LOVE FOR SALE !

*BEN*

Nolan and I were having dinner together.

There was just something about the way he constantly looked at me.

I always felt flustered under his gaze.

Our eyes locked in a frenzy and Nolan slowly leaned in for a kiss and before his lips could meet mine my phone started ringing and I pulled away with a chuckle.

"Sorry."

He nodded quietly and I fished the phone out of my phone.

I swallowed hard when I saw Ambrose's name flashing on the screen.

I answered the call and placed the phone to my ear and excused myself.

Once I was far enough from Nolan I sighed softly.

"Ambrose?"

There was silence from the other end of the line.

Saying his name out loud still did a number on me.

"Benedykta."

I swallowed hard.

"Why are you calling me?"

I cut straight to the point.

"I wanted to apologize for what I said to you at the engagement. I was angry but I shouldn't have crossed the line."

I frowned.

"That's it?"

The words left my lips before I could stop them.

He chuckled softly.

"Were you expecting something else?" He taunted me and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

But he was right.

I was expecting him to address the one night stand.

I wanted to know if it was just casual to him or maybe it meant something to him.

"That night we met I-" Ambrose was cut off.

"Ben, are you coming?" Nolan asked and turned around meeting his gaze.

I nodded quietly.

"You're with Nolan?" He asked curiously.

He sounded jealous.

Or maybe I was reading too into the lines.

"Yeah we just had dinner before you called."

There was an awkward pause.

He cleared his throat.

"Well, let's not interrupt your romantic dinner. We can talk some other time."

I sighed deeply.

"Alright."

He hung up and I went back to the table feeling like a totally different person.

I was still dying to talk to him.

"Are you okay? You look flashed."

I nodded quietly.

"I'm okay with just a work-related call."

Nolan didn't seem convinced.

He smirked at me.

"Or maybe it was your boyfriend."

I choked on the wine I was drinking.

Nolan rushed to my aid and offered me some water.

"I'm sorry that was probably inappropriate" he apologized.

I gave him a small smile.

The mere thought of my father in law in a romantic space made me feel uneasy.

Nolan placed his hand on top of mine.

"I'm really having a good time."

I nodded quietly.

"So when is your dad coming back?"

Nolan seemed surprised about the change of topic.

"With the fire that had happened at the vineyard it will take some time to do the repairs but he assured me that he would be back in a few days because of the new contract."

I had forgotten about the new agreement.

"Why is your father suddenly investing more money into this project?"

I was curious about the sudden change.

Nolan looked uncomfortable.

Was he hiding something?

He looked up meeting my gaze.

"He's only investing more because he knows that this project has a lot of potential. With the profit worth billions it's bound to get his attention."

I nodded quietly.

"Plus your grandfather assured us you're the brains behind the project and I trust you. I know that you won't let us down."

I felt a surge of happiness because it's definitely rare when my grandfather takes the liberty to praise my hard work.

"Your grandfather is really proud of you Ben."

I stared at our connected hands.

"Well he has a funny way of showing it."

A few minutes later we concluded with dinner.

"How do you feel about having a baby with me?" Nolan asked.

I swallowed hard.

"To be honest I love kids but I've never had the mere thought of having any. If I decide to have any, maybe I'll adopt one day."

The shock on Nolan's face was evident.

"You'd make a great mother so please reconsider."

I shook my head negatively.

"If I do have a baby it's probably because of this agreement. We are supposed to have a baby in the first year of our marriage because it's the only way I can file for divorce."

He nodded quietly.

"You don't think we'll fall in love one day? What if we did? The contract wouldn't even matter because we'd be happy."

I sighed deeply.

Nolan entwined our hands.

"Benedykta I want you to look at this agreement not as a contract but as a means of bringing our families together and also as a way of getting to know each other."

He gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

"We might be engaged but I'm still your friend and I want you to know that."

Nolan is a good person but I had way too much going on up there.

I nodded quietly.

After dinner Nolan offered to drive me to my apartment even though I was perfectly okay with driving myself.

Soon enough we reached my doorstep.

Nolan kissed me on the cheek and began to walk away.

He was about to open the car door but I stopped him.

He gave me a puzzled look.

"Ben?"

I pushed away all my thoughts of Ambrose and leaned in to kiss Nolan but he stopped me.

I blinked in surprise.

"What?"

Instead he cupped one of my cheeks and took my breath away.

His lips moved against mine in a slow yet passionate demure kiss.

He pulled away with a shaky exhale tracing my lower lip with this thumb.

"I've been dying to kiss you senselessly all night."

I giggled softly.

"Goodnight Nolan."

When he finally left I went inside and locked the door leaning against it.

It was the only way to forget about Ambrose even if it meant that I would be using Nolan in the process.

I slumped on the bed tiredly.

Why does my life have to be so messed up?

Deep down I wish that I had met Nolan at the bar instead of his father. With that perspective maybe things would have been different.

I can't let those feelings from that one night stand ruin my chances of finding true happiness.

I closed my eyes and I don't even know how I drifted off of sleep.

I was woken up rudely by my very loud phone.

I definitely need to change my ringtone.

I placed the phone to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Uh sleeping beauty have you seen the news?" Clay asked curiously.

"Your super hot father is having a press conference today."

I sat upright and frowned.

"No, he's in Italy."

"Nolan told me that he would be in Italy for a couple of days. He would only come back early because of the new contract we all need to sign."

Clay chuckled softly.

"Well he's on TV and I see why you can't get over him."

I groaned deeply.

I hung up and began to check my socials and I was stunned to see multiple articles and live airings of Ambrose addressing a few journalists.

What the fuck is he doing in New York?

I sprung out of bed and went to take a shower.

In less than twenty minutes I was out of the shower getting dressed.

I tied my hair in a messy ponytail and kept my make-up to a minimum.

I decided to wear the dark blue suit my mother had gifted me on my birthday.

I had my burnt toast as usual and made my way to Ambrose's company and the whole place was crowded with gossip thirsty reporters.

Once they saw they made way for me.

Nolan was beside his father and when he saw me he gave me a stern nod.

He looked almost like Ambrose except he had blonde hair instead.

I stood beside Nolan and leaned in so that no one would overhear our conversation.

"Uh what's going on?" I asked curiously.

Nolan looked at his father.

"I'm just surprised as you are Ben but I'm sure my father will fill us in."

I only came here because my grandfather has been pestering me to show up at the press conference for moral support even though it's clear that my presence isn't really contributing.

I'm only here to represent the Rebel family.

One of the journalists pointed at me.

"Ms. Rebel, is it true that you're only marrying into the Esteban family for money? Many people are calling you a gold digger."

I remained silent.

I hated that word.

Nolan grasped my hand.

"Don't pay attention to him, those reporters are always looking for new gossip."

But little did I know it was just the beginning.

I nodded quietly.

"Miss. Rebel are you actually going to go through with your second wedding or maybe you'll be dumped again by your groom?"

A few journalists joined in laughing.

His words brought back memories of Zane.

Tears blurred my vision but I didn't let them follow and the next thing I heard was a thud.

My eyes widened in shock as Ambrose pounced on the journalist who was mocking me.

The reporter's bloody face came into view.

It was clear that Ambrose had broken his nose.

Ambrose kept his gaze on me.

"Who else has something to say about my daughter in law?"