Chapter 22: The Solution

Ella Lattone's POV

I was tossing and turning as the alarm was blaring near me. I groaned before I was reaching for it blindly as I was hitting the STOP button on my cell phone.

"Be quiet. I cannot take it early today," I said as I was blocking my hands over my eyes. It was too bright and I think I cannot handle it.

"I think you might need to get up," a familiar voice was coming from the right side of me before I removed my hands and I was looking at Cameron Hayes who was making it comfortable in my bedroom.

Or was it my bedroom?

I turned to look around and I was in an unfamiliar room before I sat up on the bed and I was looking at me. I was in my underwear and I don't think that I would be in bed here.

Cameron's bed.

"I should be the one to answer that question," he asked me as I was looking at him. Images have come flooded my memories.

The bar, the dancing, the car, the kiss.

I shook my head as I was holding my temple for it was throbbing very hard right now. I don't want to remember but I did.

"So, do you have your answer?" Cameron asked as he put the mug down before he leaned against the window and crossed his arms in front of his chest. I shook my head as I know it was not possible.

"So, do you get your answer or should I remind you that last night—"

"Last night was a mistake," I said quickly before he said anything. He looked at me as he was arching his eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yes! What happened between us last night was a mistake and I think we should forget it and move on with our lives," I said before I gathered the sheets and I was trying to get off the bed before he spoke.

"But I can't. You see, I have been saving myself for someone special and last night has been a magical moment with you," he said as I turned to look at him. I don't think that I was going to like where this was going.

"You're promised me that you will consider your answer," he said as he was walking slowly toward me. I gripped the sheets tighter.

"What…what do you mean?" I said as I gulped the bitterness of my question. He smirked as he was sitting on the bed next to me before he was assessing me. He reached out as I was staring into his eyes.

"You like it most when I kissed you here," he whispered where he traced my naked shoulder and I shivered. I don't recall that he was kissing me.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I was trying to control the shivers that were caused by him. His emerald orbs were staring at me before he leaned closer.

"You have to take responsibility since I will never be able to marry anyone anymore. You've ruined me," he whispered as my eyes widened.

"That's not true! You're the one that ruined me," I barked at him before he was staring at me with all seriousness.

"No, you don't understand. Us, the Hayes, believed that we only have sex with one woman for the rest of our lives and since you and I have shared that intimate moment last night," he said as I was shaking my head to deny him.

"No, you're joking,"

"Am I?" He asked as he was leaning even closer as I was stuck to the headboard and between his hard body.

"I think you already know the answer, Ella. Or I might have to report it to the police that I have been harassed by you last night. I say, it will not look good on your profile, especially for someone that wanted to complete her study quietly," he said as he was staring into me. I gulped.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked before he shrugged.

"I don't know but maybe you will change your mind once the board heard about our rendezvous—"

"No, please. I don't want to be expelled. I have too much at stake. Please, let me fix it without any authority involved," I said as I was looking at him. He was staring, calculating my answer. Then he smiled.

"There's only one thing that we can do after this," he said as he stood up and went to his drawer.

"What?" I asked as I was looking at him before he was coming to be by my side again.

"Marry me and I will drop the charges that I have planned on you," he said as I was staring at the sapphire engagement ring that he was holding.

I looked at it and it was beautiful. I never thought that he was holding a ring in front of me. It was like a dream comes true. My whole life has been waiting for my crush to propose to me.

Even for a horrible reason.

I stared at him as he was eyeing my hand. I was biting my lips as I looked at my left hand before I turned to look at him again.

"Promise you would not report about our arrangement?" I asked him as I was trying to read him. But he was emotionless.

"I tell you once we got married, every charge will be off my head,"

"Married?" I asked him, trying to understand him.

"Yes, we will go to the city hall today and I will ask for a marriage certificate. You will have to prepare for your documents after this as we will get married today," he said casually.

"Today?!" I shouted. Cameron rolled his eyes at me as he took my left hand and put the ring on it.

"Yes since you don't have anyone waiting," he said.

"And if I had?" I taunted him. He turned to look at me, staring.

"Then, I will have to kill them," he said casually. I gasped as I snatched my hand from his fingers.

"You wouldn't!" I said before he shrugged and got out of bed. I was staring at him as he crossed his arms and looked at me.

"Believe it all you want, Ella. But one thing for sure, we're getting married today and I will make sure of it," he said before he moved out of the bedroom. I was looking at his retreating figure before I sighed as I was feeling the weight of the ring on my hand.

"Bloody hell!" I cursed as I was searching for the bathroom to get ready. Why do I have to fall in love and have a crush with a cold man after all?

Cameron Hayes, you're not my prince charming anymore!

Cameron Hayes' POV

We were sitting in front of the officer that will be interviewing us for our marital status. He was looking at the papers that we have filed and I think he was sneaking a glance at Ella now and then.

Ella was wearing my clothes but she looked so good in it. I think I wanted to look at her wearing my dress shirt only as she will be showing her legs only for me.

Not this man.

The officer closed our files and we were ready to listen to his explanation. He was eyeing Ella as he smiled and she smiled back.

Damn, I think I want to burn something.

"It seems that everything was in order and I think we will be getting those interviews after you guys got your marriage certificate. When would be the best date for you guys to come?" He asked as he was taking his calendar before we opened our phone and looked at them.

"I think after our finals would be good, right honey?" I asked Ella as I grabbed her hand and she looked at me. We stared at each other for a while before she replied.

"Yes, that would be good actually," she said as she was staring at me.

"Perfect, then I will see you on May 20th. Sounds good?" The officer asked.

"That sounds perfect," I replied as I turned to smile at the officer while I was gripping Ella's hand to show she was mine.

After we got out of the room and we were filing for our marriage certificate, I looked at Ella and she sighed. I don't know what was bothering her but I was determined to find out.

"Come on, married to me will not be that bad, right?" I asked her as we were walking out of the Homeland Security building. I was looking at the traffic that was not too busy for Tuesday.

"Sure, if you're not a stick in the mud," she mumbled but I know what she was referring me to. I heard them all last night.

"I can assure you that our marriage will be passionate," I whispered to her before she turned to look at me, narrowing her eyes. I smirked before I grabbed her and we went to the car to get out of here.

Only 3 days to wait for our marriage certificate and I was convinced to have you as my wife, on papers and real life.