Chapter 27: The Negotiation

Barbara Brown's POV

"So, what do you say?" Brad asked me as I was looking at him for a moment. I still need to confirm that he needed my expertise in this field. I sipped on my champagne as I stared out the balcony.

"What will I get in return?" I asked him as I turned to look at him. I put the best smirk face that I can as he was gripping his glass. Good, he did not think that far.

"What do you want? I'm sure I can give you anything that your heart desires?" He asked me as I was pondering on the question.

"Anything?" I asked as I was smirking before I was sipping on the champagne. Brad was raking his fingers through his hair as I was dying to do it myself.

"Did you annul our marriage?" I asked him before he turned sharply at me. He sighed before he shook his head.

"When I discovered that you have to be a part of the team again, I called in a favor at the people who will be annulling our divorce," he said as I was arching my eyebrow at him. He chuckled before he turned to look around.

"So, what it will be? Should I wait for the answer then?" He asked as I was tapping my champagne glass. I smirked at him before I gulped all the liquor and turned to look at him.

"I'll think about it. But for now," I whispered as I was leaning closer to him. He stilled before I reached his nape and brought his lips to meet mine.

It was supposed to be an innocent kiss but when I kissed him, he claimed my mouth as if he was nervous when I will not kiss him back. He gripped my head to be still and I was gripping his coat as well and leaned closer to him. I missed this. I missed him.

"Barbara," he whispered as he was kissing me on the neck and jaws.

"Stay with me tonight," he pleaded before I was breathing heavily. I smiled with my victory that I can make him plead. But first…

"No, I have to think about your proposal. And when I'm done, maybe we can negotiate for something else as well," I said before I stepped out of his warmth, and instantly I missed it already. I put my best air before I walked into the ballroom again, stranding Brad at the balcony.

"I see you around, Mr. Cornwall," I said as I was moving into the ballroom before I wanted to escape from here. I was moving around the people as I tried to avoid people for small talk.

I need to getaway.

"Ah, there you are!" Emily called after me as I cursed under my breath before I turned to look at her. I smiled as she was smiling brightly at me.

"Emily. Are you looking for me?" I asked her as she was taking my hands into her. She was beaming with happiness which I was curious about.

"Do you have time for several days from now?" She asked before I was arching my eyebrow at her. She told me why and I was smirking with her as well.

"In that case, I will try my best to help you then," I said before I saw Brad was staring at me across the room and I excused myself from the wedding. I was exhausted and I think I need time to think from being swayed by Brad's body on mine.

Not that I was allergic to it, rather I was waiting for him but I have to do my stuff first. I will come back for him later and it will be a blast.

When the day for Lea and Alex's reception as Emily described it, we were gathering at her house. I felt happy for Lea as she never been in the right relationship before. I hoped Alex will treat her with respect.

And I think I already saw that.

I smiled at them as I was looking for the refreshment table and the arrangements of the food for the guest. I have been here for most of the day and they will arrive during dinner. We will be ready by then.

"They're here! In position everyone," Emily shouted as we were taking our positions and I was happy to be a part of this. It was exciting as I was never done things like this before. I don't think I can have this but I hoped one day.

Yeah, one day was good enough.

The light from the car was coming into the front yard as we were talking in the kitchen. I think we can surprise them, even more, when they walked through the kitchen. I was talking with Colin, Alex's brother, and Amber about random stuff before Amber exclaimed.

"There they are!"

"Hi, long time no see," I said as I was hugging Lea before she slapped my arm playfully for being a part of this surprising reception. I told her that her mum asked me and I cannot ignore that request.

Then, Lea moved to great her Nana with her husband and my heart ached as I was looking at their interactions. I heard Nana's commotion before Emily stopped her. She was talking with them before she toasted for Lea and Alex.

"Here's come the bride and groom!"

I followed the crowd before I was sipping on the glass. That moment, my phone rang as I went out of the kitchen to pick it up and no doubt, it was Brad enquiring about his offer.

"So, it has been a week for you to consider. Have you thought about it?" His voice was sultry and I cannot help but the butterfly in my stomach.

"Hmm, it sounds tempting but what will you give me when I have already tasted you?" I asked him as he chuckled darkly. I shivered from that alone.

"Well, my dear, first and foremost, it was just one night and we both know that we can never be satisfied for one night with each other. Second, you don't even announce that you were married to me when I know you wanted to," he said.

Damn him!

He got my score on that statement. I can never get satisfied by being a wife on paper and not being able to tell people that I was married. I sighed as I was pinching my nose bridge.

"So, what do you propose if you're so good at it?" I asked him before he chuckled again and my stomach rolled.

Control yourself, damn it!

"Well, I was not a good businessman if I cannot deal with the greatest outcome. How about we continue our marriage but this time, I want my ring on your finger? Do you have any objection to that?"

"What if people ask me? What will I say? Am I allowed to tell them that I was your wife?" I asked as I was chewing my lower lips.

Please say yes.

Please say yes.

"If you share my bed the rest of our excavation, you can tell the public that you belong to me," he said in that sultry voice and I was anticipated with what was coming for me on nights. I will share his bed but he did not say that he will not be faithful.

"Okay, I share your bed but I want your faithfulness. No outside fill," I said as he chuckled.

"Deal,"

"So, when will we be going to the Bay Area again?"

"I'll come to pick you up," he said and hung up. Before I can say anything, he texted me that he knows where I was. I cursed him as I searched for Lea.

After I heard Lea's speech about her sister's wedding, I could not keep my tears from flowing. It was so beautiful and memorable. She was one good speaker.

"toast," I shouted as she toasted for her sister, and Amber came running at her. I smiled before I smiled at them.

My thought was distracted as I was in the reception of Lea and Alex's that Emily decided to throw at the very last minute. I have a few moments before I need to go. I have to find Lea. And tell her the truth but not all of them, of course. He hates that.

"So, listen. I have to go to the Bay Area after this," I said as she looked at me. I looked at her as I was nervous as a wreck.

"Okay, what for?" she asked me. I laughed before I told her the exciting news.

"I got into the program that I applied to. Hard but I got in!" I shrieked before Lea shouted as well. We were screaming as hugging and I cannot tell how happy I was.

"Yeah, so I will leave immediately tonight," I said as I was tucking her hair behind my ear.

"Yeah, yeah. Of course. Don't you need to pack? Why are you still here? Go, go!" Lea said as I told her someone was waiting for her. I went out of the backyard and I saw his sleek car came to stop in front of me.

Lea was looking at me as if he recognized him as I was opening the door and I got inside before she turned as her husband came to look for her. I sighed before he decided to talk.

"Ready, my love?" He asked as I looked at his gorgeous face. How will I make this marriage platonic as possible?

"As I will ever be, I think," I said as I looked at the envelope that he handed to me.

"Everything was in order. I only need your signature, Barbara," he said as he called my full name. Everyone only called me Barb but not him, he wanted to call me Barbara, just to spite me.

"Fine, where should I sign?" I asked him as he drove off from the streets into the city.

"In front of the judge, we will be getting married right away," he said as he was driving like a pro.

"But we already married," I said to him but he just rolled my eyes.

"But this time, it will be right and you will be wearing my ring," he said as he looked at me briefly but his stare was intense. I gulped. Why do I have to get involved with him, of all people? Why do I have to get involved with Brandon Cornwall?