Chapter 2

• Merry
• The stranger stared intently at me and it felt more like he was staring deep into my soul. He was tall, handsome, like fucking good-looking. He was dressed casually and had this bored look on his face.
• “I'm sorry.” I sniffled slowly, wiping my tears. I had no idea he was in there and he must have actually heard my conversation with Alex. And he just remained in there, listening? Rude!
• His car was highly tinted, you'd had to take a much closer look to see inside.
• Instead of saying something, he slowly shrugged his shoulders before reaching out for his pockets. Bringing out a handkerchief, he passed it to me.
• “Here.” I muttered a thanks, collecting the handkerchief from him. I needed to do something, like real fast. I needed to get married, if I didn't, I'd lose the inheritance and at that very moment, I didn't care who I got married to. Everything was going to be on paper, nothing else. I didn't even have the heart to fall in love again. Alex shattered everything.
• “Do take care of yourself.” He muttered, his facial expression holding no emotion. Just when he was about to go into his car, I stopped him.
• “Wait!” I said urgently, abruptly holding his elbow to stop him from opening the car door.
• “Keep the handkerchief.” His eyes traveled to my hand, holding him and every expression on his face screamed back off.
• “I'm sorry.” I quickly apologized, taking a step back. “And it's not about the handkerchief.” I quickly added.
• “Then what's it about?” He inquired, his time growing impatient. What was I even doing? I was thinking of proposing marriage to him. That was the most absurd thing to think of doing, but I was going to do it anyway.
• “Are you single?” I asked, mustering all the courage I had in me.
• His eyes narrowed and he met my gaze squarely.
• I knew he was not married, well I had no idea he was. But there was no ring on his finger.
• “No.” He drew out slowly and cautiously. Perfect!
• “Then let's get married!” I suddenly blurted out. He was single!
• “What?” He slowly shook his head, laughing softly. I had no idea why, but the way he laughed made him look sexier and cooler.
• “Let's get married,” I repeated and his laughter increased.
• “Marry?” He drew out and his gaze swept over me, taking in every detail from head to toe.
• “You?” He added, with a look of amusement in his eyes.
• “Yes.” I nodded feeling more determined and confident. I had no idea where my sudden courage came from but it had been proving useful.
• “Look miss, I get that you just got dumped and you're hurt, emotional, and all that. But you don't walk up to someone to propose marriage. That's bizarre.” He voiced out, amusement still written on his face. It seemed like he was holding back a laugh.
• “I'll pay you!” I suddenly added. I was going to pay him. A lot. As long as everything worked out.
• “Pay me?” He repeated with a smirk.
• “Yes. Handsomely. All you have to do is follow me there and sign the papers. Finish. We don't have to do what married couples do. It ends in paper and you'll be free to do anything you want. You can live your life as you want. But please, help me, I'm really desperate. Please.” Time was running, I just needed him to say yes.
• “I’ve seriously lost count of how many ‘please' I've heard today.” He deadpanned and I felt my anger build up. Fucking Alex! Of course, he heard me begging like my life depended on it. Well it does, I have to get married. Immediately.
• “I don't mind begging you. But just agree. I'll pay you a lot more than you can imagine.” I pointed out, swallowing in a deep breath. It'd be very hard to find another man.
• “And who says I need the money?” Well, he was dressed casually and didn't look particularly ‘rich’.
• “Doesn't everyone need money?” Instead of giving a reply, he smiled instead, the corner of his lips curling up.
• “You don't know me.”
• “And we can get to know each other. I'm merry.” I introduced, stretching out my hand for a handshake, but he never accepted it as his hands remained in his pocket.
• “Go home merry. Freshen up and hit the club. Get drunk and trust me, in no time you'll forget he ever existed.” I didn't need a fucking advice on how to move on, if I needed one I could easily get it from Google. That was why it existed in the first place.
• “You don't get how serious this is right?”
• “Am I supposed to care? I don't know you.” He asked with a slight shrug of his shoulders. Right. He was a stranger. He shouldn't care.
• I let out a sharp breath, nibbling nervously on my lower lip. “Forget I ever brought this topic up.” I uttered, I'd have to look elsewhere and that would be fucking hard. They'd think I was crazy if I went around looking for a husband.
• I turned to leave and just when I was about to walk away, he called me, in a gentle tone. I loved the way it sounded from him. It felt soothing. “Merry.”
• “Yes.” I turned, expectation written in my eyes.
• “I'll marry you.”
• “What!! Oh my God. Thank you so much!!I breathed out in relief.
• “Thank you–” I drew out realizing that I had no idea what his name was.
• “Collin.” He informed me, his voice calm as usual.
• “Thank you, Collin. We'll have to do this now. I hope you don't mind and sorry for the inconvenience.” I apologized. I already planned to draft out a few rules, but first I needed to show them my marriage certificate.
• “It's nothing, Merry.” He said again and fuck! I loved the way my name rolled out from his lips.
• And that was it, we went into the registrar, signed the necessary papers, exchanged rings, and were pronounced husband and wife. Everything happened so fast and I ended up marrying another man that was not Alex. Someone completely different and mysterious. Collin.