but mother stopped me. I looked at her.

"Nothing. Go." She smiled and I tilt my head in confusion. Shrugging off my shoulders, I left for work.

At work, I just can't shake this thought off, even for a second.

"Sophie!" Candice called me as I looked at her in confusion.

"Eat, the tea-break will end soon." She said shoving a cupcake in her mouth. I also took a cupcake and ate it too.

After a tiresome day, I went to see Eugene. I entered his room and smiled sadly, looking at him, covered in medical equipment. I took a seat and began to say,

"Eugene, some people came to ask for my hand in marriage to Christian Elvis. I know he is rich and all but I don't want to marry him. But, he will help me to treat you in a better hospital. I don't know what I should do.

This all will stop if you wake up. Please, my brother, wake up and save me.

I don't want it. If you wake up, everything will be normal and I don't have to marry him. Please Eugene save me. Please wake up..." I said as tears began to fall from my eyes uncontrollably. But no matter how many times I pleaded with him to wake up using different reasons, he didn't move an inch.

Feeling disheartened, I came home. Mother was waiting for me. I hugged her and freshened myself. We were having dinner in silence but mother asked,

"Have you thought about it?" I nodded and said, "I'll reply to them tomorrow." I said and left to my room. I couldn't sleep as I was lying on my bed. Mother knocked and entered. My gaze was fixed on the ceiling. I sensed mother sitting beside me and putting her hand over my forehead and caressing it sweetly. I smiled and continued to look above.

"Sophie, What you're gonna say?" Mother asked. I turned and snuggled with my mother.

"I don't know what I should do. We definitely need money but this doesn't feel right."

"I am not forcing you but remember, A better treatment for Eugene. You know it that there's no hope for him to wake up with the current treatment and we don't have money for better treatment."

"And you? A place for you to live, Mother?" I asked thinking she might be interested in it but no. She chuckled and said, "I'm old sweetie and have lived enough. I'll gladly spend my life here." I hid my face in her lap and said, "But I said that I'll give you a house on my own."

"It's alright... You can't fulfil all your dreams.." She advised me as I nodded and went to sleep in her arms.

The next day, since it's Sunday and my holiday I took a deep breath and called them. But my egoistic part interrupted as I was about to cut the call but didn't. We need the money and maybe it's an escape for us from this.

"Hello." I heard a voice. Mentally preparing my mind, I answered, "Hello, I am Sophie Skye, I accept your proposal." I heard a chuckle as my being became outraged. "Very Well. We will talk about it further later." He said and cut the call. I scoffed and sat on the bed. Mother rubbed my back to calm my vex form down and I pulled my hair in frustration. It's all right, I am doing this for all of us. We all can live a better life after it...

It's been a week and there's no reply from them and somewhere in my heart, I am happy about it. Just when I thought that it was all a realistic dream and we are back to normal the bell rang. I muttered something under my breath because my mother was cooking and I had to open the door. I opened the door and saw them again, this time smiling at me. I gave them a bewildered look but soon my face change as I forced a smile and welcomed them,

"What brings you here?" I asked politely.

"We would like you to have dinner with Sir Christian." One of them said. My smile faded and I remained stoic. No, no, no. My heart began to beat faster and I shook my head no. They raised their eyebrow and I asked, "Why?". "To see If we can proceed with things further or not." I swallowed hard and nodded. I was about to leave to tell mother about it and to get ready but they said, "Please wear this for dinner." They motioned to a beautiful black lacy frock which seems very expensive and I can only imagine to wear these dresses not to actually wear one. "I can't wear it," I said. "You have to." They insisted and after arguing for a few moments, I sighed in defeat and turned to see my mother looking at me. I took the dress and went to my room. Surprisingly, The fitting was perfect for my curves and I looked at myself in the mirror, I looked so graceful. Such alluring looks, I can't explain. I took a deep breath and walked out. I let my brown hairs fall on my back and applied a little makeup. They smiled at me and took me with them. In the car, I suddenly realize, this can also be fake so that they take me somewhere else. I'm stupid, I shouldn't trust these guys in the first place and I am alone with them, how idiotic I can be. I bit my lip in nervousness and opened my phone. Since I haven't seen this Christian Elvis before, I searched through the web for him to know if I'm meeting the actual deal or not.

I looked at his pics, Oh My God, he doesn't seem like an old guy. He is pretty handsome but anyone can look beautiful in filtered and edited pictures.

Finally, after a devilishly long ride, We reach a mansion which is bigger than one of my dreams. I think it's right to call it a castle instead of a mansion. My eyes widened in awe as I looked at them. The car stopped at the entrance and one of them said, "He'll instruct you further." I nodded and walked out. I saw a person in a butler attire smiling at me. I smiled a little as he said, "Welcome, I am Samuel, the butler of this mansion. You must be Miss Sophie Skye?" He asked and I said, "Yes." Under the pressure of this overwhelming power, my voice came out like a whisper.

He nodded and said again, "Please follow me." And I followed him like a kid. We entered and my heart began to thump with nervousness. The lavishing decors. Anything here worth more than my lifetime salary. I didn't lift my gaze because I don't want to embarrass myself.

We reached a dining hall and my heart stopped when I saw a man with prodigious dominating aura leaning on the wall. A feeling of being an inferior being in this presence of crushing power filled me. He turned and looked at me. My gaze met his exquisite raven one. His piercing gaze looked at my petite from. His eyes scanned me for a second as he walked closer. My throat dried as I couldn't produce a single sound. He walked closer and stood in front of me, his unnatural eyes never leaving me and giving an eerie feeling of fright. I then noticed his other features and he is even more handsome than the pictures. Perfectly combed black hair along with a beard that matches his superior presence. He's gorgeous like an ancient Greek God, a flawless beauty. A skin which is perfectly tanned by the sun. I quickly turned my gaze away from his mesmerizing features and looked at the ground.

"Sir, She is Miss Sophie Skye." He hummed in response and Samuel left without saying a word, leaving me alone with this supreme guy. Our gaze met for a second and I muster some courage to produce a single sound in his highness presence,

"Good Evening, Sir." I can't possibly call him by his name. He evoked a feeling of contempt in me. "Come," That's all he said and I swear even his voice is heavenly. I tentatively nodded and took a seat. He sat on the head of the house chair as I looked away. I feel like I can't speak in his presence, not until he allows me. Being consumed by the ultimate power, I waited for him to talk and he did,

"How old are you?" He asked. My dried lips answered, "21."

"How educated are you?" He asked again. "I have completed my graduation two years ago."

He just asked two questions and I can't say anything more. I hoped that he might not ask any more questions and surprisingly he didn't. There was a silence that was crushing me by each passing second. Soon, the food was served and his eyes were observing my every move.

I thanked God for the past six months in the hotel because I've seen people eat and learn quite a lot from it. I picked the right spoon and began to drink my soup. After being satisfied that I'm eating correctly, he began to drink his soup as well.

The dinner was silent and none of us said a single word. After dinner, I thought of breaking the silence by asking him to send me home but he spoke up first,

"I want you to know a few things before marriage," He sternly said and since I am too immersed in the ambience, I just gave him a nod.

"You won't expect love from me and will please me whenever, wherever I want." He stopped for a second and all those helplessness feelings faded away as anger took over me. How dare he? If he's rich he can't use me like that. Becoming furious I replied, "Excuse me Sir, But I am not a whore. Kindly, Look for another girl, I'm not a sellout." I became angry and stood up to leave. I turned to leave but I heard him,

"Wait, I haven't completed myself," He said authoritatively, I swear if he said another stupid word, I'll slap him, I don't care who the hell is he but I am not a plaything. I turned and saw him standing so close to me, my breath hitched as I took a step back.

"That's the reason I want to marry you. I'll give you my name, my money and everything you desire. In return, I just want two things from you." He said.

"W-What?" I shuddered in fear.

"Loyalty and Satisfaction." My heart skipped a beat as I took a step back. Fright took over me as I spoke in a vague tone, "What I-if I r-refuse?"

He smirked and took a step closer. My body became numb as dread consumed my body. The anger which induced me evaporated in an instant and was replaced by his presence that deluge me in fright.

"You can't. I'll afford all the expenses of your brother's treatment and fulfil your greatest wish; A sweet home for your mother." He said and his lips curved upwards triumphantly; leaving me speechless. How did he know about my greatest wish? My lips began to quiver as he took another step closer,

"I'll give you a week to think about it." He said. My trembling form lost its strength and wants to run away from this tribulation. Away from him.

"But, remember one thing, Sophie," My whole being lost its senses when he called my name. My throat dried and my energy- which was very little of left, was also deprived of me. He continued to walk closer and somehow some courage blessed me and I took a step back and he continued to say,

"Once this is started, You are stuck."

My body drowns in the pools of apprehension as he continued to say a sentence by each step,

"You'll be mine to claim."

"Your body, Your soul will belong to me"

"I'll never tolerate anyone who tried to think about you the way I do."

"You can never cheat on me."

He stood in front of me and I shut my eyes in terror. The fear anticipated by the fact that he can do the unimaginable to me cause to break miserably. I felt his hot breath on my face as he said the last sentence,

"I'll give you whatever you desire and you give me what I desire."

I slowly opened my eyes and met his menacing gaze as tears brimmed in my eyes but I didn't let them fall,

"It's a fair deal."He said and got away. I let out rapid breaths in dread and turned to leave but I heard him saying, "Just a week."

I left with my shaky form, submerged in his apparition.

The driver offered to drop me home but I refused because I don't want to be in that abhorrence filled mansion anymore.

I took a taxi and went home filled with undesirable thoughts. I just knew it that this guy can never be the one I deeply hoped to meet. That he can ever be that Knight I used to admire till now. A loveless marriage is something I never want but I have no choice. I want Eugene to recover and for it, I have to do it even though I don't want to...