Song "You and I" Tyler Brown Williams

Jonah tiptoe his way into Mindy's room. Staring at her sleeping body laid across the bed and the chain bound to her ankle, pain and regret sear through him. How can he ever tell her that he had mistook her father for that of the devil and accused him of crimes he never committed. And on top of it all kidnapped her and mistreated her to the point of no forgiveness. To the women that he knew he had fell for from the first time he laid eyes on her but never wanted to admit it. To the woman that he claim as his, the woman that he....love.

Strolling over, he unchained her ankle dropping the chain to the floor. The noise was enough to wake her up. She rubs at her eyes before getting up into a sitting position.

"You're back." She said cautiously. She didn't know how his mood was, memories of the last time he return replays in her head.

He didn't have to courage to look at her, at her eyes. He just sat silently at the foot of the bed eyes casted down to the bed sheets.

"Jonah did my father do something again?" Her voice was already filled of concern which only made him feel guilty to his crime.

"No he didn't. In fact he never did anything."

"Are you okay?" she didn't like that he wasn't speaking. It only made her feared of what her father could have possibly done this time.

"No I'm not okay Mindy."

All the words that he wanted to say to her but didn't know where to begin. He can only say them in his head.

Her eyes averted to his hands.

"You're bleeding?" concerned apparent on her face. "Wait here." She immediately gets up and rushes to the bathroom for the first aid kit.

Returning she start working on his right hand.

His heart was torn. Even after all he had done to her, she still willingly helps him. He had hurt her so much, convinced her enough that even now she thinks her father is to blame.

Right when she finishes, he pulls her in for a hug.

"Jonah...." She was confused.

He buries his face into her shoulder. "Just for a minute. Let me stay here for a minute."

Hugging her tighter like his life depended on it, he never wanted to let go. Mindy's arm hesitantly at first slowly moves to hug him back. Patting him gently on the back.

*****

The next day, Mindy was in the kitchen already preparing breakfast. She thought it odd that Jonah wasn't up yet. Usually he will be the first one up and breakfast would be already prepared. The truck was still here so she knows he didn't leave anywhere.

Her concentration was elsewhere when she was pouring hot soup landing it right on her left hand.

"Shit. Why am I so clumsy?" Running her hand under cool water she still couldn't get her mind off of Jonah.

Last night after hugging her he went directly to his room without saying a word. She was worried about him not knowing what happened yesterday.

Turning off the faucet she pours two bowls of soup again setting them on the table. She tiptoe upstairs to his room, outside the bedroom door she gently knocks on it.

"Jonah?" she knocks again but there is no reply.

Slowly she opens the door and invites herself into his room. Strolling over to the empty bed she wonders where he had gone. Just then the bathroom door swings open stepping out a naked freshly showered Jonah covered only by a towel hanging dangerously low below his waistline.

Mindy couldn't take her eyes off oh him, it was like she was in a trance hypnotized by his godlike body. Everything about it was perfect. Jonah stares right back at her, moving his hands to his hips wondering what she was doing in his room. He clears his throat bringing her back to reality.

"I uh...I." She wipes at her mouth making sure she didn't drooled. "Breakfast is ready."

He smiles at her nervousness before noticing the red marks on her left hand. She saw his gazed as well, quickly she shifts her right hand over her left hand.

"What happen?" he said inching closer to her.

Her breath hitch as he stops right in front of her. The body heat emanating from him and the fresh smell of rain was driving her hormones up the wall. Not to mention he is pretty much naked. She didn't fight when he lifts up her hand to examine it.

"It's just a little burn." She admitted.

Sighing he takes her to the bathroom pulling out the antibiotic and applies it on her.

"You are so clumsy. Always getting into trouble and getting hurt." He breathes.

"Same to you." She said looking at his hand she hand bandage yesterday.

Her eyes then averted to the bathtub which reminded her of what happened the last time they both were in this bathroom. His eyes follows her and he knew exactly was she was thinking about. Pulling her hands out of his grasp she steps back.

"Come down when you're ready." She hurriedly leaves him there alone.

Jonah didn't want to go down. If he did then he'll have to break the news to her. And he didn't know if he was ready yet.

-

After breakfast, Mindy starts to clean up but Jonah stands up stopping her.

"I'll do it. Go sit." He ordered.

"Okay something is wrong. Why is he being so nice?" The voice in her head was well alerted.

Sitting herself down on the coach, she watch him expertly clean up the dishes. Once he was done he told her to wait there going upstairs to retrieve something.

"Mindy," he calls her name when he returns. She looks up at him holding some papers curious as to what is going on. He was nervous at what he was about to do, whether it was the right thing or not.

"I'll let you go. Base on one condition. That you marry me." His eyes darken and jaws tense showing his seriousness in his offer.

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Had he finally gone mad? She stretch her hand to feel his forehead. "You're not having a fever?" That makes her even more baffled as to why he will want to marry her.

"No I'm not having a fever." He said. "I'm serious. Marry me."

She never expected a proposal to be like this. Especially never one from him.

"What game are you trying to play?" she questioned.

"It's not a game. Don't worry marrying me will come with its benefits. I'll cancel your father's debt to me and even return his business to him debt free. Plus you'll never have to worry about money issues ever again." He stated. He was calm and collected on the outside but his insides were running wild. What if she rejects his offer? Him.

"Jonah what are you saying?"

"Just think of it as a business deal. In return for what I stated you just have to be my wife and tend to my personal needs. Feelings isn't important here." He lied. He was totally lying.

Tears form in her eyes as she listen to this man's nonsense. She only thought it was nonsense, but she knew it wasn't all that of a bad idea if it's getting her family out of debt and their company back.

"Why? Why me? Don't you hate me? My father, my family or anything that has to do with us? Why would you want to be close to the likes of me?" she croaked.

Her feelings were hurt that he can even suggest such a thing. Marriage without feelings, marriage she thought was about love not two strangers brought together by her father's infidelity.

"Because I can't let you go."

"Because it's the only thing you can give me in return for what I'm doing. I was never the type to date and be held down by marriage but one day I know I'll need too and since I don't have the time for relationships, you can fill that void. Also, my mother will be release from the hospital soon, I need to go back and take care of her and you're gonna help me do just that."

She was speechless. What is she supposed to say to that? Marriage to her was all about love. But this man didn't feel that way about her. All he wants is for her to warm his bed and care for his mother.

"I..." she started.

"You have until tomorrow morning to decide. If you do, here." He hands her the papers he had brought down before. "This is the marriage contract. Sign it when you've agree to all the terms. If not then this offer will be cancel and you will continue to stay here until your father's paid off his debt."

With that he retreated up the stairs to his room leaving her behind staring in disbelief at his back.

-

It was the next morning already and Mindy locked herself in the room rereading the contract over and over again. Nothing in the contract benefits her at all except for the part about the debt her family owe.

#1. We will get married immediately after the contract is signed by both parties.

#2. No one is allowed to know about this deal even family members.

#3. You, Mindy, will not be allow to make contact with friends or family unless I, Jonah, consent.

#4. When out in public or in front of guest we will act like the perfect married couple.

#5. You will attend to my every need whether personal or physical.

#6. You will care for my mother as she is your own and never speak with her about the past.

#7. You will immediately move into my house.

#8. All debt own by your father will be forgiven including the return of his company debt free.

#9. You will not be working. I will provide you with sufficient funds to give you whatever to want.

#10. DIVORCE IS NOT AN OPTION. UNLESS I, JONAH LEWIS CHAMBERS, AM THE ONE TO INITIATE THE DIVORCE.

-

Jonah sits on the couch nervously waiting for Mindy to come down.

"I'm sorry Mindy but I feel like this was my last option. I can't lose you. Not now when I've fallen so hard for you. If I tell you the truth now, you'll just run away from me and I can't live without you. I promise I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

The night before he didn't get an ounce of sleep trying to figure out what to do now that he knew the truth. The only way to keep her was to make her think this whole situation wasn't a lie. He drew up the bogus contract that night when the idea hit him. He was going to make her his wife. It wasn't the proper way but he can only hope that one day she'll love him as much as he do her and be able to forgive him for his reckless actions.

It was getting towards noon already when finally he hears footstep coming down the stairs and his heart beat quickens. He doesn't know how to react if she rejects his offer.

Upon seeing him she walks over to him with the contract in hand. She hands it over to him looking him dead in the eyes.

"I accept. I will marry you."

A/N

It took me forever to decide what to do after Jonah found out about Mindy's father. Don't forget to vote and comment!! Thanks! =)