8: The Proposal

Nolan's POV

"What do you think your doing?" My Father asked, seemingly furious with me. "You think life is some kind of... funny game?" He asked, his gray hairs trembling.

"Dad. What happened? This isn't a joke." I told him, and he eyed me with close scrutiny.

"I know you, you little bastard. This better not be a game." He threatened, and for a second I almost called the whole thing off.

"Dad. Olivia and I are married. She lives with me now, and I made her my wife." I said with a straight face.

"Is she pregnant?" He asked.

"Ew! Dad that's gross." I answered, balling my face up in disgust. Before the conversation could end, I saw a very angry Olivia stomping towards me.

"Whoa, what's wrong?" I asked her nervously.

"Noel," she said in a low, stern tone. "I need to talk to you... over there." She said, pointing away from everyone.

"Okay... honey..." I laughed nervously, looking over at my Dad who looked both curious and amused. "Women," I mouthed to him, mocking an annoyed look.

I followed her away from everyone, and she did not look happy. At. All. "So I had an interesting talk with your brother." She said, folding her arms over her chest.

"And?" I asked, putting my hand in the back of my neck.

"And... you said some pretty hurtful things. And I'm glad to know how you really feel. Let's not forget, you're paying me, but this is a business deal. You're not going to turn your nose up at me." She said, rolling her eyes. "You spoiled little rich boy!" She poked me in the chest with every word, and I blinked in shock. No woman had ever talked to me like that before.

Every woman I'd ever been with, waited on me hand and foot. They practically threw their panties at me. But here Olivia was, defending her own honor and standing up to me.

"Okay." I muttered under my breath, feeling like a scolded child.

"Your money does not make you better than me, Nolan." She said sternly, sighing heavily. "I'm going to the restroom." With that, she stormed off, and I couldn't help but watch her leave.

I am going to kill my brother.

I headed back to our table, where Ben was staring smugly at me. "Hello brother."

"How could you do this?" I asked him in annoyance. "You just made her not like me!"

"Good. You deserve it." He smirked, ordering food off the menu from the now emerged waiter. "She deserves to know how you really feel about her."

I couldn't continue yelling at him, because my Father had gotten off his phone call, and was headed back to the table. "Well, Noel. I have to admit, at first I thought you were joking but I have to say I'm convinced."

"Because of our marriage license?" I asked him.

"No," he answered. "Because of the way Olivia talked to you." He laughed. "Only a wife would do something like that," he shrugged, and Ben and I stared at each other in disbelief.

At that, I started grinning. My dumb brother. Thought he was hurting me, but only helped me further. "Alright, Dad listen. It's okay. I know it's sudden, but I wanted to make sure it was right first."

"There's my favorite daughter in law!" My dad exclaimed. "I have a proposal for you."

"Hi, I'm sorry about that. Men!" She shrugged.

"It's okay. Why don't you kiss and make up with him. He's terribly sorry for what he did. At least do it for me?" My Dad asked her, and she thought for a minute before looking at me.

"I guess I can do that." I stared at her with a blank face. I wasn't sure if this was her acting like we were making up, or if she was actually making up with me.

She gave me a pondering look before leaning over, and kissing me right on the mouth. At first it caught me off guard, but then I gave into it. I looked her in the eye as she pulled away, but I still couldn't figure out what was in her head.

"Your ex-girlfriend, Nolan," my Dad started. "What happened to her?" He asked.

"He thought she was..." Olivia trailed off. "What was it babe? Boring and passable?" She asked sarcastically, and that's when I knew she was acting.

My Dad laughed, and Ben choked on his drink. I sighed heavily, and shook my head dismissively. "Let's not talk about her, please, Dad." I said.

"Alight, fine." He threw his hands up in surrender, then turned his attention to Olivia. "So, Olivia, I take it your going to spend this weekend with us on our yacht?" He asked her, and my eyes widened.

"That's this weekend?" I asked, the whole thing slipping my mind.

"Yes. It is."

Every year for my mother's birthday, the whole family gets together and goes boating in Italy. I had gotten so wrapped up in this plan, that I forgot all about it. "Yes, I guess I will come." She smiled politely. "But I'm afraid I must be going now. I have such a busy day tomorrow, and I do need some rest." She shrugged, standing up from her seat. She didn't say a word to me, but I assumed I should follow her.

She sighed heavily, but grabbed my hand and held it anyways. "This doesn't mean we're friends, Nolan." She said to me once we were in the car. "I can't believe those things you said." She sighed, and I instantly regretted the words ever leaving my mouth.

"I'm sorry, Olivia," I said, shaking my head.

"You know what, just save it Nolan." She sighed, looking out the window. "I'm not some charity. You're not scoring points by being with me, and helping me out."

It seemed like nothing I said would make this better, so I stayed quiet the rest of the way home.

Once we got back, she hurried off to her room, and I was left to think about what I did. Did I screw this up?

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