Marriage Offered, Love Declined: Part 1
Chapter 1
Olivia
Smoothing down my dress, I hurry up the stairs to the tallest building in Sydney Harbour—The Orien—where futures are made or broken with a single word. Mine feels like it’s teetering on a knife’s edge.
Sebastian Winters isn’t just a wealthy, successful, and powerful Sydney businessman—he’s the kind of man who can tilt the balance in someone’s favor or send them spiraling. And today, I need to ask him for something that could change everything.
It shouldn’t be this daunting. I’ve been dating his brother, Shaun, for almost a year, but that doesn’t make this meeting any less intimidating. Sebastian has a reputation for being cold, calculating, and impossible to read. I need all the confidence I can muster to ask him what I came here to ask.
I’m out of breath by the time I reach the reception desk on the fortieth floor.
“Can I help you?” the receptionist asks coolly, sweeping a disapproving eye over my flushed face and business attire.
“I have a one o’clock appointment to see Mr. Winters.”
“Ms. Monroe?”
“That’s me.”
“You’re late.”
I check my watch. It’s just gone one minute past one, but of course, Sebastian would never let something like this slide.
“There was an accident. I couldn’t get through. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t get here any earlier.”
As it was, I had to park miles away and run here.
“Mr. Winters doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
“Will you please just tell Mr. Winters that I’m here? Please tell him that I’m very sorry I’m late, and that I’ll leave if he wants me to, but that I really do need to speak with him.”
On more than one occasion, I’ve had the distinct impression Sebastian doesn’t like me very much, despite my attempts to be friendly. Shaun assured me I shouldn’t take it personally. The two brothers have a tense relationship, though he’s never explained why. If Sebastian doesn’t like me, it’s because he’s still angry over the past, Shaun assures me. So, I’m not completely sure he won’t turn me away for being late, but since he agreed to the meeting in the first place, I hope he won’t.
Twisting her face into an expression of disgruntlement, the mid-thirties receptionist reluctantly picks up the phone and calls Sebastian. At least, I’m sure it is him because the greeting is short, sharp, and annoyed.
“Your one o’clock is here.” The receptionist looks at me before looking behind me. “I’m aware of this, as is she. She says she’s running late because of an accident.”
“Don’t forget to tell him I’m sorry and that I’m desperate to speak with him,” I remind her.
After hanging up—and not passing my message along—the woman with Nordic blonde hair in a severe ponytail stands and motions for me to follow her. Breathing out a sigh of relief, I practically run after her.
We walk along a carpeted hallway, past empty offices, to the office at the end. The walls are glass but tinted so they can’t be seen through. The receptionist knocks on the door and waits for Sebastian’s gruff “Come in,” then opens the door and walks in. I follow her, noting that Sebastian doesn’t even bother looking up at the receptionist or me.
“Thank you, Nicole. You may leave us.”
“Yes, sir.”
Nicole shoots me another disapproving look for good measure before walking out, leaving me standing there looking at Sebastian, who is engrossed in his computer. Some say his heart was broken into a million pieces and he’ll never love again, but he chooses to make others happy with his matchmaking. Others say his father hardened him and broke him with the cruel way he groomed his son for this role. Whatever happened to him is a mystery, but the darkness around him is strong. His jet-black hair is long enough to look artfully tousled, while short enough to be corporate. It’s his eyes that are as black as his heart. And when he looks up and spears me with a gaze, I nearly run out of the room.
“Will you quit staring at me and sit down, Olivia.”
No one calls me Olivia but this man. I prefer Liv or Livvy. And the way Sebastian says it is mocking, almost as though he’s emphasizing my youth, as if being twenty-three makes me naive and insignificant. It’s nothing like I am, just as Sebastian is no revered ruler. More like he sees himself as a ruler of the world, his name meaning venerable and revered. His name should be Pluto or Hades, or…basically devil spawn. Because even if he doesn’t look like it, this man is danger and the devil wrapped in one. Impenetrable. Yet I’m about to beg him to help me. I’m afraid of the costs, but the consequences if I don’t do not bear thinking about.
I walk slowly over to the desk – the only piece of furniture in the large, oversized office – aware of each of my footsteps in the soft, plush grey carpet.
“What is it you need?” he bites out with a voice full of impatience.
I would rather have this conversation with him looking at me, but he seems intent on getting on with his business, and since I was a minute late, I guess I don’t have the right to demand his full attention. It’s just that this is a big thing I’m asking for, and as difficult as I knew it would be, I thought he would at least be looking at me when I asked for it. Even if it is easier to avoid making eye contact with the devil, if he won’t look at me, how can I expect him to say yes?
And if he doesn’t…? If he refuses…I swallow hard. I’ve been full of bravado until now, and I had somewhat convinced myself that he would agree because of my relationship with his brother. Now, I’m worrying I may have been deluding myself. He’s never liked me all that much.
I run my hands down my skirt, sweating as his gaze snaps up and he glares at me. “I’m waiting, Olivia. You asked for this appointment, yet you come late, insist on still meeting with me, and then say nothing.”
At least he’s looking at me now. Taking a deep breath, I hold his unhappy gaze. “I came to ask you for a loan.”
For a beat of silence, he doesn’t acknowledge what I said. Then, as if I’ve asked him to escort me to a water park – as if my father’s life doesn’t hang in the balance with his decision – Sebastian shakes his head.
“No.”
It’s a one-word answer, not even an explanation. Perhaps I don’t have the right to ask for one, but…my throat tightens. I don’t know how to sway him, but I need to. I have to.
Swallowing down my trepidation, I say, “I realize it’s a big ask, but I thought you might be able to help us with a loan of some kind. I know my father can make up the money we’ve lost. I know we can get things back on track; we just need the chance to do that.”
Black eyes peer into mine. “Olivia, do you have any idea just how much trouble your father’s business is in?”
“Of course.”
“Then you understand we’re talking about a very large sum of money.”
I nod, knowing it’s crazy to ask, but without Sebastian’s help, my family will be ruined, and not just financially. As it is, my father has started his day-long binge drinking sessions again; my mother is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and my brother Johnny is running up gambling debts, trying to win back our money. I’m watching my family fall to pieces in front of me, and I can’t allow it. I have to do something.
Shaun wants to help me, but he doesn’t have the money or position to offer the amount needed. He’s been talking about proposing for months. Maybe Sebastian will see this as an opportunity to help out his future sister-in-law.
“I wouldn’t ask, but there is no one else,” I add, my desperation loud in the large room.
“So I am your last lifeline then?”
“Yes,” I confirm. “I wouldn’t have come to you if there was another option. I know I’m asking you for a lot, but I have to ask. I will pay every cent back just as soon as I can.”
He shakes his head. “What if you never can? What if you don’t get the money back, Olivia? What happens if I loan you this money and it makes no difference?”
“Then I’ll come up with some other form of payment.”
His eyes widen, and I redden at how it sounded. I didn’t mean for it to come out sounding like that.
“I mean,” I quickly elaborate, “there must be some way to repay you. I’ll work in your company, be your personal assistant, be your maid. I’ll do anything. I promise you that I will find a way to repay the debt.”
“We’re talking about a huge loan, and I don’t need a maid, or an assistant, or another employee. I already have those.”
“There must be something you need.”
Again, I blush at the words coming out of my mouth. And clearly, I’m right about them not sounding innocent because Sebastian raises an eyebrow. “I get plenty of that, before you start offering.”
I feel far too hot. I can only imagine how many women he’s been with. He’s a billionaire with an absurd amount of power, and even though I find him too serious and intimidating, with his strong nose, square-cut jaw, and sharp cheekbones, he’s always in the tabloids for being the world’s sexiest billionaire.
“Of course. I didn’t mean to insinuate…I just mean there must be something you don’t have. Something you want.”
“Well, there isn’t.”
With that, he returns his focus back to the screen in front of him. My mouth falls open, but I close it quickly, trying not to show my shock. I never thought this conversation would be easy, that I’d swiftly sell him on helping me, but even I’m surprised he’s shot me down so quickly. I’m still wrapping my head around the fact he really said no. Even though it was a long shot, I still managed to convince myself he would help—that I could—would—persuade him.
“Please,” I say, and it comes out sounding like a whisper and a plea. “There must be something you need and don’t yet have.”
He responds with nothing but silence, and desperation makes me push further.
Money can’t buy everything. There has to be something you don’t have, something I can help you with.”
His eyes narrow, holding mine for a beat too long, as if weighing the cost of what he’s about to say. “You are not in the position to offer me that one thing.”
I pounce on his words, leaning forward, seizing the tiny sliver of hope he’s given me. “But there is something you want or need. I can help you get it. If you just tell me, just give me a chance, you’ll see. I can do it. I’ll do anything for you.”
“That’s a dangerous promise to throw out there,” he says, his tone clipped.
“Only if I can’t back it up, but I can. Just tell me. Tell me what it is you want.”
He leans back in his chair, his gaze steady on mine. “You want to know what I need, Olivia? Fine. But you won’t like the answer.”