Three Years Later

Zara's POV

“Is the car ready?” I turned to look at my sweaty assistant, who had been running up and down to make sure I made it early to the event later today.

I had put so much pressure on Mia because tonight must go as planned. I must show the city and people who took me with levity that the queen is back.

I hurried towards the car, only to be stopped by a tall figure in front of me. I looked up and, almost blinded by the sun, I had to shield my eyes with my hands.

“Who are you, and why are you in my way?” I asked the figure in front of me.

“I have been waiting for you," He said, his voice calm but resolute. I know what you’re planning, but I can propose a better way.” He said, looking right into my eyes.

He looked like he knew what he was saying, so I let him continue.

“I am Leo Armstrong. Your secret investor”. He stretched out his hand to give me a handshake.

My heart stumbled. I stared at the scar on his palm—a distinct jagged line that had been etched into my memory.

I immediately recognized it.

“Wait…. Are you that mystery man?”

With shock written all over me, “The man that saved me three years ago?”

“You’re right”. He smiled softly, unexpectedly.

The once cold mystery man could actually let out a smile. I had known I had a secret investor in my business, but all our efforts to meet him had proven futile. He had been popularly referred to as the ghost investor in the corporate world. With his help, Z.S. Empire had taken shape over the years.

No one had ever met him, as he was a myth in corporate circles and whispered about at investor galas. But here he was.

As though he read my thoughts, “I know you have a lot of questions.”

“Can we talk over tea?” He directed me to a nearby cafe where we went and placed our order.

As we waited, I couldn’t help but notice how handsome this man, Leo, actually looked. His eyes, lips, and muscles were calling out to me.

Three years without a man—three years of solitude and betrayal—had dulled my senses, but now, something flickered awake deep inside of me.

“Here you go”. He gently placed my tea on the table. His hands brushed against mine-sending a strange shiver up my arms.

“Thank you,” I said with a smile, my eyes avoiding his.

“Oh please," He chuckled, taking a sip of his tea. "You can be comfortable with me. I don’t bite”.

I straightened. “How did you know my plan for tonight”?

“That’s not important, Zara. What’s more important is my proposal, which would be a better way to bring Zane and the entire Wesley Group down”. He said

“Wesley?” I asked, confused as to why it’s not just Zane.

“The fight is way deeper than you think, Zara. Zane is just a puppet. His family, The Wesley Group, has built a web of betrayal, greed and corruption. They have not only wronged you but me and countless others.”

Safe to say I wasn’t surprised because where else would Zane have learnt to use people for his own ambitions?

“Hmmm. Okay, but why do you need me, and why do I need you?” I pressed on, looking right into his eyes this time.

“ I know you’re an heiress and you’ve built your own successful company, but the grounds we are going to tread upon to bring our enemies down require alliances. Zane understood this and used you.”

I took a sip of my tea at this point to mask the embarrassment that came with that statement.

“I didn’t mean to bring back hurtful memories,” He said with concerned eyes.

“It’s okay,” I smiled back at him, thin but sincere.

Then, without warning, “So, to my proposal, will you marry me?”

I mistakenly spilled my tea all over my blouse as I was bringing it to my mouth on hearing his words.

“Marry you?”I asked as I wiped the tea off me.

“Yes, marry me.” He said with unflinching eyes as though marriage wasn’t a big deal to him.

“But here’s the thing,” He continued.

“We wouldn't actually get married, but right here, we would have a fake engagement so people would think we are a couple.” He said like he already had it all planned out without my permission.

My head spun. “Are we not moving too fast? I haven’t even confronted Zane yet. I planned to reveal myself as the mysterious investor Zane has been waiting for tonight before I…”

Interrupting me, he said, “I know Zara, and that would still happen tonight, but like I said, my proposal will make it stronger. We need this alliance to bring the entire Wesley group down. You and I.”

“So again, Zara Smith, will you marry me?”

I stared at him, half of me uncertain and the other half sincerely intrigued.

A thousand thoughts poured into my mind. My brain screamed No, my heart whispered Maybe.

“Yes,” the word finally came out before I could stop it. He pulled out a diamond ring and slipped it onto my middle finger.

Before I could admire the ring or make sense of the fact that I had just accepted the proposal of a man I barely knew, the paparazzi appeared and started to take pictures.

He pulled me up and into himself and made faces at me like a man in love would make to his lover.

Caught between shock and laughter, I smiled back at him, playing along.

It seems I’m engaged!