Contracted To Love

He nodded.

“I can’t do much about your daughter right now but as far as your career is concerned, how do you like it at Manhattan Voices?” he asked and she sighed.

Manhattan Voices was Michelle’s employer and she knew that they only offered her a position to try to diversify their viewership. Having someone like Michelle, someone from the Smith family in their line-up, was pulling in numbers and they capitalized on that daily, using her as a public relations stunt. Her dream was the more elusive New York Times where she couldn’t just wave the Smith name and walk in. Besides, the contract bound her to Manhattan Voices for another year or so.

“From your silence, I can tell that you’re not so sure about your position there, and I also happen to know of your fondness to the New York Times.”

She looked up at him, surprised.

“I’ve wanted to join the New York Times for a long time but the contract…”

“My lawyers can get you out of your contract,” he said, cutting her short. “You will be the station’s main face and you also get to have a show of your own. Prime time and everything.” He took a sip of his own wine. “This way, we both grow in our respective careers and get our parents off our backs.”

Michelle took another bite of her skewer and bit her lower lip lightly.

“I don’t understand how a marriage like this would work… I mean the home dynamics alone are hard to think about.”

He nodded.

“I know, but we don’t have to be physical yet. I’ll wait as long as you need to have you ready to sleep next to me.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“Yet?”

He nodded.

“Yet. I believe we could be a normal couple. If we’re given enough time to know each other. To grow. We could have a relationship, you and I.”

She took a long, deep breath. This was a lot of information for her to process. But then at the same time, she wasn’t really holding out for someone special. It wasn’t like she had anyone special. It had been ages since she’d been with anyone at all…and who would blame her? It wasn’t like she was willing to jump back into another relationship with the first man that came her way. Jean had made sure that she remained afraid to venture into new relationships.

“A relationship,” she echoed and he nodded.

“My family has made it clear that I cannot be a bad boy forever… I don’t want to be the next Hugh Heffner.”

His words could have very well been pure comedy but it was the look in his eyes that made her realize that he meant every word that came out of his mouth. It was true, what his parents said. Given how he lived his life, he might as well have been on the road to becoming the next Heff, chasing tail for as long as he lived.

In the back of her mind, Michelle knew that for as long as she lived, she wasn’t going to find another man who would ever be as honest as David was being with her at that moment, and that was more than enough for her.

“So, let me see if I understand you.” Michelle put her glass down and looked at him. “You’re offering to be my husband, to pledge your honor only to me?”

Michelle knew that her speech sounded strange, ancient even, but she didn’t really care. All she could think of, her entire focus, was on him and what he’d told her.

He nodded.

“I know that as humans we have urges. Are you sure you can hold out for that long?’

David smiled.

“With everything I’m going through to get you, I believe that you’re worth it.”

“What if I’m never ready?” she asked and he reached for his own glass. He took a long sip and then picked up a skewer from his plate.

“You will be. I know it.”

Michelle forced out a laugh. The nerve of this man!

“I know that sounds like I’m a little proud but I assure you, it’s not pride. I just want to make sure I secure my future and yours.”

She picked up her fork and began moving her salad around the plate.

“I don’t know what to say… I mean, it’s a lot to take in.

David nodded.

“I agree. It is a lot to take in and I understand you need to take some time to process this. I respect that, but you also need to prepare for the publicity.”

Michelle raised an eyebrow.

“Publicity?” she asked and David nodded.

“Your family is well-known and respected as the first African Americans to set up a successful business empire in the country, and Favre is a big name in the business world as well. Our parents are going to make this like the royal wedding, that’s for sure.”

She smiled. He was right about them making a spectacle of the whole thing. There was no telling the magnitude of the media coverage on their wedding but she had an idea. But even with all the new information being processed in her mind, a question kept popping up. A question that she needed answered.

“How are you going to secure me a position with the New York Times? I mean, with all the work I’ve put in trying to get in on my own merit… it’s been next to impossible.”

He smiled.

“Everything and everyone has a price. That’s something I’ve come to learn.”

She picked up another skewer and took a bite. She closed her eyes when the juicy beef mingled with the onion and peppers. The taste was simply heavenly. When she opened her eyes, David was placing a small velvet case on the table in front of her.

“What is this?” she asked.

“Why don’t you open it?” was David’s answer.

He watched her as she opened the case to rest her eyes on the ring inside. Michelle gasped. She knew that ring. She’d seen it on Sarah Favre’s finger for a long time. How could she not have noticed the ring that she’d seen all her life? The ring that she wished she could play with while playing dress up. It was the only other wildly dashing ring she knew besides her mother’s brilliant cushion cut diamond ring.

“This is your mother’s ring,” she said in a whisper and he nodded.

“Well, it’s actually a family heirloom. It’s a long story but I won’t get into it right now.”

She looked up at him.

“I know this isn’t how you pictured your proposal,” he went on and she shook her head.

“I’ve already had the bent on one knee romantic bullsh*t and look how that turned out,” Michelle said.

 “So, is this a yes?” he asked and she looked at him.

“You haven’t asked me anything just yet.”

David smiled. She was going to make him work for it.

“Michelle Smith, will you marry me?” he asked as he looked right into her eyes.

She bit her lip.

“When would people know about us? Being engaged and all?” she asked and David shrugged.

“I’m not so sure but knowing our parents, there’ll be headlines before we get home tonight.”

Michelle smiled.

“The position with The New York Times,” she started and he nodded.

“Everything’s already in place. All I need to do is make the call and you’ll be in New York Times’ employ in the time it takes you to get to your car.”

Michelle swallowed hard. So, this was it. She wasn’t one of the girls who would get their knight in shining armor and ride off to the sunset. She was never going to get that opportunity. For her, this was it. This was as good as it was ever going to get, but she was still hesitant.

“I have a CCP,” she said in a soft voice and he raised an eyebrow over the other.

“A conceal carry permit?”

She nodded.

“In case you ever think of putting your hands on me.” She looked at the ring and then looked up at him. “I’ve been there before and I’m never going back.”

David nodded.

“Don’t worry. I do all my shooting at the range and I have a trainer to spar with. I would never hurt you like that, Michelle. I’m no coward.”

She nodded.

“Okay then. I will marry you.”