far from Ariana’s ideal type.

Married for A Million Dollars

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Chapter 4: far from Ariana’s ideal type.

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

And although she would do anything to oblige her good friend’s wishes, a million dollars is a luxury that a poor person like her couldn't even afford to even think about.

“No?” Williams repeats faintly. He narrows his eyes. “I wouldn’t refuse it just like that, Gillies. A million dollars is a shit ton of money that I know you’re in desperate need of.”

Now it’s Ariana’s turn to clench and unclench both fists. “You know nothing about me, Montenegro.”

The bastard shrugs nonchalantly. “Oh, but I do know enough. For example, I know that your dad died and left you under the water. You’re drowning in debt that you couldn’t even pay back with all your life. Your house is this close to being auctioned off. It’s six months behind mortgage and even though you saved it from foreclosure once last year, you won’t be able to save it again.”

“Not to mention your own debt you’ve accumulated within the years,” he has the nerve to continue. “After your little getaway to that dance academy in the States, you were forced to sell everything you had to make a difference—not that there’s been any difference. It’s all still the same. And now here you are, surviving on your puny salary from this pigsty and depending on wealthy men who actually come here and give you better tips than the others. Nasty perverted fuckers, such as Javan, to get you by. But I bet they don’t pay enough for you to even last a day. ”

Ariana’s cheeks flame furiously at the humiliating degradation. She hates the feeling of her eyes wettening and she promises to kill herself if a single tear is to drop.

“I didn’t realize it was necessary for you to research every aspect of some—what did you call me again? Oh yeah, dirty-mouthed, violent, twenty-something diner waiter like me,” She mutters through clenched teeth. “I’d say I’m honored but I’m plain disgusted at how low you stoop to get what you want. How you don’t know what the fuck you’re saying, jabbing someone’s hardships right in their face as if they weren’t already aware.”

Something near remorse flickers in his doe eyes before he scowls again. “I wouldn’t have to if you didn’t hypnotize my father into thinking you’re the perfect spouse or whatever. All I’m doing is pointing out the pros of this deal, Gillies. That’s how business works. You keep the cons to yourself, but it’s your choice whether you want to be blinded by the downsides rather than the benefits. If you agree, you’ll get what you need, and I can shut my dad up, and we all go home happy by next year.”

“No, you’re the only one who gets to go home happy,” Ariana says. “Don’t think you’re doing everyone a favor, asshole. For one, you’re cheating behind your dad’s back and for another, staying married to you will only drive me insane and get me nowhere. Thirdly, take a look at yourself and how you keep downgrading your honor right now. Fooling around with your dad and playing dirty just to get a stupid title. That’s what it is at the end of the day,” She repeats when Williams’s mouth curves unhappily.

“Just a fucking materialistic title. I don’t know about you, but I respect Walter with all my life. And I’m not going to plot against him, if not listen to him.”

There.

Her soliloquy is done. Although Williams has been looking utterly bored by the end of her speech, his eyes sparkle in surprise.

And confusion.

“I wouldn’t worry about other people’s conscience,” he says lazily. “Especially not my dad’s. He’s the one who made me do this shit, and we both know you’re the muse that inspired him.”

Now he leans closer, gaze darkening into something dangerously cunning. “As for my offensive behavior, it’s up to you whether you want to take it as constructive criticism or not. That helps build character. I think a million dollars isn’t something you can deny, no matter your pride. At the end of the day, your pride isn’t gonna feed you nor keep a roof over your head when you’re out on the streets.”

Before Ariana can open her mouth to answer, she’s yet again interrupted by a languid flick of Williams’s finger.

“Don’t think I’m desperate enough to marry you or even agree to all of this. I can easily cut your face out of this deal and find an alternative to please the old man, but you know, this is easier and it’ll work for everyone in the end, including you. It doesn’t have to be messy, yeah? Just think with your brain and not your romantic heart or whatever crap for once. It’ll help you make better choices.”

“As if you do,” She rolls her eyes. “I bet you don’t have a romantic bone in your body, Montenegro. Only the ugly desire to keep making more money.”

Williams laughs out loud.

His voice would’ve been melodic and lovely and free, if it isn’t for the harsh irony painting over the sound. “Oh, yeah. You’re right about that. I love making money, but I’m doing this to avoid conflict with my dad. I don’t like fighting over shit. And if you actually knew my dad like you say you do, you must know he’s seen better days.”

Ariana purses her lips.

He isn’t wrong. Even her coworkers notice Walter’s deteriorating health, and it isn’t a pretty sight.

It wasn’t drastic progress, per se, but day by day his smile grows fainter, laughs sound tired, and eventually his body follows after.

“Okay, but wouldn’t it hurt him to know we’re scamming him like this? He’d be so disappointed in me. He’ll never forgive that.”

Williams looks affronted. “You know, I think I finally found out the reason why you’re so poor. You’re such a doormat. You could be doing great things but you keep acting based on what others think and not yourself. Is my father’s disappointment more important than a million dollars? God, Gillies, is that how you let your own dad treat you? Let him stomp on you and throw you into a debt you’re expected to pay despite having nothing to do with it, just so that he wouldn’t be disappointed in you?”

“That’s a low blow. You are not going there,” Ariana warns, acid dripping from her tone. “Don’t you dare speak about my father that way.”

He scoffs. “I don’t see why. He wasted his life away with liquor until he died out of alcoholism, and yet you’re still filial to his dead ass. Really? Aren’t you currently choking on IOUs?"

“No one asked for your opinion on my dad’s lifestyle. Last time I checked, it’s none of your concern, so shut the fuck up. And Walter doesn’t deserve this. He’s a good man.”

“And I don’t deserve none of this—this manipulation!” Williams barks. “Everything was going fucking fantastic until he suddenly drops this bomb on me and expects me to reorganize my entire existence to make room for a stupid spouse that I don’t want, let alone need. And it’s not even like I get to choose my suitor. I’m stuck with one person, you of all people. There’s so many socialites out there and yet he chose you, so I was bound to think there’s some good in you—but all I see is that you’re too immature, too rough house, too violent, too ignorant with your head high up in the clouds. You’re too raunchy in your tiny uniform and too much of a pain in the ass.”

“I’m glad we can agree on one thing,” Ariana mutters. “That I’m not the perfect spouse. The perfect spouse for you, that is. I’m too hot, too kind, too generous and too righteous to be matched with some douche. I’m too pissed off at you to even consider spending a whole year of my life with you, much less breathe the same air as you.”

Williams’s eyes glint ferociously. “Ariana Gillies—”

“That’s it, your ten seconds finished ten minutes ago, Montenegro. I’m done. I’m out of here. If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got shifts to cover,” She announces, and leaps over the counter and lands on the other seat, where she escapes, the flimsy white shirt clinging onto her sweaty body as she crawls out of the booth.

Williams makes no move to stop her.

As she walks with her back turned to the counter, she forces herself to forget this whole conversation.

Forget the face of the man she fantasized for years, and forget the million dollars he offered her in becoming the one thing she’d rather die hungry than be—his lawfully wedded wife.

Ariana walks away, only because she doesn’t want to do something that’ll cause her to regret for the rest of his life.

She was furious at him minutes ago, but now that there’s a good distance between them, her shoulders slump at the thought of Williams taking one of the few things that gave her hope—the hope of him being the type of man she wanted to love and admire from afar.

Williams Montenegro turned out to be far from Ariana’s ideal type.

In fact, he’s the exact opposite—someone who let her down.

And thats what stings Ariana the most.

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TBC