Chapter 2

Proposal

Sophia's POV

It was up to a week, I'm still deliberating over Oliver's proposal, the weight of his offer hanging heavy on my mind. The idea of a contract marriage was as foreign as it was intriguing to me, stirring up my emotions that I struggled to make sense of.

In my quiet moments, I found myself reflecting on the Billionaire's request and the undeniable pull I felt towards him.

Oliver's confident in the proposition and his presence boldly in my office both intimidated me, setting my heart with a mix of how and what.

Another morning, I made my way back to the gallery shop after hours, thinking and contemplating in the familiar surroundings and the comforting outcome of the art that surrounded me. As I moved through the walls of my gallery shop, I heard footsteps echoing into my polished floors, I couldn't shake the thoughts of Oliver and the life-changing decision I was on the brink of making.

Lost deeply in my thoughts, I found myself standing in front of one of my portrait that seemed to look back at me with a haunting look. The portrait's painting was captivated of emotions, that stirred something within me, I reflected the inner damage that was within my own heart.

Lost in consentration, I was startled by the sound of Oliver's footsteps approaching from behind. I turned only to see Oliver standing in my doorway, his large framed by the light filtered through my windows. There was a tension in the air as our eyes met again, each of us holding a silent question unspoken in our minds.

Oliver stepped forward, his voice breaking the heavy silence that enveloped everywhere.

"Good morning Sophia, I hope I'm not intruding into your privacy? I wanted to hi to you and see if you've had a chance to consider my proposal." He asked.

I breath in and caught in my throat as I faced the billionaire mogul, his presence was casting a spell over me that I couldn't quite shake.

"Oliver, it's good to see you. I've been thinking a lot about your offer, and... I have a questions."

Oliver's looked at me slowly, as he studied me from my head to my toas. Smething was passing through his mind.

"I'm here to answer any questions you may have, Sophia. I understand that this is a big decision, and I want you to feel comfortable with whatever choice you make."

As we stood facing each other, the air cooking with unspoken tension, I felt a conflicting emotions wash over me. I was drawn to Oliver in a way that it both excited and terrified me at the same time, the prospect of a contract marriage representing a big leap into the unknown that I wasn't sure I was ready to take.

Taking a deep breath again, I gathered some courage and met Oliver's looks with a big determination.

"Oliver, this contract marriage... What exactly does it entail? And how will it affect our lives moving forward?"

Oliver closed his eyes, his expression was composed but yet it was wide open.

"The contract marriage would be a formal arrangement where we would pretend to be in a relationship for a set period of time. You would receive financial support to save your gallery, and in return, we would present a united family in front of the public. It would be a mutually beneficial agreement between the two of us.

"Sophia, one that could change both of our lives for good, for the future and our unborn generations in different ways."

I listened intently, the weight of Oliver's words were quite unsettling and heavily on my shoulders. The prospect of a contract marriage was both daunting and promising, it could be a solution to my financial struggles and also open the door to a world of possibilities I had never dared to dream of.

After a moment of contemplation, I met Oliver's face with a resolute determination.

"I need some time to think it through, Oliver. This is a decision that will affect both of our lives, and I want to be sure that I'm making the right choice." I hope you understand.

Oliver nodded his head, and his eyes were betraying an admiration for my strength and my independence.

"Take all the time you need, Sophia. I will await for your decision, whatever time it may take. I believe that this arrangement could be the start of something truly remarkable for both of us."

With a nod of acknowledgment, I excused myself, my mind swirling with different questions, doubts, and a glimmer of hope that this opportunity will bring. As I retreated into the my business at the gallery shop, the weight of my final decision was pressing me heavily on my heart. I was uncertain of the path that lay ahead but very determined to follow the path that felt right for me and my generations to come.

And so, the stage was set for my journey of either discovery, or doom as we look forward to day ahead us. The weight of Billionaire relationship is forging me, and the challenges of being a contract wife is also confronting my fears.

The decision I will take that will determine my happiness or sorrows, awaited me in the next chapters that are yet to come.