Chapter 8

"Forget about her. Right now, the marriage proposal will begin. Are you ready?"

"Obviously. I'm ready to put on my 'madly in love' face," she smiled falsely.

"Same here."

Oliver approached the microphone, capturing everyone's attention.

"Good evening, everyone. You all know why you're here. A few months ago, I met a rebellious, fiery, and bipolar girl, but beneath that facade of a bad girl lies a beautiful woman: sweet, loving, and understanding. What can I say? When I met Aileen, I felt like I had found my other half, my true love."

How cheesy, Aileen thought.

"So, without a second thought, I knew she was the woman I wanted to spend my life with. Aileen," he called her to the stage.

Aileen approached him. Oliver took out a small box with the ring from his pants pocket.

"Here, in the presence of our friends and family, I ask you," he opened the box, revealing a beautiful, small, simple yet luxurious ring inside. Aileen feigned surprise, bringing a hand to her mouth. After all, they had to play their roles. "Will you marry me?"

The others applauded.

"Of course, yes," she responded. Oliver placed the ring on her finger, and for a moment, just for a fraction of a second, they locked eyes as if what was happening was real. Aileen's friends approached to congratulate and embrace her. The party continued with drinks, bites, conversations, and laughter. Aileen felt exhausted and just wanted to sleep. Plus, her heels were torturing her.

"I want to leave now," she told Oliver. The others seemed to be in no hurry to leave.

"I'll drive you home. I also have work to do," he replied, leading her towards the exit. "To be honest, they don't seem to want to leave," he referred to the people.

"Alright," she followed him. "Why do you work late?" she asked.

"Because work is work."

Oliver opened the car door for Aileen to get in. Once she was inside, he got into the passenger seat. He started the car and headed towards his house.

"Where are we going?"

"To my house."

"Why? I haven't packed my things yet."

"Aileen, you can come tomorrow morning to pick up your stuff. It's not necessary right now. You have plenty of free time."

"That's not true. I have to study, catch up on my assignments and coursework because I only have a week left before going back to university. I have everything at my house."

"Did you really think you were going to study right now?" Oliver wanted to know. Aileen hesitated for a moment because she felt really tired and sleepy.

"Maybe."

"It's obvious you won't. You look exhausted, so it's better to rest and come for your things tomorrow morning. Don't be stubborn."

"And aren't you tired? You say you plan to work."

"From my room, with my computer," he replied.

"Hmm."

Upon arriving at the Price mansion, they got out of the car. Oliver and Aileen entered the house. Aileen felt so strange with the ring on her finger. She wished that when this happened, it would have been out of real love and not a lie. She felt so sad in that moment, as if nobody loved her, as if nobody could truly love her. A tear escaped from her eye.

"Are you crying?" Oliver wanted to know, looking at her.

"No."

"Yes, you are," he took her by the shoulders and made her look at him. "Why are you crying?" he sighed. He didn't like seeing a woman cry.

"The truth is, I have no idea. I've been very sensitive lately; it must be because of my period."

"Hmm, well then, maybe you should have some chamomile tea to relax. Would you like that?"

"Maybe."

Oliver and Aileen walked to the kitchen, where Oliver hurried to heat some water. It didn't take long for it to become hot, so he grabbed a tea bag and put it in the water.

"Here you go," he handed her the cup.

"Thank you."

"Do you want to be alone tonight?" he asked. "I mean, considering how you're feeling. I assume you'll be sad for the rest of the night," he commented.

"Hmm, well, I don't know. Maybe the tea will help me fall asleep quickly."

"If you feel bad, I'll be in my room."

"Okay."

Oliver left the kitchen, leaving Aileen alone and confused. He had invited her to his room but only out of courtesy and to make sure she didn't feel lonely. Aileen was truly feeling very sad and on the verge of tears about everything. She got off the chair and stumbled a bit, causing a splash of hot water to land on her hand. That made her cry as well. She quickly drank the tea and headed upstairs. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to sleep in Oliver's room, she thought. With her current state, if she slept alone, she would spend the whole night crying.

She knocked on Oliver's door twice.

"Come in."

Aileen opened the door, entering his room where she had slept the previous night.

"I thought about what you said."

Oliver was sitting there, having changed out of his formal attire and wearing pajamas consisting of pants and a shirt. Oliver simply patted the spot next to him. He had his laptop on his lap. Aileen took off her dress, revealing that she was wearing short shorts and a tank top underneath. She got into bed, covering herself. She felt warm with Oliver close by, so much so that she didn't hesitate to fall asleep immediately. Oliver worked in silence but couldn't help but gaze at Aileen's delicate and sleeping face. She looked so defenseless like that, as if she wasn't angry or crazy. He wondered why he had chosen her among thousands of women surrounding him. Perhaps Aileen wasn't like everyone else, considering she had challenged him from the very first time they met, when he was used to everyone respecting him. He raised his hand and gently stroked her face.

The next morning, when Aileen woke up, she felt somewhat empty because Oliver wasn't in the room. She got out of bed with the intention of leaving for her house, but on the stairs, she found him talking on his cellphone.

"Anna, I told you I can't tonight, it will have to be tomorrow. Yes, as you wish," he ended the call.

"We agreed that we wouldn't look at anyone else while we were together," she said in a reproachful tone, crossing her arms. Oliver saw her and regretted accepting that call. It was true, and he was breaking his own agreement.

"It's not what you think."

"Oh, really? And what do I think according to you? I don't want to be made a fool if someone sees you because, supposedly, you're a very recognized person. If this is how it's going to be, I don't want to be a part of it," Aileen wanted to quickly descend the stairs to go home, but Oliver's hand stopped her. His grip was strong. "Let go of me," she insisted. She felt angry, but more than anything, betrayed. What can you expect from a man who doesn't keep his own agreements? Nothing.

"Anna wants to talk about business, that's all."

Aileen laughed sarcastically.

"You know what I can't stand about men? That they're so easy and weak-minded, especially weak-willed," she gave him a disdainful look from head to toe.

"Listen, Aileen, what we have is just an agreement, don't forget that," Oliver shook her a little because he was getting angry. "I can see whoever I want, make that clear to yourself."

Aileen couldn't believe what she was hearing, especially the way Oliver spoke to her. A smile spread across her face as anger coursed through her body. She had broken free from the Price spell and now saw Oliver for what he was, as she used to see him before: a despicable being. Aileen raised her hand and slapped him hard on the cheek. Having done that, she left, looking for the exit. It had been two days now that she entered that house and left super angry.

"Don't think for a second that I'll come to live with you, Oliver," she thought to herself. The anger she felt made her not want to see Oliver ever again in her life. But now that everyone knew they were engaged and about to get married, it would be very embarrassing to announce that they wouldn't marry. Besides, they had a contract. In that moment, she regretted listening to Oliver. In the end, he was using her. She hailed a taxi and got in. She just wanted to get home immediately.

"Aileen?" her mother asked as soon as she arrived home. Her mother was in the kitchen having breakfast. She had been surprised not to see her daughter the previous night when she arrived.

"I'm going to take a shower," she told her, going upstairs. She took off all her clothes and stepped into the shower. She didn't want to have anything to do with Oliver Price for a while. She got out of the shower, choosing some clothes to wear to work. If Oliver didn't keep his agreements, why should she? He must be crazy. She put on mom jeans and a cropped tank top. High-top Converse shoes, tied her hair in a high ponytail, and applied some makeup. Her phone was buzzing with new messages from her friends, but right now, she didn't feel like responding.

Aileen went downstairs and left the house immediately before her mother could interrogate her. Luckily, the restaurant wasn't far, and she could walk there in a few minutes.