"Such and asshole", I mumbled entering the kitchen with Carmel along me.

I made Carmel sit down on a stool as I kneeled in front of her and gently grabbed both her shoulders.

"What was all that about?", I said in a stern tone.

She refused to meet my gaze as she lowered her head.

With my index finger I lifted her chin.

"Carmel", I warned in a gentle tone.

She sighed before explaining her actions. "I was just... I just wanted you both to meet. I thought maybe...you could...erm...date him."

I sighed deeply shaking my head lightly. "You really need to stop playing matchmaker."

"But, mama...", she argued. "He was nice. He was polite."

I was surprised by her words. "Polite? Did you see how he talked to me?"

"But he was very polite to me", she muttered.

"That's because you are just a kid, Carmel."

Tears formed at the corner of her eyes. "I just want you to get a boyfriend and get married. I want you to be happy, mama."

It hurts to see her cry. I slowly cupped her cheek. "I am happy, Carmel. I don't need some man to make me happy. I have you."

There was guilt written all over her face. "But I am the reason no one agrees to date you."

My eyes widened. "Carmel, no..."

"Why don't you tell them I am adopted. That I am not your real daughter."

I lightly smacked her cheeks. "Don't you dare say that ever again."

She lowered her gaze again.

I said softly, "So what if I adopted you? To me, you are my real daughter, Carmel. You are my sunshine."

"And telling everyone you are adopted, won't make a difference. If they want me then they have to accept you too, whether adopted or real", I added.

"I want a father, mama", she whispered.

I froze at her words. "Sorry?"

"My friends, they all have their fathers and I don't have one. I am not saying that you are not enough for me but...I need a father too."

By this time, even I had tears in my eyes and I engulfed Carmel in a warm hug.

"If that's what you want...then I will search for someone", I told her.

She pulled apart and a wide smile formed on her face. "Really?"

With a broken heart, I nodded. "Yes."

Maybe she noticed the sadness on my face because her brows furrowed. "You don't look happy. Don't you want to get married?"

I gave her a sad smile. "I want to...but I am... waiting for someone."

"Who, mama?"

A certain boy with those deep blue eyes appeared in my mind. "My first love."

Carmel gasped. "You first love? And you didn't tell me?!"

"It's not that important. It was a long time back. It's been twenty years since I last saw him. I don't even know where he is."

"You were just seven at that time?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"You have to tell me the whole story now", she demanded.

I ruffled her hair. "Some other time, Carmel."

.

.

.

"I am so late. I am so late", I mumbled to myself and grabbed my handbag and quickly wore my shoes.

I need to open the restaurant in the next ten minutes and I have no idea how I woke up so late.

Even though it's my restaurant and it won't be a problem to open it a few minutes late, I like to be punctual.

I already sent Carmel to school, now I need to catch a cab real quick and reach my restuarant.

I walked downstairs from my apartment and onto the footpath when I saw a cab already standing at the other side of the road.

Now, I don't need to wait for it.

I started crossing the road when I realised that I don't remember whether I kept the keys of the restaurant or not.

So, I looked down at my handbag and rummaged through it, still crossing the road.

Oh, it's there.

I sighed in relief and looked up and then suddenly I heard a loud honk of a car and I looked to my left to see a car racing towards me.

A scream left my mouth. That's it. Today is my last day. I am gonna die. Please God, forgive my sins.

I closed my eyes, embracing myself for an impact but it never came.

I slowly opened my eyes to see the car stopped just an inch before me.

My knees buckled and I fell down on the road on my butt.

I am alive!

The car's door opened and a man walked out with a worried expression on his face.

He crouched down in front of me. "Are you okay, miss?"

"Ye-ah...I am...okay", I stuttered.

"Thank God", he muttered before he stood up and held out his hand to me.

I looked at his hand and then at him and he gave me a small smile and I reluctantly placed my hand in his and got up.

"Are you sure you are okay? You don't need to go to the hospital, do you?", he asked hurriedly.

I shook my head. "No, I am fine."

I then looked at the other side of the road where the cab was and I saw that it went away.

Great!

"If you want", I head him speak. "I can drop you."

I turned to him. "Sorry?"

He smiled softly. "It seems you were in a hurry and was about to catch a cab and now you are getting even more late so, I can drop you."

"No... it's okay...you don't--"

"Please, I insist."

Since I was so late, I agreed with him and told him my destination.

I sat in the passenger's seat of his Mercedes and took a moment to admire the interior of the car.

"What's your name, miss?", he asked revving the engine and driving away.

"Aeryn. And yours?"

Some unreadable emotion crossed his face but he hid it immediately.

"Gareth. Nice to meet you, Aeryn", he replied.

"Nice to meet you too, Gareth."

The rest of the ride spent in me telling him about my restaurant and stuffs and when he finally dropped me at my restaurant, he told me he would be coming by tonight to have a taste of my dishes.

.

.

.

It was late and past the closing time of the restaurant and every other worker had gone so it was only me.

I should close the restaurant but I was waiting for Gareth cause he promised that he will come at night.

Maybe he will be late, that's why I decided to wait for a few more minutes before finally closing it.

I was wiping the counter in the kitchen when the door bell chimed and I happily peeked out to see who came and my mood soured instantly and my face grimaced because the devil himself decided to show up in the form of my landlord, Ronan.

"Aeryn!", I heard him call.

I was supposed to pay the rent the day before yesterday but I still don't have enough money, why doesn't he understand?

I put on a fake smile on my face and walked out.

"Yes, Ronan?"

He had a scowl on his face and his eyes narrowed at me. "Where's the rent?"

"Ronan", I said softly. "I am trying. I need a few more days, that's it."

"You never pay it on time, Aeryn. I don't want any excuses now."

I put on a puppy face and tried convincing him. "Look, Ronan. As you can see that the restaurant is gaining popularity day by day. It won't be long when I'll pay you the rent on time and who knows, maybe I will even buy this place from you."

He scoffed. "You can't pay the rent and you are talking about buying this place."

"I said maybe I will."

As Ronan was about to speak, the door bell chimed again and this time, Gareth walked in.

I gave him a small smile and excusing myself from Ronan, quickly went to him.

"Sorry, I got a bit late", he said.

"No, it's fine. Can you just give me a few minutes, I have to talk to my landlord?"

"Yeah, of course. Take your time. I am sitting there by the way", he said pointing over to a booth and I nodded before going back to Ronan.

"I just need a few more days, Ronan", I said in a low voice.

But Ronan being Ronan, said loudly, "I also need the money, Aeryn. Even I have a family to feed. If you can't afford to pay the rent then you can leave."

I sighed. "Just a few more days?"

"Three days. You have three days not more than that. I don't care where you get the money from." Saying that he angrily left and I sighed in relief.

I went over to Gareth who seemed to be busy on his phone.

I took his order and served him within a few minutes and I actually sat down opposite to him and had dinner along with him.

"I am sorry to eavesdrop but", he said. "I can help you in paying the rent. Infact, I can help you buy this whole place."

"That's sweet of you, Gareth but we just met this morning and you are already talking about helping me financially."

He stopped eating and put down his fork. "You didn't understand. What I mean to say is, I will help you financially and in return of which you need to help me."

My brows furrowed. "Help you in what way?"

He took a deep breath as if preparing himself and then he spoke in a low voice. "Well...my brother and I own a company. We are the joint CEOs and recently we need to secure a deal with another company but the problem is, the board of directors of that company wants us to prove them that we are responsible enough for that deal."

My nose scrunched up in confusion. I have no idea what he is trying to say.

He continued, "We actually kinda have a playboy type of an image and in order to fix that and seal that deal one of us need to get married and settle down. I mean, me getting married is out of the question so, that means my brother needs to get married real soon and I am searching for a bride for him."

My mouth slightly parted. "So?"

He ran his fingers through his hair and said nonchalantly, "I want you to marry my brother."

I literally choked on air on hearing his words. I started coughing really badly.

He quickly got up. "Oh my goodness!" He picked up the glass of water and handed it to me and I quickly gulped it down.

"Are you serious?!", I asked as I sobered down.

He chuckled awkwardly. "Unfortunately, yes."

"That's ridiculous, Gareth!"

"I know, I know. But please, try to understand. We need that deal badly and for that we need a bride and you seem perfect to me! And I promise once you sign the papers, all your financially problems will be taken care of", he explained.

"What company do you own?"

"The Wilbrose Enterprises", he stated.

How many more shocks for me today?!

I stood up. "Oh. My. God! Don't tell me you own that multi-billion dollar company?!"

"Aeryn, calm down! And yes, me and my brother own that."

I sat down again. "This is too much, Gareth. I can't do this."

"Just think about it, Aeryn. It's a win-win deal. You help us and we will help you. I promise."

"It's not about that... I...you know half of the people I date don't go on a second date with me because...I have a daughter and having me as their girlfriend will mean pretending to be a father to my daughter."

"I know about your daughter. Her name's Carmel and she is twelve years old and you adopted her when you were fifteen years old and you found her at a garbage dumping area. Right?"

My jaw dropped. "How the hell do you know all that?!"

"I actually...um...dug into your past and took out all that information...", he admitted.

"You stalked me!"

"Look, I am sorry but..."

"That's creepy, Gareth! That's very creepy!"

"Please, at least let me explain."

"Fine!"

"My brother has met your daughter and he is quite fond of her. He is ready to accept her as his daughter. Just marry him, please."

"Show me his picture. How can he meet my daughter without my knowledge?"

He opened his mouth to say something but decided against it. He instead took out his phone and showed me a picture.

"You gotta be kidding me!", I blurted out on seeing his brother's picture.

"You want me to marry this judgemental jerk?! And you are saying he is ready to accept my daughter!"

"I heard what happened yesterday and I apologise on his behalf--"

"Apologise on his behalf?!", I snapped at him. "I don't want you to apologise, I want him to apologise!"

"Aeryn, Aeryn. He will apologise...I promise and I really appreciate that you called him a Judgemental Jerk because that was a huge blow to his ego. Wish I was there to see it."

I chuckled at his words. I like this guy.

"So...are you willing to marry him?", he asked hopefully.

"I can't decide on that right now, Gareth but I think you shouldn't be too hopeful about it because my answer is still no."

He sighed and then got up and taking out his wallet he payed the bill. He didn't even ask how much he need to pay, he just payed some amount of money on the table and the amount looked huge.

And then he placed a business card saying, "In case you change your decision. That's my number."

And he walked away leaving me in a deep thought.