The Marriage Gamble

An Unexpected Proposal

Antoine's fingers danced across the keyboard, his brow furrowed in concentration as he pored over the intricate lines of code that adorned his screen. The gentle hum of the office around him faded into the background, his focus solely centered on the complex financial technology platform he had been tasked with optimizing.

As he worked, his mind couldn't help but drift to Sonja, a pang of longing tugging at his heart. Their connection had weathered the storm of her business endeavors, but the strain of the distance had taken its toll, leaving them both teetering on the precipice of uncertainty.

A familiar ringtone pierced through his reverie, jolting him back to the present. With a furrowed brow, he glanced at the caller ID, his heart skipping a beat when he recognized the name – Luca, his cousin and business partner.

"Luca," he greeted, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "What's going on?"

His cousin's voice crackled through the line, brimming with barely contained excitement. "Antoine, my friend, I have news that's going to change everything."

Antoine felt his pulse quicken, his curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

"Remember that investor we've been courting for months?" Luca continued, his words tumbling forth in a rush. "Well, they've finally agreed to back our venture – but on one condition."

A sense of dread settled in the pit of Antoine's stomach, his mind already anticipating the catch that loomed on the horizon.

"We have to relocate the headquarters to Singapore," Luca announced, his tone equal parts triumphant and apologetic.

Antoine's breath caught in his throat, the implications of his cousin's words crashing over him like a tidal wave. Singapore – a world away from the familiar comforts of Europe, a leap into the unknown that threatened to upend his life as he knew it.

"Singapore?" he echoed, his voice laced with disbelief. "But... how? My EU passport won't cut it for running a business there."

Luca's response was tinged with a hint of mischief, a familiar glint that Antoine knew all too well. "Well, there is one way," his cousin drawled, his tone laden with implication. "You could always hire a local bride, get yourself a marriage of convenience."

Antoine's mind reeled at the suggestion, his thoughts immediately turning to Sonja. The idea of using her in such a calculated manner left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he couldn't deny the practicality of the arrangement.

If he were to marry Sonja, even temporarily, it would grant him the legal status he needed to oversee the business in Singapore, without the bureaucratic quagmire of traditional work permits and visas.

As the weight of the decision bore down upon him, Antoine couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Sonja had already sacrificed so much for her dreams, enduring heartbreak and uncertainty in the pursuit of her ambitions. To ask her to take on the burden of a sham marriage, even for his sake, felt like a cruel imposition.

Yet, the allure of the opportunity, the tantalizing prospect of building something truly remarkable with Luca, was too strong to ignore. And if he were to embark on such an endeavor, he knew there was no one he would rather have by his side than Sonja – the woman who had captured his heart and ignited his soul with her unwavering spirit.

With a deep breath, Antoine made his decision, his resolve steeled by the unwavering belief that their connection was strong enough to weather even the most unconventional of storms.

"Luca," he began, his voice steady despite the maelstrom of emotions swirling within him. "I think I know someone who might be willing to help us out."

As he explained the situation to his cousin, laying out the details of his plan, Antoine couldn't help but feel a mixture of trepidation and excitement. This was a gamble, a bold leap into the unknown that could either solidify his bond with Sonja or shatter it beyond repair.