Chapter 8 Marry Me

• Cassandra Reid
• 'I found you'
• 'See mia moglie, cara'
• Those are twice already! The two sentences! There are no coincidences. It's crazy, but Adriano Di Lauro has said the man of my dreams's exact words.
• I look around for any hidden cameras because this really seems like a joke in very bad taste. However, I find nothing and the document in my hands makes everything more real.
• "What did you just said?. I finally find words to speak.
• "You have a problem and I have the solution", he says. "Just marry me and be a mother to my children."
• Now I do take a seat, because if I don't, my shaky legs will make me fall to the ground.
• "Are you talking seriously?", I ask with a puzzled face. I see him confirm his words with a nod and a deep gasp escapes my throat. "I don't understand anything! You don't even know me! How dare you make me such an offer?"
• "It's easy to understand, doctor". My astonishment increases when I see him very calm, as if he were talking about the weather. "You need a job and I need a mother figure in my children's lives. We can help each other."
• "I'm a Pediatrician, not a nanny", I clarify with a frown.
• "Believe me, I know. No nanny has accomplished what you have."
• "I have not done anything!", I reply defensively.
• He has caught me so off guard that my body is slipping out of my control.
• 'Me being married to Adriano Di Lauro'
• “Believe me when I tell you that you have done a lot doing nothing. If you accept my proposal, tomorrow you would have a vacancy available in this place or in any health center of your choice. I could even create a private clinic for you in less than a month.
• "Let me doubt it, sir" I huff. "You don't know why..."
• "Yes, I know", he cut me off abruptly. "I must admit that your father's influences are quite powerful, but I am the Man of Steel Dr. Reid, and Florence is my territory.
• Could this be my only way out?
• I escaped from one arranged marriage to fall into another... although this time it would be under my own terms and I could continue working and I would stay in Italy...
• Am I really considering the proposal?
• "Why me?, I force myself to ask.
• "I can give you a lot of reasons, doctor. However, I will limit myself to telling you that it only took a few seconds to win my children's trust."
• I don't know the reason why, but his words don't surprise me. Di Lauro children seemed special to me from the first moment I saw them.
• "Something that no one has achieved outside of my family and the service of the house."
• We sit in complete silence for what seems like hours. I decide to skim the file under his watchful eye, finding several clauses.
• Part A will grant part B several bank credit cards to cover their monthly income.
• Part B must accompany part A to public or family events where their presence is required.
• Intimate or sexual encounters will take place only with the consent of both parts.
• Part B will have her own room, personal space and any other requirement on her part to guarantee her privacy.
• Part B must be present in the lives of minors and attend to their emotional needs, as well as assume responsibilities with respect to them clarified in appendix three point five.
• Part B will guarantee the non-disposition to develop a sentimental relationship with Part A. Otherwise, present contract will be canceled with immediate effect.
• Once the agreement is signed, both parts will have a period of twelve months to evaluate their coexistence, operation and effectiveness. The contract will then be in effect for ten years. When the stipulated time arrives, the considerations and possibilities of renewal will be reassessed.
• This contract is confidential and its disclosure is strictly prohibited.
• A chock-full of possible penalties follow the last clause, making me shiver like a piece of jelly.
• 'Credit cards?'
• 'Sexual encounters?'
• 'Sentimental relationship?'
• It's too much information for my brain.
• "Let me see if I've understood correctly, Mr. Di Lauro". I suck in a deep breath before continuing. " You want me to take care of your children, educate them and make you look good in front of society under a marriage of appearances.
• "Basically it is".
• "And what makes you think I would agree to something like this?", I point to the papers in my hands.
• "Because I can give you what you've always wanted". He shows the captivating smile I saw the day I met him, combined with an obvious expression of security.
• "And that is...?". I return the gesture.
• "Freedom".
• I close my eyes when I hear his certain words. Adriano controls the situation because he is informed of everything. If he knows about my father, he must know about Dean and my running away.
• "In exchange for being your prisoner", I counter.
• "I'm not holding you back, doctor. This is a deal between the two of us. If you stop to think about it, you will realize we both win. I won't force you to love my children, but...
• "Your kids are the least of people", I counter. Both Ella and Federico are very easy to love.
• "Do you see it?", he intercedes. "You is the perfect candidate without a doubt."
• He handles everything with a coldness and makes my hair stand on end. The heat in her gaze has disappeared. I wonder how many facets this man will have and how many I will have to deal with.
• "Apparently you're not interested in a romantic relationship of any kind" he begins to nod in response, "but you are in a sexual one."
• "I'm just open to the possibility." Once again, I feel his examines me from head to toe and sensations return. "In any case, it would be something agreed between us."
• "What about extramarital affairs?", I doubt.
• "As I said, you have complete freedom as long as you comply with our agreement and do not put it at risk".
• "This is crazy". I release all the air contained in my lungs.
• How can I even be thinking about the possibility of accepting?
• 'Desperate situations call for desperate measures', a high-pitched voice inside me pleads.
• "It's the solution", he corrects me. "I'll give you until Monday to think about it.'
• "So long?". The sarcasm in my voice is evident. "Wow, thank you very much."
• "The decision is in your hands, doctor".
• He leaves as he himself entered, leaving me alone with all the ideas spinning around in my head. I have no idea how long it takes before my friend texts me to come back to the party.
• I go straight to the bar and I drink a whole beer in one shot after stowing the folder in my bag. My throat is dry and my sudden thirst is not quenched.
• "What did your sexy Italian want?"
• I can only laugh and continue drinking. It's crazy, marrying a stranger and adopting two kids... I could stay in Italy, at this very hospital. Also, I would no longer have to worry about financial problems, no more medical guard and lots of sleep...
• 'No', I force myself to stop my thoughts.
• "Oh, Leah", I sigh before drinking the bottle again. If my mother saw me with a beer in my hands, she would scream really loud. "If I told you, you wouldn't believe me."
• "Try me", she insists as he sits on the bench next to me.
• "What do you think about contract marriages?"