Chapter 10: Chapter:10

**Taylor's POV**

My hands shake as I smooth down my sundress. It's Saturday and I'm standing outside the restaurant I chose for my lunch with Dimitri.

My nerves are all over the place at the thought of seeing Dimitri for the first time since last Saturday. I really wanted to see him all week but he had out-of-office business to tend to.

The only text I got from him this week was "see you there" as a reply to my message telling him where we would meet. Now I finally get to see him and my nerves will not calm down.

I pull the door open and walk inside. The hostess greets me with a polite smile which I return.

"Welcome to Lamell's."

" How many?" She asks. "I have a reservation for two. Bennett." I tell her and she looks on her tablet. "Ah yes. There has been a change in the reservation. Mr. Alfonso has requested a different table. I will be seating you in the back." She informs me and I nod. "Okay."

She moves from behind the podium and grabs two menus. I follow her to the back of the restaurant. I've been here once before and the place is beautiful. There is a noticeable difference in the décor but most of it is the same as before.

We reach our table which is made up of candles and fresh roses. "Here we are, Ms. Bennett. A server will be right with you." She tells me." Thank you." I tell her and she leaves.

Just as she walks away, a waitress appears next to me. " Hello, Miss. I'm Danise and I'll be your server today. Can I start you off with a drink?" The pretty redhead introduces herself. "Yes please. I'"ll have a glass of pineapple and mango juice and some water please. I tell her and she nods before excusing herself to get me my drink.

My phone dings and already knowing who it is, I almost immediately grab it.

*Two minutes away xx

12.48 PM*

My heart races as I read the text. The fact that he has had this much of an effect on me in such a short time scares me a little bit.

Danise walks back out with my water and juice on her tray and sets the two glasses down on the table.

"Here you go, ma'am. Is there anything else I can get you?" She asks politely and I shake my head. "This is it for now. Thank you." I tell her and she smiles before walking away. I take a sip of my drink and it immediately explodes with flavor in my mouth.

I take another big sip before hearing a deep male chuckle. Pausing mid sip, I turn to a very laidback looking Dimitri. He is dressed in dark blue jeans and a white polo shirt with white stripes the buttons undone allowing me to see some of his chest. His white tennis shoes are plain and go well with the rest of the outfit.

"That drink must taste really good." He says and my cheeks slightly heat up. I move the glass away from my lips and wipe my mouth with a napkin. "It is actually. You want to try some?" I retort confidently to hide my light embarrassment.

"As a matter of fact, yes. I am a little parched.'" He says walking towards me and gently taking the glass out of my hand. He stares at me as he takes a drink of the juice before his eyes light up. "Holy shit. This is really good." He says as he sets the glass down on the table before walking to take his seat.

"How have you been, Ms.Bennett?" He asks softly, waking the butterflies in my stomach. "I've been good. Working." I say coolly knowing full well that a zoo broke loose in my stomach.

*Do I actually have a crush on Dimitri?*

"Good. I'm going to get straight to the point about this proposal. I don't want to waste your time." he says becoming serious. I straighten up hold his hand up. I'm confused at first up until one of the restaurant staff walks out with a manila envelope and hands it to him. "Thank you." He mutters before placing the huge envelope in front of me on the table.

"What's this?" I ask as I pick the envelope up. I can feel a stack of paper. *Documents maybe.*

"You're not seriously giving me work on a Saturday, are you?" I ask with a small laugh. He smirks and I roll my eyes. "No, I'm not. These are more personal matters that we need to discuss and the contract in the envelope will dictate whether or not this proposal will be successful." He explains and I furrow my brows in confusion.

"What exactly is this proposal 'cause this sounds a little too serious." I say and he sighs. "I don't know how you'll react to it. my hopes are that you would agree on the spot but I'm not delusional enough to believe that you will." He says and I frown.

"Dimitri, what's going on?" I ask and he sits up straight.

"The contract in the envelope is an agreement between two parties. The proposal I want to make to you is an actual proposal." He says and I'm confused at first before it finally sets in. A small laugh leaves me and he raises one eyebrow. "You can't be serious. You want to propose to me?" I ask and he nods slowly. "Are you insane?" I ask and he chuckles.

"Hear me out before you say 'no'." He says and I take a deep breath before sitting back. "Fine."

"As you now know, I've never been seen with a woman out in public before. I've always liked to keep my private life well...private and it's worked so far, up until a week ago. There were pictures taken of you and me at the club. these pictures have reached my mother who has been begging me to find a wife." he explains and it all sounds crazy.

"So you want to marry me for your mother...?" I ask and he chuckles before nodding. "Yes."

"That is insane. I can't get married to you just so you can please your mother." I say and he sighs. "I adore my mother and I would do anything to make her happy and quite frankly, she won't let this go because she already said she wants to meet you." He tells me and I shake my head. Just then Danise comes to take our orders. I order the loaded potato and a caesar salad and Dimitri gets a burger with sweet potato fries on the side.

She leaves and I look at him dead in the eyes.

"No. Absolutely not. Marriage is sacred. I can't get married to you just cause you want your mother off your back." I tell him and he shakes his head. "We would immediately be getting married. We would obviously have to date for a few months to make it seem normal but I eventually need to ask you to marry me."

"You think that makes any of this normal?" I ask him genuinely wanting to know. He shrugs and sets his folded hands on the table. "There are benefits for you too in this whole agreement." He suddenly says and I look at him through narrow eyes.

"Benefits?" I ask.

"Yes. You will receive a sum of 2 million dollars and the advantages a wife would have. You would only get the 2 million upon being with me for a year. All other benefits are available to you at any time once the 'relationship' has started" He says and I don't know how to respond.

2 Million fucking dollars. This man is missing a few screws.

"This is a lot to take in, Dimitri. I don't know if I can." I tell him honestly and he nods.

"I completely understand but please read through the contract before you make a final decision." He says. His face looks calm but his eyes are silently pleading. "I don't want to rush you but I will need an answer by Wednesday. I leave for Tampa on Friday."

This is my way out of bankruptcy. He is offering me a lifeline here.

"Fine. I'll do it but I'll need a lawyer just to be on the safe side." I tell him and his whole face lights up. "Hey, I'd try to screw you, but I'd never screw you over." He says and my cheeks are on fire. He chuckles and I playfully roll my eyes.

Our food arrives and it looks absolutely delicious.

"Bon appetit."