Sarah turned away from her brother. Her eyes lurked left and right before she lifted them to her father. He met her gaze.

"Are you getting married?" Aaron repeated as he walked to the fridge.

Again, her lips slightly parted, but Sarah couldn't find the right words that would be the reply that satisfied her.

"I... I don't know." The words finally escape her lips as she lowers her gaze.

Aaron poured some water into the glass and gazed at his older sister. "What do you mean? You either are, or you're not. So, are you?"

Sarah rolled her lips in and looked from her father to her brother and back to her father.

"I might."

Aaron sighed. He held the glass in his hand and walked to the table, where he sat on one of the seats. He stared her directly in the eye. His russet brown eyes, similar to her dad's, darted from one orb of hers to the other. Then he relaxed his back and drank the water from his glass.

"I didn't know you've been dating," Jerome said as he rolled his eyes away from his son.

I haven't. Sarah casually bit her bottom lip instead of saying that.

"She's not dating." Aaron interrupted as he stood to his feet. His lean frame swam a bit in the pyjama he had on. "If she was, don't you think we would have noticed something different about her?" He questioned while he walked away from the table.

"Okay, Sherlock. You know everything about me." Sarah got defensive without a second thought. Aaron stopped and turned to them—a light amusement played on his face.

"Yes. You're not that complicated. You've never had a relationship outside of your family and instead of admitting you're scared; you always use us as your excuse."

"Aaron," Jerome called in a stern voice.

The young man lowered his eyes from them and casually lurked them left and right. The amusement he once played on his face had disappeared. He walked away back to his room.

"You know he doesn't mean any harm." Jerome turned to his daughter.

Sarah forced a smile. "Of course. I know Aaron likes to push buttons sometimes. I'm used to it." She stood on her feet and carried his empty plate to the kitchen sink.

"If there's someone you plan on marrying, you only need to tell us when and where. We'll be there. I trust you."

Sarah's smile broadened. His support meant everything to her. Although it was nice to hear, she couldn't help feeling that he was being nice to her out of guilt, most of the time. "Dad, I don't regret any of the decisions I've made up to this moment. I want you to know that."

He wore a warm smile. "I know."

Sarah turned away to wash the plate. During that time, thoughts clouded her mind. She thought about how she might help lift off the guilt he felt. In her heart, she knew the only way would be if he saw her happy or if he came to terms with knowing her life hadn't come to a standstill since the accident that claimed her mother's life and caused his limping today. Surely, seeing her with a husband in her home would at least give him a sense of that. That train of thought was enough to get her to lean more towards giving in to Ramsey's proposal.

* * *

Ramsey finished his call at the swimming pool area and walked into the mansion through the back door. Suddenly, he stopped and took a few steps back. The door was slightly ajar and he gazed into the small theatre room. Sarah was standing between the wide-screen TV and the furniture. There was a small wooden center table and a long, wide grey sofa with throw pillows. Her back was towards the door, and a vacuum cleaner stood beside her as she seemed engrossed in something in her hands.

For a short while, he stood at the entrance and watched her. He was aware she had a day off the previous day and he was getting to see her for the first time today.

"Sarah," Ramsey called and she turned to him right away.

Her eyes momentarily widen at the sight of him.

"Mr. Blackwell."

Ramsey turned and held the door. Gently, he closed it and she slid the phone she'd been staring at into the pocket of her uniform. Ramsey walked to where she was and sat down on the sofa.

"Please sit." He offered with a warm, yet light smile.

Sarah's eyes drifted from him to the door and back to him. A light sense of fear riddled within her. Yet, she walked to the sofa and sat down with a gap between them.

Ramsey noticed how she wouldn't meet his gaze completely. Their few interactions had made him aware of her slight timidness.

"Did you think about my offer?"

Sarah nodded. "I did." Then she glanced at him. "Can I ask you a question?"

Ramsey gently nodded. "Yes."

"If we're to get married, how long do you plan on having it last?"

He stared at her. "As long as you want."

Sarah steadied her eyes on him. It seemed like she was benefiting more from this arrangement than he would. It was hard for her to understand.

"Aren't you worried that I might—I might scam you?"

Ramsey let out a light chuckle.

"Well, would you if given the chance?"

Sarah wore a light frown. "No."

Ramsey smiled. "I believe you."

She stared into his eyes. The lustrous view of it was enamoring and magnetic. An electric pair of hazel. What did Ramsey see in her? Why can he see her when she has blended into the background for everyone? In the few days she has known him, it has pushed her out of her comfort zone to think about stuff she never spared a chance to dream up for herself. There was a glimmer of happiness in her heart. She liked the warm feeling of it.

"Yes."

Ramsey's brows slightly arched up.

"Yes, I'll marry you." The words flowed out of her mouth without a hitch and there was a sense of peace in her heart. There were no more doubts or contemplations.

His smile broadened, lighting up his face which in turn unconsciously caused a light smile to appear on her face.

Ramsey stretched out his right hand to her. She slid hers into it and he gently squeezed it.

"Thank you."

Although a little taken aback, Sarah nodded her head in acceptance.

Later that night, before bed, Sarah stood in the bathroom and spat into the sink. After she lifted her head, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She held her toothbrush in her hand. Small foams were retained at the corner of her mouth.

Sarah kept staring at herself.

Yes, I'll marry you. Her words played back in her head. Fear gripped her. Had she reacted in haste because of how he looked at her?

For a moment, she shut her eyes. A light furrow appeared between her brows.

What am I doing?

Ramsey wasn't in love with her. He was simply polite with her. Aside from the benefit, it dawned on her that she was about to step into a loveless marriage. An agreement without an expiration date. She didn't know if she could be in such a relationship.

Sarah rinsed her mouth and stepped out of the bathroom. She sat on her bed. Her roommate lay on hers with her eyes glued to a novel in her hand.

What about Ramsey's family? Will they accept her for whatever reason?

Angela looked at her with a frown. "What?"

Sarah sat straight; suddenly aware she had been staring. She shook her head. "Nothing," then turned away. She laid down with her back to Angela.

It'll be fine. Everything will be fine.

She chanted the words over again in her head. From there on, she decided to trust that Ramsey had everything in control.

During the late morning of the next day, Sarah attended to the door after the doorbell. A young man in a black suit and a tie stood ahead of her. His ebony complexion shone under the rays of the sun.

"Hello, my name is Marcus. I work with Mr. Ramsey Blackwell. Can I meet Miss Sarah Miller?"

"That's me." She answered.

"I've been sent by Mr. Ramsey Blackwell to give you this." He handed her two large shopping bags with luxury brand logos. "He wants you to change into it and I'll drive you to him."

"Change?"

"Yes, please."

Sarah's lips parted a little before she looked back. Thankfully, Freya Blackwell wasn't in. She wondered if it would be okay to leave without informing anyone. At the same time, she knew she wouldn't be able to answer their question regarding where she was headed.

"Um..." She soothed the left side of her temple. "... Okay. Please give me a few minutes to change. You can come in."

"That's fine. I'll wait for you in the car." He stated, before walking away. Sarah closed the door and headed straight to her bedroom.

She took out the box from the first bag. Once she opened it, there was a small folded note on the dress and she proceeded to read it.

I hope it's not too much to ask. I think this will look good on you.

Ramsey.

A smile spread across her face as she raised it to look at the red floral maxi dress with short sleeves. It was beautiful to behold. Sarah didn't think she had ever received something as pretty as this dress.

One after the other, she took out the two boxes in the second bag and opened them. One was a pair of black flats, and the other was a pair of gold sandal heels. Sarah proceeded to put on the dress. It fitted her like a glove. He had guessed her size right. Her gaze darted between the pair of flats and heels. She picked the flats, choosing comfort since it was what she was more used to.

A sigh left her lips as she stared at her reflection in the mirror with her hair let down. She held her hair up together to see if it would look better that way. Eventually, she let her hair go. Sarah didn't know where Ramsey was taking her, so it would be best if she didn't overdo it. Before leaving, Sarah brushed her hair one more time.

Thankfully, she didn't run into anyone as she left the mansion. Marcus stepped down from the car and opened the door to the backseat for her. Sarah slowed down her steps after seeing his act. Never has this happened to her before.

She hastened and sat in the car. "Thank you."

Throughout the ride, Sarah tackled her nerves, controlling her anxiety and whatever doubt played in her mind. The car stopped in front of a restaurant, French Monarch, with a tall transparent glass exterior where mostly the rich dined. Marcus opened the door for her, and Sarah stepped down. Ramsey came up to her in a dashing grey suit and white shirt.

"Thank you, Marcus." Ramsey appreciated, before Marcus got back into the car.

"You're looking beautiful," Ramsey told her as they walked towards the entrance to the five-star restaurant.

Sarah smiled sheepishly, sparing him a glance.

"Thank you."

Ramsey stopped and turned to her. He reached into his pocket and brought out a small blue velvet box. When he opened it, there was a small gold band with a white round-cut diamond, the size of a poppy seed, at the center. Her eyes widened a little at the sight of it.

Ramsey reached for her right hand and gently placed it on her fourth finger. Sarah stared at the ring on her finger, unable to believe her eyes.

"I'm going to introduce you to my parents as my fiancée."

She lifted her eyes to him and let her hand fall to her side. Her heart had delved into her chest upon hearing those words.

"Do you mean... here?" Sarah managed to question; her voice sounded shaky to her hearing.

"Yes."

Sarah nodded and kept at it as she looked away from him. Ramsey cupped her cheeks in his hands and gently turned her head so she looked at him again. Her eyes were wide as she stared at him.

"I won't abandon you. Okay?"

Finally, she blinked multiple times and gulped.

"Yes."

He wore his smile more on his face as he released her face. Ramsey took the lead ahead, and before Sarah followed, she couldn't help touching a side of her face where his hand had been. It was time to stand by her decision, and may God help her.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. See you next week!