"White roses maybe red. No. I don't know she's not a flower person. Food. Definitely food....."

"Shree what are you doing?"

"Planning a wedding." she replied then went back to talking on her phone. "White it is then. How about cake?  Yeah. Good choice. How many guests? No it's short notice so that's fine. Okay. I'll call you back if I need anything."

"Are you done?" Hayley asked her trying to get her to at least stop. There were people everywhere in the house moving everything about. The backyard was a mess and she wanted to know what had prompted her friend to actually start planning the wedding.

"God no. I'm just getting started.. Hey what are you doing? No put it this way. I thought I made myself clear... " Shree walked away yelling at the workers. Hayley tried to get at least five minutes with her but to no avail. For the first time she realized her friend really was who people said she was. One of the best wedding planners in the country. By the end of the day the chaos had been fixed and the only thing left was flowers to decorate everywhere.

"I see Miss Adams really outdid herself" JR said looking around the house.

"She did. So care to explain to me what's going on?" Hayley asked arms akimbo

"What do you mean what's going on? Dad already sent out the invites. The wedding is on Saturday"

"What wedding?"

"Don't play dumb. Our wedding of course"

"Since when were you on board with the wedding? I thought you didn't want to marry me?"

"Hayley I never said that...."

"Oh so now you actually wanna get married?"

"Let's talk." he said taking her hand and dragging her to his bedroom. She tried yanking her hand from his grip but he just tightened his fingers. "Stop doing that"

"Then let go of me" she wanted to punch him. Even though she pretended not to care, him kissing Giselle had really bothered her if her murderous thoughts were anything to go by.

"I'm. not going to hurt you Hayley. I just want to talk" that got her to stop fighting him.

"I didn't say you were going to hurt me" why was her voice so small?

"Sit" JR indicated to his bed. When she hesitated he just raised his brow. "Seriously I won't do anything unless you ask me to"

"Fine" she huffed

"Marry me" she shot up from the bed

"What!"

"You heard me. I want you to marry me." he raised his hand to silence her protests. "I know my father arranged this and that's why you don't want to but now I'm asking you myself. Please marry me."

"James.... "

"I love you"

"No you don't...."

"Yes I do Hayley. I love you and I want you to marry me"

"JR you're just saying that because you want..." she stopped. What was she going to say?

"Because I want what? To sleep with you? Been there done that. It wouldn't bother me if you didn't want to have sex with me." she raised her eyebrow "Fine. It would but you know what I mean. It's not about sex Hayley. I do love you. Every time I see another man anywhere near you, I want to scream, shout and beat my chests claiming you're mine. I hate thinking you could change your mind and just leave me. And that 'this is a no strings attached relationship' comment really hurt me." Kneeling beside her he took her hand. "Hayley I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And Alexis if you'd let me. Please marry me." he begged. He was going to grovel and do whatever it took for her to agree to marry him.

"I can see it in your eyes that you're a sweet man James." Hayley caressed his face. "But I'm not one for marriages. My last marriage ended really badly. Not in a metaphorical way but for real. It was a disaster and the amount of baggage that bastard left me with is too much for me to carry. I wouldn't impose that on you"

"I don't care baby. I'll take whatever you throw at me so please say yes"

"No. You're saying that because you don't know half of it. Trust me James, once you find out you'll run for the hills"

He got up. What did she think of him? "Hayley what kind of a man do you think I am?"

"Exactly. I don't know who you are. The last time I trusted a man I ended with a bunch of scars and a broken heart. Do you think I'd make myself go through that again?" she stood up too yelling.

"I would never lay a hand on you Hayley. Never" he said cradling her face and looking in her eyes

"I thought he wouldn't do that either but look how it turned out. JR I might look like I'm fine and all strong but that is because my daughter needs me to. Deep down am broken and I don't think anyone will be able to fix me let alone want me"

He brushed away the tears she didn't even know were falling "I love you the way you are. Isn't that enough? Let me fix you Hayley. Am willing to be there for you whenever you need me. I promise I'll be patient with you and Alexis. Marry me baby"

She slapped his hands away "You don't get it James. You really don't get anything" she started to leave but he caught up with her when her hand was on the knob. Pressing her body with his against the door he whispered

"What you don't understand either is that I'm. not giving up Hayley. Make no mistake I'll do anything to get you to say yes. We are getting married on Saturday" he pushed her hair aside and kissed her neck then stepped back. He smirked at how her legs were shaking. Hayley didn't look back because she wasn't sure she would leave if she saw the look in his eyes. Opening the door she left.

--------------

"Going somewhere?"

"Yeah. JR is taking me shopping. Wanna tag along?" Alexis asked fixing her jacket.

"Is he now?"

"Yap. Are you coming or not?"

"Not" if this was how he thought he was going to convince her then he had another thing coming.

"Fine suit yourself. I won't bring you anything because you have the chance to come but don't want to" she wagged her finger at Hayley who rolled her eyes.

"Thank you so much for being a good daughter Alexis. Really" Hayley retorted

"You're welcome mommy" she said in sweet voice then dropping a kiss on her cheek she left.

"You're welcome mommy" Hayley murmured sarcastically. This plan of theirs wasn't going to work. Alexis might be swayed with gifts but she was a grown woman who knew material things didn't fix a thing.

Five hours later she was reconsidering. Alexis came back with so many bags and claimed that they weren't even half of them. "Did you buy the whole store?"

"Nope. But JR said that I shouldn't hold back so I didn't" Alexis shrugged her shoulders and went up to her room.

"Who does she expect to carry all this stuff?"

JR who had just walked in smiled "You?"

"Do I look like her maid?"

"Okay. I'll call Nancy and her crew to take them up" when she went to leave he stopped her. "But not everything is hers. I got some something for you too"

Her eyes lit up "You did?" then realizing she'd shown her excitement she schooled her features. "I didn't ask for anything"

"God I love you" he placed a feather light kiss on her lips then left. Hayley looked at his retreating figure wondering how long it would take for her to give in. JR was persuasive which is why he was a billionaire. She was sure he would use every means or person possible to get her to say yes. Exhibit A: Alexis.

It turned out that he had bought her lingerie. Soft, silky, lacy, expensive lingerie that she wanted to hang up on her bedroom walls so she could stare at them all day long. How he knew her size she didn't know. But the pieces fit her to perfection. She locked her door then tried on a black pair consisting of just a corset and tiny underwear. She looked at herself in the mirror and felt beautiful. Dare she say sexy? A part of her was giving in already. Imagining herself in one those pieces lying on silk sheets waiting for him to come home from work. He would like that. She could see him tripping over his feet to get to her. Hayley shook her head trying to get rid of those images. There was no way she was going to get married again. Once was enough for her.

At dinner he ignored her completely his attention on Alexis. She knew what he was doing. Trying to show her that he could take care of her daughter and give her the father she needed. They talked and whispered amongst themselves laughing loudly. Hayley tried hard to not be bothered. Alexis had already taken to Jim even referring to him as her grandfather. But seeing her with JR pulled on her heart strings. She had done as much as she could to give Alexis everything. But deep down she knew it wasn't enough. Every child needed both parents differently. Vince might have been a father figure, but he didn't live with them. Most of the times he was busy putting away criminals so he was more of an uncle than a father.

"Mom!" Alexis yelled startling her.

"What?"

"Let's go. I'm tired and I wanna sleep early. I have a long day tomorrow"

"Doing what? Counting the hours until you go to bed again?"

"Leave your mother to finish her food. I'll tuck you in" JR said getting up.

"No. It's fine I can do it" Hayley protested. Since when was JR interested in tucking Alexis in.

"I know. Imn just trying to help. Let's go kiddo" without waiting for her reply they left hand in hand.

"What's going on?" Jim asked studying her.

"I'd like to know that too Jim"

"You've been acting weird for weeks Hayley. And then there's JR who one second wants to murder me for arranging his marriage and the next he can't wait to marry you. Did something change? Is there something I should know?"

"I don't know Jim. Why don't you tell me? Is there a reason you picked me for your son? I don't believe that you just saw me and decided I was perfect for JR. What is it that you're hiding Jim?" Hayley challenged him.

"You can change the subject all you want." he said getting up too "But sooner or later I'll find out" Jim left her alone and tried to make his escape seem normal. He had his reasons for picking her of course. He wasn't stupid and he could never just arrange for a stranger to marry his son. But those reasons had to remain a secret for a while longer. It wasn't time for them to come to light yet. Or everything will fall apart.

-----------------

"Wake up beautiful" a voice said pulling Hayley from her dreams. She opened her eyes to see JR's face inches apart from hers. "Hey" he lowered his face and kissed her a slow sweet kiss that had her pushing her body into his. But all of a sudden he pulled away. "We have to go"

"What?" she asked still reeling from the kiss.

"I have a surprise for you" pulling the sheets away he smirked at her nightdress. It was among the silk lingerie he had bought her.

"JR it's too early for you to start with your games. Please leave me alone" she attempted to pull the covers back but he picked her up bridal style.

"Shower first while I bring you breakfast" JR deposited her in the bathroom then left. Hayley stood there still dazed wondering what he was up to now. Since she was wide awake she went ahead and showered. Not because he wanted her to but because she honestly couldn't go back to sleep.

He brought her a tray of food and proceeded to watch her eat. It unsettled her how he watched her. Like he was trying to look into her soul. When their eyes met, he just smiled at her. Hayley wanted to kick him. Jim was right. How could JR be so against marrying her one second and the next try to convince her that he'd changed his mind? Maybe he wasn't lying about loving you. A voice in her head said making her scowl. She wasn't that stupid. She'd seen magazines filled with photos of him and different women on his side. No way did he love her. And even if he truly did, she knew sooner or later he's infatuation would fade. Someone like him couldn't stay with one woman and be satisfied. And someone like her couldn't hold the attention of one person that long.

An hour later they were in front of a building. It was empty but Hayley could see the recent tenants had just vacated. "What are we doing here?" Hayley asked turning to face him.

"Checking this place out. Will it work?"

"Work for what? JR what are you up to now?"

"Nothing. I think this place is amazing. The location, the size everything is perfect"

"I don't understand you. Perfect for what?"

"Whatever you want baby. It's all yours. I figured you could open your own restaurant or bakery or coffee shop. Whatever you want"

"Oh okay. I see" she replied.

"Oh okay? That's all you're going to say? Come on give me some excitement, a smile. Anything"

"James I don't appreciate being manipulated" Hayley snapped.

"Why would you think am manipulating you?" this was going downhill fast.

"This. Buying me a really nice place you know I can't afford just to guilt trip me into marrying you. You're going too far"

"You didn't feel that way about the house. Why now?"

"That was different"

"Different how Hayley? Besides the house and this place are both yours. Whether you marry me or not"

"Let's just go." she walked back to where he had parked his car and waited for him to unlock the doors. He didn't.

"Hey I promise I'm not trying to manipulate you. I just thought that...."

"What JR?" she cut him off feeling her anger rising. "You thought that if you bought me gifts and houses I would just fall into your lap and worship you?"

"Hayley"

"Don't Hayley me. Just drive me back home. Or do I have to call a cab?"

"No. Let's go" he opened her door and after she got in he went around to the driver seat. Maybe he had over done it. He thought. But her eyes had sparkled when he mentioned yesterday that he had bought her gifts. Why would she flip out on him now? Either he had overdone it or something had triggered that reaction.

The drive home was quiet with both of them immersed in their own thoughts. JR thought that he had to take a step back and see things from her angle. She had gotten married once and had been burned. Badly. The scars on her body said it all and as much as he wanted to ask her what had happened he couldn't. He wanted Hayley to feel comfortable enough to tell him everything on her own. That's why he'd kept his mouth shut. But maybe that wasn't the right thing to do. What if her feelings were because of what had happened to her in the past? Stupid. He told himself. He should have stuck with simple things. Clothes, shoes, jewellery. He really shouldn't have gone all out.

Hayley looked at the scenery outside the window willing herself not to cry. JR was sweet and he was just being nice but his actions had opened up old wounds. Once she had let herself be fooled by gifts and she hadn't seen who her husband really was until it was too late. She'd barely gotten out of that with her life and Alexis' intact. She wouldn't do anything to put herself in a potential situation like that again. Especially since she had her daughter to think of.

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Is Hayley being unreasonable though? I would totally accept a restaurant or a house or even a five star hotel if someone bought me one. Just putting that out there 👐

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And if you haven't yet, check out Matrimony. Chapters will start coming out soon.