CHAPTER FOUR

"You heard me," he said rising up to meet her outraged red eyes staring at him like an alien

"I think you flatter yourself too much Mr. Cross"

"Oh I think not, I meant what I said, be my wife for three months"

"Why three months?"

"Would you like it to be longer?" he said, his blue eyes twinkling as his lips slid up in an amused smile

"Obviously not! Why me then?"

"You intrigue me, all the other women I've met throw themselves at my feet, clinging to me simply because of money and good looks but you seem to be unaffected by all that, even the good looks," he said smiling gently. "I want to meet the beautiful and flaming goddess I know is behind that cool exterior," he replied calmly

"While I appreciate your compliments Mr. Cross, it's not going to be very helpful here"

"Is it not?"

"Unfortunately not, now if you'll excuse me I have other things to do"

"So what do you say about my offer"

"As far as I'm concerned, it's irrelevant"

"Oh really?" he said slowly walking over to her side of the table

"I see no reason for you to ask again when you obviously know..." her speech was cut off as he kissed her slowly, erotically.

After a while, he let her go and held her shoulders to steady her.

"Think about it for a few days and get back to me, here's my card," he slipped a card in her hand, kissed her forehead and left.

"What just happened?" Imani asked herself when she recovered from shock

Imai got home, showered, changed into her pajamas and then plopped down in front of the TV with a bowl of popcorn.

"Be my wife" his voice rang in her head once again'

'Ha, what a joker! Who did he think he was to just waltz into her company and ask her to be his wife,' Imani thought. "Anyways it didn't matter, she was never going to call him anyway.'

Just then her phone beeped and she saw a message from her PA.

PA:}

Ma, I've emailed you your schedule for tomorrow. The evening is free due to the annual charity gala. The dress and accessories you requested for alongside the invitation is in your car.

Have a goodnight ma.

Imani went to check the backseat of her car and found a black box inside alongside a smaller box. She carried it inside and once in her bedroom , she opened the box to reveal a stunning red dress with V-neck line, an off shoulder and a slit that went up to her thighs along with silver heels. Underneath the dress was her invitation. She opened the second box and saw a matching jewelry set piece.

'Whoa, tomorrow's gonna be a good day,' she thought in her head.

After a while she went to bed.

The Next Day,

"Ma'am your schedule is free so you can go home to get ready for the charity gala tonight"

"Will the King of Denmark be in attendance?" she asked not lifting her head from he file she was reading

"Yes ma"

"Good, how about my driver?"

"He'll come pick you up once it's 5:30 pm since the gala will start by 6"

"You may leave"

"Um ma, since you'll be leaving soon, can I also leave now?"

No, shut the door behind you," Imani said without looking up.

Imani went home, after showering, she picked up the red dress and wore it. The dress fitted to her skin perfectly, it accentuated her curves including her narrow waist and the red from the dress brought out her eyes radiance. She made up her face a little and styled it backwards into a bun and after wearing the jewelry piece, she wore up her heels, picked up her invite and right on cue, her driver arrived in a black Chevrolet to pick her up and take her to the venue.

She stood at the entrance, her eyes scanning the caliber of people there.

"Another day, another party," she muttered before proceeding into the room. The moment she started walking into the room, all eyes were on her. Everyone was looking and admiring her but no one dared to come close. Imani continued scanning the crowd until her eyes fell on a couple of blue, twinkling ones, Ezekiel Cross.

She scanned his length up and down and took in his complete look, he was dressed in a dark blue shirt and suit that brought out the colour of his eyes perfectly.

She averted her gaze away from his body back to his face and saw him smiling knowingly; he knew she just checked him out. Still smiling, he walked up to her .

"Miss Richardson," he said when he reached her

"Mr. Cross"

"Care for a drink?" he said and motioned a waiter to come over, he took a glass of wine from the tray and placed it in her hand

"If you intention is to get me drunk Mr. Cross, I can assure you, your efforts are rather futile"

"I don't like my women drunk, I love them willing and complacent"

"Then it means you have the wrong lady, nonetheless thank you for your hospitality," she said as she took a sip

"I must say you look quite stunning this evening "

"Hmm, I wish I could say the same for you"

"Ouch, you know you really should learn to take a compliment"

"Mr. Cross I have more important things to do than stand here joking all night long"

"Have you thought about my offer?"

"What's there to think about? Like I said before it's irrelevant and so I don't deem it worthy to spend my time thinking about it"

"How about a compromise then, one date"

"How is that a compromise"

"I meant for me, one date and if you still feel so strongly against it, I won't ask again"

"Interesting offer. It would avail me the opportunity to finally get rid of your irritating presence"

"Oh really?" he said as his lips slid up in an amused smile.

"I'll have to think about it Mr. Cross," Imani said as her eyes landed on the King of Denmark, "Until then have a great evening," she said and placed the remaining glass of champagne in his hands, touched his cheek and then left to speak with the king of Denmark.

Everyone in the room was floored, no one had the audacity to treat the Cross' family like that. No one had ever even dared to behave in such a manner to them before. They were the richest and most respected in the country, even the President bowed down to them yet this young lady just bypassed one of theirs like he was a nobody.

"Hmm," Ezekiel thought as he sipped from the glass given to him.