The Billionaire's Temporary Wife {*Completed*}

Chapter 6: Alexander

Chapter 6: Alexander

"Okay, now that we are here, start explaining already, man. And I hope for your sake that you have tons of money because trust me, if the stunt you pulled goes viral, I am going to sue you so badly." Zoey announced as we both sat down in a corner. Looking around, I saw that we were in a small restaurant and only a handful of people were around us. Since everybody was busy with their own thing, we had a less chance of being overheard.

Feeling a bit stiff in the jacket I had on, I removed it and kept it on the chair beside us, not noticing how my companion was observing my every move. I accidentally bumped my leg with hers as I stretched my legs out, trying to relax on the semi-comfortable wooden chair. Zoey shifted in her seat in front of me and again, I took a moment to appreciate her gracefulness. Even the smallest action looked so beautiful.

"I will tell you everything...but first, let us order something. I am so hungry. Starving, really. Let's get some snacks. Do you need anything? It's on me." I asked while I discreetly told my stomach to quiet down.

My stomach is out to humiliate me with the noises it was making.

"Sure." Zoey accepted the menu from the waiter and glanced through. "I will have an Alfredo pasta with coke."

"I will have what she's having." I told the server, not really caring what I have, as long as I have something to eat. We returned the menus, waiting for the food to get prepped.

It was silent for a while before she spoke up. "How about you start now?" I watched as she folded her hands in front of her and leaned forward, in full-on defensive mode. I let her words soak in me, taking in the silkiness and the hidden gentleness, despite the obvious caution.

"I want you to marry me." I told her and then waited for her reaction.

"...And? This is it? That is your explanation?" I tried controlling my laughter as I watched her expressions become animated each passing second. "I want you to marry me." She mocked in a low baritone, which I presumed was my voice just as a chuckle escaped me. "Don't laugh!" Her eyes were so round with disbelief that I just ended up laughing more. It felt weird to actually laugh instead of just twisting my lips upwards.

I watched as the woman's left eye twitched. I wasn't one of those guys like in books and movies who thought that an angry woman was like an angry animal, but for Zoey, it was so accurate! She looked like one of those small angry kittens which people 'aww' at when they see it. However, very few people realize that an angry kitty still has claws and can-do considerable damage.

"I apologize. Please hear me out." I calmed myself, drawing in a deep breath and started again, feeling a bit nervous as to what direction this particular conversation would take. "I want you to marry me, but not for love. Nothing like that. At all. Actually, you see, I am stuck in a stupid contract..."

As I explained my story to her, stopping in the middle when the food was being served, I tried to observe her reaction. At first it was indifference, then interest when I told her about Stella and then amusement when I told her about my plans.

"But why me? I mean, there are thousands of women who would happily do the job. I mean, you don't look so bad," She said, giving me a once over, making me wink at her, pretty obnoxiously. "-and the amount you bid on me for a date? I gather you aren't that poor either."

Wait.

Wait.

Hold up.

Not poor, either? I am one of the richest men in the world! The knowledge of this woman about current affairs...

I sighed, remembering my goal. "I know but I am out of time. The engagement is next week. My parents are the main people I have to convince. I think you look like the type of girl which they will think I like. I want my fake marriage to be as realistic as possible...in front of my parents." I explained.

She was silent for a while before shaking her head in no fashion. "I am sorry, but all this seems too weird for me. I am not sure I can be of help here." She played around with the food on her plate a bit. I tried to meet her eyes and unleash my secret weapon, puppy dog eyes, but she carefully kept hers on her plate.

I gave up after a while. I was already guessing it was around an eighty percent chance that she would reject me and this stupid scheme, so it didn't quite come as a shock.

"Okay, then plan B it is." I grinned, as I took a bite of my pasta. However, my eyes widened as my tongue got burned. This pasta was sitting in front of us for more than ten minutes, how was it still so hot! This is not Alfredo pasta, it's a lava-pasta. For God's sake, this hurts!

I closed my eyes as tears burned behind my eyelids, along with my throat as I tried to gasp in whatever air I could in my mouth so the food could cool down. I didn't know what to do.

Should I just spit it out?

No, that's bad manners. What would Zoey think?

But holy hell, this pain...

"Have this!" Zoey hurriedly opened my coke and handed it to me. What I did not see coming was the warm feeling which blossomed in me from where our fingers connected over the cold drink. I shook my head to clear it. I didn't need some god-awful distractions right now. I couldn't afford to have them right now.

My tongue is more important! Oh my god, will I even be able to form words after this?

As the pasta was washed down, I breathed a sigh of relief while Zoey chuckled good-naturedly. She looked like an absolute angel in her white dress. I gulped and smiled as well in embarrassment.

"What was plan B again?" she asked as she blew on her pasta before chewing and me following suit. I looked out the window as snow began to fall.

"Booking a one-way ticket to Siberia, running away, changing my name, and staying there forever."

My eyes were drawn to Zoey again as she laughed again, covering her mouth.

How is she so beautiful?

Our evening passed with us making light conversation, as the air between us cleared up. She was really witty, and I loved her sense of humor. She was intelligent and very easy to talk to. Too bad she said no to being my wife. I would have enjoyed being around her.

"I definitely enjoyed this date with you, Alexander." She said, after we were finished, getting up and extending a hand for me to shake.

"Likewise. Give me a call if you ever want to get married." I winked as we left the restaurant. Night had arrived but the snow was still falling. Snowflakes fell down in front and on top of us, and I saw Zoey look up. The street lamp beside the restaurant was giving her such a glow that even the couple walking on the pedestrian path on the opposite side stopped to stare.

I briefly wondered if she was cold. Her white dress and coat didn't seem enough for a weather like this.

"I don't have your number, though." She asked so innocently, that I had to actually think if she was stating a fact or wanting my number.

"I hope we can be friends?" I asked as I reached into my wallet and pulled out a white business card. Curling her fingers around it, she smiled up at me and I swear to god, it felt like heaven sang some orchestra like music.

"It was nice meeting you. Bye, Alexander. All the best." Then she spun around and walked away, leaving me to stare after her.

--
I have Keratitis in my right eye, so I am asking mom to upload my chapters for me, since I really, really wanted you guys to read it. 

My birthday was also yesterday, and it was quite a memorable one. 
I wanted to cancel the whole thing, since I was feeling too conscious with the IV drip and the eyepatch, but my entire family turned the event into a pirate themed event, with everyone wearing eyepatches, wearing pirate hat, the bandanna....

I wanted to cry, because was so overwhelmed with feelings, but I couldn't strain my eyes. So I am planning a proper cry fest on 30th October, once I am feeling better, haha. 

Your crazy writer,

-A