"Are you joking right now?" As Isabella asked that question Charles felt impressed. He wasn't sure why- it might partly because she still maintained a cool look as the inquiry slipped off her lips- but he was.
"You heard me, Miss Shade. Marry me and your debts will disappear, I assure you."
Isabella let out a bitter chuckle as she got up. "You must be joking."
"I am most certainly not," Charles replied calmly.
"So, you just want me to marry you." She moved dangerously yet graciously towards Charles.
"Be my wife and that's all you need to do."
Then, after her hand briskly ran through her hair, she asked, "Did you hit your head? Or don't you know that it is stupid to tell a married woman such nonsense?"
Charles's eyes narrowed as he thought confusedly, 'She is married?'
He checked her ring finger on both hands but there was no sign of her being married. He wondered if she was lying. The ma

[ THIS CHAPTER HAS TRIGGERING CONTENT. I TRIED TO MAKE IT AS MILD AS POSSIBLE. 
PLEASE DO NOT READ IF EASILY TRIGGERED. ] 
~
Isabella violently adjusted the neck of her gown which felt like it was growing into the length of her neck to suffocate her more and more just as her husband's presence did.
But, she was just harming the poor gown whose neckline did a good job of giving her chest breathing space.
Her hands retreating from the almost mutilated material, Isabella found a nearby bench to sit on to gather her thoughts properly.
As it turned out to be, the only source of help she had put her hope on was putting her in a spot.
A spot she did not see coming.
Recalling his proposition which he said with all seriousness, Isabella wondered why it had to be her of all people.
She understood that he would want her to pay back for what she did, but marrying her?
Why?
It was just absurd. Who ge

There was definitely something off with her, Charles thought as he landed his buttocks on the softness of the chair behind him.
After settling, his thoughts continued.
It was as though Isabella was lacking something or maybe she wanted something so bad.
Whatever it was, Charles wondered what it could be.
Sitting back into the leather chair he had specifically constructed to his taste, he wondered when she exactly was going to walk into that room and ask what his proposition was with attitude.
He smirked to himself.
She sure acted like she did not break his heart six years ago. And he knew her so well, it was certain that she would keep up with that attitude for a while until he decides to break it.
Smiling more, he could picture the defiant look on her face once he does kill that attitude.
That would be quite a sight. Seeing the woman that broke his heart wear that look would be something that would please him.
Suddenly, Charles groaned inwardly, his hands almost pulling at his hair.
She was driving him crazy.
So, so crazy.
And, that was wrong to him. He should be the one making her feel regretful. He was meant to be driving her crazy. All she had to do was show up, Charles was sure he would do that perfectly.
Almost absent-mindedly, he checked his watch.
Something was telling him that the woman he was waiting impatiently for was nearby.
And, he hoped his guts were right.
"Sir?"
Charles turned his attention to the men seated opposite him.
"What?" His response sounded rough even though it was not his intention.
"We asked if you are okay with the plan," the man clothed in a grey suit carefully said, his low bangs bobbing as he peered at his boss who had suddenly arranged for his and his colleague's arrival in the States for certain business issues.
Charles adjusted his silk robe which he hadn't bothered to change out of since he was in his residence. "I gave a response, didn't I?"
"Uh... no sir. You just smirked... smiled actually." Even the man was surprised at what he just said. But his one-second expression of shock soon turned into a serious look as though he feared getting lashed at.
"I did?" Charles's famous stone look was back in a jiffy.
"Uh... sir? The plan?"
Charles's ringtone filled the anxious air.
"Excuse me." He majestically crossed his legs which were clothed in matching blue silk pants.
" Yes?" He prompted Miss Kane to talk without wasting his precious time.
"Isabella Shade is here to see you, sir," the woman on the other side informed.
Charles wanted to smirk again, well, his face wished to wear a grin, but a look at the gentlemen in front of him, caused him to keep it in. And he disguised his slight happiness with a low throat-clearing sound.
"Let her in." As he spoke, Charles hoped he was doing a good job of hiding how much his chest was beating, just like he hid his smile.
"But you are in a meeting, sir," Miss Kane responded, the tone of her voice seemingly complaining.
"Did I stutter, Miss Kane?"
"I'll let her in right away."
"Mr. Wade, Mr. Blunt..." Charles faced the men who quickly gave their full attention to him. "I like the plan, but I want to know more about this business. Have the owners properly prepare a presentation and..."
"Good evening." His knees felt instantly weak so much so that his legs had to disentangle. Her voice did that much to him. Charles didn't like how that was the reality, but it was.
But like the strong man he was, he was quick to regain composure.
"Miss Shade. Have a seat." Charles pointed at the seat that was close to his huge, neatly dressed bed. As he watched her take a seat, he suddenly wished that the chair was not there. Seeing her on his bed was a sight he missed. And a sight he would love to see again and again.
"Sir... you were saying something."
"Yeah... Have them prepare a presentation and meet me sometime next week. I want to know more." Charles also wanted to know what had Isabella glued to her phone. His eyes couldn't stop staring at her slender, cute, and quite sexy hands as they slid over the device in her hold.
Slowly, as he half-listened to what Mr. Wade was saying, he traced her entire body. From her slightly opened lips that she hardly adorned with lipstick, to her sleek hair that kept calling him to run his hands through them, he noticed every single thing. That look he saw on her face at the party, the one he could not decipher was present too.
"Mr. Oxford?"
Charles realized he had zoned them out once again. And that was a very unusual thing for a man of focus like him to do. He was sure the men would be so confused since they were seeing him act that way.
"Just let me know how everything goes."
"Okay, sir."
After they had packed their stuff and left, Charles just had to let out that smirk he had been hiding. "Miss Shade."
Her head came up finally and their eyes met. "Mr. Oxford."
Charles's smile widened. She was trying to act professionally. The next few minutes sure were going to be fun. He got up and made for where she was seated.
"It is good that you showed up." She gave a short shrug as her eyes followed him- as they should. But as his robe came off suddenly, her eyes which bore a grim look suddenly widened.
"I was starting to think you had given up on your suffering company." His pants came off next as he made for his small wardrobe, and her eyes swiftly darted elsewhere.
"You said you have a proposition," Isabella said, her neck trying not to turn. Charles wondered how much her body reacted to him at that moment.
Years ago, that sexy body of hers melted on just seeing him.
"I don't start my meetings that way, Miss Shade." He walked back into the room, fully clothed in a casual tee shirt and sweatpants. "Why exactly are you here, Miss Shade?" His legs crossed again after he has his seat on his chair.
"My company is in a lot of debt." It was ridiculous that she was seated so far from him, but he wasn't going to stress about that. She definitely would move closer to him at a point.
"So I gathered when I did my research."
Isabella scoffed. "I see you are still nosy."
"It is a habit. So, what do you want me to do?"
Her eyes became a shade of pity, it was like she was sorry for herself. "I would actually appreciate it if we could reach an agreement that will benefit you and pull me out of the debts."
"Hmm." Charles sat back. "Well, like I said when we met, I have a proposition that would benefit you extremely."
"What is that?"
Charles smirked as he knew what he was about to say would force her to move closer to him.
"All you have to do is marry me."

"Are you joking right now?" As Isabella asked that question Charles felt impressed. He wasn't sure why- it might partly because she still maintained a cool look as the inquiry slipped off her lips- but he was.
"You heard me, Miss Shade. Marry me and your debts will disappear, I assure you."
Isabella let out a bitter chuckle as she got up. "You must be joking."
"I am most certainly not," Charles replied calmly.
"So, you just want me to marry you." She moved dangerously yet graciously towards Charles.
"Be my wife and that's all you need to do."
Then, after her hand briskly ran through her hair, she asked, "Did you hit your head? Or don't you know that it is stupid to tell a married woman such nonsense?"
Charles's eyes narrowed as he thought confusedly, 'She is married?'
He checked her ring finger on both hands but there was no sign of her being married. He wondered if she was lying. The man who had her situation checked didn't mention anything about a husband and truthfully, even

Chapter 7