Becoming Mrs. Martin

The Proposal

3 days later...

A.E's POV..

I visited Austin every single day and he looks quite irritated already that I keep on coming back to disturb him. But I can't help it. I like spending my time with him.

"Good morning!" I greeted happily as I entered his room.

I opened the door widely to let B1 and B2 bring in the gift I have bought for him today.

"You may go." I said as I signaled B1 and B2 to leave the room immediately.

"What is it this time?!" Austin asked, looking annoyed.

"It's a painting." I answered ignoring his annoyed expression. Then I removed the paper covers of the painting and showed it to him. "It's an original painting by Pablo Picasso. It's called Guernica. Guernica is primarily a war painting, offering a visual account of the devastating and chaotic impact of war on both men and women, in this case specifically on civilian life and communities. See, I really love all his paintings."

I look at him looking at me with an amused expression.

"What am I gonna do with that?" he suddenly ask.

"Of course you hang it on the wall. Duh?" I muttered like its an obvious thing to do. "And don't you dare not accept it. I spent millions of dollars for it in an Auction in Spain."

I then saw Alyssa, his sister, laughing silently at the corner. She's eating some chips like she's watching a movie.

"I know you like it." I added which makes Alyssa burst out laughing.

"What do you know about what I like and what I don't?" he asked, looking pissed. "And Alyssa, will you stop laughing?!"

"Well you don't have a choice but to like it." I reasoned. "You saved my life so it's just right for me to shower you with gifts."

I literally showered him with gifts. First day, I ordered a thousand roses to be delivered to his room. Then later fed the whole hospital staff with food. So they all went thanking him and me, which practically annoyed both of us. The next day, I gave him a rolex, 10 pairs of shoes (I measured his foot while he was sleeping), 10 pairs of polo and ties with suit (I ask his assistant for his measurement, he couldn't say NO!) and 10 scents of the world's famous men's perfume (who wouldn't like perfumes? I love perfumes). And now, the painting. I am still thinking of what else to give him.

Why is it so hard to give gifts to a guy?

"Stop thinking of things to give me." he said in a serious tone. "I told you I didn't need one."

"But I don't follow orders." I reasoned out. "I give orders."

His eyes darken as he looked at me.

"You're stubborn." he said.

"I know." I replied and Alyssa laughed harder.

"I'm gonna leave you two here.." she said going to the door. "A.E, I really like you."

"ALYSSA MARTIN! DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE ME HERE!" he growled at her sister.

"Bye, lovebirds!" she said and with a wink, she quickly went out of the room.

Austin closed his eyes and sighed.

What did I do now?

"I guess you're stuck with me?" I said and sighed.

"Whatever." he replied and tried to reach for his phone. And I saw him saying something to himself.

"Saying something?" I asked and he shook his head.

I have received a text message from Alyssa saying that he hasn't eaten yet. So, I decided to feed him.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Alyssa said, you haven't eaten yet. So I'm gonna feed you." I said cheerfully pouring some porridge on a bowl. "I'm so nice, right?"

"I can feed myself." he said.

"You can't. You're right handed and you're right hand is unfortunately hurt." I reasoned.

When I reach his bedside, he looks at me like I was some evil force trying to kill him.

"I'm not hungry." he said again.

But then, he cussed under his breath when his stomach growled. I grinned from ear to ear and wiggled my eyebrows.

"Seems to me like your stomach says otherwise." I said.

He sighed and gaze at me sharply.

"Don't worry there's no poison here." I said as I give him a spoonful of porridge. "Say 'Ah'"

He sighed again and opened his mouth because he's left with no choice. I fed him everything on the bowl and smiled.

"See? Easy." I commented and brought the bowl back into place.

And I smiled as charmingly as I can.

"What now?" He blurted out.

"Now look at me, and lets wait for the love potion to take effect." I said in a serious manner.

His eyes widen and he coughed loudly as his face turned red. I gave him water immediately, rubbing his back.

"I was just kidding." I said as I laughed out loud.

"Don't ever say that again." he said firmly as he recovered. He looked at me sharply and I can't help but stare at his face, his jaw, and his lips. So kissable.

Should I tell him now?

Yeah.

What if he rejects me?

No one can ever reject you.

Yeah. It's time to tell him.

You like him, right?

It's the 21st century, AE. Even women now can propose to someone they like. Duh?

Okay, then.....

"Don't blank out on me like that. I am afraid of what's going on your mind." he said disturbing my thoughts.

"Are you sure you really want to know?" I ask with brows raised as I turned to look at his eyes.

"What?" he asked meeting my gaze, looking confused.

"I like you. Lets get married." I said directly looking into his eyes.

***

It's been a week since my proposal, but still he hasn't replied. Sadly, after that day, I needed to attend an emergency conference in France with my dad. I specifically told him to call me but until now, he didn't.

I hate him for making me wait this long!

Does this mean he rejected it?

Then my heart sunk thinking about the idea of him rejecting it. I have never wanted a guy like that. The moment I saw him, I just knew that he's the one for me. 

Why can't he see that?

"You okay, sweetie?" my dad asked. "Thinking about him again?"

"Yeah. I think he doesn't like me." I answered as a matter of factly.

"Did he tell you that?" he asked.

"Well, technically no. But I can feel it." I said.

"Are you giving up?" he asked again as he chuckles.

"Of course not!" I say and I looked at my dad with determination in my eyes. "I'll force him even if he rejects me! I will make him fall in love with me, Daddy."

My dad just laughed out loud.

Maybe he thinks I was kidding.

***

Two weeks after my unsuccessful proposal, I'm now back from France. He doesn't even bother to answer my calls. During those two weeks, I bothered his sister, his mom and dad, and even his assistant. And he ignored me more.

Now, I'm sitting here in a cafeteria, waiting for his mom and Alyssa.

"Hi, dear!" Mrs. Martin greeted as she peck me on my cheeks and I do the same. Likewise, Alyssa and I greeted each other.

"How are you?" Mrs. Martin asked.

"I'm doing great. How about both of you?" I asked.

"We're fine." they say.

We chatted for some time about the conference I attended and over some other random stuff. Then Alyssa turned to me and looked at me seriously.

"Do you really like my brother?" she asked.

"Yes." I answered meeting their gaze.

"Why?" she asked again.

"I just feel it." I said right away. "I like him very much."

Then she smiled and hugged me. "I can't wait to be your sister!"

"oh." I commented and hugged her back.

"Austin had been very much in love in the past. He once loved this girl so much. But in the end, she left him..broken." Mrs. Martin interrupted and I faced her.

What kind of girl would leave a man as perfect as Austin?

I just nodded and sat silently as she continues her tale of Austin's undying love for this girl.

"Does this mean that he still loves her?" I asked.

"He doesn't say so. But we all think he still loves her." Mrs. Martin said.

"And he's so dumb for doing so." Alyssa added.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked.

"To prepare you..if you're really determined to win his heart." Alyssa said and smiled.

"Do you think he'll soon come to like me back?" I asked again.

"Of course, dear. Just believe." Mrs. Martin said. "He has never cared about any other girl before aside from Iza. I believe he saw something in you to go all the way, just to save you."

"Oh." I commented.

"If your intentions and feelings are all pure, then go for it and win his heart!" she encouraged.

"Agreed." Alyssa added.

"Thank you." I said as I excitedly held into their arms smiling widely.

***

Austin's POV...

I turned off my phone and toss it on my desk. It has rang a thousand times a day since I met A.E..What a weird nickname! And to think I almost ask her hand for marriage!

"I'm A.E!" she said as she smiled warmly and held out her hands. "Anica Elaine for long."

I shook her hand and stared at her for while. She's really pretty. She has light brown eyes, long nose, kissable lips, and has a curly black hair.

"Ehm..I know I'm pretty but my hand's going numb.." she cleared her throat as I let go of her hand and she smirked. "Am I that pretty?"

I slightly blushed. How can a woman be so straightforward?

"You have a dirt in your nose." I reasoned out as I point to my nose.

"Oh, No! Aah!" she yelled as she rubbed her nose and stormed to the bathroom.

Then she returned with her nose, all red.

"That's embarrassing." she commented and walked out of the room.

I laughed at that thought of her rubbing her nose to remove the imaginary dirt. So gullible! Now, she's been calling me like crazy ever since she asked me to get married.

'I like you. Lets get married.'

I was dumbstruck when she told me that. Even if she really likes me, how can a girl ask a guy to marry her? I shook my head. She really surprises me every time. Even showering me with all those gifts.

She's crazy!

and cute!

Then I was brought back to my senses when I heard the intercom.

"Sir, someone here is looking for you but he doesn't have any appointment." Sara said through the intercom. She is my receptionist and she is very professional.

"No appointment, no meeting." I answered and went back working.

"Sir, it's Mr. Adams..he said it is very important." she said

"Who?" I asked again thinking I heard it wrongly.

"It's Mr. Adams, sir." she answered.

I froze. I suddenly felt butterflies in my stomach. It started to twist and turn. What the hell is he doing here? Why would that he be here? I calm myself down and pressed the intercom. "Let him in."

Then I heard a knock and the door opened. Sara let the old man enter before closing the door behind her.

"Austin James Martin." he said. "We meet again."

I just raised my eyebrows at him and stared curiously. I then nodded politely and shook his hand. "Please have a seat, Mr. Adams."

He sat on the couch and I choose to sit on the couch across him.

"What would you like to drink?" I asked

"Oh, it's okay. I don't need one." he answered and smiled.

"It's good to see you, Mr. Adams but I'm curious. What could make the great Mr. Adams to visit me?" I asked calmly.

"Well, it's good to see you, Austin. It's about my daughter." he said. "I would like to personally thank you for saving my daughter. She's my everything. You can tell me whatever request you have and I'll grant them."

"It's nothing, Mr. Adams. I just did what I had to do." I said

"I was hoping to hear that from you. Thank you, Austin." he said smiling warmly.

I remember everything about him clearly. He was one of my inspirations. A true leader. I smiled at the thought of talking with him personally.

"So, what can I do for you?" I asked.

"I'm here to ask you if you're still interested in marrying my daughter." he said seriously. "I'm not getting any younger, Austin."

I looked at him intently, suddenly becoming surprised at his words. That is when I noticed that he has already developed some wrinkles and white hair now. His features are still the same except that he has definitely become slightly thinner and more fragile.

"Well?" he asked curiously.

I know if I accept, it will absolutely change my life. It'll be a win-win situation for both of our companies.

"Marry my daughter, Austin." he said again.

And knowingly, I just nodded.

***