I can’t marry you. Even for A Million Dollars

Married for A Million Dollars:

.

Chapter 3: I can’t marry you. Even for A Million Dollars

.

“I thought I heard you say you’re here to propose marriage to me. Who paid you to do this? Walter? Where is that prick?”.

“My father is in Yokohama as we speak,” Williams answers, void of any humor. “He left two days ago and warned me that if you and I aren’t engaged by next week, it’s done for me. He’ll make my fucking cousin James Alvarez the CEO by the end of this year.”

The little grin on Ariana’s mouth vanishes as she relays what Williams has just told her. It takes a moment before realisation dawns on her.

Her brows shoot up. “Wait, why the hell would Walter do that?”

Williams mirrors her look with one brow. “You’re acting like he’s your best friend and yet still wonder why. It’s obviously because he’s so smitten with gold-diggers like you. He throws me at you because you probably prefer younger dick.”

“If by younger dick you mean yourself, then no fucking thank you,” Ariana retorts, seething at his insults. “You’re made of nasty, unpleasant shit that would be, without a doubt, hard to blow. Considering how much of an ass you are. I’d marry Walter over you anytime, except that he’s like my dad and that’s just plain wrong. Also, if you actually knew your dad, you’d know he’d never give his heart again after his second love.”

Walter Montenegro had two marriages, both resulting him as a widow. His second wife, Jana, died young of a coronary disease five years ago.

Williams’s two older siblings were conceived from his first marriage arranged by his parents, while Williams was Jana’s first born. The first wife died from an accident when they were still toddlers.

Jana was a bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked woman who was just as young and lively as Walter had been.

Ariana only calls Walter an old man to tease, but deep inside he acknowledges Walter’s greatness and overwhelming love for his wife and all his children.

Jana’s death not only jaded him but the effect took a toll on his health. His grief is still evident even after all these years and many smiles he’s put on.

“Oh yeah? Then explain why he wants me to marry you, and only you.” Williams spits out. “Explain why he’s threatening me out of a place which I’ve worked so fucking hard for as long as I can remember, just because I need to marry some dirty-mouthed, violent, twenty-something diner waiter who’s apparently worth more than my entire future. ”

Ariana snorts. “I bet you don’t even deserve half of the entire future you’re entitled to. And as for your dad, I suggest you ask him because I have no goddamn idea what you’re talking about. I definitely did not do anything to cause this. In fact, I want to give him a piece of mind—what’s he thinking, trying to marry me off to a dictating, cocky ass like you?"

“You’re not gonna tell my father anything,” Williams says menacingly. “All you’re going to tell him is that you accepted my proposal and that’s it. You’re not going to tell him anything else, because he strictly instructed I come to you in hopes of convincing you to marry me without any bribery or negotiation. You’re not even supposed to know about this.”

“Well, now I know you’d make a shit CEO,” Ariana mutters. “Not only can’t you follow simple directions, but you also cheat your way out of things. Not to mention your offensive attitude.”

He scowls. “I’m only offensive to the people that lure old, gullible men into their foul traps. They have a word for people like you. Opportunists.”

“Gullible?” Ariana repeats with a guffaw. “You think Montenegro Walter is gullible? God, you’re an idiot. And anyways, bribery would do nothing on me. You can’t leave anything on me.”

“A lot of stuff can turn around with the help of a lot of money, Gillies,” Williams sneers. “And guess what? I happen to know I’m the talk of the town around here. I’m also not an old, bald fatass with a string of trophy wives who demand alimonies.”

Suddenly, Ariana can’t remember why she ever thought of Montenegro Williams as her own Prince Charming.

None of the articles she read or things said about him match his pretentious, crude being. They never warned her on just how unfair he could be.

She raises a brow at him. “You have an ego to match your bank account, Montenegro. You must absolutely despise having to beg at your dad’s feet for the position of CEO, and listening to his every whim, huh?”.

Williams’s fist clenches and unclenches. “What I despise is giving you opportunists the upper hand. The chance to take advantage of someone who’s actually working for his position. And now everything’s up to you, and I don't get a goddamn say in my life. Oh, but I’m the total utilitarian, Gillies. I’ll negotiate, no problem. I’m willing to come to a friendly agreement instead of arguing with you over nothing. It’ll at least get us something we both want.”

Rubbing her temples, Ariana peeks a glance at him. “Listening is easier than breaking this table with your pretty face.”

His lips twitch and for a millisecond Ariana expected him to smile, but it disappears faster than she even saw it come.

“I’ll agree with my father’s terms and marry you,” Williams starts and it takes Ariana all her willpower to not scream right there. “But I need you to sign a prenup, even though he didn’t want us having that. And I only want us to stay married for a limited time. The minimum he accepts is one year—don’t ask me why he thinks we’ll get something out of this whole scheme, much less in a year.”

Ariana silences him with a lift of her finger.

She can no longer contain her annoyance.

“If I’m such an opportunist, why would I agree to a prenup that’ll ultimately take your side and leave me with nothing?”

“Because I’ll pay for your cooperation, Gillies,” He says curtly. “I’ll pay you a million dollars to stay in a marriage with me for one year.”

Ariana’s jaw drops so fast she wonders why it isn’t hitting the floor yet. She clamps her mouth shut and swallows hard.

A million dollars.

What the fuck.

That’s six zeroes—more zeroes than my bank account after the negative sign.

Her heart sinks at the memory of Walter’s warm smile.

God, Walter was the father she never had.

After years of sitting with him during breakfast and lunch and eventually those alcohol-filled evenings to listen to him talk about anything and everything, whether it be about his late wife or busy schedules or his children’s perks—they hit it off and their friendship will forever be long-lasting.

Maybe that’s why guilt twists in Ariana’s stomach.

“No. I can’t.” She shakes her head. “I can’t marry you. Even for A Million Dollars.”