"Sorry? Are you talking to me?" I asked Zayn.

Zoey rolled her eyes at him. "Really? Melanie?"

"She looks like her," Zayn told her.

Zoey sneered. "As if! This woman looks nothing like that unfashionable whale with terrible hair and skin. This woman looks flawless."

"Thank you?" I said unsurely.

"She looks like Melanie Zo," Zayn stressed.

"Who's Melanie?" I asked, scowling.

I guess I was rolling with Onyx's plan after all, especially with the way things were playing out.

"You're not Melanie Blandel?" Zayn asked.

"My name is Evie Bingham," I replied, flashing the diamond promise ring.

Not that he knew it was a promise ring.

"I think you have her confused for someone else," my 'husband' added.

"Probably," Zayn replied, but you could tell that he wasn't entirely convinced.

"Well, I've interrupted this meeting long enough. Let me leave you to it," I said.

"Wait! Let me walk you out. Please excuse me for a minute," Cain told his guests before walking out with me.

"Nicely played Mrs Bingham," he complimented. We couldn't be heard by the people in the boardroom.

"Thank you for playing along Mr Bingham," I said in relief.

He caressed my cheek. "Are you ok? When did you think of this plan?"

"I actually didn't. Taking your phone was just coincidence, and Onyx is the one who mentioned that it would be cool if I saw them and pretended to not know them. Going with the plan was an on the spot decision that I'm actually glad I made, despite being called an ugly whale," I explained.

"She's talking out of her ass. Don't mind her," he said quickly.

"I know that baby. I'm a lot more confident in who I am now, remember? Besides, it doesn't look great in paradise," I pointed out as we watched the arguing couple.

"Well, I'm proud of you regardless, and I very much like where this ring is sitting," he said, fiddling with the ring.

"Slow your roll Bingham. How long until you're done here?" I asked.

"About thirty minutes to an hour tops. These people don't exactly know what they want since they seem to be disagreeing at every corner. I feel more like a therapist than a lawyer," he complained, making me laugh.

"My poor baby. You'll survive. Now go back in there, finish up and come and fetch me. I'm bored and I miss you," I whined.

"And I'm the baby?" he taunted.

"Shut up," I mumbled, making him laugh.

He wrapped his arms around me. "I love you beautiful."

"I love you baby," I replied happily.

After a toe curling kiss, I let him get back to the meeting. He was definitely in higher spirits, so I guess Hayden was right after all. The same couldn't be said for Zayn and Zoey though. I stole one last glance at them and they both looked furious.

I just hoped that wouldn't mean hell for Cain.

"And?" Hayden asked as soon as he saw me.

"Crisis averted," I joked, making him laugh.

"Thanks girl. You have saved all our lives," he said.

"It's what I'm here for. Anyway, let me get going. Please make sure that as soon as he's done with the meeting, he leaves the office. I know how he can get," I pleaded.

"Don't worry. I've got you. Everything that could possibly keep him here is out of sight, so he's all yours as soon as he's done. If it means I must push him all the way to your building, then I just might," he jested.

I laughed. "I don't doubt you for a second, just as much as I don't doubt the fact that he would probably kill you if you did that to him."

"Eh, I would've lived a wonderful life," he said with a shrug.

"Bye Hayden," I said to the crazy man.

I laughed when he and some of the other staff members bid me farewell. "Bye Mrs Bingham."

See? I told you everyone was on board with the whole Mrs Bingham thing.

This is what surprises me about the press not knowing who Cain is dating, but then again, I could pin it down to loyalty. Everyone who does know who I am, and who I am to him, seems on board with making sure that the press doesn't find out.

Or at least stalling.

I left the building with a stupid smile on my face. It was the beginnings of the lunch hours, so there were more cars and people around. I crossed the road and headed into my building, and I was surprised to be met by the Van de Woodsen sisters.

"Zayn is here?" was the first thing they asked.

I rolled my eyes at them. "Hello to you too."

"How did it go?" Onyx asked. I now had eight eyes on me, eagerly awaiting my response.

"Zayn and Zoey are both here. I got there and Cain referred to me as Mrs Bingham as usual. I swapped the position of my promise ring from him to make it look like we were in fact married. Anyway, I got there and explained to him that I had his phone. Zayn then called me Melanie, but he sounded unsure, so I did the craziest thing," I said.

"You went with my plan," Onyx said knowingly, to which I nodded.

"You didn't!" Bernard said in disbelief.

"Except I did, and I think they fell for it," I replied.

"What was the plan?" Zena asked.

"So, Onyx came up with the brilliant plan of me pretending I have no idea who they are, and I think it worked. Zayn called me Melanie, and I acted confused. Zoey is convinced that there's no way that I'm Melanie, but despite my denial, I don't think Zayn believes it. I told them that I'm Evie Bingham, and Cain added that they probably have me mistaken for someone else. Again, Zoey looked like she totally bought it, but Zayn, not so much," I explained.

"Your sister is as stupid as they come, so there's no shocker there. Zayn is probably unsure especially because you have the same first name as Melanie," Bernard pointed out.

"I was just thinking that. I don't think Zayn believes it. While I'm in full support of you playing this whole not knowing them thing out, I just want you to be careful because I think that should Zayn get you alone, it may not be pretty. You need to stay in character at all times," Gigi stressed.

I understood what she was getting at. Everyone here already knew about how Zayn tried to kill me, and how Aramis saved my life. The Van de Woodsen sisters wanted me to lay charges, until I had to remind them that at the time, it meant having to come out of hiding from Greece to confront the man.

Something I wasn't anywhere near ready to do at the time.

Now, however, I have a whole lot more confidence to face the situation, and after seeing him again and having him not affect me one bit, I'm pretty sure I can face him any day. This time, if he tries anything, I'll be ready to deal with him.

"I hear you, but I'm not afraid of facing him this time. I know that he tried to kill me the last time I was with him, but I'm no longer that weak woman," I pointed out.

"We know you're not sweetie. Does Cain know about the incident?" Gigi asked.

I laughed nervously. "Uh, no."

"Why not?" they asked.

"I guess I've just never gotten around to saying anything to him about that day," I responded.

"You need to tell him, today, especially after the stunt you pulled with Zayn and Zoey. He needs to know that the man poses a physical threat to you," Bernard said strongly.

I knew there was no arguing with him.

"I'll tell him when he takes me out for lunch," I promised.

"Good! We don't want to have to constantly worry about your safety. With Cain in the know, we'll feel that much better," Onyx said.

"Agreed," the other three said.

These people just want what's best for me, and I cannot blame them for that. They are my family, so of course they want me to be safe. I would talk to Cain as soon as we have a moment of peace together.

I stayed with them waiting for him. I found out that Zena and Gigi were already working with Onyx towards the Beautiful Sunshine launch. I had done my part, which was to design the clothing and shoes for the launch, so it was now in Onyx's hands to create everything with her team, and the sisters to market everything.

Bernard had also already done his part. Together with Cain, even though they don't work for the same company, had worked to ensure that everything in the legal aspect is in order. Ivy was on board with helping with the shoes, and Max and Gio were working with the sisters on their campaign.

Everything was coming in nicely.

"Evie, how far are you with arranging the models?" Onyx asked me.

"I've spoken to Max about that and she said she'd get back to me after speaking to the agency she uses," I responded.

"Has anyone got any intel on Vivienne?" Gigi asked.

"She's releasing a new line in the next two weeks," my boyfriend said, announcing his presence.

"How do you even know that?" I asked him after kissing him.

"Just because I'm a lawyer, doesn't mean I don't know anything," he said cheekily.

Bernard rolled his eyes. "No really, how did you find out?"

"Zoey doesn't shut up, and she just happened to let it slip that she was going shopping with the Altor twins since this is their only free time now that they're busy with the new Altor line that's coming out in two weeks," Cain replied.

Zoey has always been friends with Alison and Renee, which is why the twins used to torture me as much as they did. They hated me for reasons that I'm sure not even they know. I will just never understand people who live like that.

"Good work Bingham," Gigi said in passing.

"You were afraid that I would jump into my work, but it looks like that's exactly what you did," Cain said amusedly.

"And just as well she did. Now that the Altor line gets released in two weeks, it means that we have to work twice as hard," Onyx said.

"You're going to compete with them?" Cain asked.

"No, we're going to outdo them altogether. We're going to make sure that everyone forgets that they even released anything and keep the buzz on Evie for as long as we can," Zena added.

I didn't even know all of this.

It would take a lot of work, but we could definitely pull it off. It had me excited thinking about it because it's my chance at true change and at achieving my dreams. I know this is only the beginning, but it was still something worth getting excited about.

"I foresee a lot of late nights," Onyx commented.

"We know we're only lawyers, but I'm sure Cain is with me when I say that we'll help where we can," Bernard said, to which my boyfriend nodded to.

"We could actually use your help with putting the launch together. We'll put together the plan for everything and what we need, and the two of you can put everything together. Evie will be with you guys on that, so I'm sure the three of you will be able to arrange a spectacular setting," Gigi said.

I just love the teamwork involved here.

"I'm good with that. However, right now I'd like to steal my wife away," Cain said with a smile.

Bernard rolled his eyes. "You're not married to her."

"He may as well be," the girls commented, making me laugh at how chuffed Cain was from their response.

"Ask for her hand in marriage and I'll think about it," Bernard said.

While everyone has treated me like family, it's safe to say that Bernard has acted like it the most. He's like the older brother I never asked for, but the one I'm most grateful for. He's really gone above and beyond taking care of me.

"Are you serious?" Cain asked unsurely.

"As a freaking heartbeat mate," Bernard replied, his English accent shining through a little.

He hates it, but sometimes it just comes out.

"Bernard Phillip Wellington, may I please have your permission to have Evie Melanie Payton's hand in marriage?" Cain sincerely requested.

Wait, what?

Bernard stared at him blankly. "Again, I'll think about it."

I think we were all left shocked when he turned to leave. What I think started out as a joke, so quickly turned into something that I wasn't sure how to feel about. I wasn't sure who was serious about the whole thing and who wasn't.

"What just happened?" Zena asked on all our behalf's.

"I don't even know," Cain replied.

"Looks like you've still got some convincing to do," Gigi commented.

"He's my best friend. He knows me better than all the people in my life except Aaron. He should know that I wouldn't ask for Evie's hand in marriage if I wasn't serious or if I didn't intend to treat her right," he argued.

"Wait, you were serious?" I asked, choking on air.

"Well yeah. I know he's come to care for you like a brother, so obviously his blessing means a lot," he replied.

"She means are you seriously doing this right now?" Onyx elaborated.

He shrugged. "I guess I am."

"You're mad," I said lowly.

"That much I'm already aware of. I need to work on getting that blessing," he said, looking lost in thought.

"Excuse us for two seconds," Zena said, dragging me away with her. She dragged me to one of the conference rooms.

"Woman, breathe," she told me.

"I am breathing," I replied.

She gave me a disbelieving look. "You're just not processing what lover boy is saying."

"It's not that. I'm just shocked. I mean, I know Cain loves me, but I didn't think he really wants to marry me," I admitted.

"Because him calling you Mrs Bingham isn't clear enough?" she asked in confusion.

"He's kidding," I argued.

"No he isn't. I don't think he's ever been more serious about anything in his life," she countered.

"You don't know that Zena. You've known him as long as I have," I pointed out.

"Yeah, but Bernie's known him longer and he's vouched for him," she countered once more.

I crossed my arms. "Who's to say that Bernie's right to begin with? For all we know, Cain lied to him or has hidden his dark side to him."

"Now you're just lying to yourself. You and I may not have known Cain that long, but we both know that he doesn't have a dark side," she replied.

"Says you," I said stubbornly.

"You're self-sabotaging big time. What is going on with you?" she asked in confusion.

And that's all it took for me to snap.

Before I knew it, the tear had slipped down my cheek, and I was shouting. "You don't understand Zena. Why would anyone want to spend a lifetime with me? Why would he love me? He could have any woman, and I'm just so damn afraid that he will leave me when he realizes that there's nothing special about me and that he can have some other woman who is probably better for him."

"Oh hun, I'm so sorry," she said, hugging me. I broke down in her arms.

I couldn't even understand what was going on with my emotions, or at least I didn't want to confront the truth. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. I may be a lot more confident than I was back then, but that doesn't mean that I'm not insecure altogether.

That I'm not afraid of Cain leaving me.

That I'm not broken.

"I'm sorry too."

I jumped and turned to find Cain behind me. I was confused when my staff members walked into the room after him. They came and stood around us, while Gigi and Onyx walked in with their hands closed. Bernard walked in last, and he had a phone in his hand.

The conference room has no windows, so I was startled when Bernard switched off the light, leaving us in the dark. Suddenly, the song 'I Won't Give Up' by Jason Mraz started playing, and the room lit up as everyone switched on the torches on their phones.

"What's going on?" I barely managed to ask as Cain walked up to kneel before me.

"I am so sorry that you had your heart broken the way that you did. I don't think I've ever told you that, so I'm telling you now. I am sorry that life dealt you such a terrible hand for the most part of your life. I am sorry for every bad word that was ever hurled your way. I am sorry for every scar that was ever inched into your heart. I am sorry for every tear that you shed because you felt that you were not good enough. I am sorry for all the doubt, the fears and the insecurities that you deal with every day. I am sorry for your pain, but most of all, I am sorry that I took so long to find you. You are my soulmate Evie Payton. As much as you'd like to believe that I will leave you for another, it pains me to think that I have failed you in that way."

I was about to stop him, but he shook his head, taking my hand in his. "You don't realize how many times I catch myself wondering why God felt that I deserved such an angel in my life, but I no longer question it because you're my blessing. For so long I'd shut myself off from the world, but it took laying my eyes on you once for me to know you were something special. You took a crazy chance and went on a date with me, and you don't know how many times I thank God for blessing you with the courage that day. I knew I wanted to marry you when I found myself laughing harder than I had in years, realizing that I had fully opened up to you for nine hours straight and I still yearned to tell you more. I wanted to keep you by my side and never let you go. When I found you crying, I wanted to go to the ends of the world to avenge you. I have never felt like that for anyone else in my life. I guess I'm rambling now, so I'll get to the point. This isn't the way I had pictured proposing to you, but now that we're in the moment, I don't think I'd take it back. You are my world Evie Payton. I am madly in love with you. You are beautiful, intelligent, sexy, motivated, and most importantly, you are enough. You are enough for the people who love you, and God knows you are more than enough for me. You are everything that I used to talk to God about in my prayers. You are an answered prayer."

He reached into his pocket before pulling out a beautiful rose gold princess cut diamond ring. "I am not a perfect man, and I probably have flaws that you are yet to see about me. However, I am sure of a lot of things, especially where you're concerned. I am sure about how I feel for you. I am sure that you are the only woman who catches my absolute attention. I am sure that you are the only woman who makes me look towards the future. I am sure that you are the only woman I want to see carrying our children. I am sure that you are the only woman I am willing to give it all up for. I am sure that I won't give up on you, on us. I am sure that I want forever with you. As I kneel before you and our witnesses, I hope that this is the moment that will not only change our lives forever, but that it is the moment where you truly believe that you are it for me. You are my one and only Mrs Bingham. So, beautiful, will you make me the happiest man on earth and legally take my last name?"

I was speechless. The song was still going and the room was surrounded by torches, but the light wasn't on us. Instead the lights gave an enchanting ambience to the room, while I was surprised to find that I wasn't the only one crying as I heard sniffing around me.

"Yes," I said lowly.

With the room having been as quiet as it was, everyone had heard me. Cheering took off in the room as Cain slipped the ring onto my finger before getting up to kiss me. I didn't think the cheering could get any louder, but apparently, it could. I faintly felt flower petals brushing past my arms.

I was too focused on my fiancé to care.

We pulled away, breathless. "How? How did you put this together so fast?"

"When Zena dragged you away, I'd already picked up on your mood change, so I enlisted Gigi and Onyx's help. I went after Bernard and seriously asked him for your hand in marriage and he agreed," he replied. Everyone had already left the room, leaving us with our friends.

"We figured that Zena would drag you here, so while Cain went after Bernard, we collected everyone and quickly told them the plan. Onyx and I grabbed the petals from the flowers around the offices, so those need to be replaced," Gigi further explained.

"Before you even ask, this is Onyx's phone and she figured that the song would be perfect for the moment," Bernard added.

I looked to my fiancé. "When did you get the ring?"

"The day after we went grocery shopping together for the first time. I had to check if it fit, and luckily for me, you're a heavy sleeper. I had them change it to rose gold when you told me that it's what you prefer when it comes to jewel-"

He was talking too much, and I guess I was still going through an adrenaline rush because I grabbed his face and kissed him like there's no tomorrow. He smiled into the kiss, pulling me impossibly closer to him.

And for the first time in my life, it was like time stood still.

For the first time in my life, I truly believed that I was worthy of being loved on the scale that Cain loves me. I still couldn't process why this crazy man loves me, but I could at least believe in his love for me.

I believed that I was the only one for him.

"I guess we're the first to congratulate you. You know what you promised me Cain. I will come after you if you hurt her," Bernard warned.

Cain rolled his eyes, breathing in deeply. "I got your threat loud and clear Bernard. You can stop treating me like someone you don't know."

"I'm sorry. I've just seen Evie go through the worst treatment and I just want to make sure that she's in good hands," Bernard said.

I stepped out of Cain's hold and went to hug him. "Bernie, I couldn't be in better hands, and not just because it's Cain, but because he's your best friend. I trust your judgement and I know you wouldn't be friends with someone who isn't a good person. Trust in your own judgement because if you doubt it, then you'll make me doubt it too."

"You're right. I'm sorry mate," he said to Cain.

"It's no sweat. I love Evie as much, if not more than you do. She's my Queen and I don't intend to treat her any less than that," Cain said honestly.

Bernard nodded. "I trust you."

"Zayn tried to kill Evie the last time they were together! Whew, at least that's off my chest," Onyx blurted.

"WHAT?" Cain shouted.

"What the hell Onyx?" Gigi, Zena and I asked her in confusion.

"Look, I couldn't hold it in. I know it's not the ideal place, but at least it's out there now," she replied.

Note to self- never tell Onyx a big secret, especially one that SHE must keep.

"What does she mean Zayn tried to kill you?" Cain asked me.

"We'll just be anywhere but here," Gigi said before ushering our friends out.

"Evie," Cain said expectantly.

I sighed. "It was the day of my dad's memorial. He'd been gone for four months before my dad died, and he obviously came back to cash in once he heard that my dad was gone. He arrived at the office, trying to play the doting husband, but I wouldn't have it. He was going on and on about how he and my family wanted to be there for me, and I guess he didn't take well to me calling bullshit on his words because before I knew it, he had me in a chokehold. Had Aramis not come looking for me, I probably wouldn't be standing right before you."

I watched him carefully. I took in every single move he made; from the blank stare as it gradually turned to a frown, before the frown turned into a deeper, angrier scowl. He was undoubtedly furious, and I wouldn't bother to calm him down.

It wouldn't work.

"I'm going to kill him," he murmured.

"That you're not going to do because you just proposed to me, and there's no way I'm spending the rest of my life engaged to a man in prison," I joked.

His anger faltered slightly. "Evie."

"I'm serious Cain. He did what he did, but I'm alive thanks to Aramis. You know what happened, but that's where it ends. You're not going to do anything to him. We're all just going to move on from that incident," I said seriously.

"He tried to kill you. I didn't miss the fact that he didn't exactly buy our story, so for all I know, he still wants to kill you," he argued.

"Except he gains nothing from killing me. I'm not his wife," I reminded.

"You've forgotten that he doesn't know that you know that," he countered.

Ah damn!

"Look, we just got engaged. I can think of a million things we could be doing right now," I said, hinting with a sultry look.

"Beautiful, you're not seducing me into not talking about this," he said stoically.

I bit my lip, stalking towards him. I ran my hands under his blazer, and I could tell that he was fighting hard to resist me. I kissed his neck, slowly moving up his neck, until I reached his ear. "Can you be persuaded to at least talk about this after we've celebrated?"

He didn't say anything for the longest time, so I continued kissing his neck, until a kiss became a hickey. By now he was releasing a guttural sound from his chest, his hands on my hips. I squeaked when he pulled me flush against him, cupping my backside before he gave me a head spinning kiss.

"Woman, you are going to be the death of me," he said in between kisses.

"Does this mean we can leave?" I asked, pulling back to look into his beautiful eyes.

A lazy smile adorned his face. "Let's go and get a head start on making mini Binghams."

Don't mind if I do.

***

Elo Smurflettes

So, sorry that I took a little longer with this one. I had no access to WiFi so I couldn't upload it. Alas, here it is.

So, what about that turn huh? How are we liking it so far? I've been enjoying all that you've had to say about it so far. I love this story, and it's relieving to know that you guys feel the same for the most part.

Please continue to spread the word. It's dropped a whole lot in the rankings, but I know it can shoot right back up with your help. Please continue to vote, comment, share and add to your libraries. I love you guys!

Katee (^^,)